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 Never turn your back on a friend by Budgie

My first encounter with Budgie was in the late 80′s while at college. My classmate knowing I was a hard core fan of the band Rush plays me a cassette full of assorted songs asking me to identify Rush. I jumped to the challenge. After a couple of songs the distinctive vocals of Geddy Lee confirmed to me it was Rush. But to my amazement I was wrong! Rush’s song was further down the list and instead I was staring at the cover of the cassette reading a song by the band Budgie. In fact on that cassette Budgie’s song sounded better than Rush’s.

Almost two decades later I am looking at Roder Dean’s artwork and I realise he also did work on several of Budgie’s albums. Our of sheer curiosity I check one of their hits, “Breadfan” and I dumbfounded with that similarity of the Geddy Lee like vocals and the sound. I dive into Budgie’s music and all I can get are gems. I am not surprised that so many heavy metal bands were covering their songs. Metallica, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, all heavy metal giants covering their songs, amazing!

Both Budgie and Rush were three member bands. In both the bands the lead vocals were offered by the bassist. In their early days members of Budgie even looked like the members of Rush. Both Geddy Lee (bassist/lead vocalist) of Rush and Burke Shelley (bassist/lead vocal) wore large rimmed glasses. However unlike Geddy Lee, Burke’s voice would eventually change over the years into a more coarser sound.

Budgie was one of the earliest of the heavy metal bands inspiring dozens of others including Metallica and The Melvins.

Released in 1973, Never turn your back on a friend was their third album. Roger Dean’s artwork on the cover of the album is impressive. Apart from Burke the other members of the band on this album are Ray Phillips on drums and Tony Bourge on lead guitar.

Now for a review of the songs.

1. Breadfan- The riff at the beginning is sure to impress you. No wonder bands such as Metallica covered it. Just  do a search on YouTube  for “Breadfan” and there are more Metallica videos covering this song than Budgie. Burke’s voice sounds more childish than Geddy Lee.  The singing style also strongly reminded me of the ubiquitous “Venkateswara Suprabatham”, a classical piece by India’s very own M.S Subbulakshmi. You could easily fool someone this was an early Rush song.

2. Baby, please don’t go- A cover of Big Joe Williams’ original song. What incredible bass playing and lead guitar work with Ray providing all the terrific drum support he can. Again very much Geddy Lee like vocals.

3. You know I’ll always love you – Lovely acoustic number with beautiful lyrics, sung so well. A small song compared to the rest but offering a nice break in between the heavier numbers.

4. You’re the biggest thing since powdered milk – The  second longest song after Parents.  Starts with a brisk solo from till 1:43 min. The line “Oh it helps/hurts me when I cry….” is really moving. At 5.20 just after the lovely solo with thundering bass comes a riff like Deep Purple‘s Pictures of Home but lovely in Budgie’s own original style; incredible bass and guitar work.

5. In the grip of a tyrefitter’s hand – Great bass playing. You are reminded of a a Tony Iommi’s solo at 3 min, and at 5 min. The song has some great riffs, bass lines and again, you could easily fool someone this was Rush.

6. Riding my nightmare- Another lovely acoustic number to soothe the brain after the heavy dose of exciting stuff you heard before, sung well.

7. Parents- There are no shortage of anthems when it comes to Budgie and here’s the anthem of this album and an incredible anthem to conclude. The incredible lines, sweet and innocent lyrics and one of the best I’ve heard about school and kids since “Need no education” from Pink Floyd and “School” from Supertramp. 

The lines of the song -

When I was a little boy,
They would say to me,
Don’t go in the world and play,
It’s bad company.
All the had was child and faith,
Let them grow and let them wait,
Just to find what it was to be free.

But now I’m over twenty one
Growing up I’ve had my fun
And I know it’s got to be.
Baby lying in a womb,
Are you free or in a tomb?
Let me in,I feel I want to cry.
Oh the road is there,
Oh that road is there,
Come on back,back!

Wash Your hands and up to bed,
Mind your manners or your dead,
Mind the cars cos you’ve got school on monday.
Put my trus in god
Who is he I know not what
Something mummy said to me one sunday.
Maybe love is life but life is not
something I need plenty of.

Oh I wished I’d never lived a day,
now there’s no one near me now,
tell me what to do and how.
Take me,let me sing my cares away!
Oh that road is there,
Oh that road is there,
Come on back,back!

Wash your hands and up to bed,
Mind your manners or your dead,
mind the cars cos you’ve got school on monday.

Black ik black and white is white,
Witch to choose and witch is right,
Guide me to a place where I was stay,
Wrap me up and keep me warm,
Hide myself far from the storm,
Sleep and love will keep my mind at rest.
Only now I realise why my parents had to try,
Love you all and keep you all my life.
Oh that road is there,
Oh the road is there,
Come on back,back!

The line – “come on back” is sung beautifully. Song comes with terrific solos from Tony and with the sounds of the wailing birds in the background towards the end of the song lends it a very unique creative touch.

All the songs from the album can be  listened to on YouTube. Enjoy this great album!