The Grass Is Greener

After James Litherland's departure to Mogul Thrash, Colosseum recorded a few new tracks and re-recorded some old ones with incoming guitarist and vocalist Clem Clempson, previously in the blues power trio Bakerloo. So instead of issuing Valentyne Suite in the US, the tracks were compiled as a new album, entitled The Grass Is Greener—but with the same cover. It saw release in January 1970, again on ABC Dunhill. The opening bells of "Jumpin off the Sun" signal another Colosseum stormer, but now with the much earthier voice of Clempson. Dave Greenslade's tuned percussion also features on the ensuing "Lost Angeles," where we first hear Clempson rip on guitar. The bluesy "Elegy," with a Litherland vocal, remains the only track held intact from the UK release. "Butty's Blues," another Litherland-penned tune, features Greenslade's fine organ work and a menacing bass line from Tony Reeves. Jack Bruce's "Rope Ladder to the Moon," with its distinct chorus, opens the second side and also offers Dick Heckstall-Smith a chance to shine. Maurice Ravel's Boléro is the source of the following track, while the short "The Machine Demands a Sacrifice" benefits from Clempson's vocal. Personnel changes again rattled the band: bassist Mark Clarke replaced Reeves and bluesman Chris Farlowe joined on vocals, allowing Clempson to concentrate solely on guitar. Colosseum would record two final albums in 1971: the studio-produced Daughter Of Time and a phenomenal two-record set, Colosseum Live. Both, again, only charted in the UK. Upon Colosseum's breakup in late 1971, Hiseman and Clarke formed Tempest, Farlowe joined Atomic Rooster, Clempson went to Humble Pie and Greenslade formed his own band with Reeves.