Monday, June 9, 2025

VA - Never Turn Your Back On A Friend 50, Years Later [2023]

TRIBUTE

VA - Never Turn Your Back On A Friend 50, Years Later [2023]

Never Turn Your Back On A Friend, 50 Years Later is a heartfelt tribute to Budgie’s legendary 1973 album, marking its 50th anniversary in style. Released by Pale Wizard Records, this compilation brings together an impressive lineup of artists, each adding their own twist to the classic tracks that made Budgie one of rock’s hidden treasures.

Budgie’s influence runs deep, especially in the hard rock and heavy metal world. While many people know Breadfan thanks to Metallica’s cover, the original album has so much more to offer. This tribute goes beyond one song, celebrating the whole album with fresh interpretations from a variety of talented bands.

Alunah kicks things off with an atmospheric take on Breadfan, complete with a flute that adds a Jethro Tull-esque charm. Firegarden cranks up the energy on Baby Please Don’t Go, staying true to Budgie’s bluesy intensity. Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell takes You Know I’ll Always Love You and injects raw garage-rock grit, making it feel brand new.

Budgie always had a flair for quirky song titles, and Regulus keeps that spirit alive with their roaring version of You’re The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk. Meanwhile, Syncolima delivers a blistering take on In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter’s Hand, proving that Budgie’s riffs still pack a punch decades later.

This tribute is a love letter to Budgie’s legacy, showing how their music continues to inspire musicians today. With its mix of faithful recreations and creative reinventions, Never Turn Your Back On A Friend,  50 Years Later ensures that Budgie’s pioneering sound lives on, reaching both longtime fans and new listeners alike. (B)

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Track list

01 Alunah - Breadfan 5:29

02 Firegarden - Baby, Please Don't Go 5:24

03 Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell - You Know I'll Always Love You 3:42

04 Regulus - You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk 7:25

05 Syncolima - In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand 6:23

06 Great Electric Quest - Riding My Nightmare 3:38

07 Sergeant Thunderhoof - Parents 10:22

08 La Chinga - Guts (Bonus Track) 4:20

09 Low Voltage - Forearm Smash (Bonus Track) 5:47

10 Solar Sons - Melt The Ice Away (Bonus Track) 3:53

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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5 comments:

  1. Thanks very much indeed for today's offerings, Butterboy - this, the Aqualung and the lucky dip will keep me going through the darkness of our times. Cheers!

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    1. Hi Richie Muster.
      It's important to revisit the music that sometimes fades from memory. These tributes do a great job of keeping those sounds alive.
      Cheers.

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  2. I wore the grooves out of that record back in 1973. Damn, 50 years have flown by.
    Thanks for the memories BB. This should be good!

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    Replies
    1. Hi D.
      Budgie were one of those bands that my friends didn't know about back then. So, when I introduced Budgie to them, they to became longtime fans. I always enjoy a hit of Budgie...
      Cheers.

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  3. Hard to believe that it's been fifty years! Damn I'm old. Such a great album from a great band!

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