Samson Bright Lights: Albums 1979-1981 CD

UK five CD set. This release collects together the three albums released by the influential classic hard rock and NWOBHM band, Samson, featuring lead guitarist Paul Samson, as well as a live set from 1981. Samson's career goes back to the mid-1970s London pub and club circuit. The band are renowned for being at the forefront of what became known as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (or NWOBHM), alongside Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, Def Leppard and Saxon. Produced by Gillan's John McCoy, Samson released debut Survivors in 1979, featured on CD One, by which time the band had coalesced around lead guitarist Paul, drummer Thunderstick, bass guitarist Chris Aylmer. The then unknown singer going by the Monty Python inspired name Bruce Bruce, now much better known as Bruce Dickinson joined after the album had been put to tape. As well as the 'Mr. Rock 'N' Roll' single, bonus tracks include alternative versions of seven tracks from "Survivors" featuring Bruce on vocals. In 1980 Samson released Head On, featuring the NWOBHM classic single 'Vice Versa', and the first full album to feature Bruce Dickinson's vocals. The album also features the song 'Thunderburst' co-written with Iron Maiden's Steve Harris. The bonus cuts are 'Angel With A Machine Gun' (7" B-Side), 'Kingsway Jam' and 'Vice Versa' (7" Edit). CD3 is the whole of the Head On album, remixed by Tony Platt, and available on CD for the very first time. Samson looked poised to enter the big time with 1981's Shock Tactics on CD4. Kicking off with the Russ Ballard penned rocker 'Riding With The Angels', the album includes the classic 'Earth Mother' and features the bonus tracks 'Little Big Man', 'Pyramid To The Stars' and 'Losing My Grip'. This 5CD set finishes with their triumphant show at the 1981 Reading Festival when they played on a bill featuring Gillan, Rose Tattoo and Billy Squier. In a show kicking off with 'Big Brother' and featuring 'Nice Girl', 'Earth Mother', 'Vice Versa', and 'Riding With The Angels', it remains a fitting tribute to this early era of Samson.

1. It's Not As Easy As It Seems 2. I Wish I Was the Saddle of a Schoolgirl's Bike 3. Big Brother 4. Tomorrow or Yesterday 5. Koz 6. Six Foot Under 7. Inside Out 8. Wrong Side of Time 9. Mr Rock 'N' Roll 10. Primrose Shuffle 11. It's Not As Easy As It Seems 12. I Wish I Was the Saddle of a Schoolgirl's Bike 13. Big Brother 14. Tomorrow or Yesterday 15. Six Foot Under 16. Inside Out 17. Wrong Side of Time 18. Hard Times 19. Take It Like a Man 20. Vice Versa 21. Manwatcher 22. Too Close to Rock 23. Thunderburst 24. Hammerhead 25. Hunted 26. Take Me to Your Leader 27. Walking Out on You 28. Angel with a Machine Gun (7" B-Side) 29. Kingsway Jam 30. Vice Versa (7" Edit) 31. Hard Times 32. Take It Like a Man 33. Vice Versa 34. Manwatcher 35. Too Close to Rock 36. Thunderburst 37. Hammerhead 38. Hunted 39. Take Me to Your Leader 40. Walking Out on You 41. Hard Times (7" Version) 42. Riding with the Angels 43. Earth Mother 44. Nice Girl 45. Blood Lust 46. Go to Hell 47. Bright Lights 48. Once Bitten 49. Grime Crime 50. Communion 51. Little Big Man (7" B-Side) 52. Pyramid to the Stars 53. Losing My Grip 54. Big Brother 55. Take It Like a Man 56. Nice Girl 57. Earth Mother 58. Vice Versa 59. Bright Lights 60. Walking Out on You 61. Hammerhead 62. Riding with the Angels 63. Gravy Train 64. Red Skies - Rehearsals 65. Turn Out the Lights - Rehearsals 66. Firing Line - Rehearsals