Artist: Terry Reid

Album: Super Lungs

Alright, gather ’round and let me tell you the story of a young man that nearly went unnoticed a long time ago. He has one of the greatest voices to ever reach our ears. After discovering his music, I couldn’t help but think, “damn, they just don’t make them like they used to.” This man’s vocals make every part of listening to music one the most fulfilling experiences we can have.

He was once approached by Jimmy Page to be the original lead singer of Led Zeppelin, he has a voice that rivals Robert Plant’s, and he makes you anything you think you know about the sounds of soulful blues and rock. The name of this immeasurable talent is Terry Reid.

 

Trying to find the best examples of his vocal versatility was tough, because so many albums make for such a vast spread and I couldn’t decide on one. However, that was until the music gods heard my call and released Super Lungs: The Complete Studio Recordings 1966-1969. If you are even a little into the deep-tracks element of long lost and almost forgotten gems of classic rock, then this album needs to be amongst your collection.

The range of this Terry Reid’s emotional core greatly surpasses that of almost anyone I have ever heard, especially when it comes to giving it his all. It is very difficult to not be captivated by this man. I could not believe what I was hearing when I first heard him belt out “Whoa, Superlungs” in Superlungs My Supergirl. When you hear it, you will know what I am talking about. I wondered how such a huge voice come from such small guy! That was the moment I was in love.

I have listened countless times and still I can’t understand how someone this talented could go almost unnoticed. Reid’s voice isn’t the only thing he has going for him, either; his guitar talents are amazing as well. People say that Robert Plant and Rod Stewart were Britain’s vocal prodigies but they couldn’t be any more wrong. How could they forget whose voice was always first choice by the greatest musicians (i.e. Zeppelin and Deep Purple)? I only wish he would have accepted one of the many invitations to be in what would become some of the most memorable bands, so the world could appreciate him and his astonishing ability to create such an atmosphere.

Even with the raw and low production quality on some of the album, his voice tightens everything up so beautifully. His voice leaves me speechless. It is so hard to focus on anything but his voice when you listen. I could go on and on but I think the only way to really understand is to listen. I give the wonderful and blue-eyed wonder, Terry Reid, 10 tireless lungs out of 10. The man has such powerful pipes that I am sure Aretha has taken a few notes.