Wild Turkey - Battle Hymn (Reissue, Remastered) (2013)

The debut album "Battle Hymn" by the British rock band Wild Turkey, released in November 1971, was a powerful launchpad for the project founded by bassist Glenn Cornick immediately after his departure from the legendary Jethro Tull.

This record is considered a hidden gem of the early '70s British rock scene, perfectly capturing the spirit of its time.

Musically, "Battle Hymn" is an eclectic yet harmonious blend of heavy guitar riffs and soft acoustic passages. Unlike Jethro Tull, Cornick completely abandoned the use of flute to avoid direct comparisons with his former band. Instead, the emphasis was on the dual guitar tandem of Tweek Lewis and Mick Dyke, creating a dense, spacious sound, at times reminiscent of Wishbone Ash.

The second key element of the album is its strong folk influence. Powerful, driving hard rock tracks sit alongside pastoral, distinctly British acoustic ballads. Gary Pickford-Hopkins's strong, deep, and slightly raspy vocals lend the material a distinctive expressiveness and bluesy charm. Glenn Cornick himself showcases his signature, highly agile and melodic bass playing on this album, which literally anchors all the songs.