Top 10 Colosseum Songs

Our Top 10 Colosseum Songs take a look at a band that many people classify as progressive rock. However, there are also many writers that believe the band should be classified more as a jazz fusion band. In the end, they were both. The band hosted an incredible array of musicians that could play their hearts out. The group was formed by  Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith. Both men were musicians who had worked in various jazz and blues bands such as Blues Incorporated, The Graham Bond Organisation, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and the legendary John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Just a look at the bands these musicians performed with says worlds about their pedigree and the direction their newly formed band Colosseum would head. Hiseman and Smith then recruited Dave Greenslade and  Tony Reeves to complete the band.

The band released their first album in 1968 entitled Those Who Are About to Die Salute You. Their second album labeled with the name Valentyne Suite, was released in 1969. The Valentyne Suite, album would become a fan favorite and still the record most Colosseum fans call the group’s best outing.

The band released two albums in 1970 entitled The Grass Is Greener and Daughter of Time. After the release of those two records, the band Colosseum broke up. They had only been together for a brief period, but their blend of jazz fusion and rock inspired many other progressive rock bands that came out of England during the progressive rock era of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Amazingly, there was a reunion tour in 1994 with the same lineup from the band’s final album in 1970. Furthermore, twenty seven years after their final album in 1970, the band recorded a new record in 1997. Colosseum would release two more albums in 2003 and 2014.  This top 10 Colosseum songs list takes a brief look at some of the band’s highlights. We think you will be impressed with the music that was released from this amazing progressive jazz rock band .

 

# 10 – Walking In The Park

We start our Top 10 Colosseum songs list with the opening track from the bands first album entitled, Those Who Are About to Die Salute You. The record was released in 1969.

# 9 – Three Score and Ten, Amen

By the time the band released their fourth and final album of the 1970’s there were nine musicians in the band. The track “Three Score and Ten, Amen,” was released on the album Daughter of Time in 1970.

# 8 – High Time

“High Time,” is from the 90’s version of Colosseum which is exactly the same as the 1971 version of the band. The song is pure jazz and soul.

# 7 – Those About To Die

Why do we keep hearing that AC/DC album title in our heads when we talk about this fantastic album. “Those About To Die,” is as progressive as jazz rock ever got. WOW!

# 6 – Elegy

One of our favorite Colosseum Songs was the great track “Elegy.” The song was released on the band’s legendary album Valentyne Suite. 

# 5 – Jumping off the Sun

The Colosseum track “Jumping Off The Sun,” was released on the band’s The Grass Is Greener album. The record was released in 1970. It was the band’s third album release. The album was only issued in the United States.

# 4 – Beware the ides of March

“Beware the ides of March,” was released on the band’s fabulous 1969 debut album Those Who Are About to Die Salute You. 

# 3 – The Kettle

Opening up the great 1969 album Valentyne Suite was the psychedelic sounding brilliant track “The Kettle.” How was this not more famous than it was?

# 2 – The Valentyne Suite

The musical piece “The Valentyne Suite,” was released on the Valentyne Suite album. It was comprised of the last three tracks of the Valentyne Suite album.

# 1 – Lost Angeles

This is just amazing music. From the band’s live album entitled Colosseum Live. The record was released in 1971. This is a track you will not be able to stop listening to. If you can fine this phenomenal live record, don’t hesitate to buy it.