Headlines is one of those collections that restores, albeit belatedly, the value of a band that never managed to get the recognition it deserved. Hookfoot, with the excellent guitarist Caleb Quaye at its center, were one of the most interesting British rock bands of the early ’70s, combining blues, country rock, soul, funk and progressive nuances.

The double collection was released in 1975, about a year after the band’s breakup. It is not just a “best of”, it includes material from their four studio albums, but also four previously unreleased tracks, which makes it particularly interesting for the collector and the fanatic listener.

If there is one reason why Hookfoot is worth discovering today, it is Caleb Quaye. His guitar does not function simply as an accompanying instrument. It has personality, aggression and a distinctive sense of groove that moves the music from country-rock to blues and hard rock.

The highlight is undoubtedly “Shoe Shine Boy”, a twelve-minute instrumental/jam where Quaye really lets himself go. It is a track that alone justifies the search for Headlines. It has been aptly described as a true showcase of his guitar abilities.

The first part of the collection shows a band that could move with ease from Neil Young (“Don’t Let It Bring You Down”) and Stephen Stills (“Bluebird Revisited”) to the Rolling Stones (“Gimme Shelter”) and James Taylor (“Fire & Rain”).

But Hookfoot don’t sound like simple copycats. They take these songs and put them through their own aesthetic, with more guitar, a bluesy feel and a British rock character.

“Gimme Shelter,” for example, takes on a more rugged and guitar-driven feel, while “Fire & Rain” serves as a more subdued moment in the collection.

The second LP showcases Hookfoot’s more personal sound. Songs like “Sweet Sweet Funky Music,” “Living In the City,” “Good Times A Comin’,” “Cruisin’,” and “Just a Little Communication” showcase the band’s unique blend of country-rock, blues, funk, and soul.

“Living In the City” in particular is a standout. It’s not just another country-rock song, it has a strong social and emotional feel, with the vocal harmonies and rhythm section creating an atmosphere quite different from the more guitar-driven tracks.

And here you can see how good the chemistry was between Ian Duck – Roger Pope – Dave Glover – Caleb Quaye. It wasn’t just four great session musicians who decided to make a record. There was a real band.

The history of Hookfoot is particularly interesting because its members already had significant experience as session musicians and had participated in Elton John recordings. Quaye, in fact, was an important collaborator of Elton John in the early years of his career.

This largely explains the band’s excellent technical training, but at the same time it may have contributed to the fact that Hookfoot remained in the shadow of the artists they worked for.

For fans of blues rock, country rock and early ’70s guitar rock, Headlines definitely deserves a place in the record library.

If Headlines were a bar, it would be a small, smoky blues-rock club where the musicians don’t particularly care about whether they will become famous, they just get on stage and play.

Through this excellent collection I select the amazing “Living in the City”.

Tracklist

A1. Don’t Let It Bring You Down 3:06
A2. Movies 4:53
A3. S.B.W. 2:36
A4. Shoe Shine Boy 12:12

B1. Nature Changes 5:26
B2. Bluebird Revisited 4:04
B3. Coombe Gallows 3:08
B4. Gimme Shelter 4:20
B5. Fire And Rain 3:38

C1. Sweet Sweet Funky Music 3:18
C2. Living In The City 4:57
C3. If I Had The Words 3:31
C4. Good Times A Comin’ 6:21
C5. Cruisin’ 5:36

D1. Just A Little Communication 5:38
D2. Nothin’ Changes 4:44
D3. Tradin’ Riffs 4:54
D4. Rockin’ On The Good 5:08
D5. So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star 3:18