Samson: Bright Lights – The Albums 1979-1981, 5CD Box Set
Samson

• 5CD set collecting together the three albums released by the influential classic hard rock and NWOBHM band, Samson, featuring lead guitarist Paul Samson, plus a live set from 1981.

Samson’s career goes back to the mid-1970s London pub and club circuit, with a membership that has included over the years John McCoy (Gillan, Mammoth), Nicky Moore (Mammoth) Clive Burr (Iron Maiden), Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell (Bad Company), Mel Gaynor (Nolans, Simple Minds) Pete Jupp and Merv Goldsworthy (FM) and legendary drummer Thunderstick.

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. Operating originally as a trio, by July 1979 the band had expanded to a four- piece with the addition of future Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson.

Produced by Gillan’s John McCoy, Samson released debut ‘Survivors’ in 1979, featured on CD1, 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. CD3 is the whole of the ‘Head On’ album, remixed by Tony Platt.

Samson looked poised to enter the big time with 1981’s ‘Shock Tactics’ on CD4, while CD5 finishes with their triumphant show at the 1981 Reading Festival, following which Bruce Dickinson left for worldwide success with Iron Maiden.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE
SURVIVORS (1979)

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
BONUS TRACKS
9. MR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
10. PRIMROSE SHUFFLE
ALTERNATIVE RECORDINGS WITH
BRUCE DICKINSON ON VOCALS:
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

DISC TWO
HEAD ON (1980)

1. HARD TIMES
2. TAKE IT LIKE A MAN
3. VICE VERSA
4. MANWATCHER
5. TOO CLOSE TO ROCK
6. THUNDERBURST
7. HAMMERHEAD
8. HUNTED
9. TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
10. WALKING OUT ON YOU
BONUS TRACKS
11. ANGEL WITH A MACHINE GUN (7″ B-SIDE)
12. KINGSWAY JAM
13. VICE VERSA (7” EDIT)

DISC THREE
HEAD ON: TONY PLATT ALTERNATIVE MIX (1980)

PREVIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE ON CD

1. HARD TIMES
2. TAKE IT LIKE A MAN
3. VICE VERSA
4. MANWATCHER
5. TOO CLOSE TO ROCK
6. THUNDERBURST
7. HAMMERHEAD
8. HUNTED
9. TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
10. WALKING OUT ON YOU
BONUS TRACK
11. HARD TIMES (7” VERSION)

DISC FOUR
SHOCK TACTICS (1981)

1. RIDING WITH THE ANGELS
2. EARTH MOTHER
3. NICE GIRL
4. BLOOD LUST
5. GO TO HELL
6. BRIGHT LIGHTS
7. ONCE BITTEN
8. GRIME CRIME
9. COMMUNION
BONUS TRACKS
10. LITTLE BIG MAN (7″ B-SIDE)
11. PYRAMID TO THE STARS
12. LOSING MY GRIP

DISC FIVE
LIVE AT READING (1981)

1. BIG BROTHER
2. TAKE IT LIKE A MAN
3. NICE GIRL
4. EARTH MOTHER
5. VICE VERSA
6. BRIGHT LIGHTS
7. WALKING OUT ON YOU
8. HAMMERHEAD
9. RIDING WITH THE ANGELS
10. GRAVY TRAIN
BONUS TRACK REHEARSALS
11. RED SKIES
12. TURN OUT THE LIGHTS
13. FIRING LINE