At the pimply age of 15, Surrey-born Anthony "Top" Topham stepped onto stage in May 1963 at the Eel Pie Island Club in Twickenham with his new blues-wailing band - The Yardbirds. A few months later he was replaced with Eric Clapton and after that a certain Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page also joined that volatile crew. When you consider what a staggering influence, Clapton, Beck and Page have had on everything in rock then and now, it's a damn shame that Top Topham got musically lost in the mix somehow and has never been given the catalyst credit he so deserves. The album Ascension Heights has always been a vinyl rarity, so its reissue here is to be welcomed. It's a varied album, daring in its choices and remember - most are original songs by Topham. Ascension Heights is a grower that bears repeated listening.

Track Listing
Sawbuk
Mini-Minor-Mo
Hop House
Ridin’ The Blinds
Hot Ginger
Funks Elegy
Ascension Heights
Tuxedo Junction
Globetrottin’
Spider Drag
Mean Old Pullman
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)