Frustrated with his role as bassist and occasional song contributor in the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Noel Redding reverted to his favored instrument, guitar, and joined by Neil Landon (vocals), Jim Leverton (bass, keyboards, vocals) and Eric Dillon (drums) formed Fat Mattress, a short lived UK rock group, who began life opening for, and sharing management (Chas Chandler) with the Experience.

Cherry Red Records has gathered both albums released by Fat Mattress, with the unique US mix of their debut reissued for the first time ever, supplemented by outtakes, single sides and an unreleased third album recorded after Redding’s return, following his departure after the group’s self-titled 1969 LP, in a three disc box set on its Grapefruit Records imprint.

Disc one opens with the UK mix of ‘Fat Mattress’ first issued in August, 1969. The album consists of ten tracks, six written or co-written by Redding. The LP is a pleasant mix of hard and psychedelic rock, with some mid-tempo tunes added for good measure. The album opens with “All Night Drinker” featuring Traffic’s Chris Wood on flute, the title ironic as Redding would succumb to cirrhosis of the liver in 2003, at 57 years of age. The long player is highlighted by its lysergic related tunes. “Magic Forest” is a haunting foray into the acid folk arena, the aptly titled tune failing to chart in the UK when issued as a single, although it was a sizeable hit (#11) in the Netherlands. The song’s b-side “Petrol Pump Assistant” is an uptempo rocker, Redding and Landon sharing writing credits on both sides of the 45. The standout track, however, is “Mr. Moonshine,” another haunting acid rocker featuring a jazz influenced piano interlude by Leverton, reminiscent of Spirit, before its tempo quickens with Redding’s guitar on display, as Landon repeats the chorus “Mr. Moonshine, make her mine, and put a little something in my wine.” The disc’s bonus material begins with ‘Little Girl In White’ a reworking of “Little Little Girl” a hot rocker with slashing guitar and Hammond organ accents that Redding wrote while in the Experience. “Eric The Red” is a tasty three minute instrumental, Leverton’s keyboards again bringing Spirit to mind. Why these two tracks were not included on the album is a mystery. The disc closes with three single sides. “Naturally” is an uptempo rocker, presented in its mono mix, led by Redding’s guitar. “Iridescent Butterfly” is a moody track, its delicate melody aided by flute and ethereal vocals. The disc closes with the mono single mix of “Magic Forest” with its Traffic like vibe.

Disc two begins with the US mix of ‘Fat Mattress’ released in November, 1969. The mix differs from its UK counterpart in that the right and left channels are reversed as well as different running times of the songs, and slight differences in some of the tracks. The bonus material begins with the debut release of three performances from the Beat-Club for German TV in September, 1969. Included are a driving take on “Naturally” in which Redding cuts loose with a blazing solo. The band delivers a heavy, acid soaked version of “Mr. Moonshine” with snarling vocals by Landon and a short drum solo by Dillon. Fat Mattress offers an extended “Magic Forest” with the band turning up the heat as the tune comes to a close. Next up are three songs recorded for BBC Radio 1’s ‘Top Gear’ in October, 1969. “Happy My Love” is a laid back tune included on October, 1970’s ‘Fat Mattress II.’ Also included are heavy versions of “Mr. Moonshine” and “Naturally.” The disc closes with the seventeen minute “The River” from the band’s unreleased third LP. A relaxed rocker, Redding’s guitar work shines as does Mick Weaver’s electric piano and Hammond organ work. The result is reminiscent of Quicksilver Messenger Service with the rhythm section of Leverton and Dillon especially tight, and Redding’s understated guitar solo flowing smoothly as the band jams away.

Disc three presents the eleven tracks comprising ‘Fat Mattress II’ released in October, 1970, by which time Noel Redding had departed, replaced by Steve Hammond (guitar) and Mick Weaver (organ, piano). Highlights of the LP are its opener “The Storm,” a hard rocker penned by Landon and Leviton. “Any Way You Want” showcases Hammond’s fuzz guitar. The only appearance on the album by Redding is on the stereo recording of “Naturally” which had earlier been released as a single. Landon’s “She” is a heavy rocker, reminiscent of the band’s psychedelic roots. The album closes with three tunes that were co-written by Landon and Redding before the latter’s departure from the band. “Highway” was released as the pre-LP a-side of a single b/w Hammond’s “Black Sheep Of The Family.” In hindsight perhaps the song would have been better served as the b-side. “At The Ball” is a mellow, flute aided tune, and “People” is a mid-tempo shuffle. Bonus material begins with the gentle, guitar and flute driven, Landon composed “Hall Of Kings.” One of the band’s best efforts is the previously mentioned “Black Sheep Of The Family” with its tasty lead line and restrained solo by Hammond and the piano contribution of Weaver. Five tracks from the unreleased third album begin with the mid-tempo “Margarita” featuring Weaver’s electric piano. “Cold Wall Of Stone” is an uptempo rocker led by Weaver’s organ and Redding’s guitar, the latter contributing a hot solo. The group’s cover of Mountain’s “Big Red” is good, but not as powerful as the original. “Words” is a melodic, mid-tempo tune, with Redding offering a notable lead line. The last tune is “Future Days” a piano based ballad which revs up mid-tune driving to a heavy close. The disc, and set, close with a song recorded as a proposed solo release by Jim Leverton.

‘How Can I Live: The Complete Recordings’ comes in a clamshell box, with each of its three discs housed in cardboard mini-LP sleeves. The set includes a 24 page full color booklet, with complete track annotations, lavishly illustrated with album and single artwork, posters and other memorabilia and band photos, as well as an extended essay by David Wells. Fat Mattress sounds better than ever thanks to the mastering job of Simon Murphy. This box set will appeal to 1960s and 1970s rock, hard rock and classic rock fans in general.

Kevin Rathert

Fat Mattress – ‘How Can I Live: Complete Recordings’ (Grapefruit Records, 2025)