Plain and Fancy

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Allan Taylor - The American Album / Cajun Moon (1973/76 uk, nice warm country folk rock, 2000 edition)

Moving to New York in 1972, Taylor recorded The American Album with Nashville and Los Angeles session players. He remained in the United States through 1974. Returning to England, Taylor formed a group, Cajun Moon, featuring fiddler Brian Golbey and keyboard player Jon Gillaspie, to perform American folk and roots music.

Signed by Chrysalis in May 1976 following a tour with Steeleye Span, the future seemed secure for Taylor and the group. Their dreams faded, however, when Taylor damaged his vocal cords and was forced to rest for three months. The hiatus put an end to the band's momentum. By the time he had healed from surgery and was ready to return, the group had folded. Resuming his solo career, Taylor signed a publishing deal with Chrysalis and a recording deal with Rubber Records. His first new album, The Traveller, featured instrumental backing by melodeon and accordion player John Kirkpatrick. The album received the Grand Prix du Disque de Montreux for Best European Folk Album in 1980. Taylor spent much of the '80s and early '90s as a student.

Although he continued to record, much of his focus was devoted to his studies. He received a bachelor's degree from Leeds University in 1983, a master's from Lancaster University in 1985, and a doctorate from Queens University in Belfast in 1993. His thesis explored the creative process and the power and aesthetics of song.

by Craig Harris

Tracks

1. Get Down (The Proud And Noble Savage) - 5:00

2. Something's Changed - 3:16

3. Old Joe - 3:55

4. The City - 3:49

5. The Story - 4:26

6. My Father's Room - 2:58

7. Always You - 2:22

8. Lavinia Forsythe-Jones - 5:46

9. Only A Few - 3:15

10.Lead On, I'll Follow (Belfast '71) - 4:25

11.Calling On - 2:56

12.Close To The Edge - 3:16

13.Back Again - 3:20

14.Lady Of Pleasure - 3:07

15.Darkness In The Valley (Allan Taylor, Brian Golbey) - 3:38

16.Mistress Music - 3:55

17.Misty On The Water - 4:07

18.Fiddler John (Allan Taylor, Jim Parker, Muriel Holland) - 3:12

19.Sawtooth Line (Allan Taylor, Brian Golbey) - 2:32

20.Losers Can Be Winners (Allan Taylor, Brian Golbey, Jon Gillaspie) - 3:10

All songs by Allan Taylor escept where stated

Tracks 1-10 from "The American Album" 1973

Tracks 11-20 as The Cajun Moon 1976

Musicians

1973 The American Album

*Allan Taylor - Vocals, Guitar

*James E. Bond Jr. - Bass, Tuba

*John P. Guerin - Drums, Percussion

*Michael S. Omartian - Keyboards

*Billy Riley - Vocals

*Billy Sanford - Guitar, Mandolin

*David Briggs - Keyboards

*Jerry Carrigan - Drums

*James Colvard - Guitar

*Johnny Gimble - Fiddle

*Karl Himmel - Drums

*D. Kelso Herston - Guitar, Bass

*Larry Butler - Keyboards

*Mike Leech - Guitar, Harmonica

*Norman Keith Spicher - Fiddle

*Norman P. Wade - Vocals

*Reggie Young - Guitar

*Steve Miller - Guitar

*Tommy Cogbill - Bass

*Tommy Williams - Saxophone, Flute

*John Buck Wilkin - Vocals

*Bergen White - Vocals

*Don Gant - Vocals

*James E. Cason - Vocals

*Bryan David Garofalo - Vocals

*Nick Van Maarth - Vocals

*Peter G.D. Jameson - Vocals

*Robert Wachtel - Vocals

*Mary McCaslin - Vocals

*Spanky McFarlane - Vocals

1976 Cajun Moon

*Brian Golbey - Guitar, Vocals, Fiddle, Viola

*Jon Gillaspie - Keyboards, Woodwind

*Allan Taylor - Vocals, Guitar

1971 Allan Taylor - Sometimes / The Lady

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Friday, September 30, 2022

Sweet Thursday - Sweet Thursday (1969 us / uk, beautiful psych folk rock feat Nicky Hopkins, remaster with extra tracks)

This group and their one and only album were once considered so hot, what with Nicky Hopkins, Alun Davies, and Jon Mark in the lineup, that a reissue in 1971 rated a full-page ad from the source label in Rolling Stone. In fact, it's a pleasant, well-played midtempo piece of late-'60s rock, with elements of British blues ("Side of the Road"), psychedelic harpsichords and flute ("Cobwebs"), and R&B, mid-'60s U.K. style. Alun Davies and Jon Mark are more than good enough guitar players and singers.

Jon Mark's "Rescue Me" is one of the better numbers here, dominated by Hopkins' organ playing and driven by a great beat, and carried by his attempts at a white soul vocal performance; it's no surprise for the neophyte to learn that all of these guys played with outfits like Zoot Money's Big Roll Band and the Cyril Davies All-Stars. And then there's "Gilbert Street," which shows some finesse and a robust vocal performance, and sustains interest for five minutes plus; this number must have been something to hear in concert, and a whole album like it would have lived up to a reputation stretching across the decades. It's also easy to see why this record never caught on at the time, there are also two bonus tracks from their 45' single.

by Bruce Eder

Tracks

1. Dealer (Jon Mark) - 6:05

2. Jenny (Jon Mark) - 3:49

3. Laughed At Him (Jon Mark) - 5:14

4. Cobwebs (Brian Odgers) - 3:26

5. Rescue Me (Jon Mark) - 3:44

6. Molly (Brian Odgers) - 3:09

7. Sweet Francesca (Jon Mark) - 4:00

8. Side Of The Road (Alun Davies) - 4:52

9. Gilbert Street (Pat Gunning) - 10:22

10.Getting It Together (Jon Mark) - 3:13

11.Mary On The Runaround (Jon Mark) - 3:05

Sweet Thursday

*Nicky Hopkins - Keyboards

*Alun Davies - Vocals, Guitar

*Jon Mark - Guitar, Vocals

*Harvey Burns - Percussion

*Brian Odges - Bass, Woodwind

1973 Nicky Hopkins - The Tin Man Was A Dreamer

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Thursday, September 29, 2022

The Rhythm Dukes - Flashback (1970 us, fantastic west coast psych rock, from Moby Grape and Sons Of Chamblin fame, 2005 release)

The Rhythm Dukes was created in the late summer of 1969. Before, there was a trio called The Boogie with Barry Bastian, John Barrett and John "Fuzzy" Oxendine. Fuzzy had replaced Kilos Kowalski (aka Mike Kowalski), who had left to play with the Beach Boys. Before Kilos left, The Boogie was called The California Memorial Band and included two sax players named Goose and Crow. Crow went on to play in the Silver Fox Band and Goose moved to L.A.

Barry had a brush with the law and had to do 90 days. Subsequently John Barrett and Fuzzy Oxendine were 'loose' and after Barry left for good (he later formed the already mentioned Silver Fox Band in Northern California.), John and Fuzzy decided to do something else as a rhythm section. As a matter of fact Moby Grape broke up around that time.

Jerry Miller who had been with Moby Grape wanted to start a new band and called Fuzzy and John. Jerry was living in Boulder Creek and John and Fuzzy were living in Marin County. So both packed up and moved to Santa Cruz to an old stagecoach stop called 1906 Glen Canyon. A great place for a band, away from the road on 80 acres of meadows and redwoods.

The house was funky, but they fixed it up real nice, built a rehearsal room and started writing and playing music. The original Rhythm Dukes members were Jerry Miller and Don Stevenson from Moby Grape, plus John Barrett and Fuzzy Oxendine.

Don Stevenson left the band after a short while, though. He probably prefered to play drums instead of guitar as John Barrett recalls. Subsequently the Rhythm Dukes played all over the place as a trio, but soon yearned for more substance in the music. Right around that time the Sons of Champlin disbanded for a while and Bill Champlin joined up with the Rhythm Dukes trio adding his voice, guitar and his B-3. Along with Bill came faithful roadies Charlie Kelly and Hog Steve. The Rhythm Dukes trio added their own Bill Leidenthal to the crew and they were ready to rock.

The band was very popular - by some rated as one of the best West Coast bands in 1970 - and played lots of venues before disbanding in 1971. Jerry Miller had contract obligations with Columbia Records and was not available a lot of the time. That did not go well, as the band's income was suffering, and they had to cancel some big gigs on very short notice. When Bill Champlin went back to the Sons of Champlin the Dukes had other members for a while, i.e. Russell Dahneke, a fine guitarist from the club scene in San Francisco and Ned Torney from the Chocolate Watch Band.

Eventually Moby Grape was trying to make a comeback, so it was the end of the Rhythm Dukes. Due to the fact that some tapes and the studio recording made in Marin County survived, the Rhythm Dukes' music has become available for the first time now. The album is entitled "FlashBack" and highly recommended as it not only includes members of Moby Grape and The Sons of Champlin but some cool West Coast music as well. Some of the tracks were later even recorded by the Sons of Champlin on their albums "Follow Your Heart" (1971) and "Welcome To The Dance" (1973).

Bay-Area

Tracks

1. Love Your Daddy (Jerry Miller) - 6:28

2. Hey Children (Bill Champlin) - 7:00

3. Children Pt 2 (Bill Champlin) - 5:03

4. She's a Woman (Bill Champlin) - 5:06

5. Can't Make It That Way (Jerry Miller) - 6:35

6. Kansas City (Jay McShann) - 5:42

7. If I Was Right (Jerry Miller) - 3:22

8. Get to Know You (Bill Champlin) - 9:07

9. For Joy (Bill Champlin) - 14:21

10.Seven Four (Bill Champlin) - 5:01

The Rhythm Dukes

*Bill Champlin - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

*Jerry Miller - Guitar, Vocals

*John Barrett - Bass, Vocals

*Fuzzy Oxendine - Drums, Vocals

1967 Moby Grape - Grape Jam (2007 remaster)
1969 Wow (Sundazed Issue)
1969 Moby Grape - Moby Grape 69' (2007 remaster and expanded)

1971 Moby Grape - 20 Granite Creek (2017 japan SHM remaster)

1966-67 The Sons Of Champlin ‎- Fat City
1969 The Sons Of Champlin - Loosen Up Naturally

1969 Sons Of Champlin - The Sons (japan issue)

1971 The Sons Of Champlin - Follow Your Heart (2002 remaster)

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Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Allan Taylor - Sometimes / The Lady (1971 uk, exceptional acoustic baroque folk)

Allan Taylor is one of England's most-respected singer/songwriters. His songs have been covered by artists on both sides of the Atlantic, including Don Williams, Frankie Miller, Fairport Convention, Dick Gaughan, the McCalmans, the Fureys, the Clancy Brothers, and De Dannan. Folk Roots praised him for his "ability to crystallize a mood and evoke an era with the ease of a computer memory access, crafting perfect songs with dramatic changes in the spirit of Brecht, Bikel, and Brel." The Oxford Book of Traditional Verse felt as strongly, writing that Taylor was "one of the most literate and sensitive of contemporary songwriters in terms of words and music and one who is capable of exploring more complex subjects than most of his contemporaries."

Inspired by the folk revival that swept the United Kingdom in the mid-'60s, Taylor left school at the age of 16 to run a local folk club. Stepping out as a professional musician five years later, he was greatly supported by members of Fairport Convention. Their friendship was cemented when he toured as opening act for the group's national tour. His 1971 debut album, Sometimes, featured instrumental accompaniment from Fairport's drummer Dave Mattacks, fiddler Dave Swarbrick, and bassist Dave Pegg.

by Craig Harris

Tracks

1. Sometimes (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:07

2. Searching For Lambs (Traditional) - 2:36

3. Nursery Tale - 3:12

4. Robin Hood (Traditional) - 4:05

5. Song For Kathy - 3:37

6. Swallow Sallow (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 2:34

7. Scarlet And Grey (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:01

8. Our Captain Cried All Hands (Traditional) - 4:14

9. Tudor Pop - 3:11

10.The Leaves Of Spring (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:52

11.The Pied Piper (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:31

12.The Kiss (Allan Taylor, Robert Herrick) - 5:03

13.Belfast '71 - 4:51

14.Still He Sings - 2:24

15.The Morning Lies Heavy - 3:14

16.Something's Chenged - 2:38

17.Let Me Be - 4:21

18.The Boy And The Mantle - 6:43

19.The Lady - 2:33

20.Cain - 2:54

21.Simple Song - 3:06

22.My Lady (Ian Matthews) - 1:43

Words and Music by Allan Taylor except where indicated

Tracks 1-12 from "Sometimes" 1971 written between 1967-1970

Tracks 13-22 fom "The Lady" 1971

Musicians

"Sometimes"

*Allan Taylor - Acoustic Guitar, Vocal

*Dave Mattacks - Drums

*Dave Pegg - Bass

*Dave Swarbrick - Violin

*Tony Cox - Orchestral Arrangements

"The Lady"

*Allan Taylor - Acoustic Guitar, Vocal

*Andy Roberts - Electric, Acoustic Guitar

*Dave Mattocks - Drums

*Bob Ronga - Bass

*Pete Stanley - Banjo, Dulcimer

*Tony Cox - Keyboards

*Ian Matthews - Backing Vocals

*Royston Woods - Backing Vocals

*Tony Halsted - Horn

*Robbie Hewlett - Bass

*John Wibraham - Trumpet

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Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Atlantis - Get On Board (1975 germany / uk, classic rock melted with blues and funky vibes)

Atlantis formed in late summer 1972 by Inga Rumpf (vocals), Jean-Jacques Kravetz (keyboards) and Karl-Heinz Schott (bass). These musicians previously played in the band called Frumpy. The original line-up also included guitarist Frank Diez and drummer Curt Cress (ex-Emergency).

After a few live performances in Germany, the first LP was produced at the Island Records studios in London, which was particularly well received in the USA, where Rumpf's blues-oriented voice was appreciated. Diez and Cress left the band after the recordings. George Meier joined Atlantis on guitar and Udo Lindenberg on drums for a four week tour of England with Procol Harum and Traffic. They were replaced after the tour by Dieter Bornschlegel (formerly with the band Traumtorte) and Ringo Funk (formerly with Jeronimo), with whom the second LP It's Getting Better (1973) was recorded.

During another four-week tour of England, Jean-Jacques Kravetz left the band to join the band Randy Pie. Reiner Schnell stepped in for him for a short time. At the end of 1973 the band ranked among the three most popular groups among the readers of the magazine Musikmarkt.

The next personnel change took place in the summer of 1974. British keyboarder Adrian Askew replaced Reiner Schelle, and guitarist Alex Conti from the band Curly Curve replaced Dieter Bornschlegel. In this occupation, the third album Ooh, Baby was recorded in 1974.

In 1975 there was a tour of the USA (mostly as a support act for Lynyrd Skynyrd), after which the band parted ways with Alex Conti, for whom the former guitarist Frank Diez and, for the first time, a second guitarist, Rainer Marz (formerly as Ringo Funk at Jeronimo), joined the group. The subsequent fourth LP Get on Board 1975 recorded and released with sound familiar to the America's hard rock bands, but it failed in sales.

Tracks

1. Get On Board (Frank Diez) - 3:46

2. Change My Mind (Adrian Askew) - 4:31

3. The Man (Adrian Askew, Karl-Heinz Schott) - 3:45

4. Let Me Stay For A While (Frank Diez) - 3:57

5. Keep The Music Going On (Adrian Askew, Rainer Marz) - 2:49

6. Chartbuster (Frank Diez) - 3:12

7. The Captain And The Ship (Inga Rumpf) - 3:46

8. If I Couldn't Sing (Inga Rumpf) - 3:38

9. Tried To Climb A Mountain (Adrian Askew, Rainer Marz) - 4:34

10.Mainline Florida (George Terry) - 2:55

Bonus track #10

Atlantis

*Inga Rumpf - Lead Vocals

*Frank Diez - Guitar, Vocals

*Rainer Marz - Guitar, Vocals

*Adrian Askew - Keyboards

*Karl Heinz Schott - Bass, Vocals

*Ringo Funk - Percussion, Drums

1972 Atlantis - Atlantis

1975 Atlantis - Live In The Fabrik (2008 remaster and expanded)

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Sunday, September 25, 2022

Jack Schechtman - Jack Schechtman (1972 italy / us / canada, essential amalgam of folk rock, baroque and jazzy tunes)

It was a feeling rarely experienced. Have you ever felt encased in a halo? That's about the most honest way to express it. His style is oh so soft and mellow, yet totally original. Lyrically, it's nothing short of brilliant. With touches of blues, funk and good ole rock and roll Jack creates an atmosphere of unmitigated joy. He stopped by Record World two weeks later. We were eager to learn more about this gifted individual. Jack was born in Italy and when he was only three his family moved to the south Bronx. As the years flew by, Jack realized his destinywas music, but as he said,"I felt too introverted in New York. Musically, I couldn’t express my self. So I moved to Toronto, not to drop out mind you, but to seek a kind of slow withdraw alI so desperately needed."

The Toronto folk scene became a part of his life, playing at places like Grumbles and the Riverboat, and learning from artists like Leon Redbone. Jack appears frequently on Canadian network radio and television, including "The Ian Tyson Show, "which is syndicated in several U.S. markets.

Jack's material has come to the attention of several major artists. Buzzy Linhart, Man hattan Transfer and Bette Midler have requested his songs and one is set for the next Lighthouse album. So the album comes in and each listening gets better and better. A wonderful assortment of Jack Schechtman songs and ideals. I guess it’s kind of fitting that Jack’s album arrives at a time when he and Suzan are preparing for a first child.

by Mitchell Fink, Record World Magazine, 1972

Tracks

1. You Of All People - 3:48

2. Blind Faith - 3:50

3. Sing And Sway - 3:14

4. Criss-Crossing - 3:39

5. A Lady To Love - 3:45

6. Up And Down - 3:37

7. Razor - 2:51

8. Sharpshooter Delight - 3:13

9. On Cherry Mountain - 3:42

10.The Road Rolls On - 3:50

11.Glory Come, Glory Go - 2:25

All Music and Lyrics by Jack Schechtman

Personnel

*Jack Schechtman - Vocals, Guitar

*Suzie Schechtman - Harmony Vocals

*Maribeth Solomon - Piano, Organ, Vocals, Electric Maestro

*Micky Erbe - Bass, Vocals, Strings Arrangements

*Brian Leonard - Drums

*Tony Nolasco - Drums, Groans

*Yehuda Wolk - Tumba, Quinto Drums

*Michael McKenna - Lead Guitar (Track 8)

*Adam Mitchell - Guitars, Bass, Organ, Mouth Harp, Vocals

*Warren Bernhardt - Piano

*Frank Owens - Organ

*Donald McDonald - Drums

*Marugai - African Talking, Clay Drums

*Bill Keith - Pedal Steel Guitar

*Tony Levin - Bass

*Ralph Casale - Guitars

*Artie Schreck - Percussion

*Phil Bodner - Flute

*Maretha Stuart, Lesley Miller, Linda November, Helen Miles, Hilda Harris, Pattie Austin - The Up and Down Power Chorus

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Saturday, September 24, 2022

Alan Hull - Phantoms (1975 uk, remarkable folk rock, 2007 remaster and expanded)

Alan Hull's third solo album, and his last before Lindisfarne reconvened in 1979, follows firmly in the footsteps of its two predecessors, while advancing their musical outlook towards entire new pastures. Indeed, a crack band and lush production could lure you into mistaking the opening "I Wish You Well" for any number of contemporary MOR troubadours, although the self-deprecating "Anywhere Is Everywhere" quickly brings your ears back to basics, a rock & rolling singalong that finds Hull sounding as sharp and sassy as he ever did in the past… and ever would in the future. Brilliant stuff.

by Dave Thompson

Tracks

1. I Wish You Well - 3:31

2. Anywhere Is Everywhere - 3:51

3. Make Me Want To Stay - 4:17

4. Dancing (On The Judgement Day) - 3:56

5. A Walk In The Sea - 3:11

6. Corporation Rock - 5:48

7. Madmen And Loonies - 3:11

8. Somewhere Out There - 4:17

9. Love Is The Alibi - 2:24

10.Love Is The Answer - 3:37

11.Isn't It Strange - 3:42

12.Spittin' In The Wind (Ken Craddock, Colin Gibson) - 3:29

13.Lay Back And Dream (Pete Kirtley) - 4:26

14.Something Got The Better Of You (Ken Craddock, Colin Gibson) - 4:52

15.Somewhere Out There - 4:19

16.Raw Bacon - 4:00

17.A Walk In The Sea - 3:15

18.Evening - 4:17

19.Dancing (On The Judgement Day) - 3:55

All songs by Alan Hull except where noted

Bonus tracks 11-19

Tracks 11-14 From Radiator's "Isn't It Strange" 1977 LP

Tracks 15-19 Previously Unreleased 1975 Demos

Musicians

*Alan Hull - Bass, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals

*Bob Barton - Guitars, Vocals

*Bud Beadle - Horn

*Ken Craddock - Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals

*Lesley Duncan - Vocals

*Keith Fisher - Drums, Percussion

*Colin Gibson - Bass, Percussion

*Steve Gregory - Horn, Vocals

*Pete Kirtley - Guitar

*Ray Laidlaw - Drums

*Joanna Newman - Vocals

*Rab Noakes - Vocals

*Terry Popple - Drums

*Liza Strike - Horn, Vocals

1973 Alan Hull - Pipedream (2005 remaster and expanded)

1973 Alan Hull - Squire (2013 bonus tracks remaster)

1970-73 Lindisfarne - The Charisma Years (2010 four disc set edition)

1974 Lindisfarne - Happy Daze (2008 remaster with bonus tracks)

1978 Lindisfarne - Back And Fourth (2007 japan with extra)

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Friday, September 23, 2022

Hog Heaven - Hog Heaven (1971 us, potend country boogie rock, 2008 bonus tracks remaster)

Renegades from 60s US pop idols Tommy James & The Shondells, Michael Vale and Peter Lucia formed this outfit in 1970 to follow The Byrds, Burritos and Band in the newly fashionable country-rock direction. A lone self-titled album was the result. Their instrumental ace in the hole was steel guitarist Buddy Cage, whose signature is everywhere here, though his defection in 1971 to replace Jerry Garcia in New Riders Of the Purple Sage effectively ended the Hog’s story early. Five tracks that were canned as a result of this eventuality augment the original Roulette album, making this the definitive document on a little known but interesting outfit.

by Michael Heatley, 08 January 2009

Tracks

1. Wilma Mae - 3:29

2. Glass Room - 4:11

3. Bumpin' Slapcar Mama (Buddy Cage, Ronnie Hand, Chuck Demorat, Peter Lucia, Michael Vale) - 2:09

4. Prayer - 2:21

5. Happy - 6:53

6. Pennsylvania - 3:33

7. Come Away - 7:01

8. We All Go Down - 4:17

9. Theme From A Thought - 3:48

10.Stoned Feelin' - 4:23

11.Light Of The Lord - 2:05

12.You And Me - 4:06

13.If It Feels Good Do It - 3:45

14.Free Spirit - 4:41

All songs by Michael Vale, Peter Lucia except where noted

Bonus Tracks 10-14

Hog Heaven

*Buddy Cage - Pedal Steel Guitar

*Ronnie Hand - Drums, Percussion

*Chuck Demorat - Lead Guitar

*Peter Lucia - Drums, Vocals

*Michael Vale - Bass, Vocals

*Ronnie Rosman - Keyboards, Vocals

1970 Tommy James - Tommy James (2009 remaster)

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Thursday, September 22, 2022

Days - Days (1970 denmark, magnificent psych proto prog with jazz elements, 2007 remaster)

The Danish group Days was formed in Copenhagen in the winter of 1967/1968 by Peter Lindhe (drums), John Kjaergaard (vocals/rhythm guitar), Ole Fester (vocals/bass) and Lars Reinau (vocals/lead guitar). The band's repertoire was mainly rock and blues-oriented with cover versions of songs from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. Lindhe and Reinau started writing original material for the band and the repertoire started changing from rock/blues cover versions to self-composed, more lyrical songs with elements of The Beatles, Procol Harum and (early) Deep Purple.

In 1969, Jørn Anker (Hammond organ) joined the band and he, too, started contributing new original songs. The Days LP was recorded in the early summer of 1970 and in 1971, the band split up. Days came out on the Spectator label, and is one of the rarest albums from Denmark. It is full of amazing prog tunes with great organ elements and strong fuzz guitar.

Tracks

1. Preambulum (Sound Track In G-Major)/Discovery In Blue (Jørn Anker/Lars Reinau) - 6:24

2. Believe In Me (Ole Fester) - 4:32

3. Feel The Joy (Peter Lindhe, John Kjærgård) - 6:55

4. What Can I Do (Lars Reinau) - 6:44

5. The Lonely Shepherd Boy (Jørn Anker) - 4:32

6. Globe Without A Soul (Jørn Anker, Steen Christiansen) - 6:01

Days

*Ole Fester - Bass

*Peter Lindhe - Drums

*Lars Reinau - Guitar, Vocals

*Jørn Anker - Keyboards, Vocals

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Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Alan Hull - Squire (1975 uk, a wonderful crash, through with its dryly humorous lyrics, to the bluesy rock boom and flavored air melodies, 2013 bonus tracks remaster)

A talented, versatile and prolific musician, Alan Hull rose to prominence with Tyneside folk rockers Lindisfarne, and in 1973 released a Top 30 solo album, Pipedream. Released two years later, the follow-up Squire was written as the soundtrack to the TV play by Tyneside playwright Tom Pickard, broadcast in 1974 with Hull playing the lead role on screen. His character, Alfy, is an unemployed Newcastle boy who has Walter Mitty-like fantasies about being wealthy (and how wonderful is the cover portraying that?).

Produced by Hull at Morgan Studios, the album still sounds exquisite and crystal clear. Shades of The Kinks, solo Lennon and early ELO imbue the mid-tempo title track, rock’n’roller Nuthin’ Shakin’ and heartbreaking One More Bottle Of Wine.

While it’s not a prog album per se, the Mellotron on instrumental I’m Sorry Squire pins it to its mid 70s period and, themed around Pickard’s play, it might even qualify as a concept album of sorts. Regardless, Hull (who died 20 years later, aged just 50) was firing on all cylinders here.

by GRM, September 25, 2013