Plain and Fancy

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

rep>>> Jodo - Guts (1971 uk, stunning heavy blues psych rock, 2007 digipak)

Jodo formed from a band called Axe who had a minor hit with a single called "Running Wild" written by Rod Alexander and Bill Kimber.

Jodo were a British band whose sole album was only released in the US at the time. Killer heavy-rock sound with ultra loud fuzzed out guitars and melodic vocals. Engineered by Martin Birch (B. Sabbath, D. Purple, B.O.C.) and produced by Derek Lawrence (D. Purple, Green Bullfrog).

Tracks

1. Nightmare (Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 3:30

2. One Night Stand (Jon Taylor , Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 2:49

3. I'm Still Trying (Jon Taylor , Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 4:50

4. What's Your Number (Earl Jordan, Jon Taylor , Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 2:46

5. Rat Race (Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 2:58

6. Seventeen (Jon Taylor, Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 5:23

7. Wish You'd Never Been Born (Jon Taylor , Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 3:06

8. It's No Good (Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 3:12

9. Pushing (David James, Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 3:50

10.There's Still Time (Jon Taylor , Rod Alexander, William E. Kimber) - 4:36

Jodo
*Earl Jordan - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*Rod Alexander - Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
*Jon Taylor - Guitar
*Bill Kimber - Vocals
*Chico Greenwood - Drums

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rep>>> Blackwater Park - Dirt Box (1972 germany, sensational heavy psych prog rock, 2015 remaster)

Hard 'n' heavy guitar rock from Berlin, 1971, with 'no-messin' attitude, overloaded guitar, and english vocals. Includes a cover of the Beatles "For No One", and a mini epic 8 min work-out "Rock Song".

Another one of those German bands with a British vocalist. The line-up was Richard Routledge (vocals, guitar), Michael Fechner (guitar), Andreas Scholz (bass, he came from the recently disbanded Murphy Blend!) and Norbert Kagelmann (drums). "Dirt Box" had a promisingly weird cover. The material written by Fechner and Scholz ("Mental Block", "Rock Song" and "Indian Summer") was the best, recalling the brilliance of Armaggedon.

Routledge's material tended towards boogie blues and sounded more like Free. He also wrote all the lyrics. The album also included a good cover version of the Beatles' "For No One". How the hell did such? an awesome sounding band record only one album ???

Recorded over 4 days in december 71 and released in 72 this 7 track 35 minute album from Germanys Blackwater Park simply rocks. Fabulous basic production gives these high energy hard rockin' tunes extra impetus. Track one features hammond and track five has some rock 'n' roll style piano, the last track is 'For no one' from the Beatles Revolver album but centrepiece goes to the 8m 42s track 'Rock Song' driven along by a frantic riff, it's eastern infused middle section leading into a fantastic call and response guitar solo created by just useing a bit of reverb which will have you reaching for your air guitar.

by Mark Jones

Tracks

1. Mental Block (Andreas Scholz) - 3:16

2. Roundabout (Richard Routledge) - 5:26

3. One's Life (Andreas Scholz, Richard Routledge) - 3:08

4. Indian Summer (Hilary Tansey, Richard Routledge) - 6:13

5. Dirty Face (Paul Pilnick, Michael Fechner, Richard Routledge) - 4:29

6. Rock Song (Michael Fechner, Richard Routledge) - 8:45

7. For No One (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:30

The Blackwater Park
*Richard Routledge - Vocals, Guitar
*Michael Fechner - Guitar
*Andreas Scholz - Bass
*Norbert Kagelmann - Drums

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Tuesday, July 7, 2026

rep>>> Various Artists - The Electric Asylum Volume 6 Rare British Acid Freakrock (1971-76 uk, multicolored tunes, 2014 release)

Somewhere in between the psychedelic dream and the three-day week lies the curious remains of a bygone age. Electric Asylum 6 unveils an unforgiving world of melodic absurdity with psychotic, at times erotic, and neurotic sounds to arouse the senses one more time. Rocksteady Trojan stalwarts get into their platform boots as Marsha Hunt and her 22 turn the senses inside-out with a venomous rocker for Vertigo. An intrepid Time Lord prescribes a dose of infectious electronica rivaled only by a neurotic blast of Rococo before Buster break into the nearest Moog retailer, triumphant. Prizes go to the first one to spot the leprechaun! Includes a 16-page booklet with comprehensive liner notes and rare color photographs.

Artists - Tracks - Composer

1. The Pioneers - Honey Bee (Anna Crooks, Sidney Crooks) - 4:19

2. Danta - Mau Mau (Kenny George, Val McDonald, Vernon Cummings) - 3:23

3. Bambi - Lady Of Lies (Carol Barratt, Karl Jenkins) - 3:07

4. Smoke - Shagalagalu (Geoff Gill) - 3:20

5. John Pertwee - Who Is The Doctor (David MacIver, Ron Grainer) - 2:20

6. Marsha Hunt's 22 - Medusa (Hugh Burns, Marsha Hunt) - 3:30

7. Frog - Living Dead (John Cameron) - 2:16

8. The Barron Knights - Turning My Back On You (Peter Langford) - 2:41

9. Colin Young - You're No Good (Colin Young) - 3:49

10.JSD Band - Cuckoo (Traditional) - 3:50

11.Jeff Smith - Going To A Party (Jeff Smith) - 2:10

12.Rococo - Ultrastar (Geoff Ward, Roy Shipston) - 2:40

13.Jigsaw - And I Like You (Clive Scott, Des Dyer) - 2:49

14.Buster - Ring Around (Adrian Baker, Roy Morgan) - 2:30

15.The Dawn Chorus - Little Green Men (Gerry Morris) - 2:30

16.C Starr - Bad Boy (Barry Stoller) - 2:58

17.Winston - Mona (Barry Green, Lynsey De Paul) - 2:59

18.Chris Garret And Sweet Poison - Family Man (Chris Garrett) - 2:57

19.Memories - Lay It On Me (Daire Doyle, Mick Swan) - 3:16

20.Henry Turtle - Come Over Here (Henry Turtle) - 2:49

The Electric Asylum series
1970-74 Volume One
1970-75 Volume Four
1969-75 Volume Five
other Past and Present compilations
60-70's Floor Filler Killers / New Directions Vol. 3
60-70's Mind Expanders Vol.2
1967-74 Psych Bites Vol.1
1968-74 Psych Bites Vol.2
1969-73 Up All Night

1969-72 Kevin Coyne - The Dandelion Years (2007 three disc boxset)

Monday, July 6, 2026

rep>>> Kevin Coyne - I Want My Crown Anthology (1973-80 uk, prog blues folk rock, 2010 four disc box set)

Many singer/songwriters have been more heralded, but fewproduced more good work or did so for longer than Kevin Coyne. While virtuallyunknown in America, Coyne released dozens of records, most of them very good,that dealt primarily with outsiders: men, women, and children arbitrarilyshunted to the fringes of society, or worse, locked away and left alone. Hissongs could be extraordinarily compassionate and, in the blink of an eye,angry, anguished, and accusatory. Perhaps the most durable and telling image ofKevin Coyne is the cover photo of his album In Living Black & White. On thefront, Coyne is smiling and politely bowing to an unseen audience; the back ofthe album jacket is the same photo taken from the rear, with Coyne clutching anopen straight razor.

Born in Derby, England, in 1944, Coyne, like many rock &roll performers who came of age in early postwar Britain, was an art schoolstudent who fell in love with American R&B. Living a bohemian life inlate-'60s London, Coyne was employed for a while as a socio-therapist foralcoholics and the emotionally disturbed, jobs that would profoundly affect hisapproach to music. In 1969 his first band, Siren, signed to influential BBC DJJohn Peel's specialty label, Dandelion. Two years and two excellent recordslater, Peel dissolved his label and Coyne embarked on a solo career. Marriedwith two children, Coyne supported both his family and musical career byreturning to social work. In many ways, his solo debut, Case History, set thetone for his career. Based on his social work experiences, it was a rivetingexamination of the desperate search for love by those forcibly exiled to thefringes of society. With his bluesy voice wailing almost inconsolably, CaseHistory is a naked examination of people (Coyne included) whose lives are inconstant turmoil: betrayed, institutionalized, unwanted, and mostly unloved.The characters in these songs cry out for attention, and Coyne, never one tobuy into England's bureaucratic social work system, howls right along withthem.

Case History was very nearly Coyne's swan song, but after aself-imposed exile from music, an opportunity to continue recording as a soloact with almost complete artistic freedom proved too powerful an incentive. In1973, Coyne began a relationship with the then-fledgling Virgin Records label,which seemed willing to embrace the decidedly noncommercial, difficultperformer. For the next eight years, he recorded some of his best music and,somewhat surprisingly, attained a modicum of commercial success, albeit inEurope only. These were mostly edgy folk-rock records tinged with anavant-garde feel for performance art (Coyne was a published poet, too), clearlynot easy listening by any stretch of the imagination; neither were theserecords overly pretentious nor unapproachable.

By the early '80s, Coyne was recording for independentlabels, making frustrating, semi-successful records that were erraticallyreleased and difficult to find. Exacerbating this bad situation were hisworsening mental and physical states: chronic depression culminating in anervous breakdown and alcoholism that, along with ending his marriage, nearlyended his life. In 1985 me moved to Nuremberg, Germany and began to pick up thepieces, improving his health and forming the Paradise Band. The move alsore-sparked his passion for painting and writing, resulting in a handful ofpublished books along with well-received exhibitions of his visual work in thecities of Berlin, Amsterdam, and Zurich. By the time the '90s rolled around,Coyne had reestablished himself as a true underground force, releasing acontinuous stream of albums of dizzying variety (and availability). In 2002 hewas diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He died at his home on December 2, 2004.

by John Dougan

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Marjory Razorblade - 1:45

2. Marlene - 2:44

3. Talking To No One - 2:31

4. Eastbourn Ladies (American Edit) - 4:38

5. I Want My Crown (Traditional) - 4:19

6. House On The Hill - 4:52

7. Lovesick Fool - 2:20

8. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning (Studio Version) (Traditional) - 4:06

9. River Of Sin - 3:22

10.Sign Of The Times - 5:22

11.I Believe In Love (Rough Mix) - 3:33

12.Blame It On The Night - 4:18

13.Poor Swine (Alt. Version) - 3:41

14.Dance Of The Bourgeoisie - 3:26

15.Saviour - 5:33

16.Lonely Lovers - 4:19

17.Sunday Morning Sunrise - 5:33

18.Rock 'N' Roll Hymn - 3:38

19.Turpentine - 3:33

20.Let's Have A Party (Jessie Mae Robinson) - 2:31

21.Lorna - 2:45

All songs by Kevin Coyne unless as else stated

Disc 2

1. Which Way Can I Go - 3:33

2. A Life Divine - 4:41

3. I Love My Mother (Kevin Coyne, Andy Summers) - 4:39

4. Shangri LA - 5:30

5. America - 4:09

6. Big White Bird - 2:05

7. Daddy - 4:16

8. Case History No 2 (Live) - 6:03

9. Fat Girl (Live) - 4:05

10.Roses In Your Room - 4:19

11.Mona Where's My Trousers - 2:56

12.Rainbow Curve - 3:30

13.River Of Blood - 3:14

14.Dynamite Days - 2:44

15.Brothers Of Mine - 4:09

16.I Really Live Round Here (False Friends) - 3:56

17.I Am (John Clare, Kevin Coyne) - 2:22

18.I Only Want To See You Smile - 2:31

19.Juliet And Mark - 4:47

20.Older Woman - 4:12

All tracks by Kevin Coyne except where noted

Disc 3

1. Having A Party - 4:23

2. I'm Just A Man - 3:38

3. Pretty Park - 5:39

4. Marigold - 3:16

5. Don't Blame Mandy - 2:59

6. World Is Full Of Fools - 3:13

7. Burning Head Suite (Live At Rockpalast 1979) - 6:17

8. Are You Deceiving Me - 2:54

9. Lonely Man (Studio Version) - 3:20

10.I Confess - 3:24

11.It's My Mind (Studio Version) - 3:38

12.Happy Homes - 1:38

13.Children's Crusade - 3:53

14.Learn To Swim Learn To Drown - 4:59

15.Dark Dance Hall - 2:31

16.Day To Day - 2:33

17.The Old Fashioned Love Song - 3:46

18.New Motorway - 2:59

19.The Loving Hand - 3:08

20.Wonderful Wilderness - 7:48

21.You Can't Kill Us - 2:02

Music and Lyrics by Kevin Coyne

Disc 4

1. Chicken Wing - 4:17

2. Marjory Razorblade Suite (Kevin Coyne, Gordon Smith) - 6:29

3. Blame It On The Night - 4:07

4. River Of Sin - 4:19

5. Poor Swine - 3:50

6. Fat Girl - 5:18

7. Mad Boy - 2:30

8. Mummy - 6:23

9. Marjory Razorblade Suite (Kevin Coyne, Gordon Smith) - 8:17

10.Let's Have A Party (Jessie Mae Robinson) - 3:16

11.Poor Swine - 4:54

12.Need Somebody - 5:31

13.Chicken Wing - 4:26

14.Boogie Chillun (Johnny Lee Hooker) - 6:36

All songs written by Kevin Coyne except where indicated

Tracks 1-6 BBC In Concert, Golders Green Hippodrome 1974, tracks 7-14 Live In Hyde Park

Musicians

*Kevin Coyne - Guitar, Vocals

*Andy Summers - Guitar

*Zoot Money - Keyboards

*Peter Wolf - Drums

*Steve Thompson - Bass

*Gordon Smith - Guitar, Harmonica

*Tony Cousins - Bass

*Eddie Sparrow - Drums

*Rick Dodd - Sax

*Terry Slade - Drums

rep>>> Druid - Toward The Sun (1975 uk, fine prog rock, 2015 japan SHM remaster)

Formed in 1971 by old schoolmates Dane Stevens and Cedric Sharpley, along with local bass player Neil Brewer, Druid spent years playing clubs as a trio before winning a competition by Melody Maker for the best unsigned band. At this point they added Andrew McCrorie-Shand, a recent London College of Music graduate.

The Melody Maker prize included new instruments and a recording contract, and their debut album appeared in July 1975 among envious whispers by rival bands and music publications. The band had a difficult time shaking the charge of hype, and they were also charged in some quarters as being Yes soundalikes -- Starcastle in the U.S. was later to be tarred with the same brush. () - In fact, Druid was an opening act at a number of Yes concerts. The Yes comparison, though an obvious one, is not entirely accurate. While Dane's vocals are clearly styled after Jon Anderson, and Neil Brewer's bass has the classic pick-driven Rickenbacker growl associated with Chris Squire, the rest of the band departs from the formula; McCrorie-Shand's unadorned keyboard parts, for example, have little in common with the lavishly baroque flash of Rick Wakeman or the martial Hammond pounding of Tony Kaye.

With the release of their second album in the spring of 1976, the band distanced themselves from their production and Melody Maker connections. It couldn't make up for the weaker material on their sophomore effort, and the band finally called it quits. Cedric Sharpley was to find success soon afterwards, though, by joining up with a new and unusual band led by an strange fellow named Gary Numan.

by Paul Collins

Tracks

1. Voices (Andrew McCrorie-Shand, Dane Stevens) - 8:14

2. Remembering (Dane Stevens, Neil Brewer) - 5:24

3. Theme (Andrew McCrorie-Shand, Cedric Sharpley, Dane Stevens, Neil Brewer) - 5:26

4. Toward The Sun (Dane Stevens) - 5:08

5. Red Carpet For An Autumn (Andrew McCrorie-Shand, Neil Brewer) - 3:09

6. Dawn Of Evening (Andrew McCrorie-Shand, Neil Brewer) - 10:03

7. Shangri-La (Dane Stevens, Neil Brewer) - 10:08

Druid

*Dane Stevens - Guitars, Vocals

*Andrew McCrorie-Shand - Keyboards, Choral Arrangements

*Neil Brewer - Bass

*Cedric Sharpley - Drums, Percussion

Sunday, July 5, 2026

rep>>> Robert Savage - The Adventures Of Robert Savage Vol. 1 (1971 us, great hard guitar rockin' funky blues psych)

The Adventures of Robert Savage” is a very obscure psychedelic rock band from the 70’s that hailed from California. There is a lot of heavy fuzz guitar here, excellent riffs and far-out solos, that this guy was obviously heavily influenced by the great Jimi Hendrix.

The band consisted of three members. In 1971 they released an album called The Adventures Of Robert Savage, Vol. 1.Robert Savage was obviously influenced by Hendrix and his album is recommended to fans of hard rock trios with inventive guitar parts. It comes in an unusual mediaeval style cover featuring a dragon…

It contains a pretty impressive set of Hendrix/Cream- inspired gritty and guitar driven psychedelic hard rock (with some white boy blues and progressive moves) dominated by loud guitars, dirty vocals and pounding rhythm section. There is a lot of heavy fuzz here, excellent riffs and long, far out solos.

Tracks
1. Beaver Baby (Robert Savage, Don Parish) - 3:05
2. Milk Run (Robert Savage, Don Parish) - 3:10
3. Don't Run and Hide (Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks) - 4:03
4. A Hard One (Don Parish) - 3:19
5. Seven Days Drunk (Robert Savage, Don Parish) - 4:29
6. Save Us From The Cyclops (Robert Savage) - 5:46
7. Amy (The Insane) (Robert Savage) - 3:55
8. Lonely World (Robert Savage) - 3:08
9. Road Apples (instrumental) (Robert Savage) - 4:24

Personnel
*Don Parish - Vocals, Bass
*Robert Savage - Vocals, Guitar
*Tommy Richards - Drums

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Saturday, July 4, 2026

rep>>> Still Life - Still Life (1971 uk, extraordinary heavy prog rock, 2001 japan remaster)

Bassist Graham Amos, vocalist Martin Cure began their musical adventure in 1963 in the Coventry band called The Sabres. They later formed The Peeps in 1965. The other two members of the band were Roy Albrighton (guitar) and Paul Wilkinson (drums). The Peeps recorded five SPs for Philips (1966-68). In 1968, they recruited Terry Howells on organ (ex-Ray King Soul Band). The drummer Paul Wilkinson left the band in 1968. He joined a band called Flying Machine. With new drums player, Gordon Reed (ex-Vampires), group's name was changed to Rainbows. They recorded two singles for CBS. The Rainbows had some gigs in Hamburg, Germany and when they were finished the guitarist, Roy Albrighton decided to stay in Germany. Later, he formed a band called Nektar.

When Rainbows came back to England, the drummer G.Reed left the band. So then there were three musicans: Amos, Cure, Howells. They changed a band name to Still Life and wrote the songs which turned into the album. But the band had not a drummer. Alan Savage was contacted to do the session and he had about a week to learn the material prior to recording. Album was recorded at Sound Recording Studios, near Marble Arch, London Savage was involved with the recording on the following dates: 1st October 1970, 2nd October 1970, 5th October 1970, 6th October 1970, 13th October 1970. The Album was mixed Monday 26th October 1970. Obviously, the other members were doing overdubs, vocal etc.on the dates in between. S.Shane did produce the LP. The Band had a contract to make a six LPs. But unfortunately the band drifted apart.

Pearls

Tracks
1 People In Black (Terry Howells) - 8:17
2 Don’t Go (Terry Howells, Martin Cure) - 4:37
3 October Witches (Terry Howells) - 8:04
4 Love Song No. 6 (Terry Howells) - 6:37
5 Dreams (Terry Howells, Martin Cure) - 7:34
6 Time (Terry Howells, Graham Amos) - 6:26

Still Life
*Martin Cure - Vocals
*Terry Howells - Keyboards
*Graham Amos - Bass
*Alan Savage - Drums

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rep>>> The Cryan' Shames - Sugar And Spice (1966 us, delicate sunny beat psych, 2002 remaster)

The Cryan' Shames actually were a big deal in Chicago in the mid- and late '60s, when a bunch of their singles hit the local Top Ten; some of them were small national hits as well. The biggest of these was "Sugar and Spice," a cover of a Searchers song that made the Top 50 in 1966 and was later featured in Lenny Kaye's renowned Nuggets anthology of '60s garage bands. In their original incarnation, the Shames leaned toward the pop end of garage.

Borrowing heavily from the Beatles, the Byrds, and the Yardbirds, guitarist James Fairs wrote a clutch of energetic guitar pop/rockers with sparkling harmonies. After 1966, the group pursued an increasingly mainstream pop direction featuring saccharine arrangements and material. In this respect they uncannily mirrored the devolution of local rivals the New Colony Six, who also shifted from tough pop/rock to MOR in their bid for national success. But the Shames' appeal endures, partly through the efforts of reissue/archival labels such as Sundazed Records, which have kept their music available into the 21st century, and some of the original members, who have kept the band alive as a performing outfit from the 1980s onward.

They actually started out in Hinsdale, IL, as the Prowlers, a trio formed by Gerry Stone (rhythm guitar), Tom "Toad" Doody (vocals), and Dave Purple (bass, keyboards), who added guitarist James Fairs and drummer Dennis Conroy, both late of a local band from Downers Grove called the Roosters. The quintet became the Travelers, specializing in R&B and rock & roll covers, though Fairs was starting to write originals as far back as 1964. They became a sextet with the addition of Jim Pilster, a one-handed tambourine player whose artificial extremity got him dubbed "J.C. Hooke."

Included in their ranks were four singers who were capable of handling lead vocals as well as harmonies, and as they already had their rock & roll and R&B sound down, they emerged as a heavyweight outfit on the local band scene, equally adept at covering the Beatles, the Byrds, or the Rolling Stones, among others. Additionally, as they discovered, Pilster's presence lent them some novelty/publicity value as "the guys with the hook," an attribute that would also benefit the Barbarians around the same time, who sported a member with a replacement appendage. According to biographer Clark Besch, they were making upwards of $180 a gig (albeit split six ways) in 1966, a good fee for a group that had never recorded. They also attracted the attention of manager Bob Monaco, who was associated with the local Destination Records label, and hoped to rectify that gap in their biography in short order.

Their new name was imposed upon them when they were notified that another band had a prior claim on "the Travelers" -- as they told Besch, the situation was described by one of the affected parties as "a cryin' shame," and that became their new name. The group and Monaco intended to make their recording debut with George Harrison's "If I Needed Someone" -- a new Beatles song not yet available in the U.S. -- but were thwarted, as the Beatles' publisher wouldn't allow the release. Instead, they grabbed up another, older British Invasion-spawned original, "Sugar and Spice," written by producer/composer Tony Hatch (under the pseudonym "Fred Nightingale") for his client group the Searchers. The number had been in the repertory of another local band, the Riddles, and they got their version out through MG Productions on a tiny local label.

The resulting single, which included a proto-psychedelic Fairs original called "Ben Franklin's Almanac," became a Top Five hit locally in Chicago, and attracted the attention of Columbia Records, which bought up their contract and put the record out nationally. It easily made the Top 50 and Columbia wanted more -- the band duly obliged with "I Wanna Meet You," another Fairs original, which only made the Top Ten locally and number 65 nationally. Columbia was still interested in an album, however, and the group delivered the 12-song Sugar & Spice long-player. It was a fairly good record of its kind, mixing covers and Fairs' originals and, as it was done on a tight budget -- basically Columbia accepted the record as delivered, according to Pilster in an essay by Besch -- it also included all four single sides, plus their proposed debut of "If I Needed Someone." Although the album barely cracked the Top 200 nationally, the single and the long-player between them helped raise the band's fees more than fivefold in just a matter of weeks.

by Bruce Eder

Tracks
1. Sugar And Spice (Fred Nightingale) - 2:27
2. We Could Be Happy (Jim Fairs) - 2:34
3. Heat Wave (Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland) - 2:07
4. We'll Meet Again (Hughie Charles, Ross Parker) - 2:05
5. Ben Franklin's Almanac (Jim Fairs) - 1:57
6. She Don't Care About Time (Gene Clark) - 2:23
7. Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go) (Billy Roberts) - 2:40
8. If I Needed Someone (George Harrison) - 2:17
9. July (Jim Fairs) - 1:34
10.I Wanna Meet You (Jim Fairs) - 2:05
11.We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 3:38
12.You're Gonna Lose That Girl (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:13
13.Mr. Unreliable (Single Version) (Lenny Kerley) - 2:23
14.Georgia (Jim Fairs) - 2:15
15.It Don't Matter To Me (David Gates) - 2:54
16.Bits And Pieces (Version One) (Lenny Kerley) - 2:29
17.The Road (Lenny Kerley) - 2:18

Bonus Tracks 12-17

The Cryan' Shames
*Tom Doody - Vocals
*Jim Pilster - Tambourine
*Dennis Conroy - Drums
*Jerry Stone - Guitar
*Jim Fairs - Guitar
*Dave Purple - Bass, Organ, Harpiscord

Friday, July 3, 2026

rep>>> Widowmaker ‎- Running Free The Jet Recordings (1976-77 uk, exceptional hard classic rock, 2017 double disc remaster)

Widowmaker was formed in late 1975 by ex-Spooky Tooth and Mott The Hoople guitarist Luther Grosvenor, at the time known as Ariel Bender, as a means of recording songs he had written, something he had been unable to do since Mott The Hoople’s recordings were dominated by Ian Hunter penned tunes. Grosvenor was joined by ex-Lindisfarne drummer Paul Nichols and former Mungo Jerry and Chicken Shack bassist Bob Daisley. The trio became of the nucleus of the new band, with Grosvenor handling all the vocals.

The band decided that a lead vocalist would improve the band’s sound and as a result, Steve Ellis, formerly of Love Affair, was added, after his name was given to Grosvenor by Bobby Tench and Roger Chapman. At first Ellis wasn’t excited at the prospect of joining the band, but with some coaxing he took the job. Adding a keyboard was considered by the quartet, but in the end, guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton completed the original lineup of the quintet, which took the name Widowmaker, although no one in the band can really remember why, and Grosvenor says he never liked the name.

The band’s first gig was a 24 February 1976 appearance on the BBC’s “Old Grey Whistle” when they performed the Grosvenor/Ellis/Nichols penned “On The Road” and the Grosvenor/Ellis composition “Ain’t Telling You Nothing” both of which appeared on the groups debut LP. Catching the eye and ear of Roger Daltrey, Widowmaker opened for The Who at three gigs in May and June of 1976.

The band signed with Don Arden’s Jet Records with Arden becoming their manager. Soon the group entered De Lane Lea Studios in Wembley and began work on their self-produced and self-titled debut LP. Among the album’s ten tracks are five which Grosvenor had a part in writing, including the hot rocking “Running Free.” The band was aided by keyboardist Zoot Money, and backing vocals were supplied by Bobby Tench, Roger Chapman, Julie Driscoll and Sam Brown. With Jet making changes in distribution the album made a late appearance in the US and reached only #196 on the Billboard charts, disappointing to the band and certainly not an indication of the quality of material recorded.

Undeterred the band toured with Jet label mates ELO, as well as Uriah Heep and Nazareth. However, musical differences, home sickness and a falling out with manager Arden resulted in Ellis exiting the band. At the recommendation of Lloyd-Langton lead vocals were taken over by John Butler and the band entered Olympic Studio to record its second LP “Too Late To Cry” with Chris Kimsey and the band coproducing. The album, smoother sounding, but lacking the raw sound of the band’s debut reached only #150 on the Billboard charts in the US. Although containing four guitar driven tracks co-written by Grosvenor, the highlights of the anthology for me, it had a smoother sound, but didn’t rock as hard as the debut and proved to be the final album by the group.

Widowmaker toured with Ted Nugent, Aerosmith and Mahogany Rush, among others, in support of “Too Late To Cry” but bassist Daisley departed to become part of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. In addition, Grosvenor was unhappy, and although the band’s albums were much better than average and the group could have gone on for another year or two at the least, the members decided to call it a day and Widowmaker was no more.

Running Free: The Jet Recordings 1976-1977 marks the first time both Widowmaker albums have been reissued on CD in their entirety. Three tracks from “Too Late To Cry” make their debut on the anthology and are joined by another Grosvenor co-penned, previously unreleased track “Talk To Me.” The Esoteric Recordings reissue, compiled, conceived and coordinated by Mark Powell, with assistance from his wife Vicky, has the band sounding better than ever thanks to the 24-bit remastering job by Ben Wisessman at Broadlake Studios and the 16-page full color booklet includes an informative essay by Malcolm Dome and is filled with photos of the band, album artwork, posters, and other memorabilia, making “Running Free” the unquestionably definitive Widowmaker anthology. The collection will be appreciated by fans of hard rock and the incredible guitar work of Luther Grosvenor alike. Many thanks to the Powells and the folks at Esoteric Recordings for making this fine collection available.

by Kevin Rathert, August 29, 2017

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Such A Shame (Bob Daisley) - 3:20

2. Pin A Rose On Me (Bob Daisley, Luther Grosvenor, Steve Ellis) - 5:02

3. On The Road (Luther Grosvenor, Paul Nicholls, Steve Ellis) - 3:08

4. Straight Faced Fighter (Steve Ellis) - 3:27

5. Ain't Telling You Nothing (Luther Grosvenor, Steve Ellis) - 4:52

6. When I Met You (Luther Grosvenor) - 3:52

7. Leave The Kids Alone (Steve Ellis) - 4:39

8. Shine A Light On Me (Luther Grosvenor) - 4:42

9. Running Free (John Farnham, Luther Grosvenor) - 3:39

10.Got A Dream (Huw Lloyd-Langton) - 3:03

Tracks 1-10 taken from the album 'Widowmaker' - released as Jet Records 2310 432 in 1976

Disc 2
1. Too Late To Cry (Bob Daisley) - 3:54
2. The Hustler (Bob Daisley, Luther Grosvenor) - 4:04
3. What A Way To Fall (Bob Daisley) - 3:52
4. Here Comes The Queen (Luther Grosvenor) - 4:10
5. Mean What You Say (Huw Lloyd-Langton, John Butler) - 3:21
6. Something I Can Do Without (Bob Daisley, Luther Grosvenor) - 4:11
7. Sign The Papers (Bob Daisley, John Butler) - 5:08
8. Pushin' And Pullin' (John Farnham) - 4:50
9. Sky Blues (Bob Daisley, John Butler, Luther Grosvenor, Paul Nicholls) - 5:40
10.Talk To Me (Bob Daisley, John Butler, Luther Grosvenor, Paul Nicholls) - 4:17
Tracks 1-9 taken from the album 'Too Late To Cry' released as Jet Records UAG 30038 in 1977
Track 10 recorded at Olympic Studios in January 1977 previously unreleased.

Widowmaker
*Steve Ellis - Vocals
*Ariel Bender AKA Luther Grosvenor - Guitar
*Huw Lloyd-Langton - Guitar
*Bob Daisley - Bass
*Paul Nicholls - Drums
*John Butler - Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Keyboards, Harmonica
With
*Zoot Money - Keyboards
*Miguel Barradas - Steel Drums

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1969 Spooky Tooth - Spooky Two (2010 japan SHM expanded)
1967-69 Love Affair - The Everlasting Love Affair (2005 bonus tracks)
1970 Love Affair - New Day (2008 bonus tracks)
1971 Kahvas Jute - Wide Open / Live At The Basement
1973 Chicken Shack - Unlucky Boy (2013 edition)
1974 Mott The Hoople - Hoople (2006 remaster)

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