Pysch/Prog/Folk Thread for Anybody Interested
Posted by: Guido Fawkes on 06 August 2006
JWM - asked if I'd considered a compendium of Prog rock. Well I'm probably not up to the task and as I'll probably drift in to Pysch and Folk and Euro and Space Rock without even noticing, I've titled the thread accordingly. So I'm afraid it's a case of Irk The Purists and lets give it a go. See also the Prog thread.
So where do we start - lets go back to 1926. Janáček’s Sinfonietta was written in the spring of 1926. And yes you know it - it was borrowed by ELP on their first album and called Knife Edge and it was also used to introduce the 60s classic court room drama - Crown Court. So if you haven't got this in your collection then you should have and if you are one of those who posts that he (or she) doesn't like classical music then give it a try.
Of course, when we arrive in the 1960s things start to happen. Perhaps most significant are these albums
Shirley Collins - should be Dame Shirley as she has done more for English music than anybody - Shirley Collins is without doubt one of England's greatest cultural treasures - Billy Bragg
Folk Roots, New Roots - Shirley Collins and Davey Graham: it is simple really: collect some of the best songs from our heritage and bring together a superb singer and a very good guitarist. You have a masterpiece.
1. Nottamun Town
2. Proud Maisrie
3. The Cherry Tree Carol
4. Blue Monk
5. Hares On The Mountain
6. Reynardine
7. Pretty Saro
8. Rif Mountain
9. Jane, Jane
10. Love Is Pleasin'
11. Boll Weevil, Holler
12. Hori Horo
13. Bad Girl
14. Lord Greggory
15. Grooveyard
16. Dearest Dear
Growing up listening in a house where jazz, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley dominated, Folk Roots, New Roots was a breath of fresh air - it made me want to listen to music. I've been an addict ever since.
Of course, we have got to mention the Beatles and the Kinks - it is easy: simply buy all their albums: there are no duff ones. But that is obvious and I think my compendium should focus on the less obvious
So lets kick of with the Incredible String Band - it was they that influenced the Beatles. The two albums that you simply must listen to are
The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion contains alternating Heron and Williamson songs. Every track is sensational and it combines eastern and western music in a unique way.
"Chinese White" (Mike Heron) – 3:40
"No Sleep Blues" (Robin Williamson) – 3:53
"Painting Box" (Heron) – 4:04
"The Mad Hatter's Song" (Williamson) – 5:40
"Little Cloud" (Heron) – 4:05
"The Eyes of Fate" (Williamson) – 4:02
"Blues for the Muse" (Williamson) – 2:49
"The Hedgehog's Song" (Heron) – 3:30
"First Girl I Loved" (Williamson) – 4:55
"You Know What You Could Be" (Heron) – 2:46
"My Name Is Death" (Williamson) – 2:46
"Gently Tender" (Heron) – 4:49
"Way Back in the 1960s" (Williamson) – 3:11
I'm tempted to say The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter is more of the same and in many ways it is, but it contains an epic song: 'A Very Cellular Song' which drifts from one musical style to another and yet maintains its coherence.
"Koeeaddi There" (Robin Williamson) - 4:49
"The Minotaur's Song" (Williamson) - 3:22
"Witches Hat" (Williamson) - 2:33
"A Very Cellular Song" (Mike Heron) - 13:09
"Mercy I Cry City" (Heron) - 2:46
"Waltz of the New Moon" (Williamson) - 5:10
"The Water Song" (Williamson) - 2:50
"Three Is a Green Crown" (Williamson) - 7:46
"Swift as the Wind" (Heron) - 4:53
"Nightfall" (Williamson) - 2:33
So these are my first two recommendations for anybody vaguely interested. I don't think these albums would have surfaced had it not been for Shirley Collins and I doubt if we would have had Sgt Pepper had it not been for the Beatles love of ISB (though it was the ISB's first album from '66 that John Lennon and Paul McCartney both acknowledged).
So where do we start - lets go back to 1926. Janáček’s Sinfonietta was written in the spring of 1926. And yes you know it - it was borrowed by ELP on their first album and called Knife Edge and it was also used to introduce the 60s classic court room drama - Crown Court. So if you haven't got this in your collection then you should have and if you are one of those who posts that he (or she) doesn't like classical music then give it a try.
Of course, when we arrive in the 1960s things start to happen. Perhaps most significant are these albums
Shirley Collins - should be Dame Shirley as she has done more for English music than anybody - Shirley Collins is without doubt one of England's greatest cultural treasures - Billy Bragg
Folk Roots, New Roots - Shirley Collins and Davey Graham: it is simple really: collect some of the best songs from our heritage and bring together a superb singer and a very good guitarist. You have a masterpiece.
1. Nottamun Town
2. Proud Maisrie
3. The Cherry Tree Carol
4. Blue Monk
5. Hares On The Mountain
6. Reynardine
7. Pretty Saro
8. Rif Mountain
9. Jane, Jane
10. Love Is Pleasin'
11. Boll Weevil, Holler
12. Hori Horo
13. Bad Girl
14. Lord Greggory
15. Grooveyard
16. Dearest Dear
Growing up listening in a house where jazz, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley dominated, Folk Roots, New Roots was a breath of fresh air - it made me want to listen to music. I've been an addict ever since.
Of course, we have got to mention the Beatles and the Kinks - it is easy: simply buy all their albums: there are no duff ones. But that is obvious and I think my compendium should focus on the less obvious
So lets kick of with the Incredible String Band - it was they that influenced the Beatles. The two albums that you simply must listen to are
The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion contains alternating Heron and Williamson songs. Every track is sensational and it combines eastern and western music in a unique way.
"Chinese White" (Mike Heron) – 3:40
"No Sleep Blues" (Robin Williamson) – 3:53
"Painting Box" (Heron) – 4:04
"The Mad Hatter's Song" (Williamson) – 5:40
"Little Cloud" (Heron) – 4:05
"The Eyes of Fate" (Williamson) – 4:02
"Blues for the Muse" (Williamson) – 2:49
"The Hedgehog's Song" (Heron) – 3:30
"First Girl I Loved" (Williamson) – 4:55
"You Know What You Could Be" (Heron) – 2:46
"My Name Is Death" (Williamson) – 2:46
"Gently Tender" (Heron) – 4:49
"Way Back in the 1960s" (Williamson) – 3:11
I'm tempted to say The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter is more of the same and in many ways it is, but it contains an epic song: 'A Very Cellular Song' which drifts from one musical style to another and yet maintains its coherence.
"Koeeaddi There" (Robin Williamson) - 4:49
"The Minotaur's Song" (Williamson) - 3:22
"Witches Hat" (Williamson) - 2:33
"A Very Cellular Song" (Mike Heron) - 13:09
"Mercy I Cry City" (Heron) - 2:46
"Waltz of the New Moon" (Williamson) - 5:10
"The Water Song" (Williamson) - 2:50
"Three Is a Green Crown" (Williamson) - 7:46
"Swift as the Wind" (Heron) - 4:53
"Nightfall" (Williamson) - 2:33
So these are my first two recommendations for anybody vaguely interested. I don't think these albums would have surfaced had it not been for Shirley Collins and I doubt if we would have had Sgt Pepper had it not been for the Beatles love of ISB (though it was the ISB's first album from '66 that John Lennon and Paul McCartney both acknowledged).
I remember Alan 'Fluf' Freeman used to play Cochise's Why I Sing The Blues week after week on his Pick of the Pops show that used to end by playing the hit parade. I thought it was a great song, so when back in the 70s, I happened on Swallow Tales by Cochise in the local Woolworths at a bargain price I bought it. I was very disappointed as Why I Sing The Blues is completely out of context and none of the other songs are anything like it.
So I left Swallow Tales largely unplayed for several years. Then one rainy afternoon I played it again and again and again. It's a great album - a little bit Plainsong (in the Ian Mathews sense) - sort of progressive country rock with an English accent. A great version of Buddy Holly's When you're feeling sad and blue you know love's msde a fool of you.
I've not heard their debut which is supposed to be even better, but Swallow Tales is pretty good.
From a background of well crafted pop songs and the superb single No Regrets emerged one of the most durable artists around. I didn't buy all his records first time around more fool me, but I have them now and his last two albums are incredible.
Scott Walker's Tilt and The Drift are two of the most challenging, yet ultimately enjoyable records ever made. It's not pop music, but it is progressive. Tilt and The Drift should be in every record collection or I'll punch a donkey in the streets of Gallway.
Also worth a listen or several is
Scott sings Jacques Brel
Marc Almond once noted that Scott Walker could sing "Three Blind Mice" and "make it sound like the only song in the world."
Scott Walker's Tilt and The Drift are two of the most challenging, yet ultimately enjoyable records ever made. It's not pop music, but it is progressive. Tilt and The Drift should be in every record collection or I'll punch a donkey in the streets of Gallway.
Also worth a listen or several is
Scott sings Jacques Brel
Marc Almond once noted that Scott Walker could sing "Three Blind Mice" and "make it sound like the only song in the world."
Who Do You Love was by Bo Diddley and I first heard it on a Tom Rush album I got out of the library. Then I heard a rather extended version on Quick Silver Messenger Service's Happy Trails - I know everybody thinks Happy Trails is wonderful, but I've never really got it - sorry.
Still back to Who Do You Love and enter Ray Owen and Glen Campbell (no not the Rhinestone Cowboy from Galveston) - the British guitarist Glen Ross Campbell. That first album remains a classic rock album and the follow up Lie Back and Enjoy It is very fine too.
Ray Owen left after the first album and made the rather good album Ray Owens Moon with Sid Gardner.
But Ray is back with the 2006 version of Jucy Lucy and they sound as good as ever
Here for yourself Silver Bird and One Time, One Place
Still back to Who Do You Love and enter Ray Owen and Glen Campbell (no not the Rhinestone Cowboy from Galveston) - the British guitarist Glen Ross Campbell. That first album remains a classic rock album and the follow up Lie Back and Enjoy It is very fine too.
Ray Owen left after the first album and made the rather good album Ray Owens Moon with Sid Gardner.
But Ray is back with the 2006 version of Jucy Lucy and they sound as good as ever
Here for yourself Silver Bird and One Time, One Place
Were Ten Years After progressive - maybe, maybe not. They were lyrically dull, but musically entertaining especially on Cricklewwod Green
Beamed to you all direct from Planet Gong-news of Steve Hillage remasters:-
http://www.planetgong.co.uk/
"Steve's solo albums from the 70's are scheduled for release in remastered, bonus-tracked and expanded booklet form this Autumn. They are to be released in chronological order, 4 in October and 4 in November. And the best news is that it's all being done with his blessing and hands-on input.
A couple of old 1/4" tapes of Steve Hillage material to be considered as bonus tracks were sent off to Virgin the other week. They ended up with GAS via David Id, who had stored them in his mum's attic for 25 years. Steve didn't know, or had forgotten about them as they were trying to source the tracks from a very old and slightly mangled cassette - yikes!.
One tape, my favourite, is known in Gongland as the 'power trio' version of 'Fish Risng', and contains wonderfully, powerful raw backing tracks of that album played by just Steve, Mike and Pierre and perhaps a wee bit of Dave Stewart. Mike Howlett tells a story, probably apocryphal, of them hearing the finished mixes of 'Fish Rising' while tripping, Steve deciding it was all way too powerful for people to take, so he went back in the studio and eased it all back a bit to create the album we know nowadays. I don't know if that's true or not, but these rough mixes may be some of evidence that it possibly is.
The tape box was labelled 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix' and the tracks written on the box, are 'Pentagramme S.B.', 'Salmon Song', 'Aftaglid' 'I.L.I.H.M' (I Love It's Holy Mystery), and 'Beginning To See The Light'. The tracks have no overdubs, vocals or other instruments, but they often make the hair on the back of your neck stand up with their energy. 'Pentagramme S.B. is obviously 'Pentagrammaspin' released on the Virgin 'V' sampler and the unreleased 'Beginning To See The Light' is a great riff in search of a home, or a solo, or something. For a real devotee (thee 'n' me?) it is a pity that all these tracks probably won't be released, perhaps one day we can organise downloads or somethiong of those that don't make the cut?
The second tape, also dated 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix', contains, 'Hole in the Sky', which I presume became 'Light in the Sky', 'Dither Blues', which became 'Don't Dither Do It' and 'Electric Gypsy'. I don't remember actually getting round to hearing this tape ever, perhaps it was a 'squeaker' and in need of baking to rescue it, so we didn't play it. One question that comes to mind is if the date on the tape box is correct then some of the tracks, or at least the ideas were around years before they saw the light of day in released form."
Don't forget "Shapeshifter" as the 4th part of The Gong Radio Gnome Trilogy !!!with "Zero to Infinity as the 5th part.
Gong "Live etc" is also due in remastered form:-
Gong
Live Etc (2/3 CD Box Set) - Remastered expanded reissue
Release date: Stuck in a legal mire - we won't see this till at least Autumn 2006
Label: Virgin/EMI
Contents: 1977's Live Etc with loads of bonus tracks
Recorded: 1973-75
Verdict: All the great live material of the original album remastered with at least one, maybe two CDs of added live Gong material from the same era. May include the very well recorded and played complete Gong live at Bremen German radio broadcast from 1974. With the full enhanced illustrated booklet job as well.
"So there goes Zero the Hero
Turning on around the wheel of births and deaths
And meanwhile the Octave Doctors
And the Pot Head Pixies
And all the other characters of the Planet Gong
Have to leave you now"
Steve
http://www.planetgong.co.uk/
"Steve's solo albums from the 70's are scheduled for release in remastered, bonus-tracked and expanded booklet form this Autumn. They are to be released in chronological order, 4 in October and 4 in November. And the best news is that it's all being done with his blessing and hands-on input.
A couple of old 1/4" tapes of Steve Hillage material to be considered as bonus tracks were sent off to Virgin the other week. They ended up with GAS via David Id, who had stored them in his mum's attic for 25 years. Steve didn't know, or had forgotten about them as they were trying to source the tracks from a very old and slightly mangled cassette - yikes!.
One tape, my favourite, is known in Gongland as the 'power trio' version of 'Fish Risng', and contains wonderfully, powerful raw backing tracks of that album played by just Steve, Mike and Pierre and perhaps a wee bit of Dave Stewart. Mike Howlett tells a story, probably apocryphal, of them hearing the finished mixes of 'Fish Rising' while tripping, Steve deciding it was all way too powerful for people to take, so he went back in the studio and eased it all back a bit to create the album we know nowadays. I don't know if that's true or not, but these rough mixes may be some of evidence that it possibly is.
The tape box was labelled 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix' and the tracks written on the box, are 'Pentagramme S.B.', 'Salmon Song', 'Aftaglid' 'I.L.I.H.M' (I Love It's Holy Mystery), and 'Beginning To See The Light'. The tracks have no overdubs, vocals or other instruments, but they often make the hair on the back of your neck stand up with their energy. 'Pentagramme S.B. is obviously 'Pentagrammaspin' released on the Virgin 'V' sampler and the unreleased 'Beginning To See The Light' is a great riff in search of a home, or a solo, or something. For a real devotee (thee 'n' me?) it is a pity that all these tracks probably won't be released, perhaps one day we can organise downloads or somethiong of those that don't make the cut?
The second tape, also dated 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix', contains, 'Hole in the Sky', which I presume became 'Light in the Sky', 'Dither Blues', which became 'Don't Dither Do It' and 'Electric Gypsy'. I don't remember actually getting round to hearing this tape ever, perhaps it was a 'squeaker' and in need of baking to rescue it, so we didn't play it. One question that comes to mind is if the date on the tape box is correct then some of the tracks, or at least the ideas were around years before they saw the light of day in released form."
Don't forget "Shapeshifter" as the 4th part of The Gong Radio Gnome Trilogy !!!with "Zero to Infinity as the 5th part.
Gong "Live etc" is also due in remastered form:-
Gong
Live Etc (2/3 CD Box Set) - Remastered expanded reissue
Release date: Stuck in a legal mire - we won't see this till at least Autumn 2006
Label: Virgin/EMI
Contents: 1977's Live Etc with loads of bonus tracks
Recorded: 1973-75
Verdict: All the great live material of the original album remastered with at least one, maybe two CDs of added live Gong material from the same era. May include the very well recorded and played complete Gong live at Bremen German radio broadcast from 1974. With the full enhanced illustrated booklet job as well.
"So there goes Zero the Hero
Turning on around the wheel of births and deaths
And meanwhile the Octave Doctors
And the Pot Head Pixies
And all the other characters of the Planet Gong
Have to leave you now"
Steve
Not yet seen a mention of Greenslade, formed by David Grenslade after left Collesuem .
Blend of Jazz, blues,prog rock etc. Recorded 4 albums:-
1973 Greenslade
1973 Bedside Manners are Extra
1974 Spyglass Guest
1975 Time and tide
After this band split and David greenslade went solo. Recorded a good solo album 1975 "Cactus Choir" and also 1979 "The Pentateuch of The Cosmogony"-double Lp plus book-a bit over the top!!!
Have reformed but later albums not a patch on the originals although in 1999 a live album was released of recordings from 1973 & 1975- these have just resurfaced as part of a snapper label 2Cd Greenslade release-"Feathered Friends".
Steve
Blend of Jazz, blues,prog rock etc. Recorded 4 albums:-
1973 Greenslade
1973 Bedside Manners are Extra
1974 Spyglass Guest
1975 Time and tide
After this band split and David greenslade went solo. Recorded a good solo album 1975 "Cactus Choir" and also 1979 "The Pentateuch of The Cosmogony"-double Lp plus book-a bit over the top!!!
Have reformed but later albums not a patch on the originals although in 1999 a live album was released of recordings from 1973 & 1975- these have just resurfaced as part of a snapper label 2Cd Greenslade release-"Feathered Friends".
Steve
OK - I admidt it, I really like the music of the Ozric Tentacles. I know it's not trendy, but this stuff is really good and the musicianship is superb.
My recommendation is the Vitamin Enhanced Boxset
especially The Bits Between The Bits.
My recommendation is the Vitamin Enhanced Boxset
especially The Bits Between The Bits.
Hollywood Dream by Thunderclap Newman is an excellent album. John Speedy Keene died recently, he wrote Armenia City In The Sky for The Who. He was very talented.
1. Something in the Air
2. Hollywood
3. The Reason
4. Open the Door Homer
5. Look around
6. Accidents
7. Wild country
8. When I think
9. Old Cornmill
10. I don't know
11. Hollywood dream (instrumental)
12. Hollywood No. 2
13. Something in the air (single version)
14. Wilhemina
15. Accidents (single version)
16. I see it all
17. The reason (single version)
18. Stormy Petrel
You can still get it - it's about £6 and woth every penny. Accidents is superb.
I think Thunderclap Newman were
Andy "Thunderclap" Newman - keyboards
Jimmy McCulloch - guitar
John "Speedy" Keene - vocals
Jim Avery - bass
Jack McCulloch - drums
Jim Avery was in The Attack, what great band they were, and, of course, with Terry Stamp was a founder member of the magnificent Third World War. Third World War sounded a lot like the Clash, or I should say the Clash sounded a lot like Third World War. Third World War appear earlier in this thread, but if you haven't heard Third World War and Third World War II then they are well worth checking out.
Speedy did a couple of solo albums that I haven't heard. He produced Johnny Thunders album LAMF and the first Motorhead elpee. I have LAMF and its OK, but not great.
1. Something in the Air
2. Hollywood
3. The Reason
4. Open the Door Homer
5. Look around
6. Accidents
7. Wild country
8. When I think
9. Old Cornmill
10. I don't know
11. Hollywood dream (instrumental)
12. Hollywood No. 2
13. Something in the air (single version)
14. Wilhemina
15. Accidents (single version)
16. I see it all
17. The reason (single version)
18. Stormy Petrel
You can still get it - it's about £6 and woth every penny. Accidents is superb.
I think Thunderclap Newman were
Andy "Thunderclap" Newman - keyboards
Jimmy McCulloch - guitar
John "Speedy" Keene - vocals
Jim Avery - bass
Jack McCulloch - drums
Jim Avery was in The Attack, what great band they were, and, of course, with Terry Stamp was a founder member of the magnificent Third World War. Third World War sounded a lot like the Clash, or I should say the Clash sounded a lot like Third World War. Third World War appear earlier in this thread, but if you haven't heard Third World War and Third World War II then they are well worth checking out.
Speedy did a couple of solo albums that I haven't heard. He produced Johnny Thunders album LAMF and the first Motorhead elpee. I have LAMF and its OK, but not great.
Power of The Picts by The Writing On The Wall is one of those elpees that changes hands on vinyl for £150+. I've got it on CD an it is a fairly average piece of prog-rock. Not bad, but not great IMO. I don't know if anybody else has this album and could explain its merits to me.
quote:Originally posted by steveb:
1973 Bedside Manners are Extra
...
Steve
Just got myself a copy of this excellent album.
Roy Harper
-where to start-love his music, very few songs i don't like. Have been to see him on every tour since late 80's-still a great performer-often with his son Nick-also a great talent in his own right-well worth catching him live as well. Matt Churchill currently accompanies Roy- also worth looking out for in the future
Roy has released a DVD-Beyond The Door-based on 2004 Clonakilty performances plus studio film
of new song "Death of God", this is available as a Cd single-typical Harper rant at what is wrong in the world-essential purchase for any Harper fan. The DVD also has a Cd of the live performances in the package
A better starter compilation is the new one "Counter Culture", chosen and sequenced by Roy himself.
Don't forget the book of Roy's lyrics-"The Passions of Great Fortune"-each song has notes on its meaning-some have long descriptions, plus many great photos of him.
steve
-where to start-love his music, very few songs i don't like. Have been to see him on every tour since late 80's-still a great performer-often with his son Nick-also a great talent in his own right-well worth catching him live as well. Matt Churchill currently accompanies Roy- also worth looking out for in the future
Roy has released a DVD-Beyond The Door-based on 2004 Clonakilty performances plus studio film
of new song "Death of God", this is available as a Cd single-typical Harper rant at what is wrong in the world-essential purchase for any Harper fan. The DVD also has a Cd of the live performances in the package
A better starter compilation is the new one "Counter Culture", chosen and sequenced by Roy himself.
Don't forget the book of Roy's lyrics-"The Passions of Great Fortune"-each song has notes on its meaning-some have long descriptions, plus many great photos of him.
steve
I must give Mr Harper a try - my collection is sadly laking in the RH department though I did see him live on the Pink Floyd bill at Knebworth (in 75?}.
Still I was listening to HMHB as I often do and the lyrics to Tour Jacket With Detachable Sleeves where Nigel thought he'd arrived on Planet Prog when he went to concert and heard the tribute band I Can't Believe It's Not Focus. he aledges he asked the exhausted guitarist: Are you knackered man?; and received the reply: No, I'm Jan Ackerman.
This prompted me to playing Moving Waves and Hamburger Concerto and it brought back college memories. So much so, I invested in this super DVD.
DVD 1 - Inside Focus
A critical review of Focus. The film is hosted by Thijs van Leer and features a comprehensive survey of Focus live including rare performances from The Old Grey Whistle Test and Rainbow.
DVD 2 - Live In America 2003
• Focus I • House Of The King • Focus II • Eruption • Focus III • Brother • Sylvia • Focus V • Cathedrale De Strasbourg • Harem Scarem • Focus VII • Flute Improvisation • Hocus Pocus
DVD 3 - Broadcasting Live 1971-1973
From the archives: • Sylvia • Hocus Pocus • Anonymous II • Hamburger Concerto • La Cathédrale de Strasbourg • Sneezing Bull • Angel Wings • Focus Medley No. 73
Very enjoyable - Focus were a bit different with jazz style improvisation intertwined with some highly structured classical influenced sections. Jan Ackerman was an excellent guitarist.
Still I was listening to HMHB as I often do and the lyrics to Tour Jacket With Detachable Sleeves where Nigel thought he'd arrived on Planet Prog when he went to concert and heard the tribute band I Can't Believe It's Not Focus. he aledges he asked the exhausted guitarist: Are you knackered man?; and received the reply: No, I'm Jan Ackerman.
This prompted me to playing Moving Waves and Hamburger Concerto and it brought back college memories. So much so, I invested in this super DVD.
DVD 1 - Inside Focus
A critical review of Focus. The film is hosted by Thijs van Leer and features a comprehensive survey of Focus live including rare performances from The Old Grey Whistle Test and Rainbow.
DVD 2 - Live In America 2003
• Focus I • House Of The King • Focus II • Eruption • Focus III • Brother • Sylvia • Focus V • Cathedrale De Strasbourg • Harem Scarem • Focus VII • Flute Improvisation • Hocus Pocus
DVD 3 - Broadcasting Live 1971-1973
From the archives: • Sylvia • Hocus Pocus • Anonymous II • Hamburger Concerto • La Cathédrale de Strasbourg • Sneezing Bull • Angel Wings • Focus Medley No. 73
Very enjoyable - Focus were a bit different with jazz style improvisation intertwined with some highly structured classical influenced sections. Jan Ackerman was an excellent guitarist.
I looked to the sky
Where an elephant's eye
Was looking at me
From a bubblegum tree
And all that I knew
The hole in my shoe
Was letting in water, letting in water.
Dave Mason wrote some excellent songs, but for some reason didn't seem to be a permanent fixture in Traffic. Nonetheless you can't help but like them.
These are two great albums Mr Fantasy and Traffic. Mason's contributions stand out for me, but the other members including Windwwood and Capaldi made truly excellent contributions - 40,000 Headmen is a wonderful song.
If you haven't got these albums then put them on your list, you'll not regret it.
Here's a little world you can all join in with:
It's very simple and I hope it's new.
Make your own life up if you want to:
Any old life that you think will do.
Love you, it's nothing new.
There's someone much worse off than you are.
Help me set them free.
Just be what you want to be.
Where an elephant's eye
Was looking at me
From a bubblegum tree
And all that I knew
The hole in my shoe
Was letting in water, letting in water.
Dave Mason wrote some excellent songs, but for some reason didn't seem to be a permanent fixture in Traffic. Nonetheless you can't help but like them.
These are two great albums Mr Fantasy and Traffic. Mason's contributions stand out for me, but the other members including Windwwood and Capaldi made truly excellent contributions - 40,000 Headmen is a wonderful song.
If you haven't got these albums then put them on your list, you'll not regret it.
Here's a little world you can all join in with:
It's very simple and I hope it's new.
Make your own life up if you want to:
Any old life that you think will do.
Love you, it's nothing new.
There's someone much worse off than you are.
Help me set them free.
Just be what you want to be.
This is a superb album from 1968. It's Would You Believe by Billy Nicholls backed by The Small Faces. Thie album only achieved an initial promotional run of 100 copies before Immediate Records ran into difficulty.
It is now available on CD.
Would You Believe
Come Again
Life Is Short
Feeling Easy
Daytime Girl
London Social Degree
Portobello Road
Question Mark
Being Happy
Girl From New York
It Brings Me Down
This is a long lost album and well worth seraching out.