Brass Monkey - Brass Monkey (1971 Rare Earth)
Artist: Brass Monkey
Title: Brass Monkey
Label: Rare Earth
Catalog#: R523
Released: 1971
Country: US
Genre: Rock, Psychedelic, Classic Rock
Duration: 00:34:50
• Эта группа для многих загадка и народ пишет, что ничего о ней узнать не удаётся. Сообщают при этом, что у Brass Monkey в 1971 г. вышел один безымянный лонгплей и один миньон "Sweet Water / You Keep Me Hangin' On". Кажется, что это не совсем точно, потому что семидюймовых грампластинок как будто бы было как минимум две; вторая - "Sweet Water / Sing Sing Sing". Лонгплей издавался не только в Великобритании, но и в США и Германии, а один из миньонов - в Голландии.
• В состав этого британского квинтета входили Ben Case (вокал), Les Hurdle (бас-гитара), Mike Morgan и Ken Summer (оба - гитары, самые разные), и Dougie Wright (ударные, перкуссия). Но самыми интересными участниками проекта были Guy Fletcher и Doug Flett, не только продюсеры, но и аранжировщики, и авторы многих песен. Этот Гай Флетчер (Mervyn Guy Fletcher) - не просто тёзка, а родной дядя клавишника Dire Straits. Полное имя молодого Гая, прославившегося гораздо больше дядюшки - Guy Edward Fletcher. Но и дядюшка не шит лыком. Вместе со своим многолетним соавтором и самостоятельно он написал большое число песен для других певцов и исполнителей. Известно, что они стали первыми британскими сонграйтерами, чью песню спел Элвис Пресли. В числе подопечных Гая Флетчера были The Hollies, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Bay City Rollers. Им и Флеттом был "открыт" и раскручен Chris de Burgh. В 1975 г. Флетчер, Al Hodge (гитарист Onyx) и John Hodkinson образовали софт-рок трио Rogue, которое записало и выпустило три альбома. По-видимому, проект Brass Monkey был идеей Гая и Дага. - VaTAga
• Frankly I can’t tell you much about this group. Even an Internet search yields little in the way of bibliographical information. Based on the back cover photo they were a quintet – five rather pensive looking white guys; one with atrocious tastes in neckwear. Co-produced by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett (who also co-wrote the six non-cover tunes), 1971’s “Brass Monkey” had its moments. Whoever he was, the lead singer was pretty good with a versatile voice that was equally at home across the entire album while the rest of the band were never less than competent. Their genre of choice was hard rock, with tracks like ‘Goodbye Birds’ and the bluesy instrumental ‘Strange Days’ showcased a mild English influence. Elsewhere the required social commentary ‘All Fall Down’ was surprisingly tuneful and subtle. Certainly not the most original thing you’ve ever heard, but with the exception of the four throwaway covers (including an apparently Motown-mandated ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’), the collection wasn’t half bad. Be warned the album began to run out of steam on side two, which is where three of the four covers were. Rare Earth also tapped the LP for an instantly obscure single: ‘Sweet Water’ b/w ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On ’ (Rare Earth catalog number 5022). - (BadCat)
• Side One:
A1. Sweet Water* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:27
A2. You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Brian Holland – Lamont Dozier – E. Holland) – 3:46
A3. Goodbye Birds* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:57
A4. All Fall Down (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:55
A5. Strange Days (instrumental) (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:42
• Side Two:
B1. Keep a Little Bit Back* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:08
B2. Stay with Me Baby (Ragavoy - Weiss) – 3:41
B3. Proud Mary (John Fogerty) – 3:11
B4. Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (Sonny Bono) – 3:22
B5. Sing, Sing, Sing* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:28
Producer: Fletcher & Flett
Co-producer: Doug Flett, Guy Fletcher
Photography By John Brown
Design By Robert Williamson
Art Direction by Robert Williamson
A1. Sweet Water* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:27
A2. You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Brian Holland – Lamont Dozier – E. Holland) – 3:46
A3. Goodbye Birds* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:57
A4. All Fall Down (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:55
A5. Strange Days (instrumental) (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:42
• Side Two:
B1. Keep a Little Bit Back* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:08
B2. Stay with Me Baby (Ragavoy - Weiss) – 3:41
B3. Proud Mary (John Fogerty) – 3:11
B4. Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (Sonny Bono) – 3:22
B5. Sing, Sing, Sing* (Guy Fletcher - Doug Flett) – 3:28
Producer: Fletcher & Flett
Co-producer: Doug Flett, Guy Fletcher
Photography By John Brown
Design By Robert Williamson
Art Direction by Robert Williamson
Personel:
Arranged By Guy Fletcher
Les Hurdle - Bass Guitar
Dougie Wright - Drums
Andy Knight, John Pantry - Engineer
Ken Summer, Mike Morgan - Guitar
Ben Case - Vocals
Written-By – Flett, Fletcher*
Arranged By Guy Fletcher
Les Hurdle - Bass Guitar
Dougie Wright - Drums
Andy Knight, John Pantry - Engineer
Ken Summer, Mike Morgan - Guitar
Ben Case - Vocals
Written-By – Flett, Fletcher*
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