суббота, 31 мая 2014 г.


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


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*

 
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Two Friends - Two Friends (1972 Natural Resources)



Artist: Two Friends
Album: Two Friends
Label: Natural Resources
Catalog#: NR 101L-DJ
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock
Duration: 00:34:45








 • Side One:
A1. Long Way Hard Road 03:35
A2. Must Be The Wrath 04:20
A3. Vickie 03:40
A4. Falling Through My Dreams 02:21
A5. Set Your Sails 04:20
  Side Two:
B1. Move With The Music 03:00
B2. Old South Bend 02:17
B3. Can't Find Home 03:32
B4. Now That It's Over 03:03
B5. Geri 03:04
B6. I'll Be Free 01:34

      Producer by Tom Wilson
      Recording Engineer: Barry Keene (Record Piant)
      Over-Dub: Larry Miles, Joe Atkinson, Art Stewart
        (Mowest)/Andrew Berlinger (Crystal)
      Re-mix Engineer: Robert Hughes (Record Piant)
      Vocal Arrangements: Two Friends
      Horn Arrangements: Michel Rubini
      String Arrangements: Larry Fallon
      Graphic Concept: Tom Wilson
      Photography: Mia Plesser
      Graphic Design: Gloria Haiesworth


Personel:
Chip Carpenter - Rhythm Guitar
Bucky Wiener - Lead Rhythm Acoustic Guitar
Michel Rubini - Piano
Jim Keltner, Bob Morin, John Raines - Drums
Ray Neipolitin, Joe Osborne - Bass Guitar
Ann Goodman - Cello
Harry Bluestone - Violin


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Alan Thicke - Alan Thicke (1970 LP Birchmount)



Artist: Alan Thicke
Album: Alan Thicke
Label: Birchmount
Catalog#: BM 547
Format: Vinyl, LP Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1970
Genre: Rock, Pop
Duration: 00:27:08






How would you like to meet one of Canada's top television comedy and variety writers ond discover that he was also a young, good-looking singer - composer? Well, enough soid about me.....got to tell you about Alan Thicke....(The guy who recorded this album).
We first met on the CBC's 1969 New Year's Eve T.V. Special....he was one of the show's writers and performed some very funny comedy material himself....(Alan also wrote the Tommy Hunter T.V. Show for two seasons, The Johnny Cash T.V. Special, CBC's "Time For Livin"', on which he also performed, and he hosted "It's Our Stuff" on CBC T.V. with the Good Company.)
We met ago in at the Miss Teenage Canada Pageant (it was then I told him, "Alan, we can't go on meeting like this!!!") I was the host, Alan was the writer and author of the pageant's theme song "Hey Little Girl", a song that caught my fancy as one of the freshest pieces of material I've heard in many years.
Most of the music on this album was written by Alan - no messages, no protest, just good music, delivered with feeling. If there was a single word to describe this young man and his work it's "exciting"! But a word sounds pale next to this album. - Jay Nelson (Back Cover)


 • Side One:
A1. Take a Letter, Maria (R. B. Greoves) - 03:02
A2. Where To Now (A. Thicke) - 02:35
A3. Wondergirl (A. Thicke) - 02:53
A4. Didn't We (J. Webb) - 02:22
A5. Good-bye (J. Lennon-P. McCartney) - 02:05
  Side Two:
B1. Leaving On A Jet Plane (J. Denver) - 03:54
B2. How Are You? Not Bad (A. Thicke) - 02:04
B3. Should I Tell Her (A. Thicke) - 02:10
B4. Ob-La-Di (J. Lennon-P. McCartney) - 03:22
B5. Passing By Tomorrow (A. Thicke) - 02:36

      Recorded at: Sound Canada Recording Center, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada
      Recording & Re-recording Engineers: Ray Lawrence & Martin Hurst
      Prodeced by: Art Snider
      Album Co-ordinator: Frances Handelman
      Front Cover Photo: Doug Smale
      

Musicians:
Art Snider - Pinno
Brion Leonard - Drums
Richard Homme - Bass Guitar
Joseph Luechetto - Guitar
Vern Kennedy - Flugel Horn
Moribeth Solomon - Flute

Alan Thicke - Vocals
Special Thanks to "The Essential Society"
for Vocal Backgrounds.

 
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вторник, 27 мая 2014 г.

Otto Weiss - Twice As Nice (1970 Joy Special)



Artist: Otto Weiss
Album: Twice As Nice
Label: Joy Special
Catalog#: JS 5017 (5018)
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1970
Genre: Jazz, Rock, Funk/Soul, Folk
Style: Pop Rock, Easy Listening
Duration: 01:11:34








         Record One: 
Side 1:
A1. Foxtrot Medley - 02:59
A2. English Waltz Medley - 02:44
A3. Bossa Nova Medley - 03:00
A4. Slow Medley - 02:08
  Side 2:
B1. Waltz Medley - 03:27
B2. Pasadoble Medley - 02:16
B3. Medium Shuffle Medley - 02:57
B4. Tango Medley - 02:47
B5. Slow Beat Medley - 02:24
         Record Two: 
Side 1:
C1. Foxtrot Medley - 02:00
C2. English Waltz Medley - 02:51
C3. Bossa Nova Medley - 02:00
C4. Slow Beat Medley - 03:04
  Side 2:
D1. Charlestron Medley - 01:58
D2. Waltz Medley - 02:22
D3. Medium Shuffle Medley - 02:24
D4. Tango Medley - 02:23
D5. Rock Beat Medley - 02:12

Distributed by President Records Limited, London
Printed in England by E. J. Day Group, London and Bedford.


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понедельник, 26 мая 2014 г.


Fools Gold - Mr. Lucky (1977)



Artist: Fools Gold
Album: Mr. Lucky
Label: Columbia
Catalog#: PC 34828
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: Rock, Soft Rock
Duration: 00:36:11






Pared down to a duo, the main songwriters and singers Torn Kelly and Denny Henson, playing as Fool's Gold, switched labels and went for the slick L.A. sound that was being offered up in the mid-'70s. Mr. Lucky, while trying harder than their first disc, doesn't have the warmth and charm that disc had. Aided by some fine musicians, Fool's Gold tries for the gold, but only end up with the dust. Mr. Lucky failed to live up to expectations of their earlier fans and didn't add anyone new to their fanbase. In the end, Fool's Gold appeared to be just that. - James Chrispell


 • Side One:
A1. Sweet Country Air (Tom Kelly, Denny Henson) - 4:14
A2. I Can Hear The Whistle Blow (Tom Kelly, Denny Henson) - 2:54
A3. Wouldn't I Love To Love You (Tom Kelly) - 4:24
A4. Runnin' And Hidin' (Tom Kelly, Denny Henson) - 3:53
A5. Fly Away (Tom Kelly, Denny Henson) - 3:54
  Side Two:
B1. Gypsy Brew (Tom Kelly, Denny Henson) - 2:43
B2. Mr. Lucky (Tom Kelly, Denny Henson) - 4:16
B3. Where Did Our Love Go Wrong (Tom Kelly) - 3:58
B4. Captain (Tom Kelly, Denny Henson) - 5:57

      Recorded & Mixed at Sound City, Van Nuys, California.
      Produced by Keith Olsen for Pogologo Productions
      Strings arranged by David Foster & Keith Olsen
      Horns arranged by Keith Olsen, Colin Tully & Mel Collins
      Strings conducted by Martyn Ford
      Daimlier Strings recorded at Air Studios, London, England
      Horns recorded at Scorpio Sudios, London, England
      Mastered at Kendun Recorders, Burbank, California
      Engineered by Keith Olsen & David Devore
      Arranged by Foold Gold & David Foster
      

Fools Gold are:
Denny Henson - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Tom Kelly - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitar

The Musicians:
David Foster, David Paich - Keyboards
Jeff Porcaro - Drums & Percussion
Mike Porcaro - Bass
Bill Champlin - Organ
Waddy Wachtel - Electric & Slide Guitar
Doug Livingston - Pedal Steel Guitar
Dan Fogelberg - Lap Steel
Colin Tully, Tom Scott - Alto Sax
Mel Collins - Tenor & Soprano Sax
Keith Olsen - Tambourine
Andrew Gold - Electric Guitar


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воскресенье, 25 мая 2014 г.

Classics IV - Mamas And Papas/Soul Train (1968)


Artist: Classics IV
Album: Mamas And Papas/Soul Train
Label: Imperial
Catalog#: LP-12407
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1968
Genre: Pop Rock, Ballad
Format: FLAC (img+.cue)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 00:25:37




Classics IV is now five! Since the release of their last hit album, "Spooky," a new depth has been added to the already deep sounds of Classics IV.
The group has always concentrated on their voices, their harmony, and their arrangements, rather than any recording aides, to produce a clean, uncluttered, ungimmicked sound. With the addition of a fifth member, Classics IV's sound achieves a new fullness, reminiscent at times of the Mamas and Papas — which, by the way, is the titte of the song which best exemplifies the new sound of Classics IV.
The new fullness is not accomplished by recording gimmicks, which tend to artificially blend voices together. The voices remain distinct. The harmony retains its tonality... Classics IV is a pop group that sings on key, a fact that becomes especially apparent when they sing in unison. Versatility is the key to their distinctiveness... in their selections (from "Soul Train" to "It Ain't Necessarily So")... in their arrangements (from full five-part harmony to solo soul).
Classics IV's uniqueness centers on Dennis Yost, who leads the group into every realm of music — an admirable accomplishment considering the fact that most groups today have a standard sound. So don't expect to hear the same sound on each track.. .expect fullness combined with versatility.. .expect the unexpected...and enjoy the classic sounds of the Classics IV. ~ Ken Beck


 • Side One:
A1. Soul Train (B. Buie-J. Cobb) 02:40
A2. Bed Of Roses (B. Buie-J. Cobb-J. Adkms) 02:12
A3. Strange Changes (B. Buie—J. Cobb) 02:22
A4. Ladies Man (B. Buie—J. Adkins) 02:15
A5. Waves (B. Buie-J. Cobb) 02:14
  Side Two:
B1. Stormy (B. Buie-J. Cobb) 02:45
B2. Mama's And Papa's (B. Buie-J. Cobb) 02:06
B3. Pity The Fool (B. Buie —B. Goldsboro) 02:08
B4. It Ain't Necessarily So (George Gershwin —Ira Gershwin) 01:45
B5. 24 Hours Of Loneliness (B. Buie-J. Cobb) 02:05
B6. The Girl From Ipanema (Garota De Ipanema) 02:28
   (Antonio Carlos Jobim —Norman Gimbel — Vinicius De Moraes)
    Public performance clearance—BMI. ASCAP


Arranged By – Emory Gordy, Jr.
Art Direction – Woody Woodward
Design – Gabor Halmos
Photography – Marvin Lyons
Producer – Bill Lowery


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суббота, 24 мая 2014 г.

VA - Feuer Und Eis / Fire And Ice (Original Soundtrack) 1986



Artist: Various
Album: Feuer Und Eis / Fire And Ice
Label: CBS Records
Catalog#: CBS 70294
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 1986
Genre: Pop, Synth-pop, Disco
Duration: 00:42:39








 • Side One:
A1. Marietta - Fire And Ice 04:07
A2. Gary Wright - Ski Dancing 04:00
A3. Panarama - Heavens Forever 03:59
A4. Panarama - Mistral 03:33
A5. Gary Wright - Sailing 04:45
  Side Two:
B1. Gary Wright And Laurie Alda - Back To The Magic 04:20
B2. Panarama - Snow Chase 02:12
B3. Gary Wright - The Way I Feel 03:26
B4. Panarama - Ski Dance (Edit) 03:02
B5. Gary Wright - Dreamweaver 04:20
B6. Panarama - Neptune Suite 04:45

Original Soundtrack AUS dem Gleichnamigen Willy Bogner Film
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Schallplatten GmbH
Copyright (c) – CBS Schallplatten GmbH
Cover, Design – Petra Louis
Photography By – Willy Bogner, Barry Stott


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Many Thank to Kammenos
The Square Set - Those Many Feelings (1972 Gallo Records)


Artist: The Square Set
Album: Those Many Feelings
Label: Gallo Records
Catalog#: SGALP 1657
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: South Africa
Released: 1972
Genre: Rock, Prog Rock

Format: FLAC (tracks)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 00:35:10




Nol Klinkhamer is the man who plays organ, piano and electric piano and there is no denying he has his own exciting style. The kotos are typical of his sound that helped esstablish The Square Set as one- of the top groups in South Africa and Brazil. Johnny Boshoff the musical giant whose genius is not only evident in his bass playing but also in the solid arrangements on this album. Tony Moore the quiet man with a wonderful technique and total control of his drums, the provider of a driving pulsating beat. The overall sound is given the extra excitement of a superb vocalist Neville Whitmill who must be considered one of the great song stylists in the musical world today. These four musicians have a raport that purs their individual talents into one dynamic unit, The Square Set. The sound put down here is the responsibility of a young recording engineer, Peter Thwaites,who is almost a part of The Square Set through involvement and enthusiasm.


 • Side One:
A1. Boys And Girls Together 06:33
A2. Friends 05:50
A3. That's Why 03:35
A4. Quo Vadis 03:13
  Side Two:
B1. Walkin' On The Water 06:07
B2. Fire And Rain 06:55
B3. Those Many Feelings 04:20

Personel:
Johnny Boshoff - Bass
Neville Whitmill - Vocals
Nol Klinkhamer - Organ
Mike Faure - Sax
Tony Moore - Drums


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Hyde - Hyde (1969 LP Quality)


Artist: Hyde
Album: Hyde
Label: Quality Records
Catalog#: SV-1832
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1969
Genre: Folk Rock, Psych

Format: FLAC (tracks)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 00:33:53






In a drawing, delving manner does he cross the borders of his place and let some of his soul be known. The rise and fall of his pu/sing rhythms and trying words bring to the foreground almost-forgotten or not-yet-found insights. Don't skip lightly over the images and parallels of this offering. Let your consciousness catch itself in Hyde's stream. Its a cool brook compared to the murky esoterics of others. Toronto's stature as a breeding place of Free Music is increased even, more with this chance to try on Hyde's speed for the learning. His songs leave the ordinary, trite conformities of many of his peers. The mystique of introspection. The fires of passion, and all the nuances in between are explored by Hyde in his work. This is an artist of dedication with the scars to prove it. Think about your own dreams and what you're on to as you listen (and maybe hear) Hyde. If you've put half as much of yourself into your thing as Hyde has his, you deserve this collection of truths. - Bill Shelson (back cover)


 • Side One:
A1. Standing in the Crowd - 02:49
A2. All Behind Us - 03:03
A3. Fumbling - 03:01
A4. Exit Hero Number One - 04:07
A5. Dodgin' the Hail - 04:03
  Side Two:
B1. Slave - 03:38
B2. I Threw It All Away - 02:17
B3. I Never Met a Man Who Once in His Life Hadn't Been Dirty - 04:44
B4. Roads - 01:47
B5. Hillary - 05:16

      Record Jacket Created By Stan Schwartz
      Recording and re-recording Engineer: Neil Evans
      Produced by Ernie Lyons and Larrv Malone
      


Personel:
Hyde - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harps
Ron Dove - Lead Guitar
Mike Clancy - Guitar, Piano, Drums
Paul LaChapelle - Electric Bass
Rick Vallieres - Drums
Special Thancks to:
Ray Lawrence, Paul Skoreyko, Brian,
Joe, Bill, Rich and Rob.


-----  ☆☆☆ ----- 


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The Establishment - Bad Catholics (1981)



Artist: The Establishment
Album: Bad Catholics
Label: Phaeton Records
Catalog#: SPIN 992
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Ireland
Released: 1981
Genre: Folk, World, & Country, Rock
Duration: 00:35:40






In 1979, a talent scout for Gulf Hotels saw folk/rock duo The Establishment in a Dublin bar and signed them for a three-month residency at the Dubai Hilton in the United Arab Emirates. Emerging from the ashes of pop group Julian’s Heirs, guitarists/vocalists Michael Kiely and Patrick Brady had recorded as hard rock trio Cromwell in the mid-’70s before adopting their new name for their 1977 semi-concept album The Unfree Child. Within weeks of their arrival in the Middle East they wrote the track Life In The Emirates, recorded it in Sharjah, gave the tape to a pilot to take back to Dublin, and took delivery of a consignment of freshly-pressed singles. In the song, they managed to name-check every district of the UAE - a trick Cromwell had also tried on their 1975 single You Got It Made (“Dublin City right, Donegal too right, way down in Cork right… Belfast City right, Mayo and Clare right, through Mullingar and all the other places we didn’t get time to mention”) - and had a local hit. The single was released in Ireland through the Faetain label in 1980, followed by a second Establishment LP, Bad Catholics, in 1981. Most songs on the album continued in the wistful folk vein (not in the Irish trad. sense) of the previous LP. Tracks like the reprised How Long Does This Charade Go On, Monday Morning and The Girl Downstairs deal with the angst of people unable to communicate their true feelings against the backdrop of the drudgery of everyday life; The Best Half-Hour Of My Life documents the plus-side of a near-death experience, and the album closes with the sarcastic, Lennon-ist Thank God I’m Normal. Jolyon Jackson (of Supply Demand & Curve) recorded most of the album in Dublin and also played keyboards, while Des Kiely (ex-Julian’s Heirs, and Michael’s brother) designed the artwork for the LP, which was dedicated to - and derived it’s name from a quote by – Brendan Behan..


 • Side One:
A1. Tonight She's Miles Away 02:38
A2. Monday Morning 03:07
A3. The Girl Downstairs 02:15
A4. Ruddolf The Red-Nosed Wino 04:43
A5. A Small Boy Came Walking 02:36
A6. It's Really Hard (She's So Busy) 03:39
  Side Two:
B1. Al Hiyat Fi Emirat (Life In The Emirates) 03:41
B2. How Long Does This Charade Go On 03:05
B3. The Best Half-Hour Of My Life 03:10
B4. In Another City 03:43
B5. Thank God I'm Normal 02:47

      All songs by Kiely & Brady except as noted.
      Recorded in Ireland by the Jolyon Johnson Recorders apart from the live track.
      Produced by Michael Kiely & Patrick Brady.
      Another Front Door Production.
      

Lineup:
Patrick Brady - Electric, Acoustic & Slide Guitars, Harmonica, Recorder, Vocals
Michael Kiely - Acoustic Guitars, Grand Piano, Electric Bass, Vocals

Adittional accompaniment:
Paddy Mulhair - Bodhran
Jolyon Jackson - Keyboards


-----  ☆☆☆ ----- 


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The Establishment – The Unfree Child (1977)



Artist: The Establishment
Album: The Unfree Child
Label: EMI Records
Catalog#: SPLEAF 7018
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Ireland
Released: 1977
Genre: Folk, World, & Country, Rock
Duration: 00:29:54






The strange story of The Establishment has its roots in the Dublin pop scene at the dawn of the 1970s and ends in the Persian Gulf a decade-and-a-half later. It started with pop group Julian’s Heirs, formed by brothers David Kiely (lead vocals/organ), Michael Kiely (guitar) and Des Kiely (bass) with Liam Littlewood (drums). By 1971 they had renamed themselves Cromwell, with Littlewood making way for drummer Derek Dawson and lead guitarist/vocalist Pat Brady. Soon, further changes would see David and Des Kiely replaced by singer Mick O’Hagan (brother of future Eurovision star Johnny Logan) with Michael switching to bass/vocals. It was this line-up that first gained some recognition, thanks to a 1972 Irish tour supporting Rory Gallagher. By the time of their first single they had become a three-piece, as O’Hagan had left for such groups as Bananas, Sheriff, Romance and The Jimi Slevin Band. Between 1973 and 1975 Cromwell issued their excellent At The Gallop album and five singles, all released through the band’s own Cromwell label and stamped with their distinctive logo. Their sound was a mixture blues rock and pop, and their records have since become highly prized collectors items.
Sometime between ’75 and ’77 Cromwell split, or rather Dawson left, and the duo of Patrick Brady and Michael Kiely rebranded themselves The Establishment. The Unfree Child, released on EMI in 1977, was the first album from the new band. In sleeve notes dated September 1977, Kiely explained the background to the album. At seventeen, with little apptitude for his maths lessons, his teacher gave him a copy of Summerhill – progressive educationalist and child psychologist A. S. Neill’s book about his “free school” in Suffolk and its philosophy of an alternative to the established system of society. The original tracks were inspired by his writings, while the songs of Loudon Wainwright and Jagger/Richard were selected for their “lyrical empathy”. The LP was dedicated to his memory (he died in 1973); “Consequently, it is a collection of songs about love, children, school, boredom, hatred, freedom, marriage, cruelty, sex, death and similar topics.” Anyone expecting to hear the heavy riffs of Cromwell would be disappointed, but then Cromwell always had a gentler side, as underlined by the fact that an almost identical remake of their 1973 ballad You Hate It To Turn appears here under the name Gay Daze. Sitting On A Fence and The Unfree Child were issued as singles, but failed to set the charts alight. Commercial concerns aside, the album deserves at least some of the attention At The Gallop has received, as it’s an intimate and moving collection featuring some beautifully intricate instrumental work. In 1979, Kiely and Brady embarked on the final phase of their career as together when they moved to the United Arab Emirates and recorded one further album.


 • Side One:
A1. The Unfree Child 04:44
A2. Your Children Are Not Your Children 01:42
A3. The Free Child (instrumental) 02:07
A4. Careful There’s A Baby In The House 03:04
A5. See The Teacher 03:40
  Side Two:
B1. Sitting On A Fence 02:49
B2. How Long Does This Charade Go On 03:12
B3. Death Is Really Nothing 02:03
B4. Gay Daze 03:29
B5. Neill 03:00

      Recorded at Eamon Andrews Studios, Dublin.
      Engineered by Brian Masterson.
      Produced by Michael Kiely and Patrick Brady. A Front Door Production.
      Concept album inspired by the writings of A.S.Neill
       and the free school in Summerhill in Suffolk..
      

Lineup:
Patrick Brady - Electric, Acoustic & Slide Guitars, Harmonica, Recorder, Vocals
Michael Kiely - Acoustic Guitars, Grand Piano, Electric Bass, Vocals

are joined by
Lucy Johnston - Backing Vocals
Finin O'Callaghan - Moog Synthesiser
Brian Masterson - Fretless Electric Bass
Michael Odlum - Acoustic Bass
Fran Breen - Drums & Percussion


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