genre: beat, psych
country: uk
quality : lossless (flac, cue, log, booklet scans, size: 0,95 g), mp3 (320k, scans, 379 mb)
time: 1:18`16"+1:17'44"
Tapestry Of Delights:
A classic one-hit wonder act this band will always be associated with the classic pop song I Can't Let Maggie Go.
The band formed in London in 1967. Pete Dello (real name Peter Blumsom) and Ray Cane (real name Raymond Byart) formed it as a vehicle for their songwriting aspirations. The other two original members were Colin Hare and drummer Peter Kircher, who'd previously played for the Folkstone-based Loving Kind. Signed to Decca's progressive Deram label, their debut 45 sunk without a trace but is worth checking out. The 'A' side was something of a novelty with a kazoo and birdwarbler, the flip a good slice of psychedelic pop with some fine fuzztone guitar and fast, upfront drumming. The follow-up, (Do I Figure) In Your Life?, was a rather wistful folksy ballad with intricate harmonies and a string accompaniment. Despite considerable airplay Chart action inexplicably eluded it, although several artists, including Dave Berry, Joe Cocker and Dana subsequently covered it. Certainly it was one of the classics that got away. The flip was another strong electric composition with some fine guitar work.
It was a case of third time lucky for the band when Dello's I Can't Let Maggie Go became their one and only Top 10 hit in April 1968. Another superb arrangement of strings and woodwind it echoed all the freshness and optimism of Springtime and its reputation was further assured when it was adopted as the theme tune by Nimble's TV bread advert. With the band on the brink of stardom Dello quit disillusioned with the music business - initially to study musical theory and to learn to play the violin. The band replaced him with Jim Kelly, a Scottish guitarist who they'd met whilst playing out in Germany.
Ray Cane now became their principal songwriter and his first 'A' side, Girl Of Independent Means, was quite catchy and the Cane, Hare and Kircher composition on the flip boasted fine harmonies. Sadly, the punters just weren't interested and over six months elapsed until their next 45, She Sold Blackpool Rock. Coming with a lush string arrangement, it lacked the magic of their second and third 'A' sides but was a fair attempt to emulate them. When it failed to make any impact the band split in the Summer of 1969 on the advice of their manager Terry Noon.
Deram released the Story album posthumously in 1970 and aside from an earlier 'B' side, How Long, it consisted of entirely new material. Much of it, like the title track, She's Out There and He Was Columbus, was accomplished pop with their by now characteristic string quartet arrangement but their harder side was well represented by Under The Silent Tree.
Deram also released the title cut as a 45 backed with a previously unreleased cut. Colin Hare and Pete Dello both embarked on solo careers after the band's demise (see their entries for details). Encouraged by the critical acclaim his solo album had received Dello reformed Honeybus in late 1971 with the original line-up. They recorded some tracks for the Bell label and one 45 resulted. In 1973 they recorded an album's worth of material for Warner Brothers but then vetoed its release. Just one 45 emerged and the 'A' side featured the band's classic string arrangement plus a mandolin. Their final reunion came in 1976 and Decca put a product of it, Julie's In My Heart, on the flip to I Can't Let Maggie Go, the same year. Only Pete Kircher has remained active in the music business since then, initially as a member of R&B revivalists Shanghai, then in Original Mirrors and from 1983-86 in Status Quo.
cd1:
01. Delighted to See You 2:34
02. The Breaking Up Scene 2:34
03. (Do I Figure) In Your Life 2:35
04. Throw My Love Away 2:22
05. I Can't Let Maggie Go 2:58
06. Tender Are the Ashes 2:46
07. Girl of Independant Means 2:47
08. How Long [Single Version] 2:42
09. She Sold Blackpool Rock 4:32
10. Would You Believe 3:25
11. Story 4:04
12. Black Mourning Band 3:15
13. Scarlet Lady 2:43
14. Fresher Than the Sweetness in Water 3:06
15. He Was Columbus 2:47
16. Ceilings No. 1 3:39
17. Under the Silent Tree 4:02
18. She's Out There 3:00
19. She Said Yes 3:35
20. I Remember Caroline 2:39
21. How Long [LP Version] 3:06
22. Ceilings No. 2 4:02
23. The Right to Choose 3:04
24. She Is the Female to My Soul 2:59
25. For Where Have You Been 3:02
cd2:
01. Pete Dello Interview 1:06
02. (Do I Figure) In Your Life? [Live BBC Session] 2:29
03. Like an Old Time Movie [Live BBC Session] 2:54
04. Maxine's Parlour 2:11
05. She Comes to Me [Live BBC Session] 2:29
06. I Can't Let Maggie Go [Live BBC Session] 2:53
07. Ain't That Just Bonny for You [Live BBC Session] 2:31
08. Francoise [Live BBC Session] 2:12
09. La Cigona (She Sold Blackpool Rock) 4:36
10. Chi Sei Tu (Ceilings No. 2) 3:28
11. For You 2:55
12. Little Lovely One 2:23
13. Be Thou by My Side 3:43
14. Julie in My Heart 2:25
15. Big Ship 3:01
16. Hear Me Only 4:07
17. Texas Gold 4:01
18. Madam, Chairman of the Committee 3:17
19. Jug of Water 3:17
20. Proof Enough 2:41
21. Like Me Like You Used to Do 1:51
22. Lovely Ladies 'N' Things 3:29
23. Caterina 2:40
24. Slow Rock 4:14
25. Music 3:17
26. In the End Is My Beginning 3:33
RAY CANE vcls, gtr, keyb'ds
PETE DELLO vcls
COLIN HARE gtr, vcls, bs
PETER KIRCHER drms
JIM KELLY gtr, vcls
|
0