Third World - MIracles/Baby Boeing

Third World - Miracles/Baby Boeing (CBS 7182. 1971)

Here's a great US sounding sunshine pop, not unlike The Groop. On a UK label and with Chris Spedding on guitars, so not sure if this was actually a UK band.

Eric Harris - Sweet Time

Eric Harris - Sweet Time (GNP 442)

This has long been a favourite of mine. I hoped to find something out about Eric before posting this, but haven't come up with anything.

Anybody got any info on this guy?

The Ark - Living In Comfort

I'm aware I've been a bit slack at posting in the last few months. Life gets in the way of these things from time to time....

I doubt I'll be posting anywhere near as much as I used to, but will try and drop up some bits on a (slightly) more regular basis. If anybody wants to contribute any records to the blog feel free to drop me a line.


I've been somewhat immersed in music of Cornwall of late, partly due to The Onyx website and another project I've just started, so let's continue on that theme for the first couple of posts.



The Ark - Living In Comfort

The Ark were from North Devon, started by songwriter Reg Meuross along with Chris Kausman, Harry Williamson and Paul Hayles. The band also featured Harvey Bainbridge, who would later join Hawkwind.

A popular West Country band they played throughout the South West. Through the bands friendship with Davbe Brock they often backed up Hawkwind on many of their trips to Devon & Cornwall.

The band were picked up by Cornish Legend Music and asked to contribute to the Made In Cornwall LP (CLM1, 1976). Despite residing the other side of the Tamar the band made the trip down to the Roche Recording Studios at Tremodrett and laid down two tracks for the LP, 'Living in Comfort' and 'When You Go' (billed as Reg Meuross and Ark).

'When You Go' was quite acceptable early 70s pop-rock, but 'Living in Comfort' was a superb prog-psych track, hinting at what their live shows might have been like. Released locally the LP showcased some of the bands around at the time and while nothing matches the Ark track it isn't quite as bad as the review in Galactic Ramble makes out.

Many of the players on the LP got together for a Christmas concert, and while Ark continued for a short time afterwards they would make no more recordings. Reg Meuross would go on to have a successful solo career.

"Fantastic Expedition"

The debut issue of "Fantastic Expedition" is just out.

As well as an in-depth feature on Dillard & Clark it features some previously unseen pictures from the Dillard & Clark Expedition show at the Troubadour in '68. Also includes a new interview with Dan Peek of America and plenty of other West Coast goodies.

Contact Jason Smith for details - helen.jason@btinternet.com

Billy Batson

Just updated the Billy Batson story - Here

The Onyx

Be sure to check out the new website for Cornish pop-psychers The Onyx.

http://www.the-onyx.co.uk

As well as many previously unseen photos I've include some unreleased tracks from both The Onyx and their later incarnation Vineyard.

Enjoy!

Pop Cycles Vol.10

Be sure to check out the latest volume of Pop Cycles. As ever Paul Martin has put together a superb collection of obscure pop and psych delights!

FLACS:
http://www.megauplo ad.com/?d= 5V3W4LQ6

ART and liners:
http://www.megauplo ad.com/?d= 6221DFNU

Pop Cycles Vol.10
01. English Rose - To Jackie (Polydor 1970)
02. Liverpool Express - Margie (from Dreaming Warner Bros LP 1978)
03. John Williams - Got No Time For Anything Now (Columbia 1967)
04. Brian Connell & The Roundsound -
Just Another Wedding Day (Phillips 1968)
05. NGC-4594 - Skipping Through The Night (Smash 1967)
06. NGC-4594 - Going Home (Smash 1967)
07. Smyle - It's Gonna Be Alright (Dutch Polydor 1972)
08. Chameleon - Coogan's Keep (CBS 1971)
09. Eddie Callahan – Lonely Feelings (False Ego LP, Ocean, 1976)
10. Legs - You Bet You Have (Warner Bros. 1973)
11. Vineyard - Myla (Deram 1974)
12. Johnny Young - Hold On (Surprises, Clarion, LP, 1968)
13. Magic Lanterns - Rumplestiltskin (CBS 1966)
14. Vaughan Thomas - Is This What I Get For Loving
You Baby? (Page One, 1970)
15. Giorgio - Moody Trudy (MCA, 1970)
16. Nimbus - Lollypop (Ariola, 1974)
17. Alan David - Completely Free (Polydor 1967)
18. The Killers – Goodbye (Goodbye, De La Planter LP 1972)
19. Eddie Callahan – Dying To Sing (False Ego, Ocean, LP, 1976)
20. The Eyes – Oh To Be A Child Again (Stroke A Horse's Navel¸
Eyes Record Co., LP, 1977)
21. Vineyard - Charlemaine (Deram 1974)
22. Iguana - Mary Go Round (Festival 1968)
23. Owen B - Mississipi Mama (Janus c.1971)
24. Owen B - Nowhere To Run (Janus c.1971)
25. Owen B - Zig Zag Man (Janus c.1971)
26. Owen B - Never Going Home (Janus, c.1971)
27 .The News – Loser (Hot Off The Press, No label, LP, 1974)

The Onyx

There have been fewer posts recently as I've been diligently researching the history of Cornish pop-psychers The Onyx. This has been taking up much of my spare time.

During my digging I unearth a couple of interesting items, a rehearsal tape from 1965 plus a reel to reel of previously unreleased recordings made prior to the release of the first single. The good folks at Wooden Hill are releasing the '67 demos in their entirety (details below). If you dig the late 60s pop-psych sounds of the bands Pye singles then be sure to pick up a copy of this release!

Coming soon (when I can get my act together)....The Onyx website, containing many previously unseen photos and rare audio.



ONYX / KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOURS - THE ONYX DEMO SESSIONS 1967 CD

Information:

Due 24/08...After relocating to the outskirts of London in the summer of 1967, Cornwall band The Onyx went on to record a clutch of late Sixties singles that are now highly regarded by psychedelic pop fans.

A collection of studio demos recorded in late 1967 as they prepared to sign to a major label, Kaleidoscope of Colours features early versions of subsequent single tracks (including `So Sad Inside' and `You've Gotta Be With Me', the latter with songwriter Guy Fletcher on lead vocals), the band's original recording of subsequent She Trinity B-side `Climb That Tree' and a host of previously unissued day-glo psychedelic pop offerings, including the extraordinary, heavily phased title song.

First-ever anthology of highly regarded late Sixties British psychedelic pop band

All tracks previously unissued

Includes early versions of subsequent singles `You've Gotta Be With Me', `So Sad Inside' and `Billy' as well as the original version of `Climb That Tree' (later given to She Trinity)

12 page booklet includes previously unpublished photos as well as the first-ever telling of the Onyx story

Track Listing

1. Kaleidoscope Of Colours 2. These Are The Things 3. You've Gotta Be With Me 4. Louisa La Belle 5. Porcelain Monuments 6. I'll Take You Where The Music's Playing 7. Travellin' Along 8. He's A Salesman 9. I Put A Spell On You 10. Billy 11. On Our Way 12. Loneliness Cuts Like A Knife 13. I Used To Know Her 14. Life's Anticipation 15. I Just Had To Laugh 16. In Harmony 17. So Sad Inside 18. I Just Die 19. Climb That Tree

Pre-release orders are being taken HERE

Thank you to those few who left a comment. Expo67 & Westex are right (check out both their excellent blogs if you haven't already done so), it's the comments from band members that make this blogging business so worthwhile. Guys that often haven't listened to their own songs for 30 or 40 years. I hear it time and time again about how stoked they are that people are still into music they created so many years ago.

Case in point are The Patriots. Doug from the band became a good friend, and sadly just passed away after a long battle with cancer. I've been told that interest in a band that he'd long forgotten gave him a real boost during a very difficult time. That's what makes this type of thing worth while. I guess the lack of comments doesn't really matter, as long as the old band members keep on stumbling across this site while casually googling their old band name.

I'll keep on going, but need a short break. Normal service will resume shortly.

In the meantime here's one last track from The Patriots. In 1965 in the band went into Hitran Studios and recorded 10 tracks, all covers, and pressed up a demo LP. Mainly for personal use, some copies did end up in the local radio stations where they received some airplay. Enjoy the Doug and the boys getting moody on The Beatles - And I Love Her.

ratings

......please leave some. I'm not asking for lengthly reviews in the comments section. You only have to tick a box after you've listened to the record.

Have only 3 people listened to the Crickets record? If so, is worth me even bothering posting anymore?