...SIŁA I PIĘKNO MUZYKI TKWIĄ W JEJ RÓŻNORODNOŚCI...


..::OPIS::..

Wydany w atrakcyjnej, monochromatycznej okładce przez CBS w listopadzie 1972 roku LP Holy Mackerel zawierał kombinację amerykańskiego, folk-rockowego grania ze znacznie cięższymi, progresywnymi klimatami w klimacie wczesnych Wishbone Ash, Wild Turkey czy Hokus Poke - czego dowodem choćby genialny, blisko 8-minutowy Spanish Attraction. Tylko dla tego kapitalnego kawałka warto mieć ten CD, a to przecież nie wszystko... Pewnym problemem tego w sumie bardzo fajnego, a momentami wręcz świetnego albumu była jego zbytnia różnorodność, gdyż trudno znaleźć dwa, podobne do siebie nagrania. Warto wiedzieć, że tę progresywną, 'niemal hardrockową' grupę tworzyło trzech byłych muzyków doskonałej, psychodelicznej formacji Jason Crest (1966-1969): wokalista Terry Clark, gitarzysta Derek Smallcombe oraz perkusista Roger Siggery. W 1971 roku doskonały i niedoceniony Clark pojawił się na zrealizowanym wyłącznie w Stanach, jedynym albumie hard-rockowej grupy Orang-Utan, zaś Smallcombe zagrał na również wydanym w 1971 roku, ale tylko w Niemczech, heavy-rockowym longplayu grupy Samuel Prody. Dodatkowo dołączono rzadką B-stronę singla oraz 9 nagrań z nagranego w 1973 roku, ale wstrzymanego w ostatniej chwili (a wydanego dopiero w latach 90.) drugiego albumu zatytułowanego 'Closer To Heaven'.



Singer Terry Clarke, guitarist Derek Smallcombe and drummer Roger 'Spodge' Siggery had all played in UK psych legends Jason Crest. Following their collapse in 1969, Clark joined short-lived UK rockers Hunter, whose sole LP was released in America only under the band name Orang Utan, while his former bandmates played with High Broom, best-known for releasing a version of Dancing In The Moonlight on Island in 1970. Smallcombe then played a stint with progressive rockers Samuel Prody, whose sole LP was released in Germany only, before rejoining Clark and Siggery in 1972 to form the quintet Holy Mackerel, along with new recruits Chris Ware (guitar) and Tony Wood (bass).

Having relocated from their native Kent to rural Lancashire, they devised a set that drew on progressive, pop and country influences before starting to gig. According to their LP's sleevenotes, they 'took the Northern college circuit by storm, experimenting and refining their music until they were ready for their album'. Having come to the attention of producers Roger Easterby and Des Champ (best-known for making hits with pop artists including Vanity Fare, Deep Feeling, Dr Marigold's Prescription and Chicory Tip), they were signed to CBS and entered the studio. A single coupling Rock-A-Bye and New Black Shoes was issued in late October 1972, preceding the appearance of their self-titled LP in November.

Unfortunately, as 1973 came around the market for such records was fast shrinking, and it sold poorly despite an enthusiastic endorsement from John Peel ('A group to watch and, of course, a good one to listen to as well') and 45 releases in Germany, Turkey and elsewhere. They appeared on Peel's show in November, performing Waterfall, Spanish Attraction, Oh! and Trie Boy & The Mekon, but it made little difference to their success. They did go on to record a follow-up album, entitled Closer To Heaven, but CBS didn't release it and it languished until finally appearing in 1993.

Having departed CBS, the band remained with Easterby and Champ for three further singles that appeared on the producers' own Santa Ponsa label (a subsidiary of Pye), but none of those charted, so they finally called it quits in mid-1974.



..::TRACK-LIST::..

1. Going To The Country
2. Virginia Water
3. Spanish Attraction
4. Rock-A-Bye
5. Oh!
6. Where You At All
7. New Black Shoes
8. The Boy And The mekon

Bonus Tracks:
9. Rock On (Single B-side, 1973)
10. Gemini
11. Ballad Of Joe McCann
12. Burglar Man
13. Blue Eyed Redeemer
14. (Closer To Heaven On) Judgement Day
15. Hard Times Good Times
16. Near You
17. Waterfall
18. Tennesse Waltz (Single A-side, 1974)

Tracks 10-17 Taken From Unreleased 2nd Album 'Closer To Heaven'



..::OBSADA::..

Bass - Tony Wood
Drums - Roger Siggery
Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar - Chris Ware
Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals - Derek Smallcombe
Lead Vocals - Terry Clark




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pMbOFmOVmk



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