On May 22, 2026, Richard Parry died aged 83. He was musician (saxophone, keyboards), best known for his work with Pink Floyd (played on sone of their best known songs, including “Money”, “Us and Them”, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and “Wearing the Inside Out”. As session musician he recorded saxophone for many artists, including J.J. Jackson, Rory Gallagher, Mike Vernon, Pete Wingfield, Quiver, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Mick Grabham, Jimmy Dawkins, Lightnin’ Slim, Kazimierz Lux, Andy Roberts, Bloodstone, John Entswile, Les Humphries Singers, Jimmy Witherspoon, Duster Bennett, Paice Ashton Lord, Banco de Gaia, David Gilmour and Deborah Bonham.
Tag Archives: Mike Vernon
Savoy Brown: A Step Further
In September 1969, “Decca” label released “A Step Further”, the fourth Savoy Brown album. It was recorded in 1969 (track Savoy Brown Boogie was recorded live at “The Cooks Ferry Inn” in Edmonton, London, and was produced by Mike Vernon.
Personnel:
- Chris Youlden – vocals
- Kim Simmonds – guitar
- Lonesome Dave – guitar
- Bob Hall – piano
- Tony Stevens – bass
- Roger Earl – drums
- Terry Noonan – arrangements
- Dave Grinsted – engineer
- Colin Freeman, John Punter, Mike Mailes – engineer assistant
- Terence Ibbott – photography
- Mike Vernon – liner notes
Track listing:
- Made Up My Mind – Chris Youlden
- Waiting in the Bamboo Grove – Kim Simmonds
- Life’s One Act Play – Chris Youlden
- I’m Tired – Chris Youlden
- Where Am I – Chris Youlden
- Savoy Brown Boogie – Kim Simmonds, Chris Youlden
including:
- Feel So Good – Chuck Willis
- Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On – Sunny David, Dave Williams
- Little Queenie – Chuck Berry
- Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
- Hernando’s Hideaway – Richard Adler, Jerry Ross
Savoy Brown: Shake Down
In September 1967, “Decca” label released “Shake Down”, the debut Savoy Brown studio album. It was recorded in 1967, at “Decca Studios” in West Hampstead, North West, and was produced by Mike Vernon.
Personnel:
- Brice Portius – vocals
- Kim Simmonds – lead and rhythm guitar
- Martin Stone – lead and rhythm guitar
- Ray Chappell – bass
- Leo Mannings – drums, percussion
- Bob Hall – piano
- Gus Dudgeon – recording
- Guy Fletcher – mastering
- Neil Slaven – liner notes
Track listing:
- I Ain’t Superstitious – Willie Dixon
- Let Me Love You Baby – Willie Dixon
- Black Night – Jessie Mae Robinson
- High Rise – Beverly Bridge, Sonny Thompson, Freddie King
- Rock Me Baby – B.B. King, Joe Josea
- I Smell Trouble – Deadric Malone
- Oh! Pretty Woman – Albert King
- Little Girl – Willie Dixon
- The Doormouse Rides the Rails – Martin Stone
- It’s My Own Fault – John Lee Hooker
- Shake ‘Em On Down – traditional, arranged by Bob Hall
John Mayall: The Blues Alone
In November 1967, “Ace of Clubs” label released “The Blues Alone”, the fourth John Mayall album. It was recorded in May 1967, at “Decca Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon and John Mayall.
Personnel:
- John Mayall – vocals, guitars, harmonica, piano, organ, celeste, drums, design
- Keef Hartley – drums
- Gus Dudgeon – engineer
- David Grinstead – engineer
- Rob Bosboom – photography
- John Peeil – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall
- Brand New Start
- Please Don’t Tell
- Down the Line
- Sonny Boy Blow
- Marsha’s Mood
- No More Tears
- Catch That Train
- Cancelling Out
- Harp Man
- Brown Sugar
- Broken Wings
- Don’t Kick Me
Chicken Shack: Accept
On June 12, 1970, “Blue Horizon” label released “Accept”, the fourth Chicken Shack studio album. It was recorded December 1, 1969, – March 11, 1970, at “CBS Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon.
Personnel:
- Stan Webb– vocals, guitar
- Paul Raymond– vocals, keyboards
- Andy Sylvester– bass guitar
- Dave Bidwell – drums
- Mike Ross – engineer
- Terence Ibbott – design, photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Stan Webb and Paul Raymond.
- Diary of Your Life
- Never Ever
- Sad Clown
- Maudie
- Telling Your Fortune
- Tired Eyes
- Some Other Time
- Going Round
- Andalucian Blues
- You Knew You Did You Did
- She Didn’t Use Her Loaf
Chicken Shack: 100 Ton Chicken
In November 1969, “Blue Horizon” label released “100 Ton Chicken”, the third Chicken Shack studio album. It recorded April – May 1969, at “CBS Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon.
Personnel:
- Stan Webb – vocals, guitar
- Paul Raymond– vocals, keyboards
- Andy Sylvester– bass guitar
- Dave Bidwell – drums, congas, cowbell
- Mike Vernon– finger cymbals
- Mike Ross – engineer
- Terence Ibbott – design, photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Stan Webb, except where noted.
- The Road of Love
- Look Ma, I’m Cryin’
- Evelyn
- Reconsider Baby – Lowell Fulson
- Weekend Love
- Midnight Hour – Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
- Tears in the Wind
- Horse and Cart
- The Way It Is
- Still Worried About My Woman
- Anji – Davey Graham
John Mayall: Blues From Laurel Canyon
In November 1968, “Decca” label released “Blues from Laurel Canyon”, the ninth John Mayall album. It was recorded in August 1968, at “Decca Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon and John Mayall. It was his first album after the breakup of his band the Bluesbreakers in July 1968.
Personnel:
- John Mayall– vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
- Mick Taylor– guitar, pedal steel guitar
- Peter Green– guitar
- Steve Thompson – bass guitar
- Colin Allen– drums, tabla
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall.
- Vacation
- Walking on Sunset
- Laurel Canyon Home
- 2401
- Ready to Ride
- Medicine Man
- Somebody’s Acting Like a Child
- The Bear
- Miss James
- First Time Alone
- Long Gone Midnight
- Fly Tomorrow
Focus: Focus II (Moving Waves)
In October 1971, “Imperial” label released “Focus II” (Moving Waves), the second Focus album. It was recorded April – May 1971, at “Sound Techniques” and “Morgan Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon. The album was ranked at number 24 in “Q” and “Mojo’s” list of “40 Cosmic Rock Albums.”
Personnel:
- Jan Akkerman– guitars, bass guitar
- Thijs van Leer– vocals, Hammond organ, piano, mellotron, harmonium, flutes
- Cyril Havermans– vocals, bass guitar
- Pierre van der Linden– drums, percussion
Track listing:
- Hocus Pocus – Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman
- Le Clochard (Bread) – Jan Akkerman
- Janis – Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman
- Moving Waves – Thijs van Leer, Inayat Khan
- Focus II
- Eruption
- Orfeus – Thijs van Leer
- Answer – Thijs van Leer
- Orfeus – Thijs van Leer
- Answer – Thijs van Leer
- Pupilla – Thijs van Leer
- Tommy – Tom Barlage
- Pupilla – Thijs van Leer
- Answer – Thijs van Leer
- The Bridge – Jan Akkerman
- Euridice – Thijs van Leer, Eelko Nobel
- Dayglow – Thijs van Leer
- Endless Road – Pierre van der Linden
- Answer – Thijs van Leer
- Orfeus – Thijs van Leer
- Euridice – Thijs van Leer, Eelko Nobel
Level 42: Same
In July 1981, “Polydor” label released the self titled, debut Level 42 album. It was recorded in 1981, at “Vineyard”, “Chipping Norton” and “RAK” studios, and was produced by Mike Vernon.
Personnel:
- Mark King – vocals, bass, percussion
- Mike Lindup – lead and backing vocals, Minimoog, acoustic and electric pianos, percussion
- Boon Gould– guitars
- Wally Badarou – Prophet 5, Korg Polyphonic, Minimoog, vocalizing
- Phil Gould – drums, glockenspiel, timbales, percussion, backing vocals
- Leroy Williams– congas, bongos, percussion
- Gary Barnacle– electric saxophone
- Dave Chambers – tenor saxophone
Track listing:
- Turn It On – Wally Badarou, Boon Gould, Mark King
- 43 – Mark King
- Why Are You Leaving? – Boon Gould, Mike Lindup
- Almost There – Phil Gould, Boon Gould, Mark King
- Heathrow – Wally Badarou
- Love Games – Boon Gould, Mark King
- Dune Tune – Mark King
- Starchild – Wally Badarou, Boon Gould, Mark King
Savoy Brown: Getting To The Point
In July 1968, “Decca” label released “Getting to the Point”, the second Savoy Brown studio album. It was recorded in March 1968 at “Decca Studios” in West Hampstead, London, and was produced by Mike Vernon.
Personnel:
- Chris Youlden– vocal
- Kim Simmonds– lead guitar
- Dave Peverett– rhythm guitar
- Bob Hall– piano
- Rivers Jobe– bass guitar
- Bob Brunning– bass guitar
- Roger Earl– drums
- Hughie Flint– drums
- Roy Thomas Baker- recording
- Neil Slaven – liner notes
- Decca Publicity Art Department – design
Track listing:
- Flood in Houston – Kim Simmonds, Chris Youlden
- Stay with Me Baby – Dave Peverett, Kim Simmonds, Chris Youlden
- Honey Bee – Muddy Waters
- The Incredible Gnome Meets Jaxman – Kim Simmonds
- Give Me a Penny – traditional arr. Kim Simmonds, Chris Youlden
- Downchild – Kim Simmonds, Chris Youlden
- Getting to the Point – Kim Simmonds
- Big City Lights – Bob Hall, Chris Youlden
- You Need Love – Willie Dixon
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