Tag Archives: Sound Techniques

Fairport Convention: Babbacombe Lee

Leave a comment

In November 1971, “island” label released “Babbacombe Lee”, the seventh Fairport Convention studio album. It was recorded August – September 1971, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by John Wood and Simon Nicol.

  • Sandy Denny– vocals
  • Simon Nicol– vocals, guitar, dulcimer
  • Jerry Donahue- lead guitar
  • Trevor Lucas- rhythm guitar
  • Dave Swarbrick– vocals, fiddle, mandolin
  • Dave Pegg– vocals, bass, mandolin
  • Dave Mattacks– drums, electric piano, harmonium

Track listing:

All tracks by Simon Nicol, Dave Mattacks, Dave Swarbrick, Dave Pegg, Trevor Lucas and Jerry Donahue.

The album story is about the life of John “Babbacombe” Lee, murderer who was condemned to death but reprieved after the gallows failed on three occasions to work properly.

The tracks are listed episodically rather than as discrete tracks, reflecting the structure of the narrative.

  1. John’s reflection on his boyhood, his introduction to Miss Keyes and The Glen, his restlessness, and his struggles with his family, finally successful, to join the navy
  2. This was the happiest period in his life. All locked set fair for a career until he was stricken with sickness and invalided out of his chosen niche in life. Reluctantly and unhappily he turned to a number of menial occupations and finally returned to the services of Miss Keyes
  3. Tragedy now strikes hard. The world’s imagination is caught by the brutal senseless[ness] of the apparent criminal who slays his kind old mistress
  4. John was hardly more than a bewildered observer at his own trial, not being allowed to say more than a few words. The tides of fate wash him to the condemned cell where he waits three sad weeks for his last night on earth
  5. When it comes, he cannot sleep, but when he does, a strange, prophetic dream comes to him, and helps him to bear the strain of his next day’s ordeal as scaffold and its crew try in vain three times to take his life

Vashti Bunyan: Just Another Diamond Day

Leave a comment

In December 1970, “Philips” label released “Just Another Diamond Day”, the debut Vashti Bunyan album. It was recorded November – December 1969, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Joe Boyd.

Personnel:

  • Vashti Bunyan- vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Mike Crowther – guitar
  • Simon Nicol – banjo
  • Christopher Sykes – piano, organ
  • John James – dulcitone
  • Robin Williamson- fiddle, whistle, Celtic harp
  • Dave Swarbrick- fiddle, mandolin
  • Robert Kirby- string and recorder arrangements
  • Joe Boyd- liner notes
  • Jerry Boys – engineer
  • John James – cover art

Track listing:

All tracks by Vashti Bunyan, except where noted.

  1. Diamond Day
  2. Glow Worms
  3. Lily Pond
  4. Timothy Grub
  5. Where I Like to Stand – Vashti Bunyan, John James
  6. Swallow Song
  7. Window Over the Bay – Vashti Bunyan, Robert Lewis
  8. Rose Hip November
  9. Come Wind Come Rain
  10. Hebridean Sun – Vashti Bunyan, Robert Lewis
  11. Rainbow River
  12. Trawlerman’s Song – Vashti Bunyan, Robert Lewis
  13. Jog Along Bess
  14. Iris’s Song for Us – Vashti Bunyan, Wally Dix, Iris Macfarlane

Richard & Linda Thompson: Pour Down Like Silver

Leave a comment

In November 1975, “Island” label released “Pour Down Like Silver”, the third Richard and Linda Thompson album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Richard Thompson and John Wood.

Personnel:

  • Richard Thompson-  vocals, guitar,  mandolin, banjo, Appalachian dulcimer, Hammered dulcimer, harmonium, electric piano
  • Linda Thompson– vocals
  • Pat Donaldson- bass guitar
  • Dave Pegg- bass guitar
  • Timi Donald – drums
  • Dave Mattacks– drums
  • John Kirkpatrick- accordion, concertina
  • Henry Lowther- trumpet
  • Jack Brymer- clarinet
  • Ian Whiteman – flute, shakuhachi
  • Aly Bain- fiddle
  • Nic Jones– fiddle
  • Clare Lowther – cello

Track listing:

All tracks by Richard Thompson except where noted.

  1. Streets of Paradise
  2. For Shame of Doing Wrong
  3. The Poor Boy Is Taken Away
  4. Night Comes In
  5. Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair
  6. Beat the Retreat
  7. Hard Luck Stories
  8. Dimming of the Day / Dargai – “Dargai” written by J. Scott, arranged by Richard Thompson

Strawbs: Nomadness

Leave a comment

In November 1975, “A&M” label released “Nomadness”, the tenth Strawbs album. It was recorded June – July 1975, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Tom Allom.

Personnel:

  • Dave Cousins– lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, dulcimer, banjo
  • Dave Lambert– lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
  • Chas Cronk– backing vocals, bass guitar
  • Rod Coombes– backing vocals, drums, acoustic guitar
  • John Mealing– piano, organ, electric piano
  • Tony Carr – congas
  • Jack Emblow– accordion
  • Tommy Eyre– piano, clavinet, synthesizer
  • John Lumley-Saville – synthesizer
  • Rick Wakeman– electric harpsichord
  • Tom Allom – cymbalum
  • Vic Gamm – engineer

Track listing:

  1. To Be Free – Dave Cousins
  2. Little Sleepy – Dave Lambert
  3. The Golden Salamander – Dave Cousins
  4. Absent Friend (How I Need You) – Dave Cousins
  5. Back on the Farm – Dave Cousins
  6. So Shall Our Love Die? – Dave Cousins
  7. Tokyo Rosie – Dave Cousins
  8. A Mind of My Own – Rod Coombes
  9. Hanging in the Gallery – Dave Cousins
  10. The Promised Land – Chas Cronk

John Cale: Helen Of Troy

Leave a comment

In November 1975, “Island” label released “Helen of Troy”, the sixth John Cale studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Sound Techniques” in  London, and was produced by John Cale.

Personnel:

  • John Cale – vocals, keyboards, guitar, production
  • Chris Spedding– guitar
  • Pat Donaldson– bass guitar
  • Timi Donald, Phil Collins– drums
  • Brian Eno– synthesizer
  • Robert Kirby– string, choir arrangement
  • Vic Gamm – mixing
  • Edward Barker – design
  • Keith Morris- photography
  • John Wood– executive production

Track listing:

All tracks by John Cale, except where noted.

  1. My Maria
  2. Helen of Troy
  3. China Sea
  4. Engine
  5. Save Us
  6. Cable Hogue
  7. I Keep a Close Watch
  8. Pablo Picasso – Jonathan Richman
  9. Leaving It Up to You
  10. Baby What You Want Me to Do – Jimmy Reed
  11. Sudden Death

John Martyn: Bless the Weather

Leave a comment

In November 1971, “Island” label released “Bless the Weather”, the fifth John Martyn studio album. It was recorded in May 1971, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by John Martyn and John Woods.

Personnel:

  • John Martyn- vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
  • Richard Thompson- guitar
  • Beverley Martyn- guitar, vocals
  • Danny Thompson- double bass
  • Tony Reeves- double bass, bass guitar
  • Ian Whiteman – keyboards
  • Smiley De Jonnes – percussion
  • Roger Powell – drums

Track listing:

All tracks by John Martyn except where noted.

  1. Go Easy
  2. Bless the Weather
  3. Sugar Lump
  4. Walk to the Water
  5. Just Now
  6. Head and Heart
  7. Let the Good Things Come
  8. Back Down the River
  9. Glistening Glyndebourne
  10. Singin’ in the Rain – Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed

Incredible String Band: Changing Horses

Leave a comment

In November 1969, “Elektra” label released “Changing Horses”, the fifth Incredible String Band album. It was recorded in 1969, at “Sound Techniques” in London, “Elektra Records Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Joe Boyd.

Personnel:

  • Robin Williamson– lead and backing vocals,  guitars,  washboard , piano,  flute, sarangi, Chinese banjo, percussion, organ, gimbri, violin
  • Mike Heron- lead vocals, guitars, piano, vibraphone, percussion, sitar, mandolin, backing vocals
  • Licorice McKechnie- guitar, organ, kazoo, percussion, backing vocals
  • Rose Simpson- bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Big Ted – Robin Williamson
  2. White Bird – Mike Heron
  3. Dust Be Diamonds – Mike Heron, Robin Williamson
  4. Sleepers, Awake! – Mike Heron
  5. and Mrs. – Robin Williamson
  6. Creation – Robin Williamson

The Incredible String Band: Wee Tam and the Big Huge

Leave a comment

In November 1968, “Elektra” label released “Wee Tam and the Big Huge”, the fourth  Incredible String Band (The) album. It was recorded April – August 1968, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Joe Boyd.

Personnel:

  • Robin Williamson– lead vocals; guitar, bass guitar, guimbri, percussion,  sarangi, violin, harpsichord, piano, organ, kazoo, bass drum, whistle, harmonica,  drums
  • Mike Heron– lead vocals, guitar,  bass guitar, sitar, organ, harpsichord, washboard, percussion, harmonica
  • Rose Simpson– violin; percussion, backing vocals
  • Licorice McKechnie– percussion, Irish harp,  backing vocals

Track listing:

Wee Tam

  1. Job’s Tears Robin Williamson
  2. Puppies – Mike Heron
  3. Beyond the Sea – Mike Heron
  4. The Yellow Snake – Robin Williamson
  5. Log Cabin Home in the Sky – Mike Heron
  6. You Get Brighter – Mike Heron
  7. The Half-Remarkable Question – Robin Williamson
  8. Air – Mike Heron
  9. Ducks on a Pond – Robin Williamson

The Big Huge

  1. Maya – Robin Williamson
  2. Greatest Friend – Mike Heron
  3. The Son of Noah’s Brother – Robin Williamson
  4. Lordly Nightshade – Robin Williamson
  5. The Mountain of God – Robin Williamson
  6. Cousin Caterpillar – Mike Heron
  7. The Iron Stone – Robin Williamson
  8. Douglas Traherne Harding – Mike Heron
  9. The Circle Is Unbroken – traditional, arr. by Robin Williamson

Fairport Convention: Nine

Leave a comment

In October 1973, “A&M” label released “Nine”, the ninth Fairport Convention album. It was recorded July – August 1973, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Trevor Lucas, John Wood, Dave Swarbrick, Jerry Donahue, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks.

Personnel:

  • Trevor Lucas – lead, chorus and backing vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Dave Swarbrick – lead verse and backing vocals, violin, viola, mandolin
  • Jerry Donahue – acoustic and electric guitars
  • Dave Pegg – bass, mandolin, backing vocals
  • Dave Mattacks – drums, percussion, bass, harmonium , clavinet

Track listing:

  1. The Hexhamshire Lass – traditional; arranged by Trevor Lucas, Dave Swarbrick, Jerry Donahue, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks
  2. Polly on the Shore – music by Dave Pegg, words traditional; arranged by Dave Swarbrick, Trevor Lucas
  3. The Brilliancy Medley/Cherokee Shuffle – traditional
  4. To Althea From Prison – words by Richard Lovelace; music Dave Swarbrick
  5. Tokyo – Jerry Donahue
  6. Bring ‘Em Down – Trevor Lucas
  7. Big William – Trevor Lucas, Dave Swarbrick
  8. Pleasure and Pain – Trevor Lucas, Dave Swarbrick
  9. Possibly Parsons Green – Trevor Lucas, Roche

Focus: Focus II (Moving Waves)

Leave a comment

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:

  1. Hocus Pocus – Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman
  2. Le Clochard (Bread) – Jan Akkerman
  3. Janis – Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman
  4. Moving Waves – Thijs van Leer, Inayat Khan
  5. Focus II
  6. 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