One of the most persistent UK groups up to date. From the debute 1969 they have released sixteen albums and a number of '45:s through different styles, labels and settings and still going strong. Never a household name or list topper, but always with a loyal following. Through the years there's been associates as John Wetton, Danny McCulloch, Roy Wood and Mickey Simmonds among about thirty others. Originally formed by two Yardbirds members - Keith Relf and Jim McCarty - together with John Hawken from The Nashville Teens, Louis Cennamo (The Herd) and Keith's sister Jane Relf. This setting only lasted first two albums, whereafter they split 1970 and were replaced by a whole new crew. Keith Relf went on to futher collaborations with acts as Armageddon and Medicine Head, Hawken became a session musician and played with Spooky Tooth and Strawbs, and Cennamo joined Colosseum. So in a way the first setting was a supergroup. The music on this debute flows between related genres in a way typical for the period - folk, jazz and psych with a classical influence - sometimes reminding of Nice or ELP, but mostly with a unique expression. Songwriting credits according to cover - "All basic melodies and lyrics: Keith Relf, Jim McCarty" - shows the numbers may have originated from some kind of staple ideas, but changed and developed as they went along. What makes it work for me is John Hawken's piano. While some parts of the music has a tendency to drift, his playing is distinct and upright alltrough, thus tying it together as a whole. Favorite track - "Bullet". US first on Elektra (EKS 74068). Also originally issued in Italy, France and Germany. Premiere UK had label as shown here and glossy fold/out cover. (YÄB*)(ÖSÄP*)
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