BEGGARS HILL 1976

With only 500 pressed, original 1976 vinyl copies of the sole album by unsung Surrey-based folk-rock foundlings Beggars’ Hill are failsafe wallet-lighteners these days, fetching anything up to £250 – ie, £247.40 more than the initial asking price. Had the album contained any original compositions you could arguably double its true value.

Beggars’ Hill – gimlet-eyed sleuths will notice a wandering apostrophe on the CD spine and on the disc itself – were a young, open-ended collective who specialised in diligent, dignified rearrangements of worthy folk fare, whether drawn from traditional sources (Jack Hall, Here’s To The Last To Die) or from then-contemporaries (New St George and Poor Ditching Boy by Richard Thompson; If You’d Been There by Bridget St John). In the main, their poised and painstaking approach works a treat – notably so in their commendably gentle, lyrical interpretation of the Robin and Barry Dransfield arrangement of The Wild Rover. Folk-ophobes may admittedly find all of their prejudices confirmed – everything is sung straight down the nose, with a palpable sense of real ale retention, finger-in-ear earnestness and beard/jumper interdependency – but just as strong is the sense of warm, familial, humanistic conviviality which any decent folk club provides.

Reviewed by Marco Rossi

Tracks :

1 New St. George
2 Cannily, Cannily
3 Jack Hill
4 Here's to the Last to Die
5 Let It Be Me
6 Who Knows Where the Time Goes
7 When Will I Be Loved
8 Sailor Home From The Sea
9 If You'd Been There
10 Poor Ditching Boy
11 Wild Rover

Artwork Included

LYNYRD SKYNYRD - SECOND HELPING 1974

Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote the book on Southern rock with their first album, so it only made sense that they followed it for their second album, aptly titled Second Helping. Sticking with producer Al Kooper (who, after all, discovered them), the group turned out a record that replicated all the strengths of the original, but was a little tighter and a little more professional. It also revealed that the band, under the direction of songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, was developing a truly original voice. Of course, the band had already developed their own musical voice, but it was enhanced considerably by Van Zant's writing, which was at turns plainly poetic, surprisingly clever, and always revealing. Though Second Helping isn't as hard a rock record as Pronounced, it's the songs that make the record. "Sweet Home Alabama" became ubiquitous, yet it's rivaled by such terrific songs as the snide, punkish "Workin' for MCA," the Southern groove of "Don't Ask Me No Questions," the affecting "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," and "The Needle and the Spoon," a drug tale as affecting as their rival Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done," but much harder rocking. This is the part of Skynyrd that most people forget -- they were a great band, but they were indelible because that was married to great writing. And nowhere was that more evident than on Second Helping.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, allmusic com

Tracks :

01. Sweet Home Alabama
02. I Need You
03. Don't Ask Me No Questions
04. Workin' For MCA
05. The Ballad Of Curtis Loew
06. Swamp Music
07. The Needle And The Spoon
08. Call Me The Breeze




Artwork Included

RENAISSANCE - SCHEHERAZADE AND OTHER STORIES 1975

Is a 1975 album by progressive rock band Renaissance. It has often been considered their overall best album. This album marked the first time that Renaissance (Annie Haslam’s version) did not use quotes from actual classical pieces in their songs. Song of Scheherazade is based on Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, including numerous recurring motifs that are from or allude to the work, most notably the beginning six notes.

Information about the album:
There has been some confusion over just where the sections of Song of Scheherazade begin and end. This was caused by the fact that ”Fanfare” and ”The Betrayal” together sound like a single section, while ”Festival Preparations” has two distinct parts of its own (4:00 and 1:11 in length). This confusion was reflected in the packaging and labels of original LP copies of this album, and in the mistitling of ”Festival Preparations” (part 1) as ”The Young Prince and Princess” on the 1990 Tales Of 1001 Nights, Volume I compilation.

Also, as has been admitted by the administrators of the official Renaissance site, Northern Lights, it is difficult to assign exact composing credits to the individual sections since the composers clearly borrowed themes from each other. For example, based on the official credits (which differ slightly between the actual album package and the official Renaissance site), a particular melodic phrase ends up being attributed to both Dunford (”The Sultan”) and Tout (”Fugue for the Sultan”); and lyricist Betty Thatcher is, for some reason, not credited for her lyrics on ”Finale” (which are repeated from ”The Sultan”).

Trip to the Fair was about Annie Haslam’s first date with Roy Wood.
Ocean Gypsy has since been covered by Blackmore’s Night.

http://www.last.fm/music/Renaissance/Scheherazade+and+other+stories/+wiki


Track listing:

1. “Trip to the Fair” (Dunford-Thatcher-Tout) - 10:51
2. “The Vultures Fly High” (Dunford-Thatcher) - 3:04
3. “Ocean Gypsy” (Dunford-Thatcher) - 7:05
4. “Song of Scheherazade” (Camp-Dunford-Thatcher-Tout) - 24:39
1. i. Fanfare - :38 (instrumental)
2. ii. The Betrayal - 2:05 (instrumental)
3. iii. The Sultan - 4:45
4. iv. Love Theme - 2:42 (instrumental)
5. v. The Young Prince and Princess as told by Scheherazade - 2:29
6. vi. Festival Preparations - 5:11 (instrumental)
7. vii. Fugue for the Sultan - 2:10 (instrumental)
8. viii. The Festival - 2:10
9. ix. Finale - 2:29



Artwork Included

CHRIS FARLOWE - THE ART OF CHRIS FARLOWE 1966

Chris Farlowe's second Immediate Records LP (and his second album of 1966) was probably generated more by Andrew Oldham's need for ready cash than any real need for a second long-player -- he'd had a number one hit with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' "Out of Time" and an accompanying LP was the way to go; luckily, he had the pipes and the inspiration to pull it off. He roars out of the starting gate with a sizzling rendition of "What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted" and "We're Doing Fine," but then Oldham had him look in-house for a song, "Life Is but Nothing" by Skinner and Rose (aka Twice as Much) (which isn't nearly as strong as their "You're so Good to Me," also here), and threw on two too many additional Jagger/Richards songs, in the violin-laden "Paint It Black" and the lightweight "Yesterday's Papers" ("I'm Free," by contrast, does work), interspersed with the harder "Open the Door to Your Heart," "It Was Easier to Hurt Her," "I've Been Loving You Too Long," and "Reach Out I'll Be There," and even the Farlowe co-authored "Cuttin' In." Except for the two weaker Jagger/Richards covers (we'll forgive "Out of Time," as it sort of had to be here) and the one Skinner/Rose miscalculation, this is as strong a soul album as Farlowe's debut, and only somewhat diluted from that perfection, at the weak points. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

Tracks :

Side 1

1. "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" (James Dean, Paul Riser, William Weatherspoon) -2:40
2. "We're Doing Fine" (Horace Ott) -2:38
3. "Life is But Nothing" (Andrew Rose, Donald Ross Skinner) -4:06
4. "Paint It, Black" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) -3:01
5. "Cuttin' In" (Johnny Watson) -2:59
6. "Open the Door to Your Heart" (Darrell Banks) -2:34
7. "Out of Time" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards)

Side 2

1. "North South East West" (Chris Farlowe)
2. "You're So Good For Me" (William Bell, Andrew Loog Oldham, Andrew Rose, Donald Ross Skinner) -2:15
3. "It Was Easier to Hurt Her" (Jerry Ragovoy, Bert Russell) -3:45
4. "I'm Free" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) -2:23
5. "I've Been Loving You Too Long" (Jerry Butler, Otis Redding) -3:00
6. "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" (Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland) -3:15
7. "Ride On, Baby" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) -2:55

Artwork Included

BRUCE COCKBURN 1969

Bruce Cockburn (prounced Co-burn) got started in 1969 when Neil Young canceled his headliner slot at Canada's Mariposa Folk Festival to appear at Woodstock. His knotty, fascinating blend of folk, jazz, and rock, blending progressive and Christian themes, quickly gained a following in Canada, and he had hits stateside with "Wondering Where the Lions Are," "If I Had a Rocket Launcher," and "Waiting for a Miracle." The diverse list of artists who've recorded Coburn's songs also includes Barenaked Ladies ("Lovers in a Dangerous Time"), Jimmy Buffett (no fewer than four times), the Jerry Garcia Band, and Ani DiFranco. Cockburn's work since the 1980s has been staunchly political and, in recent years, globally oriented in its musical approach.








Tracks :

1 Going to the Country (3:15)
2 Thoughts on a Rainy Afternoon (3:48)
3 Together Alone (2:50)
4 The Bicycle Trip (4:11)
5 The Thirteenth Mountain (4:48)
6 Musical Friends (2:58)
7 Change Your Mind (2:26)
8 Man of a Thousand Faces (5:42)
9 Spring Song (5:02)
10 Keep it Open (1:51)


Artwork Included

CAROLE KING - TAPESTRY 1971

Carole King brought the fledgling singer/songwriter phenomenon to the masses withTapestry, one of the most successful albums in pop music history. A remarkably expressive and intimate record, it's a work of consummate craftsmanship. Always a superior pop composer, King reaches even greater heights as a performer; new songs like the hits "It's Too Late" and "I Feel the Earth Move" rank solidly with past glories, while songs like "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" take on added resonance when delivered in her own warm, compelling voice. With its reliance on pianos and gentle drumming, Tapestry is a light and airy work on its surface, occasionally skirting the boundaries of jazz, but it's also an intensely emotional record, the songs confessional and direct; in its time it connected with listeners like few records before it, and it remains an illuminating experience decades later.

Tracks :

1.I Feel The Earth Move

2.So Far Away

3.It's Too Late

4.Home Again

5.Beautiful

6.Way Over Yonder

7.You've Got A Friend

8.Where You Lead

9.Will You Love Me Tomorrow

10.Smackwater Jack

11.Tapestry

12.You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman

Artwork Included

ANDREAS VOLLENWEIDER - BEHIND THE GARDEN - BEHIND THE WALL - UNDER THE TREE 1981

Behind the Gardens is a studio album by New Age artist Andreas Vollenweider, released in 1981. It is almost entirely instrumental, and centers around Vollenweider on harp.

While not literally Vollenweider's first album, "Behind the Gardens" is widely regarded as such because it was his breakthrough album, gaining him wide recognition. The earlier and more obscure "Eine Art Suite in XIII Teilen" (An Art Suite in 13 Parts), 1979, remains available chiefly online, while "Behind the Gardens" can still be readily found in music stores worldwide.

The contemplative and moving second track, "Pyramid," is a favorite of fans and has become a concert staple, always garnering applause when the first harp notes are played.

While the album originally stood on its own, in 1990 it and the two following albums (Caverna Magica and White Winds) were re-released as a two-CD set entitled "Trilogy," suggesting they collectively constituted a single musical entity.

The full titles of the first two albums lend creedance to the suggestion that the three albums are thematically connected. The full title of the first album is "Behind the Gardens-Behind the Wall-Under the Tree..." The ellipsis at the end suggests a continuation. The full title of the next album is "Caverna Magica (...Under the Tree - In the Cave...)" The first ellipsis, followed by the repetition of "Under the Tree" from the first album title, clearly indicates a continuation. The second ellipsis suggests another continuation, which would turn out to be "White Winds (Seeker's Journey)." The last track on the White Winds album is entiled "Trilogy (At The White Magic Gardens) & The White Winds".

The title of the first album "is like giving someone directions: "You will find us behind The Garden, behind The Wall, under The Tree...", Vollenweider is quoted as saying on his official web site, http://www.vollenweider.com.^[1]

The title of the second album apparently indicates a continuation of those directions: Under the tree you'll find a magic cavern. This magic cavern could be a metaphor for the recording site. This is borne out by the rest of the Vollenweider quote: "Recording this album we worked completely cut off from the world, in the cellars of the Sinus Studios in Bern (capital of Vollenweider's native Switzerland), which are more than 300 years old. In the shelter of this creative "womb", it was easy to lose track of time and space."

Sinus "was a small, underground studio," stated an article in the April 2003 edition of Mojo magazine, quoted at http://www.higgs1.demon.co.uk/barritt/mojo.htm. "It was entered by wooden shutters in the pavement above, which gave the impression of entering a crypt."^[2]

Tracks :

1. Behind the Gardens-Behind the Wall-Under the Tree
2. Pyramid-In the Wood-In the Bright Light
3. Micro-Macro
4. Skin and Skin
5. Moonlight, Wrapped Around Us
6. Lion and Sheep
7. Sunday
8. Afternoon
9. Hands and Clouds



Artwork Included

HEDGE & DONNA (aka LOVE ) 1968

Hedge & Donna is gentle, soulful harmony and musical beauty of the late sixties and early seventies at its best. Their trace however in our days is surprisingly very hard to find despite their outstanding contribution to music.

Their legacy of great albums remains unissued in CD.



Tracks :


A1 Can You Hear Me 3:02
A2 Lace Child 2:10
A3 Sea Gull 3:12
A4 Catch The Wind 2:15
A5 Wings 2:54
B1 I've Got A Long Way To Go 2:47
B2 Long Dark Road 2:58
B3 Midnight (All The Songs Have Been Sung) 2:24
B4 I Want You To Want Me 2:34
B5 Follow 5:00



Artwork Included

THE RFD - LEAD ME HOME 1971

I once read that the time when there were the most active bands in the US was 1967, right after the release of Sgt. Peppers. Basically, everyone heard that record and started a band. Literally, everyone. If that's a true statistic or an urban legend I'm not sure, but each month there are more reissues of late '60s "Private Press" records. Amazing unearthed artifacts of raw obscurities and dog-eared jams by bands that never made it out of the basement, let alone their hometowns. The RFD's Lead Me Home is a standout example of a truly sick private press record in the ways it both follows the aesthetic of this phenomenon and also befuddles. Okay, under 500 copies originally released on a private label in 1971? Check. Ridiculous non-self conscious band name (RFD stood for "Russ, Fred and Dan", the founding members of the group)? Check. Tripped-out record cover, low-budget home recording, naive lyrics shouldered in astute-yet-understated mellow acid folk songs? All this checks out, but the RFD was also apparently a Christian rock band? Lead track "He Is Coming" fits the mold perfectly for a sub-categorical d.i.y./post-Byrds/stoned at home jam except for the male/female reverb-touched harmonies about Christ "coming in his golden glory." Oh, yeah, a lady named Debbie adds a lot to the record but somehow she and drummer Larry got left out of the acronym. Despite the possible conflict between the heavily hippie/drugged-out underpinnings of the album and the Christian need to walk a straight and narrow path, there also seems to be a conflict in the songs between God's glory and a deep sense of Vietnam-era alienation. Simply stated tunes like "Why Do I Feel Alone?" and "On the Outside Looking In" don't do a lot to obfuscate this theme. Much like the Tony Caro & John record, another stunning private press item that found wider re-release a few years back, the RFD finds textures and ideas that would have been impossible within the confines of record labels, professional equipment and legitimate studios, even in 1971. There's a sense of passion and excitement that's unique to the homespun world of self-edited, self-informed, self-everything songwriting. Contradictions abound and those confounding moments are some of the best parts.

-Fred Thomas (September 26, 2008)

A really groovy early 70s spiritual folk rock record from RFD – with emotionally resonant male & female vocals – and lightly rollicking backdrop of guitar, bass & drums. There's kind of a mix of east coast and west coast folk rock influences – the harmonies have a Byrdsy quality, but the acoustic guitar playing has the feel of east coast troubadours. Quiet and a little eerie in a way, and an all around enjoyable rarity worth checking out! Titles include "He Is Coming", "Loner", "Why Do I Feel Alone", "Take Time", "It Seems", "Rap It Out" and more. (Limited edition.)

Tracks :

He is Coming
Why Do I Feel Alone
Back Into My Mind
Loner
Lead Me Home
Take Time
No Man is a Mountain
Long Time in the Rain
It Seems
On the Outside Looking In
Rap It Out



Artwork Included

WONDROUS STORIES: A COMPLETE INTRODUCTION TO PROGRESSIVE ROCK 2010

Progressive Rock is one of the most loved and frequently debated of all musical genres. This 52 track collection is a worthy addition to Universal's much-loved A Complete Introduction To Series. Compliled by Jerry Ewing, the editor of Classic Prog magazine, it takes us on a magical, leisurely journey through the corners of this wondrous genre.

For those who think it's all about pixies and trippy guitar solos, think again (although both of those are here). Wiondrous Stories: A Complete Introduction To Progressive Rock boasts brand new cover art by Roger Dean, designer of the legendary 'Yes' logo, bd som eof teh most influential album sleeves of all time. It is the sister voluime to the 2-CD album, 'Wondrous Stories', yet only a couple of tracks double on both. ~ Amazon








Tracklist CD1:

01 Sam Gopal / Season Of The Witch
02 Colosseum / Walking In The Park
03 Nucleus / Song For The Bearded Lady
04 Van Der Graaf Generator / Darkness II/II
05 Comus / Diana
06 Jethro Tull / Aqualung
07 Atomic Rooster / Devil's Answer
08 Dr. Z / Evil Woman's Manly Child
09 Jan Dukes De Grey / Mice And Rats In The Loft
10 Curved Air / Back Street Love
11 Yes / Roundabout
12 Caravan / Golf Girl
13 Aprhodite's Child / The Four Horsemen



Tracklist CD2:

01 ELP / From The Beginning
02 Mike Oldfield / Tubular Bells
03 Gong / Oily Way
04 Rare Bird / Epic Forest
05 Beggars Opera / MacArthur Park
06 Gentle Giant / In A Glass House
07 Magna Carta / Lord Of Ages
08 Gryphon / Opening Move
09 Fruupp / The Seventh Secret
10 Supertramp / School
11 Riск Wakeman / Merlin The Magician
12 Barclay James Harvest / Child Of The Universe

Tracklist CD3:

01 Yes / Wondrous Stories
02 Steve Hillage / Hurdy Gurdy Man
03 Camel / Air Born
04 ELP / Fanfare For The Common Man
05 Rush / A Farewell To Kings
06 Manfred Mann's Earth Band / The Mighty Quinn
07 Jon Anderson / Some Are Born
08 Barclay James Harvest / Mocking Bird
09 Camel / Sasquatch
10 Mike Oldfield / Five Miles Out
11 Jethro Tull / Pussy Willow
12 Emerson, Lake & Powell / Touch & Go
13 The Moody Blues / I Know You're Out There Somewhere
14 Marillion / Jigsaw



Tracklist CD4:

01 Pallas / Eyes In The Night
02 Rush / The Weapon
03 It Bites / The Old Man And The Angel
04 World Trade / The Moment Is Here
05 Dream Theater / Pull Me Under
06 Queensryche / I Am I
07 Opeth / The Drapery Falls
08 Spock's Beard / Stranger In A Strange Land
09 Coheed & Cambria / Ten Speed (Of Gods Blood & Burial)
10 The Reasoning / Awakening
11 The Mars Volta / Since We've Been Wrong
12 Eureka / Going Home
13 IQ / Frequency