SPIROGYRA was another interesting British band from that golden period of the early ’70s. The band was folk, progressive, psychedelic…Lots of harmonies, soft vocals, acoustic guitars, pianos, synths, flutes, violins and various string instruments.., The band only released 2 singles back in the day, along with these 3 albums, and commercial success eluded them, but they have maintained many followers years later. Plenty of gems among these albums, such as “Cogwheels, Crutches And Cyanide”, “Time Will Tell”, “Dangerous Dave” (a single), “Don’t Let It Get You”, “The Sargent Says”, and “In The Western World”. Very easy going stuff, but lots of stories amongst the songs, and the sweet vocals of Barbara Gaskin, and the distinctive voice of (guitarist) Martin Cockerham. Disc 2 comes with 4 bonus tracks, all outtakes, the best being the upbeat “Melody Maker Man”. Disc 3 contains the bonus track “I Hear You’re Going Somewhere (Joe Really)” – the A side to the band’s 2nd single. The set comes with a 12 page colored booklet complete with photos, liner notes, and interviews telling the band’s story. Well worth picking up if you’re interested, especially considering how much the band’s original LPs go for on Discogs.
*For more info check out the press release, tracklisting, and links below…
• NEW 3CD CLAMSHELL BOXED SET OF THE THREE ALBUMS BY SPIROGYRA RELEASED BETWEEN 1971 AND 1973
• FEATURING THE ALBUMS ‘ST RADIGUNDS’, ‘OLD BOOT WINE’ AND ‘BELLS, BOOTS AND SHAMBLES’. WITH A FULLY
ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET
Spirogyra was formed by duo Martin Cockerham and Mark Francis in Bolton in 1968, but the band expanded when Cockerham was a student in Canterbury at the end of 1969. The expanded line-up featured Cockerham (guitar, vocals), Barbara Gaskin (lead vocals), Steve Borrill (bass) and Julian Cusack (violin, keyboards) and secured a contract with B&C Records in 1970. The band’s impressive debut album, ‘St Radigunds’ was issued in 1971 and featured guest drummer Dave Mattacks and Tony Cox on VCS3 Synthesizer.
In 1972 the band’s second album, ‘Old Boot Wine’, was released on the Pegasus label, a “progressive” imprint established by B&C. Prior to the
recording of the album Mark Francis re- joined the group, and the sessions also saw contributions from guest musicians Dave Mattacks (drums), Julian Cusack (violin, keyboards), Rick Biddulph (mandolin), Alan Laing (cello).
With the demise of the Pegasus label, Spirogyra recorded their third album for Polydor. By this time Spirogyra had become a core of Martin
Cockerham (guitar, vocals) and Barbara Gaskin (lead vocals) with Steve Borrill (bass) and guest musicians Dave Mattacks (drums), Julian Cusack
(violin, keyboards), Henry Lowther (trumpet), John Boyce (cello), Stan Sulzman (flute) and Steve Ashley (whistle).
Despite achieving critical praise, Spirogyra failed to enjoy commercial success which ultimately led to their demise. The trio of albums the band
recorded between 1971 and 1973 featured music of innovation and originality and are arguably beyond classification. They remain highly
regarded and are sought after by collectors and aficionados of the Progressive era.
This collection features four bonus tracks recorded during sessions for ‘Old Boot Wine’ and the 1973 single release I Hear You’re Going
Somewhere (Joe Really).
Disc One: St Radigunds
The Future Won’t Be Long
Island
Magical Mary
Captain’s Log
At Home In The World
Cogwheels, Crutches And Cyanide
Time Will Tell
We Were A Happy Crew
Love Is A Funny Thing
The Duke Of Beaufoot
Disc Two: Old Boot Wine
Dangerous Dave
Van Allen’s Belt
Runaway
Grandad
Wings Of Thunder
World’s Eyes
Don’t Let It Get You
Disraeli’s Problem
A Canterbury Tale
Bonus tracks
Counting The Cars
Window
Turn Again Lane
Melody Maker Man
Disc Three: Bells, Boots And Shambles
The Furthest Point
Old Boot Wine
Parallel Lines Never Separate
Spiggly
An Everyday Consumption Song
The Sergeant Says
In The Western World
1) In the Western World
2) Jungle Lore
3) Coming Back
4) Western World (reprise)
Bonus track
I Hear You’re Going Somewhere (Joe Really) (A- side of single)
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/SpirogyraFolk
http://www.alexgitlin.com/npp2/spirogyra.htm
08/’21
Outsider Rock 