Spirogyra - A Canterbury Tale (1971 - 1973)
"This is a superb collection. If you like the Incredible String Band, Comus, or indeed psychedelic material like early Floyd, then you will love these rediscovered gems, another triumph for Sanctuary". - Albion Magazine Online
"Should be included in the 100 best albums of all time..." - Amazon Review
Label/Cat#: Castle Music 1258
Tracks:
CD 1
1. The Future Won't Be Long (4:18)
2. Island (3:45)
3. Magical Mary (6:21)
4. Captain's Log (2:10)
5. At Home in the World (3:07)
6. Cogwheels Crutches and Cyanide (5:59)
7. Time Will Tell (5:39)
8. We Were a Happy Crew (5:34)
9. Love Is a Funny Thing (2:12)
10. The Duke of Beaufoot (8:06)
11. Dangerous Dave (4:17)
12. Van Allen's Belt (2:48)
13. Runaway (4:57)
14. Grandad (3:23)
15. Wings of Thunder (3:13)
16. World's Eyes (7:35)
CD 2
1. Don't Let It Get You (4:26)
2. Disraeli's Problem (4:16)
3. A Canterbury Tale (4:07)
4. I Hear You're Going Somewhere (2:26)
5. Counting the Cars (3:09)
6. Window (2:11)
7. Turn Again Lane (7:36)
8. Melody Maker Man (2:44)
9. The Furthest Point (8:13)
10. Old Boot Wine (4:16)
11. Parallel Lines Never Separate (5:04)
12. Spiggly (1:11)
13. An Everyday Consumption Song (4:28)
14. The Sergeant Says (3:40)
15. In the Western World: In the Western World/Jungle Lore/Coming Back/West (12:58)
Total time: 02:24:00
Description
I guess few people have heard of Spirogyra, or perhaps confuse them with the jazz-fusion band of the same name.
Released in 2005, this collection contains all the material on Spirogyra's only three studio albums that were recorded in 1971 - 73, extensively edited and remixed by Martin Cockerham; and what treasures there are in this amazing collection!
Categorizing Spirogyra's music is a near-impossible task, and I'm not even going to try to describe it. A sample is worth a thousand words, so to get an immediate feel for the band, I suggest you open the sample link above and click on track 9 - Love Is a Funny Thing.
If the beauty of the melody line and the crystalline purity of Barbara Gaskin's vocal doesn't blow you away, then this album probably isn't for you.
If it does blow you away, then you're in for real treat; there's much more of the same in store on this great album.
Enjoy!
Amazon Reviews (Average 5 Stars) http://tinyurl.com/mlc24
So remarkable that I'm left speechless... (5 Stars)
This has probably become one of my favourite albums, if not my favourite. As was said on another review, the work on display here is near genius.
The music here is adorably charming, and being a chef on minimum wage and when times get me down I listen to this album and I know that others have suffered with me. The album is very politically left-wing, anti-war and accepting of different sexualities (i.e. Runaway, which I assume is about one of the band members suspecting himself of being gay, has fantastic lyrics).
Every song contains a wonderful little story representing different pieces of emotion and general human purpose, from the struggles of sailors on dangerous seas to the woes of a parentless, penniless prostitute; from the debate between creationists and scientists to the mishaps and practical-failures of dreamers and of how you shouldn't 'let it get to you'.
Brutal emotion and raw passion for music is evident throughout, yet as should be done with music, each song is performed in utter respect to the very art form; delicate, graceful, tragic and altogether very human (and unusually for what is called Acid Folk, the music here sound very sober, which I think is essential if music is to say anything meaningful about mankind and the human state).
Musically, we see numerous time changes (not constant, not rarely, but just when required) and outrageously grand use of the violin by Julian Cusack.
To conclude, Barbara Gaskin sung about how she knows and wishes that one day the world will be covered with atheist humanists and despite all the philosophical arguments against such things, Spirogyra present very good reasons as to why such things would be so wonderful and meaningful, not through philosophical argument, but through the feelings in their music and the promotion of human struggle. Ahead of their time? - they're probably ahead of today!
Heartfelt music and an absolute delight!, 8 Feb 2006 (5 Stars)
I hate sounding so reverent but the writing and music of Martin Cockerham is nothing short of phenomenal. The songs have wit and biting satire, but mostly a veiled philosophical/spiritual look at the world with its beauties and its insanities.
The man is a near genius, and same goes for the singing of Barbara Gaskin, whose velvety voice graces most of the songs. The arrangements and playing are impeccible.
A Canterbury Tale should be included in the 100 best albums of all time-even as obscure as they are.
The Ultimate Acid Folk Classics, 27 Dec 2005 (5 Stars)
'Spirogyra' never died. On account of their being way ahead of their time and unfathomably deep, their music has continued to gather momentum.
Whilst other contempories of theirs long ago became millionaires 'Spirogyra' remained in obscurity. But the other 60's and 70's progressive music has lost much through over-attention, whilst Spirogyra' music continues to captivate even fans who have heard it many times.
It continues to be a total knockout journey to the edges of true emotion. All genuine heart felt poetry totally original melodies and unmotivated by commercial sell out.
This complete package with extras is so dynamite that I doubt they will stay obscure for long! Time is sure to tell! But be sure - this is not difficult to appreciate. If you liked Dylan, the Beatles or Incredible String band in their prime - then you will adore 'Spirogyra'. They exist in their own dimension - some kind of 11th heaven!
Review by Martin Cockerham of Spirogyra
These are all my favourite Spirogyra recordings from the original 3 studio albums. The recordings are extensively edited by me and I've taken out parts that I was never happy with and kept only what I think are the essential best parts.
This cd is jammed packed to capacity with great Spirogyra moments. All meat and no fat; or for a vegetarian like me; all tofu and no scuds er spuds!
-Martin Cockerham (Founder member of Spirogyra) / Theunbrokencircle-
Biography
Although this group hails from Canterbury, they are not to be classified as such.
The musicians developed one of the better examples of prog-folk or folk-prog. The original line-up consisted of main writer Martin Cockerham as singer and guitarist, the beautiful and well known to progheads Barbara Gaskin on vocals, Steve Borrill on bass and Julian Cusack on violin. Although Dave Mattacks (of FAIRPORT CONVENTION fame) played drums on all three SPIROGYRA albums, he was never a member, but a guest.
Their first album, "St-Radiguns" was quite successful and very adventurous and can compared to COMUS's First Utterances. Very moody, politically conscious songs full of great interplay (much like THE TREES) and with a great duo of voices of COMUS or JEFFERSON AIRPLANE manner are the main assets of the highly recommended album.
The follow-up "Old Boot Wine" however did not manage to succeed quite as well and Cusack appear only as a guest but they had a keyboardist instead. By the time of the third album "Bells, Boots and Shambles", the band was down to just Cockerham and Gaskin with both ex-member Cusack and Borrill appearing as guest.
This album was quite a return to form and there are some real epics full of cello for great melancholy moments. Sadly, this proved to be their last album. Barbara will go on with local bands as HATFIELD AND THE NORTH as one of the Northettes, than work with NATIONAL HEALTH and in the 80's work with Bill Bruford and
Dave Stewart.
-Progarchives-
Songs from the entire output of this cult prog-folk act, fronted by Barbara Gaskin and Martin Cockerham, anthologised on one CD (and not to be confused with the jazz fusion ensemble of the same name). Includes such rare, strange and beautiful highlights as 'Magical Mary' 'Cogwheels, Crutches And Cyanide' 'The Duke of Beaufoot' 'Dangerous Dave' 'A Canterbury Tale' (a paean to their home town) 'Old Boot Wine' 'Spiggly' and the epic-length 'In The Western World' And yes, that is the same Barbara Gaskin that had a No.1 hit with 'It's My Party And I'll Cry If I Want To' in 1981, alongside her husband Dave Stewart of Egg and the National Health!!!(Freak Emporium)
Although this group is hailing from Canterbury, they are not to be classified as such. Those musicians developed one of the better examples of prog-folk or folk-prog. The original line-up consisted of main writer Martin Cockerham as singer and guitarist, the beautiful and well known to progheads Barbara Gaskin on vocals, Steve Borrill on bass and Julian Cusack on violin. Although Dave Mattacks (of FAIRPORT CONVENTION fame) played drums on all three SPIROGYRA albums, he was never a member but a guest.
Their first album, "St-Radiguns" was quite successful and very adventurous and can compared to COMUS's First Utterances. Very moody, politically conscious songs full of great interplay (much like THE TREES) and with a great duo of voices of COMUS or JEFFERSON AIRPLANE manner are the main assets of the highly recommended album. The follow-up "Old Boot Wine" however did not manage to succeed quite as well and Cusack appear only as a guest but they had a keyboardist instead. By the time of the third album "Bells, Boots and Shambles", the band was down to just Cockerham and Gaskin with both ex-member Cusack and Borrill appearing as guest. This album was quite a return to form and there are some real epics full of cello for great melancholy moments. Sadly, this proved to be their last album. Barbara will go on with local bands as HATFIELD AND THE NORTH as one of the Northettes, than work with NATIONAL HEALTH and in the 80's work with Bill Bruford and
Dave Stewart.
Highly recommended and much more so than some other folk band (FOREST, HORSLIPS) especially regarding the prog contents.
St. Radigunds - Spirogyra's first album is the closest thing that comes to Comus's First Utterances. It actually pre-dates it by a few weeks! Please note that Dave Mattacks will drum on al three albums but will never be a member! He was busy in Fairport Convention at the time and will also drum for Jethro Tull during the 80's. Barbara Gaskin is also known for her work with Hatfield And The North (as one of the Northettes along with Amanda Parsons) and her work with National Health and in the 80's with Dave Stewart and Bill Bruford!
What we have here is superb folk rock , avoiding some of the clichés (no done-to-death covers of traditional tunes) , inventive enough to be classified as folk-prog. The main writer Cockerham is also often engaging in great duos with Gaskin and this is , along with the violin of Cussack and Borril's great bass lines, the main reasons for sounding so close to Comus! But where Comus was dark and demonic, Spirogyra is more political and romantic.
Many tracks are stupendous as they work very tightly and have great interplaying. Future , Island and Magical Mary are all very enthralling tracks. Comes in two of the three shorter and more reflective tracks (Captain's Log and At Home In the World) but also slightly less interesting! Cogwheels is absolutely fascinating with Gaskin underlining Cockerham's acidic vocals (much the same way Grace Slick , Balin and Kantner did in Jefferson Airplane). Time Will Tell shows how politically conscious the band was. Happy Crew is relatively slow starting because of lenghty and not entirely successful string arrangement and when it does take off, it is too short. They saved their best track to close the album. The Duke of Beaufoot is simply riveting and really holding your attention much the same way that Traffic did with John Barleycorn Must Die.
I simply cannot recommend this album enough if you are into intricate folk rock ambiances.
Old Boot Wine - Although this group is hailing from Canterbury, they are not to be classified as such. Those musicians developed one of the better examples of prog-folk or folk-prog. The original line-up consisted of main writer Martin Cockerham as singer and guitarist, the beautiful and well known to progheads Barbara Gaskin on vocals, Steve Borrill on bass and Julian Cusack on violin. Although Dave Mattacks (of FAIRPORT CONVENTION fame) played drums on all three SPIROGYRA albums, he was never a member but a guest.
Their first album, "St-Radiguns" was quite successful and very adventurous and can compared to COMUS's First Utterances. Very moody, politically conscious songs full of great interplay (much like THE TREES) and with a great duo of voices of COMUS or JEFFERSON AIRPLANE manner are the main assets of the highly recommended album. The follow-up "Old Boot Wine" however did not manage to succeed quite as well and Cusack appear only as a guest but they had a keyboardist instead. By the time of the third album "Bells, Boots and Shambles", the band was down to just Cockerham and Gaskin with both ex-member Cusack and Borrill appearing as guest. This album was quite a return to form and there are some real epics full of cello for great melancholy moments. Sadly, this proved to be their last album. Barbara will go on with local bands as HATFIELD AND THE NORTH as one of the Northettes, than work with NATIONAL HEALTH and in the 80's work with Bill Bruford and
Dave Stewart.
Highly recommended and much more so than some other folk band (FOREST, HORSLIPS) especially regarding the prog contents.
Bells, Boots and Shambles - By the time of their third album , Spirogyra were down to a duo as both Cussack and Borril were listed as guests along with Dave Mattacks and others including a cellist. This third offering is a fine return to form compared to their poorer Old Boot Wine album. The inventivity of the tracks may actually exceed their St Radiguns album but the album is slitghly less even but no tracks are weak at all!
The Furthest Point is probably my fave track from them and the cello is put to excellent use to provide solemn and melancholic atmospheres that were so absent in the previous album. Old Boot Wine, Parallel Lines and Everyday Consumption song are typically great songs (Gaskin's vocals are crystal-clear) that makes this album great but might have helped the previous one especially the eponymous track. The Sergant Says is an almost goofy acid rock tune that just like the consumption track are very politically conscious. Spiggly , a filler here might habe been a highlight on the previous album , had it not be so short! The final tracks is the other highlight (in anotherwise very light-full album) with its 13 min mini-suite called Western World. It is divided into four parts and is full of great melancholic athmospheres that only a cello (besides the Mellotron absent here) can create. I cannot say whether they knew this would be their last track, but what a way to finish a band's Oeuvre - worthy of Starless in the Red album.
Very much recommended along with their debut. Gaskin will be the only one to have a well known carreer to progheads with her work with other locals (Spirogyra were from Canterbury) in Hatfield, National Health , Bruford and Stewart.(Prog-Archives)
Track listing
CD1:
1. The Future Won't Be Long
2. Island
3. Magical Mary
4. Captain's Log
5. At Home In The World
6. Cogwheels Crutches & Cyanide
7. Time Will Tell
8. We Were A Happy Crew
9. Love Is A Funny Thing
10. The Duke Of Beaufoot
11. Dangerous Dave
12. Van Allen's Belt
13. Runaway
14. Grandad
15. Wings Of Thunder
16. World's Eyes
CD2:
1. Don't Let It Get You
2. Disraeli's Problem
3. A Canterbury Tale
4. I Hear You're Going Somewhere (Joe Really) +
5. Counting The Cars *
6. Window *
7. Turn Again Lane *
8. Melody Maker Man *
9. The Furthest Point
10. Old Boot Wine
11. Parallel Lines Never Separate
12. Spiggly
13. An Everyday Consumption Song
14. The Sergeant Says
15. In The Western World
a) In The Western World
b) Jungle Lore
c) Coming Back
d) Western World (reprise)
+ A-side
* outtakes
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