DAVID COURTNEY: One of the UK's most under-rated artists

Can you name one song by David Courtney?  If not one that he recorded under his own name, can you name a tune he wrote for someone else?

If the answer is 'NO' then that's a real shame because Courtney was (and still is) a gifted British songwriter that deserves your attention. He's written tracks for many artists and has remained a songwriter first, although he released some mighty fine albums under his own moniker. While he did have great success by discovering and co-writing much of the early Leo Sayer material, his name, so far, has only been remembered by those who pay attention to liner notes and have a knowledge of rock's more obscure artists. And lets be honest, we know that a good portion of bands on those obscure lists can be loads more talented than the bands that had a substantial commercial breakthrough.

Apart from working with Sayer, Courtney is responsible for co-writing all of Who vocalist Roger Daltrey's first solo album, Daltrey, in 1973 either with Sayer or with British pop star/actor Adam Faith.

Speaking of Adam Faith, Courtney was responsible for getting the British icon back into the studio after nearly 20 years away.  The album that they worked on together, I Survive (1974), was worlds away from Adam's teen pop recordings from the the early '60s.  I Survive was the work of two artists intent on creating a new image for Faith, one which would show that he was a serious musical artist and not one that lived on past glories. More like Ronnie Lane's earthy recordings or perhaps The Kinks and David Bowie's more acoustic-based '70s work, I Survive was an eclectic showcase for all involved. The album featured guest appearances from Paul & Linda McCartney, Ritchie Blackmore, Russ Ballard, Bob Henritt and Martin Birch.  I Survive wasn't the commercial success that everyone hoped for, but the album received positive reviews and has withstood the test of time. The 2010 reissue on Angel Air Records features two additional bonus tracks. 

As for David Courtney's own solo releases, he may not have been prolific but the handful of titles released under his own name are well worth any music fan's time.  The early Kinks and Bowie references can be applied here as well, but there's also a tip of the musical hat to Bob Dylan, music hall, '60s pop, tin pan alley and so many other genres that weave in and out of each song.  While they are certainly the work of the same artist, Courtney's albums don't stand in one place too long.

David Courtney's First Day was his 1975 debut solo album and is a wonderfully unique release that features loads of great tunes that are filled with more musical ideas than most artists' entire career.  The orchestral opening ("Silverbird") makes way for the Spector-esque production of "Don't Look Now" followed by the Bowie-goes-Country vibe of "Everybody Needs  A Little Loving". And that's just the beginning... The album works because Courtney is a great songwriter who knows his way around a hook but prefers to do things his way and doesn't always conform to the standard songwriting or arranging formula.  With musical assistance from David Gilmour, Tony Burrows, Russ Ballard, B.J. Cole and many others, David Courtney's First Day is thinking man's Pop Rock. The album received great reviews and made an impression in the Pop charts as well. The Angel Air Records reissue adds seven additional tracks.

When it came to following up such a monumental release, Courtney went back into the studio in 1976 with most of Argent and cut his second solo album, Midnight Madness.  The album was completed and ready for release but Courtney felt it wasn't worthy of being the follow-up to First Day so he shelved the entire project.  Four years later, he went back into the studio and recorded the Shooting Star album (named after the hit single he wrote for the pop duo Dollar).  Shooting Star was a synth-laden affair yet it still managed to retain all the charm of his previous output.  Sadly, he chose not to release the album and shelved it as well. He eventually released the albums in limited quantities but they were extremely difficult to get ahold of.  Thankfully, Angel Air Records has compiled both albums on one CD and that release is due in January 2013.

In 2012, Courtney released the album The Show Must Go On, which was a musical journey through his long career and contains new recordings of songs he did with Sayer, new material and some classics from the albums listed above (including a few from Adam Faith).  While not a 'hits' collection. The Show Must Go On is both an introduction to the man's great work and a step forward while looking back.  Like all his releases, it's top notch and contains songs that will make you wonder why on earth he has remained in the background for so long.  

David Courtney.  Remember that name.  

DENNIS GREAVES-Two Sides Of The Same Coin

To the average punter in the U.S., the name DENNIS GREAVES may not ring any bells, but to hardcore music fans, he is one of the finest Rock/Blues artists in the UK.

Emerging during the Punk era with his Blues/R&B outfit NINE BELOW ZERO, Greaves and the NBZ boys were one of the best live bands in Britain. Appealing to the Punk, Rock and and Mod crowds and bringing folks of all ages together under one sweaty roof was a feat that few bands could lay claim to!

After a handful of excellent albums (including the classic Live At The Marquee), Nine Below Zero split up, putting an end to one of the finest live acts of the late '70s and early '80s.

Shortly, thereafter, Greaves formed Mod/Pop rockers THE TRUTH and continued his live assault with a new batch of bandmates. After a slew of great singles, the band released their 1985 debut album, Playground.

While still energetic, The Truth's repertoire consisted of Mod-oriented Pop and Rock, sounding like a mixture between The Jam (who had already split) and Style Council (who were moving further away from the musical foundation that Paul Weller had created in The Jam). 

While some may have thought that The Truth were mere Weller copyists, that was actually far from the.... er... truth!  Greaves and Weller had obviously both shared a love for the same music growing up and those influences manifested themselves in similar ways in their songwriting.

Playground was, and still is, a joy to listen to, especially since American Beat has reissued it on CD!  Alongside co-guitarist Mick Lister, Greaves served up a delicious album full of melodic gems that truly excite the senses. They are joyful, uplifting and inspiring even after all of these years. "Spread A Little Sunshine", "Exception Of Love", "Is There A Solution" and the title track STILL make regular appearances on various mixtapes that I hand out to friends or play in the office.  The production might be a little dated, it doesn't take away from the songs.  Even slower tunes like "It's A Miracle" and "Always On My Mind" are top notch. 

Mixing Rock, Mod, Soul, R&B and adding some production polish may not have been new in 1985, nobody did it as well as The Truth.  The album remains an under-rated gem from an era filled with over-rated dirtclods.  Twenty five years on, it's great to be able to have it back on the market!

(For trainspotters, Truth keyboardist Chris Skornia had previously tickled the ivories for The Fabulous Poodles while bassist Richard Parfitt would later form the Britpop band 60 Ft. Dolls!)

By the end of the '80s, The Truth was no more and Greaves reformed Nine Below Zero with original member Mark Feltham, perhaps the greatest British Blues/Rock harmonica player of this generation!  The band went back to gigging and recording throughout the '90s and into the millennium.

In 2009, Nine Below Zero released the excellent It's Never Too Late album on the Angel Air Records label.  While the band no longer play their R&B/Blues at a frantic pace like they did 30 years ago, Greaves, Feltham and rhythm section Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O’Neill are as hot as ever. 

Following up their Blues covers album, Hats Off (2004), It's Never Too Late represents the best of both worlds as it offers up Blues-based rock tunes mixed with some poppier tracks that have hooks that would make a trout farmer nervous! 

The album starts out heavy on the Blues ("Mechanic Man", "Breakin' Down") but by "Little By Little", the band are beginning to stretch out and let other influences start to creep in.  Standouts include "The Story Of Nathan John", "Hit The Ground Running", the funky title track, "It's Never Too Late", the poptastic "You" and, of course, the tasty, bluesy tracks that hold it all together.

The band sound like they are having fun in the studio, as opposed to many other po-faced Blues artists who seem to take their art a little too seriously.  NBZ know how to rock and enjoy it... and it shows.

So, now that you are familiar with Dennis Greaves, do yourself a favor and check out Nine Below Zero and The Truth for yourself!  Not many musicians can combine Blues, sweat, tears, conviction and Pop as successfully as he does...

Your lil' buddy,

Stephen SPAZ Schnee

TENPOLE TUDOR/Made It This Far CD Review

For over three decades, I've been a fan of this British gent who goes by the names Ed Tudor Pole and Ed Tenpole. Most people know him as the frontman for Tenpole Tudor, one of the most entertaining and under-appreciated 'Rock' bands of the early '80s.

From the time I heard his wildly eccentric debut recordings on Sex Pistols' The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle soundtrack ("Who Killed Bambi?" and 'Rock Around The Clock") to the two albums the band released on Stiff Records in 1980 and '81 (Eddie, Old Bob, Dick & Garry and Let The Four Winds Blow), there was nothing 'average' about Tenpole Tudor. Like Marc Bolan (T.Rex) before him, Eddie took average Rock 'n' Roll chord changes and turned them upside down, adding elements that other musicians were either too stupid or too studied to add to their three-chord rockers. Of course, Tenpole Tudor sounded NOTHING like T. Rex, but both bands took simplicty and created something special out of it.

I was devasted when Tenpole Tudor broke up after their sophomore album. But then I was pleasently surprised when Eddie released his single, "The Hayrick Song", at the same time as his former bandmates, now renamed The Tudors, released their single "Tied Up With Lou Cool"! I was overjoyed that out of one band, we'd be getting two great acts! But alas, that's the last we heard of either of them....

Eddie has continued to be involved with music, although very little info has drifted over to the U.S. He's even been an emcee at Punk shows, festivals and such, which has managed to help remind people of his musical legacy. But before anyone labels Eddie a Punk, think again. Eddie has a DIY/Punk ethic, but his true inspiration lies in Rock 'n' Roll. Tenpole Tudor, the band, were only punks in spirit. Go back and give 'em another listen and you'll hear a great, loud Rock 'n' Roll band with heart.

So, 28 years after their last album, Tenpole Tudor has returned with the excellent 'new' album Made It This Far. The tracks on the album were recorded over a 20+ year period at different studios, with different budgets but the outcome is a treat for fans of the band and the man.

While Eddie remains the only 'original' member of the line-up that created the first two albums, it is very apparent that he was, and will always be, the true heart and soul of the band. The songwriting, dynamics, harmonies and unbriddled energy is still intact, although the huge, sometimes overbearing, wall of guitars from the old days have been stripped away, allowing the songs to breathe a little easier. And the songs are really what matters in the end...

Made It This Far is not a Rockabilly album, nor is it an acoustic album, a Punk album or a straight Rock 'n' Roll album: it is all of these and more! With his energy, attitude, songwriting skills and voice intact, Eddie and his new (and revolving) cast of merry men have created a 16 track album that may the most consistent Tenpole Tudor album to date! Now, don't get me wrong, I still love and stand by the two original albums but almost every track here is more than worthy of the Tenpole legacy and the album has a comfortable flow that allows the listener to drift along with it.

While it may not have the BIG production of the early albums, Eddie has taken his original vision and continued with it regardless of the ever-changing musical landscape. These songs could have been created by no one else but Eddie Tenpole. Or Eddie Tudor Pole. Whatever you wanna call him.

Eddie is at the forefront of every song, although he is ably assisted by guitars, fiddles, bass, accordians, drums and any other instrument they could bring into the studio.

"Yippee Yi Yay", a re-recording of the non-album "Real Fun", "Mohican" and the title track are just a few of the standouts. Eddie's vocal on "Such Desire" is certainly one of his best, proving that he has still got 'it' in spades!

Made It This Far? Yes, you have, Eddie! GO TENPOLE!

There are no clips of tracks from the album available on youtube, but here's a track that represents what Eddie is all about:

Wunderbar,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

COMING SOON: Right Said Fred interview!

COMING SOON TO THE DISCUSSIONS MAGAZINE BLOG!

An EXCLUSIVE and in-depth interview with RIGHT SAID FRED! In conjunction with Richard and Fred Fairbrass, www.rightsaidfred.com and Promark Records, we are pleased to be bringing you this amazing look into the career of this pop music duo. From "I'm Too Sexy" to their new album, I'm A Celebrity, this interview will reveal a side of the duo that will surprise even their biggest fans! It's an exciting interview that is coming very soon!

Also coming:

Reviews of the two latest BUDDY HOLLY releases through Universal...

Reviews of ATOMIC ROOSTER titles courtesy of Angel Air Records (plus, there will be a few of the titles given away to one lucky winner!)

And so much more! I'm so backed up with stuff that I'm working on for the blog that I'm going to have to try to space it all out and not throw it at you all at once!

So, sit back and enjoy the ride. It's going to be a fun one!


Peace, love & pancakes,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

HIGH SOCIETY-I Never Go Out The Rain (Angel Air Records)

I love those "WOW!" moments when listening to new albums and reissues. You know, those moments when you slide a disc into the CD player while you're driving and then something comes on that makes you want to pull over and just enjoy the album in it's entirety without being bothered by annoying drivers, traffic and the long drive home. But alas, you must continue that trek home and deal with the trials and tribulations that life throws out in front of you. Until you get home, that is! When home, you can slip on the headphones and be transported into whatever world the music takes you...

Well, I was aware of who HIGH SOCIETY were, but had never actually heard the album before. When my good friends over in the UK sent me a copy of the self-titled reissue on Angel Air, I was very pleased indeed. And what I heard gave me many "WOW!" moments on my long drive home! But before I tell you about the album, let me fill you in on the band...

The band was formed in England at the tail end of the '70s by Richard Hudson, John Ford and Terry Cassidy. Hudson and Ford had been members of The Strawbs before moving on as a duo, scoring a handful of hits in the '70s. They then formed a New Wave-influenced band called The Monks with Terry Cassidy. No, this was not the same Monks that are best known for their insane '60s Garage Rock and questionable haircuts. This was an entirely different band. Hudson, Ford and Cassidy's Monks scored a few hits (and sold very very well in Canada, I might add) but, being talented musicians and songwriters, there was more to these three maestros than anyone could imagine.

On a lark, the three wrote a song called "I Never Go Out In The Rain", inspired by the classic vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley music of the '30s that they all admired while growing up in the Rock 'N' Roll era. The song turned out so well that they wrote and recorded an entire album in that style, renamed themselves HIGH SOCIETY and released it in 1981 to an unsuspecting world. Well, as you know, 1981 was not the greatest year for anyone to release an album influenced by vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley and, while they did have some success, it seemed that New Wave and Punk were still ruling the airwaves and the album sadly sailed off into the sunset...

Well, thanks to Angel Air Records, we can all relive the heyday of HIGH SOCIETY with this 2009 reissue of their album, now titled I Never Go Out In The Rain, along with some nifty bonus tracks. And let me tell you, although the style of the music reaches back to the '30s, the actual production of the album is so superb, you'd never guess that many of these tracks are nearly 30 years old! This is truly timeless stuff.

Imagine, if you will, a recording session with Rudy Vallee, Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall and other assorted Bonzo Doo Dah Band members, Ian Whitcomb and Paul McCartney during his "Honey Pie" phase and you might be picking up what I'm laying down....

Other bands would reach back into the archives and re-record some classic songs of that era, but not High Society. Hudson, Ford and Cassidy actually wrote all original songs that sound so authentic, you could fool your dear ol' granny!

And the songs are really fab, too! "Got To Get Out Of This Rut", "Sitting On A Rainbow", "Down By The River" and "Top Hat & Tails" are just a few of the tracks that are on constant rotation here at Spaz Central. And even Mrs. Spaz is digging it, too!

If you are not feeling adventurous, it might become tiresome halfway through, but if you approach it with an open mind and let the music lift you and sweep you away, then you will be quite surprised on just how fun this ride really is!

If you are the type who likes a little taste before you dive in, then check out the band's music at their MySpace site:

http://www.myspace.com/highsocietyukband

AVAILABLE NOW!