Help Yourself

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of PASSING THROUGH – THE COMPLETE STUDIO RECORDINGS, a 6CD boxed set by the unsung heroes of British early ‘70s rock, HELP YOURSELF.

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of “Reaffirmation”, a comprehensive anthology by the unsung heroes of British early 70s rock, Help Yourself.
Help Yourself were a terrific, idiosyncratic band that straddled the line separating prog and pub rock in the era both sounds were at their peak. Unlike the vast majority of prog bands, Help Yourself were grounded in country-rock, blues, and folk (which includes British folk), not pop, classical, and jazz, and unlike most pub rockers, they had an expansive definition of rock & roll that stretched far beyond boogie. This elasticity is what made the band interesting, both then and now, and it's showcased on the terrific 2014 compilation Reaffirmation: An Anthology 1971-1973…

Help Yourself (1971). There's no question that Help Yourself's debut album was a product of its times - something about the whole easygoing boogie vibe and gentle psych-inspired trippiness, the way of singing, the production, and more just screams early-'70s non-metal and non-glam rock & roll. Look at it one way and Help Yourself was just a cut above incipient bar band culture but, heard with fresh ears years after its release, it strikes a great balance between entertaining the crowd and exploration. Call the band a more down-to-earth Pink Floyd or Hawkwind set somewhere in the English countryside without specifically owing anything to either band. Morley, who takes vocal lead throughout, shows a fine voice similar to Neil Young's, with just that hint of twang while not sounding quite so cracked and strained…

This reissue on the British-based BGO label contains the band's second (Strange Affair) and fourth (The Return of Ken Whaley) albums along with the bonus LP Happy Days, which was included free with the Ken Whaley album. The LPs were originally released on the United Artists/ Liberty Records label in 1972 and 1973, respectively. Help Yourself remained on the second tier of British bands and was never able to break out commercially. On this set, the band blends its hippie pastoral sounds with a West Coast-styled psychedelia that will appeal to fans of such acts as the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, or even Phish. While the band did achieve some degree of success in the early '70s and developed a large fan base, it broke up after The Return of Ken Whaley…

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of “Reaffirmation”, a comprehensive anthology by the unsung heroes of British early 70s rock, Help Yourself.
Help Yourself were a terrific, idiosyncratic band that straddled the line separating prog and pub rock in the era both sounds were at their peak. Unlike the vast majority of prog bands, Help Yourself were grounded in country-rock, blues, and folk (which includes British folk), not pop, classical, and jazz, and unlike most pub rockers, they had an expansive definition of rock & roll that stretched far beyond boogie. This elasticity is what made the band interesting, both then and now, and it's showcased on the terrific 2014 compilation Reaffirmation: An Anthology 1971-1973…

Fifth album by London-based country/pub rock band features 11 tracks, drawing heavily on the US west coast sound at the time. Initially recording began in 1973, but the sessions were never completed, the album never released, & the band split up. Eventually , in the winter of 2002, the original band members, with a new drummer, finally completed their fifth album. Includes original illustrated artwork along with a booklet containing new liner notes by band member Malcolm Morey.

Clearwater wrote the lion's share of this well-produced collection, reaching back for material by Jimmy Reed, Otis Rush, and Willie Mabon to round it out. The usual infectious mix of shimmering West Side blues, hauling rockabilly, and even a touch of funk on "Little Bit of Blues." Guitarist Will Crosby shares lead chores with his boss, and Carey Bell (Eddy's cousin) handles the harp work.