Mcguinness Flint

McGuinness Flint's 1971 debut LP was a very of-its-time British roots rock album with a rural feel. While neither blues-rock nor folk-rock, the influence of blues-rock and folk-rock on these easygoing, good-natured rambles was substantial. Particularly evident at times were the influences of Bob Dylan and the Band, and it's no surprise that McGuinness Flint would soon make an album of obscure Dylan covers, including several songs from the Basement Tapes. Despite the formidable talent involved in the group, and the high profiles of other acts in which the members were involved, it's nonetheless apparent that they don't have major musical ideas to express. It's competent, amiable music with a laid-back, back-to-the-land vibe, often falling back on generic bluesy melodies…

In the early '70s, Capitol had both the Band and McGuinness Flint on their roster, with both bands producing the best work of their careers. Like the Band, McGuinness Flint excelled by ignoring trends in rock music and drawing on styles with deeper roots. Also like the Band, Happy Birthday, Ruthy Baby is a follow-up that often surpasses their exceptional debut album. Where Dylan's former backup band was making the cover of Time magazine, though, McGuinness Flint remained largely unknown outside their native England. Happy Birthday, Ruthy Baby, with solid production by Glynn Johns and the gifted Nicky Hopkins on piano, expands on the rustic tone of the band's first album. The title track is a rousing pub rock tribute to one of the band's supporters, a touching picture of life as a struggling musician…

Tom McGuinness was the last original member of the classic Manfred Mann lineup to join the group, replacing bassist Dave Richmond, who had played on the group's first three singles (including the hit "5-4-3-2-1"), on December 21, 1963. He remained with the group – although he shifted over back to his preferred instrument, the guitar, late in 1965 – until its dissolution in 1969, but has since enjoyed 30 years of work in the music business as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader…

The pop duo phenomenon that spawned such acts as Simon & Garfunkel, Brewer & Shipley, and Seals & Crofts was predated by the duo formed by songwriters, guitarists, and vocalists Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle. Initially attracting attention as songwriters of Dean Ford & the Gaylords' single "Mr. Heartbreak's Here Instead," Gallagher and Lyle went on to record as a duo and as members of McGuinness Flint and Ronnie Lane's group Slim Chance. Gallagher and Lyle continued to balance their performances and recordings as staff songwriters for the Beatles' Apple label, writing "Sparrow" and "International" for Mary Hopkin. The title track of their sixth duo album, Breakaway, was later covered by Art Garfunkel…

The pop duo phenomenon that spawned such acts as Simon & Garfunkel, Brewer & Shipley, and Seals & Crofts was predated by the duo formed by songwriters, guitarists, and vocalists Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle. Initially attracting attention as songwriters of Dean Ford & the Gaylords' single "Mr. Heartbreak's Here Instead," Gallagher and Lyle went on to record as a duo and as members of McGuinness Flint and Ronnie Lane's group Slim Chance. Gallagher and Lyle continued to balance their performances and recordings as staff songwriters for the Beatles' Apple label, writing "Sparrow" and "International" for Mary Hopkin. The title track of their sixth duo album, Breakaway, was later covered by Art Garfunkel…