Steeleye Span

BGO's two-fer reissue of Michael Chapman's most mysterious recording, Window from 1970, and its sequel, Wrecked Again, are two welcome reissues in the British singer/songwriter's CD catalog. Window is the great anomaly in Chapman's erratic, maverick career. The album was due to be recorded as a quick follow-up to the sensation that his debut, Fully Qualified Survivor, created on the British media scene. According to Marc Higgins' fine liner notes to this package, Chapman was supposed to record between touring dates. After a first demo and track session, Chapman went on tour, returning only to find that EMI had rushed 20,000 copies of the demo to print! Chapman himself warned fans off the record, telling them specifically not to buy it, but has performed songs from it in his live show continually for the last 30-plus years. The material is strong, and at this late date, nearly three and half decades after the fact, it sounds fresh. Immediacy, warmth, and the excitement of "first thought, best thought" are all over the set.

Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection
British psychedelic folkrock group Trees released two records in 1970. The debut (currently being reviewed) and slightly more stately yet stiff ‘On the Shore’. Both albums are hailed as favorites by listeners

CD debut of one of the least known and most underrated folk-progressive albums from Britain. Fronted by noted folk guitarist Andy Roberts (ex-Liverpool Scene) and organist Bob Sargeant (ex-Junco Partners) the band released this eponymous album in January 1971 on B&C label - home of Atomic Rooster, Steeleye Span, Ginhouse and Hannibal. This quite varied, nicely arranged and very often simply stunning album contained plenty of interesting folk (or even country rock) ideas mixed with classic, progressive sounds - with changing moods, atmospheric instrumental piano/organ/mellotron passages, fine guitar leads and very complex and slightly jazzy rhythm section.

Virtuoso guitarist and critically-acclaimed songwriter, championed by John Peel and later Charles Shaar Murray, Michael Chapman recorded a quartet of highly-regarded albums for EMI's progressive Harvest label. In this latest archive recordings release, he presides over previously unreleased tracks spanning folk rock, blues, jazz and experimental genres, ranging from a live solo performance in 1969 to studio collaboration with Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) in 2005, by way of a 1980's TV film soundtrack with Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp (Steeleye Span), and much more besides…

The EVA labels were a group of sisterlabels made for compilations and Best-Of albums released as joint ventures between the national divisions of EMI, Virgin and Ariola. The label became active in 1984 but is now defunct in all countries. Early EVA albums were released with the logos of the three individual labels. Sometimes the label name EVA was not mentioned on those releases.

The EVA labels were a group of sisterlabels made for compilations and Best-Of albums released as joint ventures between the national divisions of EMI, Virgin and Ariola. The label became active in 1984 but is now defunct in all countries. Early EVA albums were released with the logos of the three individual labels. Sometimes the label name EVA was not mentioned on those releases.

Hallelujah are sometimes thought of as a German band but although they were based in Germany they were in fact British. The band centred around the duo of Paul Vincent Gunia (guitar and vocals) and Keith Forsay (drums). They returned to England to record and release their one and only album, "Hallelujah Babe" in 1971 with the help of session musicians Pete Wood (keyboards) and Rick Kemp (bass). Kemp may be known to folk fans for later becoming a member of Steeleye Span. To add to the confusion the album was to receive its original release only in Germany. Musically the band played heavy rock with a progressive edge with psychedelic and folk touches. Forsay later went on to become an in demand session drummer as well as producer in Germany.