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Monday, September 26, 2022

A Band Called O - "O" (1974 uk, groovy funky glam prog rock, 2019 korean remaster)



Formed in Jersey, Channel Islands, circa 1970, as "The Parlour Band", the early line up comprised brothers Mark Anders (bass and vocals) and Craig Anders (lead guitar and vocals) with Peter Filleul (keyboards and vocals) formerly of the Climax Blues Band , John “Pix” Pickford (guitar and vocals) and Jerry Robbins (drums). Released in 1972, The Parlour Band's only album Is a Friend?, was produced by Nick Tauber in a melodic progressive rock style, sounding like a "more mainstream, less art-rock-inclined Yes" with strong keyboard and guitar parts.The Parlour Band toured supporting Caravan and Steve Hillage’s Khan.

They relocated from Jersey to Leicester, changed their name to "A Band Called O", and their drummer to Derek Ballard. This line-up released their first album on the Epic label, produced by Ben Sidran of the Steve Miller Band, and Chris White of the Zombies. A Band Called O (1974) and, despite being an album orientated band, a single "Rock and Roll Clown"/"Red Light Mama Red Hot" was released in Germany while they recorded the first of four Peel Sessions on 24 September 1974. They recorded their second Peel Session on 18 March 1975, before touring with Man and John Cipollina. 

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Pickford "Pix", who had been living in Torre del Mar in Spain, went missing on 29 August 2021, after having dinner in a restaurant with friends, a week later on Monday Septempber 6th 2021, his body was recovered near a river in the area.


Tracks
1. Red Light Mama Red Hot (Peter Frampton, Jeremy Shirley, Greg Ridley, Steve Marriott) - 6:19
2. Angelica (Craig Anders, Mark Anders, Jonathan Pickford) - 3:46
3. Helping Hand (Craig Anders, Jonathan Pickford) - 3:43
4. Lady Beatrice (Jonathan Pickford) - 4:00
5. Ride, Ride, Ride (Craig Anders, Peter Filleul) - 3:16
6. Rock Roll Clown (Peter Filleul) - 3:32
7. All I Need (Jonathan Pickford) - 2:08
8. Get Funky (Peter Filleul, Jonathan Pickford) - 3:34
9. Captain Cellophane / Sidewalk Ship (Craig Anders, Derek Ballard, Mark Anders, Peter Filleul, Jonathan Pickford) - 12:05 

A Band Called O
*Jonathan Pickford "Pix" - Vocals, Guitar
*Derek Ballard - Drums
*Peter Filleul - Electric Piano, Vocals  
*Mark Anders - Bass Guitar 
*Craig Anders - Guitar, Slide Guitar