rep>>> Plainsong - In Search Of Amelia Earhart (1972 uk, wonderful folk rock, 2013 japan remaster)

In just under three years, Ian Matthews split from Fairport Convention, went solo, formed Matthews' Southern Comfort - with whom he scored a number one U.K. hit - left the group at the height of its popularity, recorded three more records on his own (only two were released at this time) and in early 1972 started Plainsong, his fourth band in five years. And while his track record led one to believe that Plainsong may be just another short stay, the subsequent album, In Search of Amelia Earhart, proved to be worth the venture. 

Ian Matthews was of course the obvious draw, but Plainsong seemed to be formed as more of a collective effort, with lead guitarist Andy Roberts, who shares the lead vocal duties, the other focal point in the band. On the other hand, Matthews, whose folk and country-tinged tunes set the tone for the record, is the only member to contribute original material. Included among these is the thematic "True Story of Amelia Earhart," which along with the haunting "For the Second Time," leads a pack of five Matthews compositions that range from good to excellent. Elsewhere, Paul Siebel's heartbreaking "Louise," the dulcimer and harmony driven Appalachian gospel of "I'll Fly Away," and Roberts' readings of the playful "Yo Yo Man," Jim & Jesse's "Diesel on My Tail" and the mournful 1939 tale of "Amelia Earhart's Last Flight" are all highlights. 

Its title and artwork, along with notes by Charles Goerner on the flight and disappearance of Amelia Earhart and Frederick Noonan, gave In Search of Amelia Earhart the feel of a concept album, even though the title is nowhere to be found on the outside jacket and there are only two songs related to the subject contained within. It wasn't really a surprise when a follow-up, though recorded, failed to materialize, with the band parting ways on less than amicable terms, and Matthews going on to record two more records for Elektra. Still, In Search of Amelia Earhart fits nicely alongside the rest of his terrific early-'70's catalogue. 

by Brett Hartenbach

Tracks

1. For The Second Time (Ian Matthews) - 3:51

2. Yo Yo Man (Rick Cunha, Marty Cooper) - 2:13

3. Louise (Paul Siebel) - 3:18

4. Call The Tune (Ian Matthews) - 5:22

5. Diesel On My Tail (Jim Fagan) - 2:03

6. Amelia Earhart's Last Flight (Dave D. McEnery) - 4:05

7. I'll Fly Away (Albert E. Brumley) - 2:03

8. True Story Of Amelia Earhart (Ian Matthews) - 4:32

9. Even The Guiding Light (Ian Matthews) - 4:12

10.Side Roads (Ian Matthews) - 3:29

11.Raider (Jerry Yester, Judy Henske) - 4:32

Plainsong

*Ian Matthews - Guitar, Vocals
*Dave Richards - Guitar, Vocals
*Andy Roberts - Guitar, Vocals
*Bob Ronga - Bass, Vocals
Additional Musicians
*Timi Donald - Drums
*Martin Jenkins - Cello, Mandola, Mandolin
*Dave Mattacks - Drums

Related Act
1971  Ian Matthews - If You Saw Thro' My Eyes (2012 remaster)

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Chicken Shack - 100 Ton Chicken (1969 uk, awesome blues rock, 2013 remastered and expanded edition)

The amusingly titled "100 Ton Chicken' represents Chicken Shacks third album on the Blue Horizon label. Released in late Spring '69 it heralded a shift in the band's recorded output brought about mainly as a result of the departure of Christine Perfect, who had handled not only the keyboard chores bust also a substantial part of the vocal work with the hand (it was her vocal on the reworking of Etta .lames' "I'd Rather Go Blind" that gave the Shack their top ten single success) left to persue a solo career. 

Organist Paul Raymond was recruited immediately and thrown as it were, into the deep end. The decision had been taken to get to work on a new studio album as quickley as possible. Stan in particular was keen to get away from the sound associated with the first two albums. We thought it a good idea to look for a new venue and come April of 1969 we found ourselves at Barry Morgan's Studios in North London. 

Apart from recordings that had been made on location abroad , this was to be the first time any Blue Horizon act had recorded anywhere other than CBS Studios. Bond Street. The results sounded quite different and gave The Shack what they were looking for - a "heavier" sound. Now you know how the title "100 Ton Chicken" was coined !

Far more care was taken will the choice of material for this project. Stan took to writing new material with a s ightly more commercial appeal to it. We ' rere all acutely aware of the need to ;ome up with a follow-up to "I'd Rather Go Blind" and we knew to a man it wouldn‘t be easy. In fact "Tears In The Wind" prc 'ved to be something of a success when one considers that many media people expected the follow-up to feature the dulcet tones of Christine. 

Stan also penned a couple of fine instrumentals of his own (in the Freddie King mould of course) and got another opportunity to make ise of some Cockney rhyming slang ("Horse & Cart"). We covered a Clarence Carte  tune ("Weekend Love"): took a nood once again in the direction of the great Freddie King by covering "Look Ma, I'm Cryin' " and cut versions of Lowell Fulson's "Reconsider Baby" and Gatemouth Brown's "Midnight Hour". 

Stan even expertly handled a rendition i if Davy Grahams erstwhile instrumental "Anji". More time was also spent pulling this set together than had been taken by their predecessors. Whereas in the past we had tended to rush in. book two days and complete the job we made several visits spanning almost four weeks. This gave everyone the chance to regroup and analyse what had gone before and then re-record it : if we felt it necessary. 

We also recorded a I number of other titles that in fact have never been released. Now this may be because they were never finshed or just ; weren't good enough. No attempt has been made to discover whether these multitracks (16 tracks as I recall) still exist or not, so who's to say.

Further potential points of interest in relation to this release? Well, Morgan Sound still exists today except that the name has changed. It's still in the same place - although its expanded to both sides of the street. Look for Power Plant and Battery Studios. Our engineer on those dates was Roy Baker - nowadays better known as Producer Roy Thomas Baker (Queen. etc...) 

The album artwork was as bizarre as always - Terence Ibbott in charge. For those of you who may still have the original vinyl release (with gatefold sleeve) particular note should be taken of the exceptional photographic work. The basic theme for these sessions was jointly planned by Stan and Terence. Quite where they got the idea from heaven knows ! You can however have fun with sticky pieces of paper and your own "bubble" quotes .

Personally. I think we were all mad. But at least its made people stop and look and hopefully, listen. But - despite all our efforts. "100 Ton Chicken" was not. regretfully, the success we had all hoped for. It did not make the album charts as the two earlier efforts had done - but then you win some and lose some. The Chicken Shack continued to work the college and club circuit, here and throughout Europe increasing their already substantial fan base. One thing that Stan and his band members have never been are quitters. More power to the Parson's Nose I say.

by Mike Vernon , 1994

Tracks

1. The Road Of Love (Clarence Carter) - 3:31

2. Look Ma, I'm Crying' (Rudolph Toombs, Jerry Harris) - 3:25 

3. Evelyn - 4:17

4. Reconsider Baby (Lowell Fulson) - 3:25

5. Weekend Love (Clarence Carter) - 2:14

6. Midnight Hour (Clarence  Brown) - 2:55

7. Tears In The Wind - 2:45

8. Horse And Cart - 3:38

9. The Way It Is - 4:29

10.Still Worried About My Woman - 3:12 

11.Anji (Davy Graham) - 1:38

12.The Things You Put Me Through - 3:56

13.Night Life (Paul Buskirk, Walter Breeland, Willie Nelson) - 5:23

Tracks 3,7,8,9,10,12 written by Stan Webb

Chicken Shack
*Stan Webb – Guitar, Vocals
*Paul Raymond – Keyboards, Vocals
*Andy Sylvester – Bass Guitar
*Dave Bidwell – Drums, Congas, Cowbell
With
*Mike Vernon – Finger Cymbals

Chicken Shack
1968  40 Blue Fingers, Freshly Packed And Ready To Serve (2013 reissue)
1970  Accept (japan remaster and expanded)
1973  Unlucky Boy (2013 reissue)
1974  Go Live "Goodbye Chicken Shack" 

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