Accolade
"Accolade" 1969
Accolade's one of those short-lived late-'60s/early-'70s English bands that attempted to expand musical boundaries, mixing traditional English folk with some rock influences. In one respect the band (bassist Eden Abba, woodwind player Brian Cresswell, singer/guitarist Gordon Giltrap, drummer Ian Hoyle and guitarist Don Partridge) was quite different from many of their contemporaries - namely they were brimming with talent. Prior to their collaboration in Accolade, both Giltrap and Partridge had enjoyed some solo recognition. Giltrap had released a pair of critically praised solo albums, while Partridge (who was actually working as a street musician (what the English term a busker), enjoyed a fluke UK hit with the song "Rosie"). Unfortunately, Accolade's pastoral stylings guaranteed instant obscurity in the States. In fact, it's somewhat of a mystery how they even got their 1968 debut released by Capitol (a label hardly renown for its willingness to take a chance on cutting edge sounds).Produced by Don Paul, 1969's cleverly-titled "Accolade" is hard to accurately describe. Recorded with former Artwoods bassist Malcolm Pool replacing Abba, the collection exhibits a smooth and calming sound throughout. Largely acoustic (though you don't really realize it), material such as "Maiden Flight Eliza" (featuring some weird Mamas and Papas-styled harmonies - we're not kidding), "Prelude To a Dawn" and "Never Ending Solitude" wasn't exactly mainstream rock, nor did it fall under the banner of Fairport Convention-styled English folk. Imagine well crafted cocktail jazz with the addition of a touch of English folk ("Ulyssees") and you'll get a feel for the LP. While that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, the result is actually a fascinating album that we repeatedly come back to. Our favorite tracks? Abba's only contribution, the bluesy "Nature Boy" and the surprisingly hard rocking "Gospel Song".
1. Maiden Flight Eliza
2. Starting All Over Again
3. Prelude To a Dawn (instrumental)
4. Never Ending Solitude
5. Nature Boy
6. Gospel Song
7. Calico
8. Ulyssees
9. Go On Home
Accolade's one of those short-lived late-'60s/early-'70s English bands that attempted to expand musical boundaries, mixing traditional English folk with some rock influences. In one respect the band (bassist Eden Abba, woodwind player Brian Cresswell, singer/guitarist Gordon Giltrap, drummer Ian Hoyle and guitarist Don Partridge) was quite different from many of their contemporaries - namely they were brimming with talent. Prior to their collaboration in Accolade, both Giltrap and Partridge had enjoyed some solo recognition. Giltrap had released a pair of critically praised solo albums, while Partridge (who was actually working as a street musician (what the English term a busker), enjoyed a fluke UK hit with the song "Rosie"). Unfortunately, Accolade's pastoral stylings guaranteed instant obscurity in the States. In fact, it's somewhat of a mystery how they even got their 1968 debut released by Capitol (a label hardly renown for its willingness to take a chance on cutting edge sounds).Produced by Don Paul, 1969's cleverly-titled "Accolade" is hard to accurately describe. Recorded with former Artwoods bassist Malcolm Pool replacing Abba, the collection exhibits a smooth and calming sound throughout. Largely acoustic (though you don't really realize it), material such as "Maiden Flight Eliza" (featuring some weird Mamas and Papas-styled harmonies - we're not kidding), "Prelude To a Dawn" and "Never Ending Solitude" wasn't exactly mainstream rock, nor did it fall under the banner of Fairport Convention-styled English folk. Imagine well crafted cocktail jazz with the addition of a touch of English folk ("Ulyssees") and you'll get a feel for the LP. While that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, the result is actually a fascinating album that we repeatedly come back to. Our favorite tracks? Abba's only contribution, the bluesy "Nature Boy" and the surprisingly hard rocking "Gospel Song".
1. Maiden Flight Eliza
2. Starting All Over Again
3. Prelude To a Dawn (instrumental)
4. Never Ending Solitude
5. Nature Boy
6. Gospel Song
7. Calico
8. Ulyssees
9. Go On Home
posted by Lizardson at 8:55 AM
5 Comments:
i love this album....may i ask what is the bit rate?
Nikos
Would love to hear this LP but I think the link has expired. Particularly interested in "Nature Boy" to see how it compares to Annie Haslam rendition. Love to visit here and listen to snippets when I get a free moment. Indispensible!
This link has expired alright, but you can still find it at the Lost-In-Tyme blog, serach for it there.
Anyway, beautiful album, thanks for sharing it and for all the info you've provided.
any chance this could be reposted? thanks
Thanks for all the great music
Second Accolade album is at
http://chrisgoesrocks.blogspot.com/search?q=Accolade
and at
http://onwingsdream.blogspot.com/search?q=Accolade
AJ
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