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MELODY MAKER
18 October 1969
IAN ANDERSON
reviews the latest sounds in Blind Date
John Mayall: 'Don't Waste My Time' (Polydor)
John Mayall. I knew when I heard the harmonica; he has a way of playing the thing and I knew he had a single out soon.
A lot of it seems like a backing track, it would be nice if someone like John Mayall who has the ability and an understanding of the blues could bring in a little melody. This has a melody but it's a bit hackneyed and pretty.
It's a lovely song, though, very catchy and pretty. I wish something could have been given a little bit more prominence, if it was anybody else than John Mayall it wouldn't stand much of a chance.
As a whole I like it, perhaps I'm being too finicky because I like a melody. Perhaps the melody here is disguised as the hackneyed theme.
Rosetta Hightower: 'One Heart For Sale' (CBS)
Do I have to listen to all of it? I could possibly stand this in three hours' time but not now. It's totally predictable.
I have no idea who it is and I don't particularly want to know. It's mushy and weak and I find no enjoyment in listening to it.
It's like some prolific American writer wrote two dozen songs last week and they've just picked out the best one, got the session men, and bashed it off.
Family: 'No Mule's Fool' (Reprise)
It's nice to hear a violin that's played in tune. It's the Family's new violinist — John Weider. The Family understand melody, they have a knack of joining rather unlikely melody chords and still making it sound right.
They are one of my favourite groups and I've only got two. I like it but I don't think it will be a hit, if it is it's because the Family have got a fantastic following.
It's interesting and very well controlled especially the vocal. It's a very good record, it's music at last unlike the last one you played which was a fake.
Keef Hartley Band: 'Waiting Around' (Deram)
He's singing the wrong song or conversely using the wrong voice on that song. It sounds a bit naive. The song itself is all right, if it had been performed at half the speed by Procol Harum it would sound nice.
But this perspective-wise was all to [sic] crap. It lost a lot of guts, a naive production and naive singing.
Who was it? Keef Hartley! Well blow me down or whatever they say.
Dandy: 'Reggae In Your Jeggae' (Downtown)
Well, well, well, it's not bad really. It's actually quite a nice little tune in its way. If you had Roger Chapman singing this and the violin from Family then it would be a hit from the Family.
I find the voices off-putting. I can't understand what they are saying but I'm sure it's dirty.
It was interesting. I don't usually hear Reggae. Reggae? It sounds like a stitch in knitting.
The Pentangle: 'Light Flight' (Big T)
It's really nice, rhythmically very clever. It sounds like all the male members of the Pentangle have had an operation.
I like it, it's very good playing, I'm a bit jealous of that. It was the Pentangle? I'm glad it was, it would have been a bit rough if someone my age or younger had put together something like that.
Swopping bars of 5/4 and 6/8 is really good, you can do it, but it's rather tricky. They are musicians, they're not just learning like me and Family.
P.P. Arnold: 'Bury Me Down By The River' (Polydor)
That voice, horrible! If you're a woman play it like a woman, that bird in the Pentangle sounds like a woman, but that sounds ugh!
Ottilie Patterson: 'Bitterness Of Death' (Marmalade)
I really haven't got a clue if that's a man or a woman.
I'm afraid it bores me. It's a lush sentimental ballad that doesn't figure in my way of life or in the life of my contemporaries.
Thank God for the Nice and Family.
The Scaffold: 'Gin Gan Goolie' (Parlophone)
It's a kiddies party record or perhaps it's for adolescent grandmothers. Musically it's mind rot, I do wish they wouldn't play this sort of thing.
I'd be upset if I heard this on a pop music programme, it's the sort of thing Jimmy Young woud play.
It's the sort of thing you can't help singing. I'll probably go out of here singing 'Ding Dang Doolie' and get run over, it's that sort of song.
Spirit of John Morgan: 'Ride On' (Carnaby)
The song reminds me of a sort of Yardbirds thing. It's badly sung and badly played. They don't try hard enough.
Who is it? Spirit of John Morgan, that's a surprise, they're a good band, John Morgan himself is a good musician.
Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation: tracks from the album 'Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation' (Liberty)
It sounds like it's on the wrong speed, oh wait a minute that's Victor Brox.
No doubt it will appeal to Aynsley Dunbar fans but either they're stuck back in 1967 or I took the wrong turning somewhere.
They play well but it doesn't inspire me in the least.
'Igginbottom: tracks from the album ''Igginbottom's Wrench' (Deram)
If that's what Ronnie Scott wants in his night club he'll make the same mistake as George Wein. I can't accept music like this.
The guitarist is all right and the overall sound is very much Gary Burton but the bass player and the singer should run away and hide. You should play within your limitations.
It's relaxing but oh dear I hope that guitarist knows what he's doing, I hope they know what they are doing.
The guitarist sounds clever though.
The Kinks: tracks from the album 'Arthur' (Pye)
It's something with life in it. It's like breathing again, I really like this one.
It's not the Kinks is it? Great! Let me listen to a bit more.
The first thing that hits me about it is it's alive.
They're real people musically. It's music at last and they're in control of what they are doing.