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Spirogyra was formed by duo Martin Cockerham and Mark Francis in Bolton in 1968, but the band expanded when Cockerham was a student in Canterbury at the end of 1969. The expanded line-up featured Cockerham (guitar, vocals), Barbara Gaskin (lead vocals), Steve Borrill (bass) and Julian Cusack (violin, keyboards) and secured a contract with B&C Records in 1970. The band’s impressive debut album, ‘St Radigunds’ was issued in 1971 and featured guest drummer Dave Mattacks and Tony Cox on VCS3 Synthesiser.
In 1972 the band’s second album, ‘Old Boot Wine’, was released on the Pegasus label, a “progressive” imprint established by B&C. Prior to the recording of the album Mark Francis re- joined the group, and the sessions also saw contributions from guest musicians Dave Mattacks (drums), Julian Cusack (violin, keyboards), Rick Biddulph (mandolin), Alan Laing (cello).
With the demise of the Pegasus label, Spirogyra recorded their third album for Polydor. By this time Spirogyra had become a core of Martin Cockerham (guitar, vocals) and Barbara Gaskin (lead vocals) with Steve Borrill (bass) and guest musicians Dave Mattacks (drums), Julian Cusack (violin, keyboards), Henry Lowther (trumpet), John Boyce (cello), Stan Sulzman (flute) and Steve Ashley (whistle).
Despite achieving critical praise, Spirogyra failed to enjoy commercial success which ultimately led to their demise. The trio of albums the band recorded between 1971 and 1973 featured music of innovation and originality and are arguably beyond classification. They remain highly regarded and are sought after by collectors and aficionados of the Progressive era.
This collection features four bonus tracks recorded during sessions for ‘Old Boot Wine’ and the 1973 single release I Hear You’re Going Somewhere (Joe Really).
Tracklist
DISC ONE
ST RADIGUNDS
1 The Future Won’t Be Long
2 Island
3 Magical Mary
4 Captain’s Log
5 At Home In The World
6 Cogwheels, Crutches And Cyanide
7 Time Will Tell
8 We Were A Happy Crew
9 Love Is A Funny Thing
10 The Duke Of Beaufoot
DISC TWO
OLD BOOT WINE
1 Dangerous Dave
2 Van Allen’s Belt
3 Runaway
4 Grandad
5 Wings Of Thunder
6 World’s Eyes
7 Don’t Let It Get You
8 Disraeli’s Problem
9 A Canterbury Tale
Bonus tracks
10 Counting The Cars
11 Window
12 Turn Again Lane
13 Melody Maker Man
DISC THREE
BELLS, BOOTS AND SHAMBLES
1 The Furthest Point
2 Old Boot Wine
3 Parallel Lines Never Separate
4 Spiggly
5 An Everyday Consumption Song
6 The Sergeant Says
7 In The Western World
1) In the Western World
2) Jungle Lore
3) Coming Back
4) Western World (reprise)
Bonus track
8 I Hear You’re Going Somewhere (Joe Really) (A- side of single)