Week of November 30, 2003
Personnel included:
Nigel Griggs - Bass, Guitar
Paul Griggs - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Album:
Restless Night (Penny Farthing PELS 508) 1970
(reissued as Restless Night... Plus (See For Miles SEECD 328) 1991 and on vinyl (Essex 1013LP) 1996; and in Japan as part of the Larry Page Collection, AMR Archive AIRAC-1042, 2003)
45s:
Laugh At The Poor Man/Girlfriend (Penny Farthing PEN 705) 1969
The River/Thief (Penny Farthing PEN 716) 1970
(also issued in Argentina (Carmusic CM 3002))
Hey Na Na/Future Feelings (Mooncrest MOON 7) 1973
This Hatfield band began life as The Cortinas recording one 45 on Polydor under that monicker. Their album, which was produced by Tony Murray of
The Troggs who discovered them, is now extremely rare. Musically we're talking pretty commercial pop/rock with just the occasional hint of psychedelia. The opening cut,
The River concludes with some good fuzz guitar; Council Plans has some nice organ touches; the title track has an unusual intro but is very ordinary otherwise;
Thief is faster than the other material on the album; but the best track is the finale,
Tide. Most of the music though is quite commercial pop typified by songs like
Queen And The Pauper. The final verdict: go for the See For Miles reissue which includes their competent, poppish debut 45, but save your money on the now extremely rare original album.
Compilation appearances have included: The River and The Thief on
Rubble, Vol. 11 (CD); The River on The Best Of Rubble Collection, Vol. 5 (CD);
The Thief on The Best Of Rubble Collection, Vol. 6 (CD).
(Vernon Joynson/Marcelo Lilienheim)
Taken from The Tapestry of Delights - The
Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and
Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Vernon Joynson
ISBN 1 899855 04 1