Week of March 20, 2005
Personnel:
Mike Evans – Bass
Alan King - Vocals, Guitar
Roger Powell – Drums
Pete Watson – Guitar
Ian Whiteman – Woodwind
Martin Stone – Guitar
Albums:
Mighty Baby (Head HDLS 6002) 1969
(reissued as Egyptian Tomb (Psycho 31) 1984; and on CD (Big Beat
CDWIKD 120) 1994 along with some demos recorded in 1968 when they were still
The Action)
A Jug Of Love (Blue Horizon 2931 001) 1971
(reissued on CD (Flash 58), with one additional track, A Blanket In My
Muesli from Glastonbury '71)
45:
Devil's Whisper/Virgin Spring (Blue Horizon 2096 003) 1971
This superb late sixties underground band were formed from the remnants of
pop/soul band The Action, who were popular around the London mod club
circuit and issued five singles on Parlophone, including "I'll Keep Holding
On" and "Shadows And Reflections" between 1965-67.
Both Mighty Baby albums are now very rare. The first, in particular, has
a definite psychedelic West Coast influence. Both are important progressive
releases and Mighty Baby had their own distinctive and imaginative sound.
Their music was often a sophisticated interplay between the twin guitars of King
and Stone and the woodwind accompaniment of Whiteman. Its influences were
wide-ranging from jazz ("Egyptian Tomb") through to country rock ("I'm
From The Country") and "Some Way From The Sun", notable for an
hypnotic guitar intro. "Egyptian Tomb" is unquestionably the most
inspired moment on their first album - melodic guitar playing set to a jazzy
arrangement.
Alan King later played in Ace whilst Martin Stone later fronted Chilli
Willi and Red Hot Peppers. Mighty Baby also played on lots of other
albums, including Reg King's and others on Head. Evans, Powell and
Whiteman were later in Habibiyya.
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