Description
For the first time, all the known surviving recordings collected on double LP (28 songs) and double CD
(41 songs). All, except 7 tracks, previously unreleased.
* Includes 10 original songs (14 on the 2CD version) the band never properly recorded in the studio.
* Compiled by Andrew Sandoval. Notes by Andy Morten (Shindig! magazine)
Over the course of their stop-start five years together, Honeybus ventured into the BBC studios on a dozen occasions, leaving a catalogue of recordings that mirrored their latest releases as well as offering up a fascinating alternate history. The songs that make up 1970’s much-loved “almost didn’t happen” Story album (reissued by Hanky Panky/Mapache in 2018, along with the rest of the group’s output) began appearing as early as the summer of 1968. The likes of ‘Scarlet Lady’, ‘Black Mourning Band’ and ‘Under The Silent Tree’ appear almost fully-formed, played as ensemble pieces, suggesting that their album counterparts were captured quickly and without fuss during snatched studio sessions throughout late 1968 and 1969. They also demonstrate Honeybus’s often overlooked skills as a live unit – BBC sessions notoriously allowed little scope for re-takes or overdubbing; you went in and you laid it down while the men in white coats watched the clock.
Thrilling as it is to finally hear these alternate versions of familiar Honeybus cornerstones, it’s the surfeit of otherwise unrecorded material that’s the most startling revelation here. Under The Silent Tree: Gentle Sounds With Strings And Things At The BBC 1967-1973 presents no less than 10 unique Honeybus songs (plus a further four on the CD version only) that virtually constitute an entire second album’s worth of unheard material.
We find ourselves in a kind of musical hall of mirrors, revelling in a whole new perspective on one of the last great cult pop groups of the ’60s, where every track offers a fresh outlook, a fresh thrill, a fresh sound. With strings and things.
CD 1 (*) denotes CD version only
1.- Pete Dello Interview 2.- (Do I Figure) In Your Life 3.- Like An Old Time Movie 4.- Maxine’s Parlour #1 5.- Arise Sir Henry 6.- Maxine’s Parlour #2 (*) 7.- I Can’t Let Maggie Go 8.- She Comes To Me 9.- Ain’t That Just Bonnie For You 10.- Francoise 11.- Goin’ Back 12.- Ray Cane Interview 13.- Girl Of Independent Means #1 14.- Scarlet Lady 15.- How Long 16.- Black Mourning Band 17.- Ray Cane Interview 18.- She Sold Blackpool Rock 19.- Girl Of Independent Means #2 (*) 20.- My Suzanne 21.- Too Long #1
CD 2 (*) denotes CD version only
1.- Ray Cane Interview 2.- Fresher Than The Sweetness In Water 3.- Walking Aphrodisiac #1 4.- You Live Good Life 5.- Walking Aphrodisiac #2 6.- Ceilings No. 2 7.- Story 8.- Broken Wings 9.- Go Away 10.- DJ Intro 11.- She’s A Lady 12.- The Lady’s Not For Burning 13.- DJ Intro 14.- For You 15.- Be Thou By My Side Special Extra Tracks (*): 16.- Warwick Town 17.- Looking Down 18.- Would You Believe? 19.- Incredibly Bad 20.- Too Long #2 21.- Under The Silent Tree 22. My Suzanne #2 23.- Follow The Plan 24.- Melinda 25.- I Can’t Say It But I Can Sing It 26.- Big Ship 27.- The Writing On The Wall
GENRE: Pop
BARCODE: 8436605991269
