Canterbury-based progressive rock trio released a pair of ambitiously conceived, stylistically diverse albums in the early 70s. An overlooked classical rock trio that had both the talent and sound of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer without the bombast or success, Egg -- comprised of organist Dave Stewart not the one in the Eurythmics , bassist/vocalist Mont Campbell, and Clive Brooks -- formed in July, 1968 from the ashes of Uriel/Arzachel after their guitarist, Steve Hillage left to study philosophy at the University of Kent. The band never made it on a major scale, as their music was too grandiose and challenging to garner a mainstream audience. It s a shame, because Campbell had a powerful set of vocal cords, and the group WAS capable of composing shorter, finely crafted melodies. An early single Seven Is a Jolly Good Time b/w We Are All Princes received modest airplay on the BBC s venerable John Peel Show. The group then proceeded to record two albums, Egg and The Polite Force, both dominated by Stewart s organ, then broke up after Stewart joined the Canterbury all-star group Hatfield and the North. The Civil Surface is a reunion album that came out in late 74. Stewart currently works with singer Barbara Gaskin on periodic new age projects. Campbell had a brief spell with the first version of National Health, and Brooks drummed for a fortnight with the Groundhogs, but their current activities are unknown.
EGG
Produced by Egg
1970 LP DERAM NOVA RECORDS MONO DN 14
MADE IN ENGLAND ORIGINAL FIRST PRESSING
with an indicator hole in the backcover to let the inner sleeve
peep through: red mono, blue stereo refers to colour of inner sleeve, not label
Released in a laminated cover on front
WITH RED COMPANY INNER SLEEVE
NOTES: The label on this release credits the withdrawn track Movement 3 that has been removed from all stereo releases.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Barcode: none
LABEL: DERAM NOVA Series - DARK GREEN/SILVER LABEL - SILVER TEXT
Catalog on cover: rear : RED-MONO DN 14 BLUE-STEREO SDN 14 spine : DN 14 SDN 14
Catalog on labels: DN 14 ARL 9409P / DN 14 ARL 9410P
Matrix / Runout Side A, Stamped : ARL-9409.P-1A JT
Matrix / Runout Side B, Stamped : ARL-9410.P-2A JT
On labels: 2-line rim text reads All rights...........prohibited Made in England The Decca Record Co. Ltd.
MONO printed twice, on left right of Deram Nova Series
1969 on both labels on the labels the release year appears at 6 o clock
Rights Society / Publishing: Palace Music
On Back Sleeve: U.K. Patents Applications No. 43212/68
Notes, Tracklist, Credits, Lyrics
Lyrics reproduced by kind permission of Palace Music Co. Ltd. 1969 for all countries.
1970, The Decca Record Company Limited, London
Deram Records, The Decca Record Company Limited, Decca House, 9 Albert Embankment, London S.E.1
Sleeve printed in England by Moore Matthes Ltd.
Laminated with Clarifoil made by British Celanese Limited
tracklisting
Side A: BULB - WHILE GROWING MY HAIR - I WILL BE ABSORBED - FUGUE IN D MINOR
THEY LAUGHED WHEN I SAT DOWN AT THE PIANO - THE SONG OF McGILLICUDIE.... - BOILK
Side B: SYMPHONY NO. 2 : MOVEMENT 1 - MOVEMENT 2 - BLANE - MOVEMENT 4
grading
RECORD EX but please, read above description
SLEEVE VG but please, see pictures and read above description
With a strong Canterbury influence implanted into their sound, Egg s first album has the band looking to establish their niche as a progressive group, with Dave Stewart s sharp, effective keyboard work outlining much of the album s overall feel. Mixing jazz and progressive rock drifts, the tracks on Egg contain rhythms and meters that are never at a standstill, with ongoing instrumental action encompassing nearly every track. Numerous classical overtones make for a familiar listen against a backdrop of loose-ended jazz fusion and an unordered yet inviting array of haphazard progressive spillages. The fragmented instrumentals sport an attractive inexperience, especially on Bulb and The Song of McGillicudie the Pussilanimous, which also introduce Egg s lighthearted whimsy. Both Blane and I Will Be Absorbed represent the most colorful example of Egg s progressive rock fundamentals, with quick tempos and assertive keyboard runs. Although Egg s cohesiveness as a band is in its early stages, Dave Stewart ascertains himself as an elite keyboard player throughout the album, later moving on to play with Hatfield and the North and National Health. Egg s next album, 1971 s Polite Force, has them sounding firmer and more self-contained, but their debut presents an entertaining example of different progressive genres playing off of one another... AllMusic
