by Mott the Dog
***** 5 Stars Rating
“The House On The Hill” was probably Audience’s
most celebrated album and was their first collaboration with the very
famous and trendy Gus Dudgeon (who came to fame with his work with Elton
John) as producer which proved to be a meeting of complementary minds and
humour lasting through the next Audience album and Howard Werth’s solo
career.
Audience was a band whose appeal is as fresh today as
it was when they were influencing the hippest scene of the early
seventies. They were described variously at the time as a
“Progressive”, “Underground” or “Art Rock” outfit, although
their uniqueness actually defined any pigeonholing, but their influence
was wide spread.
Audience
was formed in early 1969 from the remnants of a psychedelic/soul band
known as “The Lloyd Alexander Blues Band”. Their original concept was
based around Howard Werth’s strong powerful voice and unique electric
nylon strung guitar, plus the blaring echoing sax and flute of Keith
Gemmell. Together with the underpinning heartbeat of Trevor Williams’
stomping bass and Tony Connor’s inventive drum work (his live drum solos
had to be seen to be believed).
The initial musical spark was built around a mixture of
highly incongruous styles, including medieval folk, bossa nova, soul,
rhythm and blues, and jazz.
It worked well, but soon developed into something of
its own whilst getting louder and more suited to the larger venues at
which they were increasingly being asked to play alongside, such acts as
Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, and many more.
By the time of “House On The Hill” (1971) Audience
were at the peak of their creative style. Opening song “Jackdaw” is a
truly powerful track with Werth’s vocal complemented by Zappaesque Fuzz
bass and clarinet from Gemmell.
A lot of people have likened the moody spine tingler
“I Had A Dream” to Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heavens Door”.
However, when you realize that it was written and recorded quite some time
before Dylan’s classic, it becomes quite apparent how far Audience’s
influence spread.
Though Audience disbanded before they could consolidate
the huge success they so richly deserved, their name and reputation has
lived on through those initiates around the planet who were fortunate
enough to see them live or listened to their original vinyl releases
before they were finally on CD.
Howard Werth’s voice pairs well with Keith
Gemmell’s ubiquitous gruff sax. Much of their overall strategy was later
to find success in some of the music of Roxy Music and David Bowie.
“House On The Hill” is one of the early seventies
golden moments. Listen and enjoy.
Musicians:
Keith Gemmell - Tenor Sax, Clarinet and Flute
Howard Werth - Electric Classical Guitar and Vocals
Trevor Williams - Bass Guitar
Tony Connor - Percussion and Vibes
Track Listing
1. Jackdaw
2. You’re Not Smiling
3. I Had A Dream
4. Raviole
5. Nancy
6. Eye To Eye
7. I Put A Spell On You
8. The House On The Hill
9. Indian Summer
Moore
does not spend time setting the scene. By page 17 there is the body of 8K,
a high class painter cum prostitute, whose throat has been cut from ear to
ear. Not too many pages further on there are four suspects, all of whom
are in love with the deceased, and all of whom may have a motive.
Lucy’s
mother, a vagrant, ran out of the hospital, never to be seen again. So Sam
becomes a single parent; he chose the name Lucy for “Lucy in the Sky
with Diamonds” and he raises her with love and adoration. His
agoraphobic neighbor Margaret (Dianne Wiest) helps him with the more
delicate aspects of raising a daughter.
Mott’s
CD review: