OF QUEUES AND CURES

National Health started its formation through long-term friendship between Dave Stewart (Hatfield & The North) and Alan Gowen (Gilgamesh). This happened when they shared the bill for a gig in November 1973, London. The initial plan was to create a rock orchestra, with double guitars, double keyboards, bass, drums, and three female vocalists. This was almost done, with an eight-piece line-up comprised of Phil Miller and Phil Lee (guitars, ex-Hatfield and Gilgamesh respectively), Dave Stewart and Alan Gowen (keyboards), Mont Campbell (bass, ex-Egg, Stewart's earlier band), Bill Bruford (drums, ex-Yes and King Crimson) and Amanda Parsons (vocals, formerly a third of the Northettes, Hatfield's backing vocalists).

"Of Queues and Cures" is the band's second album, released one year after the debut self titled album. This album maintains its composition in a style that is very close with its predecessor where the Canterbury style sounds very dominant through the combined work of guitar and keyboard. The album was designed with opening and closing track of two parts "The Bryden 2-Step (for Amphibians)" part 1 and part 2. This kind of music struck me at the first time when I got a cassette version of EGG "Civil Surface". The music did not sound naturally to my ears but the more I listened to it the more I wanted to explore the music. Finally I got it right for my ears sometime in early 80s.

Nowadays, after I knew The TANGENT with their Canterbury style, reminds me to this classic album of National Health. I spun the CD (again) after I listened to The Tangent "Music That Died Alone" and it reminds me back to years when I listened to music of this kind during my high school years.

Overall, this is an excellent album with good combination of Phil Miller's guitar, Dave Stewart's piano, which contributes the creation of quality music. Even though this album would probably be successful in winning the listener's ears, this does not guarantee that Canterbury style has been sacrificed into a more pop arrangement. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW