FIRST 10 EXPLOSIVE YEARS, VOL. 2

This is the second (and apparently final) compilation of rare songs put together by John Du Cann featuring the Du Cann, Vincent Crane and Paul Hammond line-up. They were a great live band, certainly the best act I saw on the college circuit, and the booklet is interesting, with some great photos. But, there is hardly any information on the source of the music! Anoraks like me need to know where the songs originate from on collections like these. It was only on reading the press release that I discovered that "Broken Window" was the last ever song recorded by this line-up.

The result is an album that annoyingly sits between two areas. It is fascinating for the fan, but they would like to know more, yet there are not enough versions of well known numbers to attract the casual listener. A shame, as musically this album shows how powerful a unit they could be with the Hammond organ and drums driving Du Cann further on both guitar and vocals. Less waffle about how great they were and more data about the songs please!

Originally appeared in Feedback #64, Oct 01