... AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

By the time the band came to record their third album there were some changes in the BJH camp with a new producer and also the sacking of RJG (who later formed some outfit called The Enid). Reviews had been favourable to date but the band were still to make any kind of commercial breakthrough. Starting with "Medicine Man" 'And Other Short Stories' they were showing more of the consistency and genuine identity that had started to come through on the previous album. When they turned it on (as during "Someone There You Know") there was a very strong presence, as it contrasted greatly with the harmonies and gentleness of much of their work. With four of the nine songs credited to John Lees he was starting to make his presence as a composer and singer felt, and he was starting to guide the band into a different musical direction which would come to fruition years later when he was providing the more rocky numbers to contrast against Les's softer numbers. "Little Lapwing" is another highlight, with Les's soft, almost frail, vocals pitted against an acoustic guitar with subtle orchestration.

Originally appeared in Feedback #70, Oct 02