Be Bop Deluxe
Band members Related acts
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up 1 (1972-74)
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up 2 (1974) NEW
- Milton Reames-James - keyboards (1974)
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up 3 (1975)
Milton Reames-James)
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up 4 (1975-78)
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- The Dukes
(Charlie Tumahai)
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Genre: progressive Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Axe Victim Company: Harvest Catalog: SHVL 813 Year: 1974 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: UK pressing; gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 2360 Price: $30.00 Cost: $1.00
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Following the release of a pair of late-'60s albums with the Yorkshire,
England-based Gentle Revolution and a 1971 solo album ("Northern
Dream"), singer/guitarist Bill Nelson recruited a backup band to
support live performances. Originally called Flagship, the fastidious Nelson
quickly dissolved the line up, recruiting bass player Bob Bryan, drummer
Nicholas Chatterton Dew and guitarist Ian Parkin for a full scale band.
Already a fan of Nelson's solo work, BBC DJ John Peel became an early
booster of Be Bop Deluxe. With support from Peel the band signed with EMI's
Harvest subsidiary. Interestingly, having recording several demo tapes,
Nelson and company were told to gain some live experience prior to recording
any additional material. The ever eccentric Nelson responded to the
suggestion by cooking up an extremely strange stage act. With its emphasis
on makeup, outlandish costumes and stage theatrics, the band's mix of
slam-bam rock and glam moves initially recalled The New York Dolls.
1.) Axe Victim (Bill Nelson) - (side 2) 1.) Rocket
Cathederals (Bob Bryan) -
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Genre: progressive Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: Futurama Company: Harvest Catalog: ST-11478 Year: 1975 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: -- Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD Price: SOLD Cost: $
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With the revamped line up in place (admittedly a far more talented
ensemble), 1975 "Futurama"
featured a substantially modified sound. The combination of the new line up
and producer Roy Thomas Baker provided Nelson with considerable flexibility.
Unfortunately, he seemed unable to decided what role he wanted to play -
guitar hero, pop star (there are some great Nelson solos here), heavy metal
ace, or a cutting edge experimentalist. As a result, in the end the album
seemed muddy and ill-focused. Adding to the band's problems, in the middle
of recording sessions keyboardist Clarke found himself unable to terminate
his contractual relationship with Mother's Pride, forcing Nelson, Fox and
Tumahai to complete the album as a trio. While the set has a couple of
moments ("Maid In Heaven" and "Sister Seagull" were
wonderful slices of commercial pop), overall it's a disappointment.
1.) Stage Whispers (Bill Nelson) 1.) Music in
Dreamland (Bill Nelson)
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Genre: progressive Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Sunburst Finish Company: Harvest Catalog: ST-11478 Year: 1976 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: Price: $20.00 Cost: $
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Co-produced by Nelson and John Leckie,1976's "Sunburst
Finish" was probably their most accomplished and
consistent release. With keyboardist Andrew Clark finally a full time
member, the set featured a fuller sound. To his credit, Nelson found a
balance between progressive moves, guitar hero and mainstream appeal. In
fact, exemplified by the ballads "Heavenly Homes" and "Crying
To the Sky" (the latter sporting one of his pettiest guitar solos),
much of the album underscored Nelson's oft overlooked ability to craft
highly commercial material. Elsewhere, released as a single the cha-cha
"Ships In the Night" even provided the band with an unexpected UK
hit. In support of the album Nelson and company undertook their first
American tour . Backed by the tour and strong reviews, the album reached
#96, providing the band with their initial taste of domestic success
1.) Fair Exchange (Bill Nelson) - (side 2) 1.) Beauty Secrets
(Bill Nelson) -
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Genre: progressive Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Modern Music Company: Harvest Catalog: SN 16026 Year: 1977 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: reissue pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: Price: $8.00 Cost: $
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Continuing their collaboration with producer John Leckie, "Modern
Music" stood as the band's most consistent set (bet you
could have guessed that looking at the tie and suit album cover).
Overlooking an odd fascination with offbeat, sci-fi landscapes
("Twilight Capers", "Honeymoon On Mars" and "Dance
of the Uncle Sam Humanoids"), the collection sported a first-rate blend
of guitar rock ("Bring Back the Spark") and more melodic endeavors
("Orphans of Babylon", "Twilight Capers" and "Kiss
of Life" - the latter would have made an amazing single). With strong
reviews from the critics and support from a second American tour, the
collection reached #88. It also marked a turning point for Nelson, who
subsequently embarked on what became a prolific, but increasingly idosyncic
recording career.
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Genre: progressive Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Live! In the Air Age Company: Harvest Catalog: SKBB-11666 Year: 1978 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: double LP; gatefold sleeve; white vinyl Available: 1 Catalog ID: Price: $35.00
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The following year saw the release of "Live!
In the Air Age". Recorded during a 1977 English tour,
the collection showcased a pleasant cross section of material drawn from the
band's four studio sets. Surprisingly tight and focused, material such as
"Ships In the Night" and "Blazing Apostles" should have
alleviated the notion that Nelson and company couldn't be commercial.
Elsewhere the album included two previously unreleased efforts: "Mill
Street Junction" and the bluesy "Piece of Mine". Personal
favorites; the jazzy "Adventures In a Yorkshire Landscape" and
Nelson's guitar workout on the eight minute "Stand". The album was
originally released on white vinyl (use to dry our laser turntable crazy)
with a bonus three track 12" EP. Supporting the collection Be-Bop
returned to the States for a third tour; this time as a headliner.
Ironically, although their stage act included some of the era's most
elaborate lights and special effects, critics panned most of the tour
pointing out the band seemed to be playing with little enthusiasm; certainly
less than earlier tours when they opened for the likes of Blue Oyster Cult
and the Patti Smith Group. (Great idea for an album cover.) Their biggest
seller, the set reached #65.
1.) Life in the Air Age (Bill Nelson) (side 2) 1.) Adventures in
a Yorkshire Landscape (Bill Nelson)
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Genre: progressive Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Drastic Plastic Company: Harvest Catalog: SW-11750 Year: 1978 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: Price: $8.00
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1978's "Drastic
Plastic" offered an interesting change of pace. While
previously releases showcased Nelson's unique guitar stylings and his
ongoing fascination with sci-fi, "Plastic" exhibited a strong and
surprisingly melodic synthesizer base. Moreover, the set proved even more
commercial than earlier releases; material such as "Electric
Language", "Surreal Real Estate" and "Panic In My
World" exhibiting a knack for penning radio-friendly material Nelson
had seldom displayed. Unfortunately, while the sudden change in direction
drew critical approval, listeners remained unconvinced, the set faltering at
#95. To our ears, it may be the band's most consistent and enjoyable
offering. (A promotional version was also pressed on white vinyl.) Six
months after the album's release, claiming he didn't want the group to
become institutionalized, Nelson abruptly terminated Be-Bop. "Drastic Plastic" track listing: 1.) Electrical Language (Bill Nelson) 2.) New Precision (Bill Nelson) 3.) New Mysteries (Bill Nelson) 4.) Surreal Estate (Bill Nelson) 5.) Love in Flames (Bill Nelson) 6.) Panic in the World (Bill Nelson) 7.) Dangerous Stranger (Bill Nelson) 8.) Superenigmatix (Lethal Appliances for the... (Bill Nelson) 9.) Japan (Bill Nelson) 10.) Possession (Bill Nelson) 11.) Islands of the Dead (Bill Nelson) |
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