- Brian Friel -- vocals, acoustic guitar

  backing musicians: (1975)

- Colin Allen -- drums, percussion

- B.J. Cole - pedal steel guitar, doboro

- Zoot Money -- keyboards

- The Phantom -- lead guitar

- Steve Thompson - bass

  backing musicians: (1975)

- Mick Devonport -- guitar

- Paul Francis -- drums, percussion

- DeLisle Harper -- bass

- Zoot Money -- keyboards

- Colin Pincott -- guitar

- Craig Pruess -- synthesizers

- Tim Renwick -- guitar

- Andy Roberts -- acoustic guitar

- Arthur Rodman -- acoustic guitar

- Paul Vigrass -- backing vocals

- Billy Lawrie -- backing vocals

- none known

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Brian Friel

Company: Pye

Catalog: PYE-12102

Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened)

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4

Price: $20.00

Cost: $1.00

Judging by the cover photo, I'm going out on a limb to say this guy isn't the famous Irish playwrite ...  He's English and I can't tell you anything else about this guy, though this 1975 collection of singer/songwriter material is surprisingly good.  

'" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Rock & Rolls In Me - 3:01

2.) Susan Of The Redwoods - 3:24

3.) (I'm Back Inside My) Mail Box Blues (Again) - 2:37

4.) Brown Eyes - 3:34

5.) Song For Ralph - 3:11

(side 2)
1.) Railroad Mama

2.) Louise Is Loose

3.) Don't Let My Dreams Bring You Down

4.) Pisces Lady"

5.) I Think Its Gonna Rain

Rock And Roll's In Me - 7 Inch - UK - Dawn - 1973

Brian was signed to Dawn Records (an imprint of Pye Records) in 1973, where he released two albums. The first was released in the UK as 'Brian Joseph Friel' otherwise known as 'Second Hand Dealer' (catalogue number DNLS 3054) by Brian Joseph Friel and musicians included Colin Allen , Steve Thompson, Maggie Bell, all from Stone The Crows, Zoot Money, Tim Renwick, Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass from the Chocolate Watchband and Jimmy McCulloch, later to join Paul McCartney and Wings (band) although Jimmy McCulloch is credited on the sleeve as 'The Phantom' due to contractual obligations. The album contained 'Song for Ralph', a dedication to Ralph McTell which was Brian's response to Ralph McTells' 'Zimmerman Blues', dedicated to Bob Dylan. It was produced by Mark London, most famous for writing 'To Sir, With Love' for Lulu.

he second album was titled 'Arrivederci Ardrossan' (catalogue number DNLS 3064) by Brian Friel. In the USA they were re-titled, the first album simply to 'Brian Friel' and the second to 'Ashes and Matchsticks', named after a strong track at the end of side one.

Promo (DNS1050)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Ashes & Matchsticks

Company: Pye

Catalog: PYE-12113

Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: promo sticker on cover; cut top right corner

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1333

Price: $20.00

Originally released on the English Dawn label with the title "Arrivederci Ardrossan", in 1975 Pye Records reissued the album in the US under the title "Ashes & Matchsticks" (the title coming from one of the album's ten original songs).  The two albums shared the same track listing, but different art work ...   You had to wonder why Pye went to the effort since the company did little to actually promote the collection.

Dawn catalog number DNLS 3064

Produced by Mark London, like the debut, Friel's sophomore release showcased his interesting, textured voice over a collection of all original material.  Musically the majority of material featured an acoustic, folk flavor.  There wasn't anything wrong with tracks like 'Circles', 'The Least I Could Do', or 'San Francisco Streetcar Fire'.  Unfortunately, the same songs lacked anything that was particularly attention grabbing.  I'm guessing that part of his repertoire sounded better in a pub, after a couple of cold beers.   Interestingly, Friel was far more impressive on atypical tunes like the rockers 'Folk Hero' and 'Roll That Train'.   Friel's rugged voice was well suited for tougher, rock material and with sympathetic backing from the likes of keyboardist Zoot Money and guitarist Tim Renwick, the man could rock.

Ashes & Matchsticks" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Folk Hero   (Brian Friel - Mark London) - 3:22

Yes, it was a folk tune, but with a full rock arrangement and a bouncy, radio-friendly melody and sing-along vocal.   Quite enjoyable and I find myself humming this tune at odd moments.   rating: **** stars

2.) Sweet Vinicombe Street   (Brian Friel) - 3:11

A mid-tempo rocker, 'Sweet Vinicombe Street ' was one of the album's most commercial and mainstream track.  Breezy and pleasant, if ultimately kind of unremarkable.   rating: *** stars

3.) Growing Stronger   (Brian Friel - mark London - Mike Clifford) - 3:06

Opening up with some stabbing Zoot Money electric piano chords, just when you thought you'd figured Friel out, along came the reggae-fied 'Growing Stronger'.   An even bigger surprise, who would have ever thought a Scottish folkie would be able to pull off a reggae tune?   Certainly not me.  Hard to believe, but Dawn actually tapped the song as a single:

- 1975's 'Growing Stronger' b/w' 'Fat City' (Dawn catalog number DNS 1107)   rating; **** stars

4.) Circles   (Brian Friel) - 3:36

Plodding acoustic folk tune.   rating: ** 

5.) Ashes & Matchsticks   (Brian Friel) - 2:58

I've always why Scottish artists are so intrigued by American country and western ...   I'm sure Friel was passionate enough, but this one just sounded like a carbon copy of some obscure country act.  Nice pedal steel and telecaster solos though.    rating: ** stars

(side 2)
1.) Roll That Train   (Brian Friel) - 2:59

Complete with squealing electric guitar, 'Roll That Train' was the album's lone true rocker and the album's best performance.  Yeah, it may have been an atypical performance, but it showed how good Friel could be when surrounded by the right material and support.  rating: **** stars 

2.) The Least I Could Do   (Brian Friel) - 4:21

Fragile, singer/songwriter number that should send literature majors into ecstasy and self-flagellation.  Once was enough for me.. rating: ** stars

3.) Fat City   (Brian Friel) - 3:42

'Fat City' was another tune featuring a full band arrangement and some hysterically cheesy Craig Pruess synthesizers (remember this was 1975).   rating: *** stars

4.) Salad Green Geraldine   (Brian Friel) - 3:58

Acoustic ballad that eventually morphed into a pub-rock/country-rocker that's always reminded me a touch of early Cat Stevens.   There was just something in Friel's quivery voice.  Not the album's standout performance, but I always liked DeLisle Harper's stand-up bass.   rating: *** stars

5.) San Francisco Streetcar Fire   (Brian Friel) - 6:22

Sweet, forlorn acoustic number (just Friel and acoustic guitars), resulting in one of the prettiest melodies he ever wrote. It has always reminded me a bit of a cross between the late Nick Drake and John Martyn.  Guess it was my strange outlook, but wasn't there something odd about a Scottish guy writing a tune with such a title?   rating: **** stars

Like the debut, the album did little commercially in either the UK, or the States..

For anyone interested, Friel has a small MySpace page at:  https://myspace.com/brianfrielmusic