Fox
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1974-75) - Herbie Armstrong -- lead guitar, backing vocals - Noosha Fox (aka Susan Traynor) -- vocals - Jim Frank -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Pete Solley -- keyboards, backing vocals - Gary Taylor -- bass, vocals - Kenny Young (aka Shalom Giskan) (RIP 2020) -- rhythm guitar, backing vocals
supporting musicians: (1976) - B.J. Cole -- pedals steel - Jim Gannon -- guitar - Jim Horn -- - Russ Kunkle -- drums, percussion - Dean Parks -- guitar - Lee Sklar -- bass
line up 2 (1975-76) NEW - Jim Gannon -- lead guitar, backing vocals - Herbie Armstrong -- lead guitar, backing vocals - Noosha Fox (aka Susan Traynor) -- vocals - Jim Frank -- drums, percussion, Jew's harp, backing vocals - Pete Solley -- keyboards, backing vocals - Gary Taylor -- bass, vocals - Kenny Young (aka Shalom Giskan) (RIP 2020) -- rhythm guitar, backing vocals
supporting musicians: (1975) - Roger Taylor -- backing vocals
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- 39 Vybes (Kenny Young) - Herbie Armstrong (solo efforts) - Black Widow (Jim Gannon) - Blue Yogurt (Kenny Young) - Rod Demick and Herbie Armstrong (Herbie Armstrong) - Family Dogg (Gary Taylor) - Gentlemen without Weapons (Kenny Young) - Herd (Gary Taylor) - I Shinko (Kenny Young) - The James Brothers (Herbie Armstrong) - Kid Gloves (Gary Taylor) - Ronnie Lane - Los Bravos (Pete Solley) - Moonshine (Kenny Young) - Noosha (solo efforts) - Paladin (Pete Solley) - Pesky Gee! (Jim Gannon) - Procol Harum (Pete Solley) - Rhythms Del Mundo (Kenny Young) - San Francisco Earthquake (Kenny Young) - The Seagulls (Kenny Young) - Sgt Smiley Raggs (Kenny Young) - Snafu (Pete Solley) - The Squirrels (Kenny Young) - Stealers Wheel (Gary Taylor) - Wheels (Herbie Armstrong) - Whitesnake (Pete Solley) - Wood Horse (Susan Traynor) - Yellow Dog (Herbie Armstrong and Kenny Young) - Kenny Young (solo efforts) - Kenneth Young & the English Muffins (Kenny Young)
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Genre: rock Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Fox Company: Ariola America Catalog:
ST-50001 Country/State: Australia, Ireland, UK, US Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original lyric inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 3537 Price: $25.00 |
I grew up listening to British bands and I'll be the first to admit that it took me time and energy to figure out some of England's quirkier offerings. I'm thinking of groups like Kate Bush, Cockney Rebel, Family (okay, convince me that you instantly loved Roger Chapman's voice), Roxy Music, Sailor, Sparks, Ten CC. Sitting firmly in that camp of esoteric English groups was Fox.
American songwriter/producer Kenny Young was the creative mainstay behind Fox. Best known for writing 'Under the Boardwalk' for The Drifters. In the ensuing years Young continued writing, producing, and striking out in pursuit of a stillborn solo career. Those solo efforts saw him working with former Wood Horse singer Susan Traynor. In 1974 Young decided to form a band. His first recruit was Irish bass player Herbie Armstrong. His second recruit was Traynor, who elected to perform under the pseudonym Noosha Fox. By the time the group was sign to GTO Records the lineup featured Young, Armstrong, Foxa, drummer Jim Frank, keyboardist Pete Solley, and bassist Gary Taylor.
With
Young producing and credited with writing most of the material, 1975's
"Fox" is an album that I'm hard pressed to explain
my affection for. Based on my normal range of musical taste
"Fox" track listing: 1.) Love Letters (Edward Heyman - Victor Young) rating: *** stars Powered by Noosha sultry vocals, fans will tell you this is the best version of this rock chestnut ever recorded. Fox's version was certainly credible, but to my ears there was something off-putting in her pseudo-cabaret moves. Personally I'd give the nod to Frankie Miller's cover. I'll stand by the Bryan Ferry comparison I made earlier, but listening to this one, Noosha's purr of a voice has always reminded me of what Cat Woman would have sounded like if she ever cut a record. 2.) Imagine Me - Imagine You (Kenny Young) rating: **** stars "Imagine Me - Imagine You" captured the band at their most commercial and radio friendly ... This time out Fox's little girl voice came off as cute and coquettish giving the song a refrain that was hard to shake out of your head. It also reminds me a bit of a less quirky Kate Bush. Easy to see why it was released as the album's second single:
Neither sound, nor video quality are very good, but YouTube has a short promotional clip of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gwE0t7-8hw 3.) The Juggler (Kenny Young - Herbie Armstrong) rating: **** star "The Juggler" found the band dipping their collective toes into a slightly funky vibe. It was also interesting for showing Noosha was capable of performing in a style beyond her fey, little girl voice. YouTube has a clip of the band lip-synching the tune for an unknown television show: The Juggler/ Red Letter Day/ ImagineMe Imagine You- Fox 4.) Patient Tigers (Kenny Young - Herbie Armstrong) rating: ** stars Opening a song with B.J. Cole pedal steel guitar typically doesn't do a great deal for my ears. The country-tinged ballad "Patient Tigers" did little to change that opinion, though it was momentarily interesting to hear Noosha trying to sing in a husky, country voice. 5.) Only You Can (Kenny Young) rating: **** star This is one of those tunes that I'm at a total loss with respect to explaining its appeal to me. "Only You Can" is completely cheesy, has a modest disco-flavor, and showcases Fox at her most irritating. In spite of all those flaws, it's a beguiling tune that was released as a single throughout the world.
- 1975's "Only You Can" b/w "Out of My Body" (GTO catalog number GT-1003) YouTube has a March 1975 lip synching performance of the tune on the BBC's Top of the Pops, though I'm damned to understand the host's comparisons to Van Morrison, Stealers Wheel, and other bands. Perhaps unintentional, but Noosha's Princess Lea look was worth a laugh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HMKguovcqw 6.) The More (Kenny Young) rating: *** star Very short with an ornate string arrangement, "The More" was a strange almost acappella performance.
(side 2) 1.) Spirit (Kenny Young) rating: ** stars The album's first true disappointment, "Spirit" showcased the band's worst tendencies including an MOR-ish melody and Noosha crooning at her most fey. 2.) He's Got Music (Kenny Young rating: **** star Once again I'm at a loss to explain how it worked, but somehow Noosha's quirky performance managed to kick this rather bland mid-tempo number into a keeper. It was also tapped as the album's third single:
- 1975's "He's Got Magic" b/w "Love Shop" (GTO catalog number 2099 139) The sound and video quality are poor, but YouTube has a 1975 appearance from the German Musik Laden television program. They're clearly lip synching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyZS_dXIntY 3.) Pisces Babies (Kenny Young) rating: *** star Pretty tune that found the band working in more of an adult contemporary genre, though the tune picked up some momentum as it cruised along. Good tune to discover how interesting Young's lyrics could be. Would have given it four stars except for the brief spoken word segment. 4.) Love Ship (Kenny Young) rating: **** star Breezy ballad that was worth hearing just for Solley's cheesy '70s synthesizer washes. This one has always sounded like it should have been the theme song for some ABC sitcom. 5.) Red Letter Day (Kenny Young - Herbie Armstrong) rating: **** star The closer "Red Letter Day" showcased the band at their best. Young underscored his knack for catchy and memorable melodies, while Noosha showed she could bring out a much deeper and powerful vocal style.
© Scott R. Blackerby April 2022
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Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Tales of Illusion Company: GTO Catalog:
GTLP 006 Country/State: Australia, Ireland, UK, US Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original lyric inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $40.00
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As
you can see on the BadCatRecords website, I really enjoyed Fox's eponymous
debut. When I stumbled across a copy of the band's second album "Tales
of Illusion" I was quick to snag it. And now a quick word
of warning - the sophomore album is a little different than their
debut. As shown by the album artwork and musical touches on songs like
"Kupo Kupo", the opening section o
"Tales of
Illusion" track listing: 1.) Yuli, Yuli (Kenny Young) - 3:37 rating: **** stars Well, with the sci-fi sound effects "Yuli, Yuli" certainly started the album off on an eclectic note. Luckily Noosha's "little girl" vocals brought the song back to earth. Powered by some Latin-esque percussion and a couple of nice Gannon guitar solos, it was a catchy way to start the collection. Kind of a companion piece to Bowie's "Major Tom" ... 2.) Survival (Herbie Armstrong - Kenny Young) - 4:27 rating: *** stars Underscoring the new album's biggest difference, "Survival" saw guitarist Armstrong handling most of the lead vocals. A sweet, folk-tinged tune, the track also sported some interesting social commentary lyrics. 3.) Strange Ships (Kenny Young) - 4:54 rating: **** stars Once you got through Pete Solley's discordant opening keyboards "Strange Ships" found the band back in commercial pop-rock territory, though Young's lyrics were puzzling. The track was also interesting for demonstrating Noosha was capable of handling a tougher sound. Always wondered what effect Armstrong was using on his end-of-song guitar solo. The song was also tapped as the album's first single:
- 1975's "Strange Ships" b/w "Little Brown Fox" (GTO catalog number GT-41) 4.) For Whatever It's Worth (Kenny Young) - 2:43 rating: **** stars Opening with a snippet of Indonesian musical influences, "For Whatever It's Worth" found Young returning to handle lead vocals. The combination of Young's high, fragile voice and the sweet backing vocals have always reminded me of an early America tune. For some reason "Horse with No Name" comes to mind. I'm a big early America fan so this was one of the album highlights for me. 5.) Little Brown Box (Herbie Armstrong, - Kenny Young) - 4:20 rating: *** stars Opening up with some tasty Gary Taylor fuzz bass, "Little Brown Box" gave drummer Jim Frank a shot at the vocal spotlight. For an English guy Frank turned in a credible slice of country-blues that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Wet Willie album.
(side 2) 1.) Minor Therapy (Kenny Young) - 5:00 rating: **** stars The opening was bizarre and fascinating, quickly shifting into a breezy pop song showcasing Noosha's unconventional voice and some nice harmony vocals from the men. Pete Solley also got a chance to showcase some cheesy synthesizer moves. (After all these years I'm still at a loss when it comes to explaining why Noosha's voice is so cool.) 2.) Lily Sing (Mary Zinovieff - Jim Frank) - 3:18 rating: *** stars "Lily Sing" opened up with some nice acoustic guitar while showcasing some cheesy synthesizer fills from Solley. Interestingly, featured on lead vocals Frank had the most "American" sounding voice in the group. 3.) Kupu, Kupu (Kenny Young) - 5:57 rating: stars Again opening with Bali-styled percussion , "Kupo Kupo" found Noosha back on lead vocals. While the melody was pretty enough, Noosha didn't seem particularly enthralled with the material. 4.) Howdja (Kenny Young) - 3:12 rating: *** stars Um ... what's going on here? After a strange opening (Indonesian chanting?) "Howdja" found Taylor and Noosha sharing lead vocals on a bluesy-rocker. Gammon's dirty guitar solo provided the highlight. 5.) Me Without You (Kenny Young) - 4:08 rating: stars Young back on lead vocals - "Me Without You" closed the album out with a forgettable country-rock ballad.
© Scott R. Blackerby April 2026
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s, I would
have expected to detest this one. The band's too-cute imagine;
Noosha's fey, little girl voice, repeated bouts of scatting, and songs with
dance touches ("The Juggler" and "He's Got Magic") should have spelled
instant dislike. And yet, somehow the results were endearing.
With the spotlight on Noosha's quirky, little girl voice and her decidedly
non-rock and roll imagine (picture a feminine Bryan Ferry cloaked in '20s
and '30s fashion choices), this wasn't exactly your standard rock and roll
collection. Don't get me wrong; exemplified by tracks like the
country-tinged "Patient Tigers" and "Red Letter Day" Noosha could belt it
out and in a pinch the band could handle a rock tune, but their patented
sound was far more pop-oriented, though in a decidedly eclectic
fashion. The hits "Imagine Me - Imagine You", "Only You
Can" and "He's
Got Magic" were perfect examples of their ability to bridge quixotic and
commercial. Beats me why, but this is one album I've steadfastly
refused to sell over the years.
f
"Howdja" and
"For Whatever It's Worth" the LP apparently reflected influences
from time front man Kenny
Young spent in Bali relaxing after the demands associated with recording and
touring in support of
their first album. Those musical influences were subtle. You certainly
weren't going to mistake this set for a
collection of Indonesian Gamelan folk music. As on the first album Young
produced and contributed the majority of the ten tracks. Along with
the addition of former Pesky Gee! and Black Widow guitarist Jim Gannon to
the line-up (he'd guested on the first album), the biggest difference came
in terms of lead vocals. Whereas the first album spotlighted Noosha
Fox's "little girl" voice, this time around lead vocals were
spread between Noosha, guitarist Herbie Armstrong, drummer Jim Frank,
bassist Gary Taylor and Young. Armstrong, Frank, Taylor and Young were
all capable vocalists who could have easily fronted their own bands, but
they lacked Noosha's quirky star power. She's always reminded me of an
earlier version of Kate Bush. And speaking of quirky, the second album
ditched much of the debut LP's goofier characteristics in favor of a more
mainstream and commercial sound including songs like "Strange
Ships", "Little Brown Box", "Minor Therapy" and the
America-styled folk-rocker "For
Whatever It's Worth". Executive summary - the LP was grossly
diverse and very inconsistent, but not without a couple of interesting
moments.