Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Harbour
Company: Eleventh Hour
Catalog: 1001-S
Year: 1971
Country/State: Virginia Beach,
Virginia
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: original cover
Catalog ID: 5071
Available: 1
Price: $200.00
Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Harbour
Company: Eleventh Hour
Catalog: 1001-S
Year: 1971
Country/State: Virginia Beach,
Virginia
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+
Comments: cover shows some ring wear; slight staining and a couple of creases at the top; there's also a small name written in ink on the back cover; includes the rare insert
Available: 2
Catalog ID: 5071 (original copy) 2351 (second press)
Price: $100.00
Cost: $66.00
A couple of music references show this trio as being from Ohio. Given they were a big early-1970s concert draw throughout mid-Atlantic clubs and their self-titled album was recorded at Virginia Beach's Crescent City Studios (the LP's cover art shows some Virginia-associated themes), I'd suggest they were actually from the Old Dominion (confirmed below).
While most private press projects are little more than vanity releases,
these guys were a talented outfit that should have enjoyed major commercial
success. That talent's reflected in the fact their sole album's been
bootlegged multiple times. There's also a recent legitimate Gear Fab reissue
that includes two previously unreleased selections.
So you want to
know about their album ???
With a line up consisting of singer/keyboardist Steve Acrese,
guitarist/bassist Jim Galyon and drummer Morgan Hampton, Mason spent
several years touring throughout the mid-Atlantic before making their
recording debut with 1971's "Harbour".
Released on their own Eleventh Hour label, the album offered up a
surprisingly accomplished set of early-1970s heavy metal. Acrese had a voice
that was well suited for the genre; Hampton was a first-rate drummer and as
a trio these guys generated considerable intensity. Largely written by
Galyon, material such as the driving opener "Let It Burn" (imagine
Deep Purple having borrowed Ian Anderson for a flute solo), "Tell
Me" and the cool instrumental "Electric Sox and All" were all
impressive. Great songs and great performances (geez, Grand Funk sold
millions and these guys couldn't get arrested). Elsewhere, "Golden
Sails" was a substantial change of pace, opting for a progressive song
structure (it may be my favorite track). (The album was originally released
with a multi-page insert and yes my copy includes the insert.) While they
retained a large and enthusiastic regional following, they were unable to
catch a national break and in 1974 formally called it quits.
"Harbour" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Let It Burn
(Jim Galyon) - 7:09
2.) Tell Me (Jim Galyon) - 4:46
3.) Electric Sox and All (instrumental) (Jim Galyon - Steve Acrese - Morgan
Hampton) - 4:50
4.) Golden Sails (Jim Galyon) - 4:08
(side 2)
1.) Travelin'
(Jim
Galyon - Steve Acrese) - 4:05
2.) Harbour (Jim Galyon) - 8:05
3.) Goin' Home (Jim Galyon) - 2:17
4.) Charlotte (Jim Galyon) - 2:07
For you collecting snobs who are guided by outside ratings, this one's included in Hans Pokora's 2001 Record Collector Dreams.
There's also a Jim (James) Galyon solo album (see separate entry).
Morgan Hampton contacted me looking to get in touch with his former bandmates. As of Spring 2008 he was living in California and had just released his first film project "Razor's Edge".
A little more information on the band from produced Chuck Taylor who was kind enough to drop me an email
To
fill in your blanks as to the band's origin, Mason was from Virginia Beach,
Virginia. They went to my high school, First Colonial and played at school
several times including at my Prom in 1970. Steve Arcese lived two streets
away.
There was an earlier version of the record that they would sell at school,
where I bought this copy (cover and liner notes attached to this email).
Sorry, it's not for sale.
Chuck Taylor
January 2006