line up 1 (1972-76)

- Eric Bell -- lead guitar

- David Clarke -- vocals, keyboards

- Noel Redding (RIP 2003) -- vocals, bass, rhythm guitar

- L.T Sampson -- drums, percussion

  supporting musicians:

- Robbie Walsh -- guitar

- Eric Bell Band

- Dave Carlsen (aka David Clarke)

- The Dream Machine (David Clarke)

- Dreams (Eric Bell)

- Fat Mattress (Noel Redding

- The Gas (Leslie Sampson))

- Jimi Hendrix Experience (Noel Redding)

- The Kast Off Kinks (David Clarke and Noel Redding)

- The Loving Kind (Noel Redding)

- Mainsqueeze (Eric Belll)

- Orphanage (Eric Bell - Brian Downey - Phil Lynott)

- Road (Noel Redding and Les Sampson)

- Shut Up Frank (David Clarke)

- Stray Dog (Les Sampson) 

- Thin Lizzy (Eric Bell)

- White Line (David Clarke)

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Clonakilty Cowboys

Company: RCA Victor

Catalog: APL1 1237
Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: includes original lyric inner sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 668

Price: $20.00

After his work with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, bassist Noel Redding drifted through a number of projects including an album with Fat Mattress and a collection with the hard rock trio Road.   After Road called it quits Redding moved to Ireland where he kept a fairly low profile, though he did help singer/keyboardist Dave Carlsen (aka David Clarke) record a 1971 solo album ("Pale Horse").

The two apparently hit it off and decided to form a band, eventually settling on the cleverly-named Noel Redding Band.  After going through extended tryouts which included the likes of Mickey Gee, Peter Kircher (who had played with Redding in the Loving Kind), and Mick Taylor, the line-up settled around Clarke, Redding, former Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell  and Stray Dog/former Road band mate Les Sampson on drums.   Certainly helped by Redding's name recognition, 1975 found the band signed by RCA which teamed them with producer Muff Winwood.   In spite of the band name and the strange title (I guess if was a reflection of the Irish county the band lived in), 1975's Cloankilty Cowboys" was a true collaboration with Clarke and Redding sharing writing duties, as well as lead vocals (Clarke was the better singer of the two).  It probably didn't help sales, but musically the was about as far from Hendrix-styled rock as you could get.   Tracks like 'There's a Light' and 'Roller Coaster Buoys' offered up a commercial pop sound, while material like 'Eight Nights a Week' and 'Snowstorms' featured a more conventional mid-'70s rock sound.  Mind you, it was also well played and professional, but with the possible exceptions ot the opener 'There's a Light' and the title track, nothing here made a lasting impression.

"Clonaility Cowboys" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) There's a Light   (David Clarke - Pete Kircher - Noel Redding) - 

The album opened up with the surprisingly attractive and tuneful pop tune 'There's a Light'.   Handling lead vocals Clarke displayed a pretty, if slightly anonymous voice that was well suited for this kind of top-40 material.   His voice has always reminded me of something Badfinger might have recorded.   Bell used the song to turn in one of his prettiest solos.   Nice opener.   rating: **** stars

2.) Throw Me a Buoy   (David Clarke -  Noel Redding) - 

'Throw Me a Boy' was a straight-ahead '50s tinged rocker salvaged by a nice chorus.  Elsewhere the song sounded like it had been stitched together after an all night '50s rockers listening session.  rating: ** stars

3.) After All   (David Clarke) - 

Showcasing some nice Clarke keyboards and Bell's tasteful guitar runs (he also turned in a killer solo), 'After All' was a likeable bluesy ballad.  Handling lead vocals, Clarke sounded pretty good on this one, giving the song kind of a Raspberries-meet-Robin Trower vibe.  rating: *** stars

4.) Roller Coaster Kids   (David Clarke)  - 

Opening up with some Redding bass, 'Roller Coaster Kids' was a bouncy, pop-meets-glam track that sounded a bit like something Mark Bolan might have done late in his career.  Another one of the album's more commercial offerings, the song was tapped as the album's one and only single.    

- 1976's 'Roller Coaster Kids' b/w 'Snowstorm' (RCA catalog number 2662)  rating: *** stars

5.) Eight  Nights a Week   (David Clarke -  Noel Redding) - 

While you weren't about to mistake it for a Hendirx tune, opening with some crushing Bell guitar, 'Eight Nights a Week' offered up a nice hard rock melody, coupled with a standard  life-as-a-rock-star lyric.  Bell's slide work provided the song highlights.  rating: *** stars

(side 2)
1.) Clonakility Cowboys   (David Clarke -  Noel Redding) - 

With a bouncy, guitar-powered melody, the title track was probably the album's most commercial and mainstream tune.  Imagine Badfinger's Joey Molland and you'd have a feel for what this one sounded like.   Shoruld have been a hit for the band.  rating: **** stars

2.) Snowstorms   (David Clarke) - 

With Clarke doing his best Paul McCartnery rock voice, 'Snowstorms' was another likable rock with Bell again livening it up with tasty fretwork.   rating: *** stars

3.) Born In His Name   (David Clarke -  Noel Redding) - 

Nice enough rocker, but ultimately lacked that x-factor to separate it from the competition.   YouTube has a clip of the band playing the song live with Redding turning in a dazzling bass solo.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx9uKZ4bh4Yv   rating: *** stars

4.) If I Hard   (David Clarke -  Noel Redding) - 

Even though it had a country-rock-tinge to it,, I'll readily admit' 'If I Had' was probably the album's most enjoyable effort.  An upbeat reflection on life as a rock star, you had to smile at how tough it must have been.   Bell also turned in a nifty little lead riff on this one.  rating: **** stars

5.) Got To Move Away   (David Clarke -  Carol Rosen - Noel Redding) - 

With Redding sounding stoned handling the lead vocals, the album closed out with a pretty, but forgettable ballad.   The chorus gave you the impression they'd simply run out of lyrics and needed to finish the album up in a hurry.   rating: ** stars

The band recorded a follow-up album, 1976's "Blowin'" (RCA catalog number APL1-1863) that I'll have to track down sometime.  There's also a posthumous odds and ends set that collected material planned for a third release - 1999's "The Missing Album" (Mouse catalog number GCD 371-2).