Tranquility
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1971) - Eric Dillon -- drums, percussion - Tony Lukyn -- keyboards, synthesizers, vocals - Kevin McCarthy -- vocals, bass - Terry Shaddick -- vocals, lead guitar - Berkley Wright -- lead guitar
line up 2 (1971) - Eric Dillon -- drums, percussion NEW - Jim Leverton -- bass (replaced Kevin McCarthy) - Tony Lukyn -- keyboards, synthesizers, vocals - Terry Shaddick -- vocals, lead guitar
line up 3 (1971-72) - Eric Dillon -- drums, percussion - Tony Lukyn -- keyboards, synthesizers, vocals NEW - Kevin McCarthy -- vocals, rhythm guitar (replaced Berkley Wright) NEW - John Perry -- bass (replaced Jim Leverton) - Terry Shaddick -- vocals, lead guitar
line up 4 (1972-74) NEW - Paul Francis -- drums, percussion (replaced Eric Dillon) NEW - Bernie Hagley -- bass, flute (replaced John Perry) - Tony Lukyn -- keyboards, synthesizers, vocals - Kevin McCarthy -- vocals, rhythm guitar - Terry Shaddick -- vocals, lead guitar
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- Maggie Bell (Paul Francis) - Buster (Paul Francis) - Caravan (Jim Leverton) - Cressida (Kevin McCarthy) - Fat Mattress (Eric Dillon and Jim Leverton) - Fuzzy Duck (Paul Francis) - Grapefruit (John Perry) - Headstone (Tony Lukyn) - Hemlock (Eric Dillon and Jim Leverton) - Jonesy (Bernie Hagley) - Juicy Lucy (Jim Leverton) - Lion (Eric Dillion) - The Lonely Ones - Rare Bird (Tony Lukyn) - Vanity Fare (Bernie Hagley) - Savoy Brown (Eric Dillon and Jim Leverton) - Tucky Buzzard (Paul Francis)
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Genre: pop Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Tranquility Company: Epic Catalog: EPC
64729 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: UK pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: 194 Price: $30.00
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Tranquility was one of those groups that had more than their share of talent, but in the glut of equally talented early-'70s bands, simply never got a real shot at the spotlight. Their timing also proved problematic - releasing a pair of radio-friendly pop-rock albums at a time when audiences were moving on to blues-rock and other genres.
1971 found Donovan's former manager Ashley Kozak looking for a way to break singer/songwriter Terry Shaddick. His solution was to form a band around Shaddick's talents. Kozak deserves credit for recruiting a first rate collection of musicians for what was to become Tranquility. By the time the band was signed by Epic, the line-up featured Shaddick, former Fat Mattress drummer Eric Dillon and bass player Jim Leverton, ex-Headstone keyboardist Tony Lukyn and former Crasside guitarist Kevin McCarthy.
Following
another personnel shake-up that saw Dillon replaced by former Tucky Buzzard
drummer Paul Francis and bassist John Perry replaced by Bernie Hagley, Epic
sent the band on the road, including a couple of English dates and a US tour
that ended when manager Kozak had to return home after his home was
burglarized. "Tranquility" track listing: 1.) Try Again - 5:18 rating: **** stars Listening to the opening ballad 'Try Again' reminds me of a cross between a really good pop band and, when the harmonies kicked in, a young and friendlier CSN&Y. come to think of it, Terry Shaddick's slightly ragged electric guitar solo wouldn't have sounded out of place on a CSN&Y abum. The fact this one wasn't tapped as a single simply went to show you how good their overall catalog was. 2.) Ride Upon the Sun - 4:27 rating: *** stars 'Ride Upon the Sun' found the band shifting into a more blues-oriented mode. Nah, with those sweet harmonies, there was no danger that you'd mistake them for Bad Company, or Free. 3.) Where You Are (Where I Belong) - 6:20 rating: **** stars Opening with some medieval flavored Tony Lukyn keyboards, 'Where You Are (Where I Belong)' introduced a bit of progressive influences into the mix. Of course those influences were overshadowed by the band's blended vocals - echoes of The Association and even The Four Seasons here. 4.) Look at the Time It's Late - 2:27 rating: ** stars The first disappointment, 'Look at the Time It's Late' added a modest country sheen to their sound. The harmonies were still there; the melody was okay, but the song just didn't match up to their earlier efforts. 5.) Lady of the Lake - 3:21 rating: *** stars Pretty ballad, but the lyrics were a bit on the fey side.
(side
2) Always liked the mildly jazzy feel that pervaded 'Walk Along the Road'. Curiously this was one of the few songs where their patented harmonies sounded a bit ragged. 2.) Thank You - 3:53 rating: *** stars Another hyper-sensitive, but commercial ballad ... 'Thank You' reminded me of a marginal Badfinger, or Eric Carmen and the Raspberries tune. Pretty, but ultimately forgettable.
The song was tapped as their leadoff single in the US and the UK: UK release - 1971's 'Thank You' b/w 'Saying Goodbye' (Epic catalog EPC 7603) US release - 1972's 'Thank You' b/w 'Where You Are (Where I Belong)' (Epic catalog 5-10846) 3.) Oyster Catcher - 4:31 4.) Blackcurrant Betty - 2:48 5.) Happy Is the Man - 3;22 6.) Saying Goodbye - 5:40
Also featured on the first album are appearances on electric bass by John
Perry and Jim Leverton, both members of Caravan
at different points in the future, as well as playing on many other records.
There was also an extra drummer called Eric Dillon. This odd balance of
personnel creates the suspicion that Tranquility was not so much an
established band as a vehicle for displaying the considerable talents of
Terry Shaddick who composes, writes lyrics, sings, plays guitar and has his
fingernails painted in different shades of blue! Every one of the eleven
songs is written solely by him except for two joint efforts. This is a
strong, quirky collection of songs in a vaguely progressive, vaguely pop
direction, given a considerable weight in performance by the four
multi-layered vocalists, probably heard at their best on “Saying
Goodbye” and “Lady Of The Lake”.
TRANQUILITY's second album, 'Silver' released in 1972, found Leverton and Dillon deposed by drummer Paul Francis and bassist Bernard Hagley. In later years Terry Shaddick would become a much in demand songwriter penning a plethora of Pop hits including OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN's number 1 'Physical'!
" (CBS Inner Sleeve Issue III, 1973)
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Saying Goodbye / Happy Is the Man (Epic EPC S 8243) - released 1972 "Saying Goodbye" is a specially recorded single version, timed at 2.45. Dear Oh Dear / Nice And Easy (Epic EPC 1486) - released 1973
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Genre: pop Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Silver Company: Epic Catalog: KE
31989 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: US pressing Available: 3 Catalog ID: 194 Price: $30.00
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In one of the stranger musical pairing I've run across, having garnered a spot opening for The Byrds during a brief 1972 US tour, Tranqulity's unexpected American success saw Epic Records offer them an opportunity to record a follow-up album. Heading back to England, the band went through a couple of personnel changes that saw drummer Eric Dillon replaced by Paul Francis, bassist Paul Leverton replaced by Bernard Hagley, and the addition of lead guitarist/singer Berkley Wright. Produced by Ashley Koyaks, 1972's "Silver" didn't mark a major change in musical direction from their debut. Epic clearly spent a little more money on the recording sessions (at least allowing the band to buy a couple of synthesizers for Tony Lukyn - check out the opener 'Eagle Eye (High Flyer)'), which served to give the album a fuller sound. With singer/lead guitarist Terry Shaddick again handling most of the writing chores (keyboardist Lukyn contributing the country-tinged ballad 'LInda'), the album found the band trying to find a musical sweet spot between blatantly commercial and hipper, rock oriented numbers. Their musicianship remained impeccable - how many bands can claim three talented guitarists, let alone three good lead singers? And that may well have been their downfall. Pop fans were probably put off by their more rock oriented moves, while rock fans probably wanted little to do with their country, or pop moves. In practical terms the overall impact was minimal, which meant if you admired the debut, the follow-up (which only saw a US release), was probably going to appeal to you as well.
back cover left to right: Paul Francis - Terry Shaddick - Berkley Wright - Tony Lukyn - Bernard Hagley
center
front: Kevin McCarthy
It's not an album for everyone, but anyone who likes melodic pop is probably going to get a kick out of both of the Tranquility albums.
1.) Eagle Eye (High Flyer) (Terry Shaddick) - 3:54 rating: *** stars 'Eagle Eye' started the album off with a melodic rocker. Kicked along by some nice jangle rock guitars, the song showcased Shaddick's knack for pretty and catchy melodies, as well as the band's patented lush harmony vocals. To my ears, this one sounded a lot like a Terry Thomas and Charlie composition. Epic tapped it as a promotional 45 in the States:
- 1972's 'Eagle Eye (High Flyer)' b/w 'Whip Wheel' (Epic catalog number 5-10941) 2.) Can I See You (Terry Shaddick) - 5:44 rating: **** stars Opening up with a slightly dreamy, almost lysergic quality, the mid-tempo ballad 'Can I See You' was one of the album highlights. Simply a beautiful song with some killer harmony vocals, its hard to believe this one didn't generate some radio attention for the band. 3.) Linda (Tony Lukyn) - 4:03 rating: **** stars Penned by keyboardist Lukyn, the country-tinged ballad 'Linda' was one of the album's 'growers'. With a breezy melody, the song's winning edge came in the form of some killer Shaddick acoustic slide guitar. 4.) Whip Wheel (Terry Shaddick) - 5:16 rating: **** stars 'Whip Wheel' started out as a decent enough pop song showcasing some nice Lukyn electric piano. And then about two thirds of the way through, the song took an abrupt and unexpected change in direction heading towards a far harder, almost Floyd-styled hard-rock sound. Powered by some David Gilmore-styled lead guitar, the results were great. Short, but great. 5.) The Driver's Engine (Terry Shaddick) - 3:38 rating: **** stars Kicked along by some stellar jangle rock guitars, 'The Driver's Engine' found the band returning to a country-rock orientation (emphasis on rock). Another one that gets better the more you hear it - this one's always reminded me of something Mike Nesmith might have written and recorded with The Monkees. Insidiously catchy.
(side 2) 1.) Couldn't Possibly Be (Terry Shaddick) - 4:16 rating: **** stars Another album highlight, 'Couldn't Possibly Be' may have had the album's strongest melody and when it got going, it was easily the toughest rocker. Yeah, the lyrics were a bit spacey, but who cared. 2.) Nice and Easy (Terry Shaddick) - 3:12 rating: **** stars A breezy pop track with touches of English Vaudeville, 'Nice and Easy' found Shaddick and company stepping into their best Harry Nilsson doing his Paul McCartney impressions. Another one that climbed into your head and simply wouldn't leave, it would have made a nice single rather than being relegated to a "B" side on the horrible 'Dear Oh Dear'. 3.) Dear Oh Dear (Terry Shaddick) - 3:20 rating: ** stars
While 'Nice and Easy' brushed up against Vaudeville, 'Dear Oh Dear' found the band diving headlong into the genre - imagine 'Winchester Cathedral' by the New Vaudeville Band and you'll have a feel for what this one sounded like. Whatever cute factor the song initially had, quickly wore off leaving you to wonder what in the world Epic was thinking when they tapped it as a single (Dutch picture sleeve shown).
1973's 'Dear Oh Dear' b/w 'Nice and Easy' (Epic catalog number 5-10976)
4.) Silver (Terry Shaddick) - 7:20 rating: *** stars The title track captured the band at their most ethereal. A haunting, harmony rich ballad, 'Silver' was easily the album's prettiest number. Admittedly, the freak out segment towards the end wasn't necessary, but it didn't detract from the overall song. Imagine Terry Thomas and Charlie blending their voices with Crosby and Nash and you'd been in the right aural neighborhood. 5.) The Tree (Terry Shaddick) - 1:05 rating: ** stars To my ears the brief acoustic closer 'The Tree' sounded like a hyper-sensitive Donovan track. Probably the album's lone misstep.
In an effort to support the album Epic brought the band back to the States slotting them as the opening act for a slew of nationally known bands including David Bowie, The Eagles, J. Geils Band, Humble Pie, and even Yes. Unfortunately those shows did nothing to help sales and Epic subsequently dropped the band from its recording roster.
The band spent the next two years trying to break in the US. In 1974 they signed with Island Records, apparently recording what was intended to be a third LP, though all to emerge was an instantly obscure single:
1974's 'Born Again' b/w 'One Day Lady' (Island catalog number WIP 6192)
Dropped by Island, the band called it quits and the members scattered.
- Francis became a sessions player. - Bernie Hagley was briefly a member of Jonesy and then joined Vanity Fare. - Leverton hooked up with Caravan. - Shaddick turned his talents to songwriting, enjoying a slew of hits with material like 'Physical' for Olivia Newton John.
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