Wild Turkey
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1971) - Glenn Cornick (RIP 2014) -- bass, guitar, keyboards - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (RIP 2013) -- vocals, guitar - Alan 'Tweke' Lewis -- lead guitar - John "Pugwash" Weathers -- drums, percussion - Graham Williams -- rhythm guitar
line up 2 (1971-72) NEW - Jon Blackmore -- vocals, guitar (replaced Graham Williams) - Glenn Cornick (RIP 2014) -- bass, guitar, keyboards - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (RIP 2013) -- vocals, guitar NEW - Jeff Jones -- drums, percussion (replaced John "Pigwash" Weathers) NEW - Alan 'Tweke' Lewis -- lead guitar (replaced Graham Williams)
line up 3 (1972-74) - Glenn Cornick (RIP 2014) -- bass, guitar, keyboards NEW - Mick Dyche (RIP 2018) -- guitar, slide guitar, vocals (replaced Jon Blackmore) NEW - Steve Guril -- keyboards - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (RIP 2013) -- vocals, guitar - Jeff Jones -- drums, percussion - Alan 'Tweke' Lewis -- lead guitar
line up 4 (1974) - Glenn Cornick (RIP 2014) -- bass, guitar, keyboards NEW - Kevin Currie -- drums, percussion (replaced Jeff Jones) - Steve Guril -- keyboards - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (RIP 2013) -- vocals, guitar NEW - Bernie Marsden -- guitar (replaced Mick Dyche)
line up 5 (1995-97) - Glenn Cornick (RIP 2014) -- bass, guitar, keyboards - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (RIP 2013) -- vocals, guitar - Alan 'Tweke' Lewis -- lead guitar NEW - Brian Thomas -- drums, percussion
line up 6 (2006-14) - Glenn Cornick (RIP 2014 -- bass, guitar, keyboards - Mick Dyche -- guitar - Steve Guril -- keyboards - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (RIP 2013) -- vocals, guitar - John "Pigwash" Weathers -- drums, percussion - Graham Williams -- lead guitar
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- Alaska (Bernie Marsden) - Ancient Grease (Gary Pickford-Hopkins and John Weathers) - Any Trouble (Steve Gurl) - Babe Ruth (Steve Gurl) - Big Sleep (Gary Pickford-Hopkins and John Weathers) - Graham Bond's Magick (John "Pigwash" Weathers and Graham Williams) - Pete Brown and Piblokto (John "Pigwash" Weathers) - Burlesque (Kevin Currie) - The Bystanders (Jeff Jones) - Chick Churchill (Gary Pickford-Hopkins) - The Executives (Glenn Cornick) - Eyes of Blue (Gary Pickford-Hopkins) - Gentle Giant ( John "Pigwash" Weathers ) - The Good Times Roll Band (Gary Pickford-Hopkins) - Jethro Tull (Glenn Cornick) - Kathago (Glenn Cornick) - Man (Jeff Jones and Alan Lewis) - The Neutrons (John Weathers) - Orange Bicycle (Kevin Currie) - Paice Ashton Lord (Bernie Marsden) - Paris (Glen Cornick) - Maddy Prior Band (Mick Dyche) - McCalla (Mick Dyche) - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (solo efforts) - Racing Cars (Graham Williams) - Sniff 'n' the Tears (Mick Dyche) - Snips (Mick Dyche) - Supertramp (Jeff Jones) - The Pat Travers Band (Mick Dyche) - UFO (Bernie Marsden)
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Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Battle Hymn Company: Chrysalis Catalog: CHR
1002 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 2455 Price: $30.00
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Reportedly fired by Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull for his hard partying life style, multi-instrumentalist Glenn Cornick wasted little time forming Wild Turkey. The original line-up featured lead guitarist Alan Lewis, former Eyes of Blue lead singer Gary Pickford-Hopkins, ex-Pete Brown & Piblokto drummer John Weathers and rhythm guitarist Graham Williams. Unfortunately before the band recorded any material Weathers and Williams left to join Graham Bond's Magick. Williams then moving on to join Gentle Giant. They were quickly replaced by singer/guitarist Jon Blackmore and former Man drummer Jeff Jones.
Recorded at Paris' Olympic Studios with Roger Bain producing, 1971's "Battle Hymn" was apparently a concept piece with an anti-war plotline running through the set. As a concept piece I have to admit the plotline was largely lost on my ears, though the packaging and song titles all seem to support the anti-war contention. Musically it wasn't the most original set I've ever heard. Material like 'To the Stars' and the title track seemed to sport a pseudo-Jethro Tull kind of sound. If you were a Tull fan you were probably okay with it. If you weren't ... well probably not so much. Elsewhere 'Dulwich Fox' and 'Sanctuary' reflected an English folk-rock vibe. Imagine Fairport Convention if they'd decided to go for a heavier rock sound. It was one of those album's that didn't make a big initial impact on me, but which has gotten better and better the more I listen to it. Interestingly the band were reportedly less than thrilled with producer Bain's work. Hardly a massive seller, but touring the States as an opening act for Black Sabbath and then Yes, the album managed to chart in the States, peaking at # 193.
Album inner sleeve left to right: Jeff Jones - Glenn Cornick - Gary Pickford-Hopkins, "Tweke" Lewis - Jon Blackmore
"Battle
Hymn" track listing: 1.) Butterfly (Glenn Cornick) - 4:56 rating: *** stars Like most of the album, the first couple of times I heard 'Butterfly' it didn't make much of an impression on me. Kind of a plodding mash-up of bar band rock and progressive moves powered by Gary Pickford-Hopkins' occasionally irritating voice. Giving credit where due, with time (and a couple of cold beers), the song's charms began to reveal themselves. Nah, it wasn't fantastic, but the band were clearly trying to be taken seriously and you couldn't help but smile. YouTube has a 2006 reunion performance of the song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ2xrmneLus 2.) Twelve Streets of Cobbled Black (Jon Blackmore) - 3:10 rating: **** stars Whereas the first song offered a kind of clumsy mash-up of rock and progressive moves, highlighting the band's unexpectedly sweet harmony vocals, 'Twelve Streets of Cobbled Black' was far more coherent. Admittedly the title and plotlines were lost on my ears, but the tune had a great melody. 3.) Dulwich Fox (Jon Blackmore) - 3:47 rating: *** stars Listening to 'Dulwich Fix' you couldn't have been blamed for wondering how a Fairport Convention album snuck itself onto your playlist. Very pretty melody with some nice lead guitar from Tweke' Lewis, but it won't register with everyone. 4.) Easter Psalm (Gary Pickford-Hopkins) - 3:45 rating: **** stars Kicked off by John Weathers martial drums, 'Easter Psalm' was one of the album stand out performances. Lead vocalist Gary Pickford-Hopkins also provided the tasty acoustic guitar. The tune was tapped as an Australian 45:
- 1971's 'Easter Psalm' b/w 'Sanctuary' (Chrysalis catalog number CYK-4795) 5.) To the Stars (Glenn Cornick) - 4:30 rating: *** stars To my ears the pretty ballad 'To the Stars' was the one track that bore at least a passing resemblance to Cornick's prior work with Jethro Tull.
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2) 'Sanctuary' has always struck me as sounding what Fairport Convention would have come up with had they ever decided they wanted to be a rock band, rather than a folk-rock outfit. Lewis' screaming lead guitar was stunning. 2.) One Sole Survivor (Gary Pickford- Hopkins) - 4:00 rating: **** stars The band at their more conventional rocking. Quite liked this one. 3.) Battle Hymn (Glenn Cornick) - 4:40 rating: **** stars Another tune that's always reminded me a bit of Tull. Hardly the most subtle anti-war lyrics you''ve ever come across, but then it wasn't a subject that lent itself to subtlety. Lewis turned in some of his best lead work. 4.) Gentle Rain (Glenn Cornick) - 2:45 rating: ** stars Pretty, but forgettable ballad. Cornick on harpsichord. 5.) Sentinel (Jon Blackmore - Alan "Tweke" Lewis) - 4:15 rating: **** stars Is it my ears, or do I detect a touch of Led Zeppelin in the closing rocker 'Sentinel'? Always loved Cornick's opening bass work on this one.
Suffering from facial cancer, Pickford-Hopkins died in June 2013.
Cornick died of congestive heat failure in August 2014.
© Scott R. Blackerby June, 2024
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Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Turkey Company: Chrysalis Catalog: CHR
1010 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve; "X" on back cover; 4" top seam split Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $25.00
Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Turkey Company: Chrysalis Catalog: CHR
1010 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $30.00
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Following the you-wanna-be-a-rock-and-roll star playbook, before recording a sophomore album Wild Turkey underwent a mandatory personnel change. Guitarist Jon Blackmore was booted in favor of Mick Dyche with Steve Guril being added to the line-up on keyboards. Produced by bassist Glen Cornick, 1972's "Turkey" also showcased to Cornick's writing contributions. He was credited with writing, or co-writing six of the album's eight compositions. Musically the album wasn't a massive departure from their debut. Yes, they avoided another "concept" theme; musically this one bounced around between blues-rock ('Good Old Days') and material that was less commercial. In that category were tunes like the progressively-tinged 'Universal Man' and the Tull-flavored 'Telephone.' Opening up the album, the lone group composition 'Good Old Day' was the set's most commercial performance. The track also served to introduce Dyche's stinging slide guitar which provided highlights throughout the collection. I certainly liked Gary Pickford- Hopkins' rough hewn voice, but on tracks like the country-blues 'Tomorrow's Friend' and 'Chuck Stallion And The Mustangs' the resource was largely wasted. I'm not saying that's good, or bad, but the latter performance sounded very much like a Rod Stewart and the Faces rocker. The album's biggest surprise and one of the prime highlights for me came in the form of the Dyche-Lewis twin lead guitar line-up. One of the album highlights, be sure to check out the wonderful Allman-esque instrumental 'See You Next Tuesday.'
You certainly have to give the band kudos for their work effort. In support of the album they undertook a US tour, seemingly opening for anyone who would have them. That was followed by repeated European tours over the next two years.
"Turkey" track listing: 1.) Good Old Days (Gary Pickford- Hopkins - Glenn Cornick - Mick Dyche - Steve Guril - Jeff Jones -- Alan 'Tweke' Lewis) - 4:08 rating: **** stars The album's lone group composition, 'Good Old Days' was an energetic and commercial slice of boogie rock. Powered by Pickford-Hopkins growling voice and Mick DYche's slide guitar the track has always reminded me of a good Foghat tune. And I think that was one of the album's biggest problems in that none of the following seven songs came close to matching the first tune. An edited version of the song was released as a single in the US and Europe.
- 1972's 'Good Old Days' b/w 'Life Is a Symphony' (Chrysalis catalog number CHS 2004) I have no idea what "Superstars of Rock" was (some sort of American television program), but YouTube has a clip of the band lip-synching the song: Wild Turkey - Gary Pickford-Hopkins (youtube.com) 2.) Tomorrow's Friend (Gary Pickford- Hopkins) - 4:01 rating: *** stars Powered by Pickford- Hopkins nice voice 'Tomorrow's Friend' started out as a stark, bluesy ballad. The song picked up considerable energy when the full band arrangement kicked in with Dyche's slide guitar solos providing the highlight. 3.) A Universal Man (Glenn Cornick) - 3:47 rating: *** stars The first of six Cornick compositions, 'A Universal Man' found the band picking up the tempo and energy level. While I'd hesitate to give anyone the impression this was an progressive set, if there was such a creature on this album, then this track was one of those performances. The melody was unconventional with lots of twists and turns. Lewis' guitar work was phenomenal, but the song was a bit short in the area of melody and Pickford- Hopkins' ragged vocals sounded like he was singing with a bad case of strep throat. 4.) Eternal Mother / The Return (insturmental) (Glenn Cornick) - 7:54 rating: *** stars / **** stars Another pseudo-progressive effort, 'Eternal Mother' bounced between raw ballad and a Guril's piano powered waltz. It was one weird performance. Combining piano and heavy bass, the waltz sections were actually kind of cool, reminding me a bit of The Beatles 'I Want You (She's So Heavy).' Shifting into instrumental 'The Return' section of the song the focus shifted to some lovely Allman Brothers-styled twin lead guitar work from Dyche and Lewis. Extra star for the instrumental part of the song.
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2) Back to conventional bar band fare, the seemingly autobiographical 'Chuck Stallion And The Mustangs' sounded like a Rod Stewart and the Faces performance. Nice Lewis' solo, but otherwise the song was perfunctory. 2.) The Street (Glenn Cornick) - 4:40 rating: *** stars Starting off with Jeff Jones laying down a martial beat, 'The Street' didn't exactly paint an uplifting portrait of life as a member of the world's oldest profession, or life on "the street." 3.) See You Next Tuesday (instrumental) (Glenn Cornick) - 6:50 rating: **** stars Powered by Dynche and Lewis on twin lead guitar the instrumental 'See You Next Tuesday' sported the album's strongest melody. Very Allman-esque tune. Shame they couldn't figure out a way to include some Pickford- Hopkins vocals, but as an Allman Brothers fan I still love this performance. 4.) Telephone (Glenn Cornick) - 3:33 Although there were no flute solos (thankfully), the heavy bluesy-rocker 'Telephone' incorporated a folk flavor and has always reminded me of a Jethro Tull rocker. It was another great platform for the Dyche-Lewis twin guitar attack. The anti-phone lyrics always make me smile.
© Scott R. Blackerby June, 2024
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