- Mark Ashton -- drums, percussion, backing vocals

  (1969-72)

- Andy Curtis - guitar (1972-)

- Graham Fields -- keyboards (1969-72)

- Steve Gould -- vocals, bass, guitar

- David Kaffinetti -- keyboards

- Fred Kelly -- drums, percussion (1972-)

- Nick Potter -- bass, guitar

 

- Mark Ashton (solo efforts)

- Fruit Machine (Steve Gould)

- Headstone (Mark Ashton)

- Turnstyle (Mark Ashton)

Genre: progressive

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Rare Bird

Company: Probe

Catalog: CPLP-4514

Year: 1969

Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG

Country/State: UK/US

Comments: minor ring and edge wear with 3 inches of tape along the lower right seam; gatefold sleeve' not for sale sticker on back cover; hard to notice blue ink writing on back cover

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4868

Price: $15.00

Based in London, Rare Bird featured the talents of ex-Turnstyle drummer Mark Ashton, keyboardists Graham Fields and David Kaffinetti, and former Fruit Machine singer/bassist Steve Gould.

Using Fields' London apartment (bet the neighbors were thrilled), the quartet began rehearsing in late 1969, quickly deciding on a then-unique guitarless, two keyboard line up.  Within a matter of months they were attracting rave word of mouth notices, which led to a residency in London's famed Marquee Club.  The resulting publicity brought record labels calling, including Charisma, which promptly signed them to a contract.  In the States ABC's newly formed Probe subsidiary acquired distribution rights.

Teamed with producer John Anthony, the cleverly-titled "Rare Bird" found the band making the most of their twin keyboard line up.  Powered by Gould's deep voice and the twin keyboards, dark and droning material such as "Beautiful Scarlet" and "Bird On a Wing" is firmly rooted in early-'70s progressive moves.  Anyone familiar and comfortable with ELP and Yes (though without the sci-fi lyrics), will probably like this one.  While the sound is certainly dated, most of the nine tracks are quite good.  Personal favorites include the ominous "God of War" (with some wild percussion from Ashton) and the atypically rocking "Times".  The album generated considerable media attention, eventually peaking at # 117 in the States.  (It was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.  The US cover is different than the UK version.)

"Rare Bird" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Beautiful Scarlet (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 5:23

2.) Sympathy (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 2:30

3.) Natures Fruit (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 2:32

4,) Bird On a Wing (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 

(side 1)

1.) God of War (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 5:08

2.) Iceberg (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 6:46

3.) Times (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 3:19

4.) You Went Away (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 4:17

5.) Melanie (Mark Ashton - Steve Gould - David Kaffinetti - Graham Field) - 3:27

Genre: progressive

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Somebody's Watching

Company: Polydor

Catalog: PD-6502

Year: 1973

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Country/State: UK/US

Comments: minor ring wear, cut top left corner

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4869

Price: $15.00

Self-produced 1973's "Somebody's Watching" found the band continuing to troll the progressive playground, but just barely.  To be honest, by this point in their career Rare Bird had essentially become a pop band.  The only real link to their progressive past was 'Dollars' which was an interesting instrumental adaption of Steve Winwood's Traffic meets Ennio Morricone's "A Few Dollars More".  Elsewhere, featuring largely group-penned material, songs such as the tile track and 'Third Time Around' were shorter, more focused and quite commercial (as in suitable for radio).  With the addition of guitarist Andy Curtis Gould seemed to have become comfortable as lead singer and the band's forays into folk-rock ('Turn Your Head' and 'Hard Time') were among the set highlights.  Progressive fans would probably put a curse on the collection, but its one that I actually come back to on a regular basis.  (And 'Dollars' sounds great on a good stereo system.)  Also worth mentioning, Polydor released the title track as a single ('Somebody's Watching (Parts 1 and 2)' Polydor catalog number PD 15087).

"Rare Bird" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Somebody's Watching   (Steve Gould - Fred Kelly - David Kaffinetti - Andy Curtis) - 5:25

2.) Third Time Around   ( Steve Gould - Fred Kelly - David Kaffinetti - Andy Curtis) - 4:55

3.) Turn Your Head   ( Steve Gould - Fred Kelly - David Kaffinetti - Andy Curtis) - 4:38

4.) More and More   ( Steve Gould - Fred Kelly - David Kaffinetti - Andy Curtis) - 4:05

(side 1)

1.) Hard Time   (Blondie Chaplin - Ricky Fataar) - 3:06

2.) Who Is the Hero   (Kevin Lamb) - 3:30

3.) High In the Morning   (Korda) - 3:30

4.) Dollars (instrumental)   ( Steve Gould - Fred Kelly - David Kaffinetti - Andy Curtis - Ennio Morricone) - 8:38