Blonde On Blonde – Rebirth 1970 (Ember Records)

Label : Ember Records

Value :
Taking their name from Bob Dylan's 1966 LP, Blonde On Blonde were originally formed in Newport, South Wales in 1967 by vocalist/guitarist Ralph Denyer, drummer Les Hicks, bassist/organist Richard Hopkins andguitarist/sitar player Gareth Johnson. It was this line up of the band that signed to Pye Records in late 1968 and who released the single, 'All Day All Night'/'Country Life' (7N 17637) in November of the same year. The same foursome also recorded the band's debut LP "Contrasts" (NSPL 18288) which was issued by Pye in mid-1969 - complete with a colourful gatefold sleeve which housed twelve fine slices of psychedelic-tinged progressive rock that earnt the band strong critical acclaim and a slot on the same year's legendary Isle Of Wight Festival which was headlined by Bob Dylan.

By the time of 1970's 'Castles In The Sky'/'Circles' single (EMBS 279) and the LP, "Rebirth" (NR 5049), Denyer had left to form Aquila, who released one album, "The Aquila Suite" (SF 8126) for RCA Records later that same year, after which vocalist/guitarist Dave Thomas took over from Denyer, making his debut on the aptly-titled "Rebirth" LP, which once again was released in a striking gatefold sleeve with liner notes by future Radio 1 DJ Tommy Vance.  Richard John (aka Richard Hopkins) only stayed with the band for another year and was replaced in mid-1971 by bassist/guitarist/banjo player Graham Davis. This Davis/Thomas/ Hicks/Johnson incarnation of Blonde On Blonde recorded October 1971's "Reflections On A Life" album (Ember NR 5058) at Monmouth's Rockfield Studios though the lack of commercial success finally took its toll on the band and they went their separate ways soon after the LP's release.

Today all of the band's releases are expensive highly sought after collectors items, not just because of their rarity, but because they contain some of the late 60s/early 70s finest progressive rock. However, the whereabouts of the various members of Blonde On Blonde remain something of a mystery though it is generally assumed that, following the demise of the band in early 1972, none of them pursued careers in music.Mark Brennan Taken from the CD reissue.

Taste :

Blonde On Blonde – Castles in The Sky

Blonde On Blonde – Time is Passing

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By Electric Looser