Hunter Muskett - Hunter Muskett (1973) 24-bit/96kHz
Folk-Rock | 1973 UK LP | Bradleys BRADL 1003
Hunter Muskett was an English folk-rock band. The group was formed at Avery Hill College in South London when Terry Hiscock and Chris George were joined by fellow student Doug Morter. The band’s name was taken from an anecdote about an eccentric Cornishman.
Hunter Muskett began by playing in London folk-clubs and colleges mixing original songs with acoustic folk and blues. Unusually for the time they used a pa system to balance guitars and voices.
The band signed to Decca Nova after being spotted playing at The Troubadour in London’s Earls Court. On the resulting album, ‘Every Time You Move’ (1970), produced by Kim Margolis, the trio’s acoustic sound was augmented by Danny Thompson (uncredited) on double bass and orchestration arranged by Richard Hewson. Bass-player Rog Trevitt joined shortly after the album's release. The Decca Nova label lasted less than a year.
From 1971 to 1974 the band toured the UK and on the continent, also making one trip to Morocco. Although mainly working the folk/college/ circuit, they also played festivals (Cambridge, St Albans, Laycock, Norwich) and major venues, notably as support to Ralph McTell (UK Spring Tour 1973) and Amon Düül (touring Belgium and Northern France in autumn 1973). Radio appearances included BBC's Country Meets Folk, Pete Drummond’s Night Ride and Sounds on Sunday.
In 1973 managers Mike Hutson and George Fenton (then working as George Howe) signed the band to Derek Johns at Bradley's Records where they became one of three acts (alongside Paul Brett and Kala) in a label launch involving considerable promotional expenditure. The album ‘Hunter Muskett’ (1973) produced by Keith Relf also featured Michael Giles on drums, Jim McCarty on percussion, Ken Freeman and John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick (uncredited) on synthesiser.
Plans to add a permanent drummer were never realised although Andrew Steele played at the Royal Festival Hall (May 1973) and worked on demos for a projected second Bradley’s album, whilst Roger Swallow came in for Pete Drummond’s Night Ride (autumn 1973).
In 1974 a change of musical policy at Bradleys (now under ex-Mojo Stuart Slater) resulted in the label parting with all three of its original acts in a successful quest for hit singles. With no record label and finding the economics of keeping on the road increasingly difficult the band decided to split.
Of the four members only Doug Morter has continued to work as a professional musician combining a solo career with band and duo work. Now based in Denmark his credits include: Richard Digance, Magna Carta, The Albion Band, Maddy Prior Band, Then Came The Wheel, Jerry Donahue, The Backroom Boys and The Gathering Britannia. Chris George, who had built instruments for Hunter Muskett, is a highly regarded luthier.
Following the official re-release of ‘Everytime You Move' in 2010 Hunter Muskett reformed for a reunion performance. The band now tours occasionally and in 2013 released a CD of new material, 'That Was Then This Is Now', produced by John Ellis and Bill Leader. Wikipedia
Never officially released on CD.
Track listing:
01. John Blair
02. When I'm Not Around
03. She Takes the Wine
04. Rosie
05. Back In Your Youth
06. Silver Coin
07. Magician
08. Laze Around All Day
09. By & By
Personnel:
Roger Trevitt: electric bass, vocals, marimba, percussion
Doug Morter: acoustic & electric guitars, vocals
Chris George: acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica, vocals
Terry Hiscock: acoustic guitars, piano, organ, vocals
With:
Michael Giles drums on: 1, 2, 3, 5 & 8
Ken Freeman: synthesiser
Jim McCarty: percussion on 'Rosie'
Recorded at Island Studios, London.
Produced by Keith Relf
Technicals:
Knosti RCM.
Michell GyroDec full version.
Funk Firm FXR II Tonearm.
Audio Technica AT33PTG/II MC Cartridge.
Harman Kardon HK990 Integrated Amplifier.
Gold Interconnects. E-MU 0204 Audio Interface.
Recording, split and manual de-click with Adobe Audition 3.0.1
Click Repair 3.9.1
Vinyl transfer by son-of-albion, April 2014.