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Size: 112 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
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Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster

One of the most refreshing hits of the very early '70s was Medicine Head's "Pictures in the Sky," a song so subtly woven and effortlessly understated that it was almost difficult to actually hear it; rather, you absorbed it straight into your subconscious, then wandered round wondering what it was you were humming. That was the band's first hit single, and their first album, one should not be too shocked to discover, is basically cut from the same cloth. True, not every track is so superbly sublime; true, not every melody as deeply, darkly haunted. But two guys with a Jew's Harp, a handheld drum, a harmonica, and an acoustic guitar nevertheless make mountains move, and would probably have moved them even further if they'd recorded the hit in time for the album. Unfortunately, they didn't. The opening "When Night Falls" sets the scene instead, haunted harp and funereal pounding keeping time behind vocalist John Fiddler's lonesome, confessional lyric. There's a ghostly Dylan air to a lot of Medicine Head's early work, and this one shows you where it came ...

Medicine Head were an British blues-rock band, active in the 1970s. Their biggest single success was in 1973, with "One and One is One", a No.3 hit in the UK Singles Chart.

Medicine Head formed in Stafford in 1968, and came to prominence when championed by the DJ, John Peel, who signed them to his Dandelion record label.

The group recorded six original albums, the opening trio of which were on 'Dandelion'. That label enjoyed its first UK Singles Chart hit when "(And The) Pictures in the Sky" reached number 22 in 1971.

Despite consistent touring, often as support to acts with larger commercial appeal, Medicine Head failed to place an album on the UK Albums Chart. One of their albums was entitled Dark Side of the Moon (1972), released the year before the Pink Floyd album of the same name. If the Medicine Head release had gained attention, Pink Floyd may have had to reconsider the title of their album. Medicine Head's track, "Only To Do What Is True" appeared on the 1972 compilation, There Is Some Fun Going Forward.

They went through line-up changes with their largely backing personnel, but did achieve a total of four hit singles, the best-known of which are "One and One is One" (No. 3, 1973) and "Rising Sun" (No. 11, 1973). Their later recordings were released on Polydor. Two Man Band was their last album, and Medicine Head finally folded in 1977.

In 2005 Angel Air released the album Don't Stop The Dance. In effect it was a 'lost' album, compiling some singles from an unsuccessful period with the WWA label, and some unreleased sessions with the band as a five piece. In March 2007 Medicine Head's debut album New Bottles, Old Medicine was re-released on CD by Cherry Red Records. In May 2009 Cherry Red also released, One And One Is One - The Very Best Of Medicine Head.

01. When Night Falls (John Fiddler) - 4:45
02. Ooee Baby (John Fiddler) - 3:15
03. Next Time The Sun Comes Round (John Fiddler) - 3:28
04. This Love Of Old (Peter Hope-Evans/John Fiddler) - 3:11
05. Home's Odyssey (Peter Hope-Evans/John Fiddler) - 2:11
06. Oh My Heart To Peace (Peter Hope-Evans) - 3:25
07. Do It Now (Peter Hope-Evans/John Fiddler) - 3:00
08. Be It As We Are (John Fiddler) - 3:25
09. Fire Under Mountain (John Fiddler) - 4:24
10. Two Men Now (John Fiddler) - 3:35
11. Crazy 'Bout You Baby (John Fiddler) - 2:50
12. Goin' Home (John Fiddler) - 8:56
13. His Guiding Hand (Peter Hope-Evans/John Fiddler) - 4:01
14. Walkin' Blues (Traditional, arr.John Fiddler) - 3:07