John Peel Presents Top Gear (1969) 24-bit/96kHz *New Rip*
Progressive-Rock, Folk, Avant-Garde | 1969 UK LP | BBC REC 52S
The performances (by Bridget St. John, Ron Geesin, Sweet Marriage and Welfare State / White Noise) included on this record were first broadcast by John Peel in “Top Gear” during August, September and October 1969.
In addition to featuring some well-known, albeit under-exposed, musicians “Top Gear” also tries to direct the wandering attention of its listeners to a torrent of lesser-known people. A selection of these latter will be found lurking within. Those seeking, however, for a return of the yodelling fish-monger from Ludlow are doomed to a lasting, wretched disappointment.
The record starts with a voice that has brought a new and hopeless dimension to the concept of boredom. Hurriedly the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop has modulated, cut-up, phased and fed-back this voice and made it infinitely more palatable.
It is not easy to write objectively about Bridget St. John. Her voice and songs are full of woods and hedgerows, startled deer and hedgehogs. Here she has sung some other songs that she sings sometimes on stage. Bridget lives in London but to hear her and speak with her is as good as renting a cottage by the sea. She’s my favourite lady singer (with the Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny) in the whole world.
Bearing witness to Ron Geesin on stage is an unforgettable experience. He stomps around roaring strange poetry and nearwords in a loud Scottish voice. He blows into petrol cans and draws the audience and the events of the evening into him. He plays “amazements” on the piano and a bizarre neo-banjo. He plays on the walls, the floor, chairs, the atmosphere – and the audience. Description is really superfluous – better to listen to this record – better still to go and see him with no pre-conceived notions of what he should do because he won’t.
From Manchester and its environs (whatever they are) come Sweet Marriage. They were brought to my attention by a lady called Germaine Greer whose unconventional honesty has brought her much criticism and my love and respect. They were playing at the Marquee with Yes and they really played well. Mostly their own songs, well played and well sung. We asked them to broadcast for us and help us with this record. It seems probable that you will like what they’ve done.
The Welfare State are “An alternative, an entertainment, a way of life”. They revolve slowly around the Regional College of Art in the excellent city of Bradford. They include alchemists, and earth goddess, facts, monsters, Perspex lutes, poets and freaks. They have contributed “Silence is requested” and it has been “Electronically Treated” by White Noise from whom, it seems probable, you will hear a great deal more.
The record ends with a poignant, sensitive treatment on Jew’s harp of what is supposed to be the “Top Gear” theme. A rare treat – as you will find the entire record. John Peel (from the sleeve notes).
Track listing:
01. John Peel’s voice treated by Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson (BBC Radiophonic Workshop)
02. Sweet Marriage – Mort
03. Bridget St. John – The River
04. Ron Geesin – Agitation in anticipation of Offspring Part ‘W’
05. Bridget St. John – Song to keep you company
06. Welfare State / White Noise – Silence is requested in the Ultimate Abyss
07. Bridget St. John – Night in the City
08. Sweet Marriage – Titania
09. Ron Geesin – Agitation in anticipation of Offspring Part ‘X’
10. Bridget St. John – Lazarus
11. Ron Geesin – Agitation in anticipation of Offspring Part ‘Y’
12. John Peel – Top Gear Signature Tune
Produced by John Walters
Beautifully recorded by the BBC.
Nicely mastered and pressed by Orlake.
Never released on CD.
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, November 2014.