Medicine Head: News Bottles, Old Medicine. CD

When, in early 1970, legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel ventured up to Wolverhampton's Lafayette club to do a gig, he came upon two guys who called themselves Medicine Head, the uniquely configured duo of John Fiddler and Peter Hope-Evans. So impressed was Peel that he signed Medicine Head to his label, Dandelion Records and later that year released "New Bottles, Old Medicine" the 1st of three studio albums that Medicine Head would release on the revered label. The walrus-moustached Fiddler would simultaneously sing, play guitar and operate a bass drum and hi-hat cymbal with his foot, augmented by the equally hirsute Hope-Evans on harmonica, jaws harp, mouth bow and strange concoctions of percussion. More art school than rock'n'roll, Medicine Head wrote poetic, spiritual, thoughtful, folk-rock tunes that have stood the test of time. Now the band's debut album can be enjoyed again as Cherry Red Records continues it's programme of re-releasing classic albums from the Dandelion catalogue. "New Bottles, Old Medicine" follows hot on the heels of re-issues by Dandelion artists Bridget St John; Clifford T Ward; Principal Edwards Magic Theatre and also the acclaimed compilation box-set "Life Too, Has Surface Noise: The Complete Dandelion Records Singles Collection. Cherry Red Records releases "New Bottles, Old Medicine", the 1970 Dandelion Records debut release from John Peel favourite, Medicine Head Sonically restored and beautifully re-packaged with 7 bonus tracks, new artwork; poster-style sleeve, complete lyrics and extensive liner notes featuring an interview with songwriter and one half of Medicine Head, John Fiddler.