Stackridge: Friendliness, 2CD Edition

• NEW EXPANDED 2CD EDITION OF THE 1972 ALBUM BY STACKRIDGE.

• WITH 12 ADDITIONAL BONUS TRACKS INCLUDING A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED PERFORMANCE RECORDED FOR BBC RADIO ONE IN CONCERT IN JUNE 1972.

• FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK AND NEW ESSAY WITH EXCLUSIVE BAND INTERVIEWS.

• REVIEWS IN PROG, UNCUT, MOJO, RECORD COLLECTOR MAGAZINES PLUS COVERAGE ON RELEVANT WEBSITES & FANZINES

Formed in Bristol in 1969, Stackridge were one of the most unique British bands of the era. Their initial line-up featured Andy Davis (guitar, keyboards, vocals), James Warren (guitar, vocals), James “Crun” Walter (bass), Michael “Mutter” Slater (flute, vocals), Michael Evans (violin) and Billy Bent (drums). Possessing a gift for melody, musicianship and a fine sense of humour and English eccentricity, their concerts were legendary.

Throughout 1970 they honed their song writing and live act, appearing at the very first Glastonbury festival that year. In 1971, Crun Walter departed the band and James Warren assumed bass guitar duties. They signed to MCA Records and recorded their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, issued in August that year.

By 1972, Crun Walter had rejoined the band and Stackridge continued an endless series of concerts which gained them a loyal and fanatical following. The flavour of their live performances was captured on a recording for the BBC Radio In Concert series at the BBC Paris Theatre in London in June 1972, which debuted some tracks which would appear on their second album, ‘Friendliness’, recorded at Sound Techniques studio in Chelsea. Issued in November 1972, the album and subsequent tour with fellow Bristol act The Pigsty Hill Orchestra, gained the band more dedicated followers.

This Esoteric Recordings edition has been expanded to include an additional CD which features four tracks issued as singles and the band’s previously unreleased BBC Radio One In Concert performance from June 1972. The release features an illustrated booklet with exclusive band interviews and an essay by Mike Barnes.

 

Track Listing

DISC ONE

Friendliness
Released in August 1972
1 Lummy Days
2 Friendliness (Part One)
3 Anyone for Tennis
4 There is No Refuge
5 Syracuse the Eephant
6 Amazingly Agnes
7 Father Frankenstein is Behind Your Pillow
8 Keep On Clucking
9 Story of My Heart
10 Friendliness (Part Two)
11 Teatime

DISC TWO

Additional tracks
1 Slark (single version)
2 Purple Spaceships Over Yatton (B-side of single)
3 Introduction – Hit and Miss (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
4 Grande Piano (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
5 Teatime (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
6 Lummy Days (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
7 Amazingly Agnes (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
8 32 West Mall (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
9 She Taught Me How to Yodel (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
10 Four Poster Bed (Let There Be Lids) (BBC Radio In Concert June 1972)
11 C’est La Vie (B-side of single)
12 Do the Stanley (A-side of single)