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BAND
by Terry Willson
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THE ORIGINAL
BAND |
Site Updated on 17th November 2002 by Terry Willson |
| Music | Studio Albums | Live Albums | Bootleg Albums |
| Solo Albums, collaborations and spin offs. |
| Deke Leonard |
| Deke was the first member of Man to release a solo album, a situation that was forced on him when the 1972 re-organisation of Man saw him surplus to requirements. To the rescue came Andrew Lauder who signed Deke to a solo deal with United Artists. |
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Iceberg - 1973 United Artists Razorblade And Rattlesnake; I Just Can't Win; Lisa; Nothing Is Happening; Looking For A Man; A Hard Way To Live; Broken Ovation; Jesse; Ten Thousand Takers; The Ghost Of Musket Flat; Crosby (Second Class Citizen); 7171551; Diamond Road*; Turning In Circles*; The Aching Is So Sweet*. (*Bonus CD Tracks) |
Deke's first album is a very impressive debut. Three of the tracks were played by Man live when Deke rejoined, Razorblade (at the request of John Cipollina), A Hard Way To Live and 7171551. Various old friends and members of the Manband past and present played on the album and for one track, The Ghost Of Musket Flat saw the 1972 line up of Man from Greasy Truckers /Padgett Rooms were reunited. The album also contains the very haunting ballad Jesse, a particular favourite of mine. Crosby is John Eichler's dog, who, at Deke's insistence, was paid in dog food. |
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Kamikaze - 1974 United Artists Cool Summer Rain; Jayhawk Special; Sharpened Claws; Taking The Easy Way Out; The Balck Gates Of Death; Stacia; Broken Glass And Limejuice; April The Third; Louisiana Hoedown; In Search Of Sarah And Twenty Six Horses; The Devils Gloves; She's A Cow*(*Bonus CD Tracks) |
The second solo album from Deke was released in 1974 after he had rejoined Man. Using what was his Iceberg touring band for most of the tracks on this album, this included Brian Breeze and Keith Hodge from his early days in South Wales when he played with bands such as the Corncrackers and The Jets.Keith was replaced by Dave Charles, who in 1999/2000 produced and engineered Man's latest release - Endangered Species. The album charted on 18th April 1974 and stayed at number 50 for one week. |
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Before Your Very Eyes - 1981 United Artists Someone Is Calling; Fools Like Me; Marlene; Oh; When Am I Coming Back; Get Off The Line; Hiding In The Darkness; Big Hunk Of Love; I Feel Like A Pill; The World Exploded In My Face; What Am I Gonna Do When The Money Runs Out; Bad Luck; Map Of India*; Hey There (Lady In The Black Tuxedo)* (*Bonus CD Tracks) |
Deke's third album is perhaps a more basic Rock'n'Roll album than the previous two, even down to a cover of the Elvis hit Big Hunk Of Love. The album took a while to record and there was a delay to the release as Andrew Lauder's replacement at United Artists did not like the album. It finally got a release when the mother company went under following the film "Heaven's Gate". The record label was rescued by EMI and the album eventually saw the light of day in 1981. |
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Unfinished Business - TWC Release Afterburner Boogie (Take 3); I Didn't Ask To Be Here; When Was The Last Time; Someone Is Calling (Demo); Hot Nights And High Spirits; Love Changes: Bad Luck (Demo); Let It Go; Do You Believe Me; This Is Another Song; Can't Keep A Bad Women Down (Demo); Needle In A Haystack; Map Of India (Demo); Joyful Soul; Oh (Demo); Sweet Sweet Love; When Am I Coming Back; Goodbye. |
The final solo offering to date from Deke has been a limited release via The Welsh Connection magazine consisting of outakes and demo's from his career. There are some interesting tracks on this collection - the Demos make for an interesting comparison with Deke's official releases and it's good to see Afterburner Boogie getting a long overdue release. |
| Clive John |
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You Always Know Where You Stand With A Buzzard - 1975 - United Artists Out Of My Tree; Brand 'X'; Summer Song; Swansea Town; Visitin' The Duke; Love To You; Overflow; Bust Again; Hold Your Ferret Aloft |
Andrew Lauder was also the man behind Clive's only solo album released in 1975. A slightly weird album it features some of Wales finest with Martin Ace and Dave Charles forming the rhythm section and various other Welsh musicians, including Andy Fairweather-Low; Phil Ryan, Tommy Riley and Brian Breeze all making guest appearances. When this was voted 2nd in the 1st Welsh Connection poll - Man Related Album Section, Michael Heatley blamed the Monster Raving Looney Party vote. |
| Martin Ace |
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Happy Days - 1973 - United Artists Jesus What Are Little Kids For; Virginia; Waiting At The Station; Seashell; I've Got A Beautiful You; My Friend; Elephant By My Side |
In 1973 Martin and George Ace collaborated with Help Yourself for an album and a tour. The whole idea was to present a show with both visual and musical ideas, unfortunately the expense was too much and it was never repeated. This is the album from this collaboration and was originally released as a double album or a free bonus LP with the Helps last album, The Return Of Ken Whaley. The album also features some comic interludes by Man's notorious roadie Viv "The Spiv" Morris. I say notorious as he was the owner of some of the largest packets of Rizzla's ever seen and an interesting giant wooden phallus. |
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Seashell - 2002 - Point Seashell (Vinyl Version); Waiting At The Station; I Got Beautiful You: Elephant At My Side; Larry; Magic Carpet Ride; All The Little Things; Real Fantasy; Moonlight Kiss; Atlantic Roller; Holding Back The Tears; Seashell (Tape Version) |
In 2002, 30 years after they formed, the Flying Aces finally had an official release. This compilation of their recorded material features some of the song's featured on the Happy Daze and other tracks recorded with various Help Yourself personel and past and present Man members Phil Ryan and Deke Leonard. |
| George Jones |
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Noodles - 2002 - Private Label Too Many Questions; I've Got To Know; Noodles; Pale Rider; Is Harry With Us???? |
The first CD from Micky's son George (see the live dates section),is a five track offering called Noodles.Masterminded by George it features the Old Man, Micky, on three of the tracks. I only purchased this yesterday (21/10/2002) so I have not yet had a full listen. More comments later but if his performances as substitute for his Dad in Man then this should be good. |
| The Neutrons |
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When Phil Ryan and Will Youatt left Man at the end of 1973, they formed a band called The Neutrons. The band consisted of Phil and Will along with future Man member John Weathers Drums); Martin Wallace (Guitars) Ray "Taff" Williams (Guitars); Stuart Gordon (Violin) and Caromay Dixon (Vocals). For the second album John had departed and the drumming duties were shared between Stuart Halliday and former Help Yourself drummer Dave Charles. Both albums are excellent with, as the titles suggest some excellent space/acid rock. |
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Black Hole Star - 1974 - United Artists Living In The World Today; Feel; Mermaid And Chips; Dangerous Decisions; Doom City; Dance Of The Psychedelic Lounge Lizards; Going To India; Snow Covered Eyes |
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Tales From Blue Cocoons - 1974 - United Artists No More Straights; Northern Midnight; Come Into My Cave; Live Your Lie; L'Hippie Nationale; Take You Further; Welsh R Blunt; The Jam Eaters |
| Alkatraz |
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In 1975 when Phil went back to Man, Will reunited with some old friends to form the band Alkatraz. The band released one album but it is highly regarded amongst Man Fans. The line up consisted of Will Youatt, Jimmy Davies (Guitar And Vocals), Stuart Halliday (Drums) and Jeff Singer (Bass) |
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Doing A Moonlight - 1976 - United Artists Stay Out Of Town; Red Lights; Zen Cookies; Nito Benito; The Ounze That Jack Built; Maybe Monday; Nobody Like You; Every Day And Night; Ti-Jean. |
There is a second Alkatraz album that was being recorded at the time they split but that is unlikely to see daylight. The band still gig occasionally, including a storming performance at Welsh Convention 4. |
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