This is a very sought-after album from 1969. Released in the UK by CBS Records, it initially fell through the cracks just as many others had at the time; the amount of psychedelic pop records released between 1967 and 1970 in the UK was just too large to be consumed by the public, but many of them were reappraised in time, which led to them becoming coveted collectors' items at first, and then to get re-released. This specific CD reissue by Sunbeam Records adds contemporary singles and a couple of modern recordings (2008) by the band's singer/guitarist/organist David Lewis, who has also overseen this reissue. The band, which originally hailed from Northern Ireland, was previously called The Method and at one point counted Gary Moore among its members. By 1968, however, they had changed their name and moved to London, releasing this LP. Lewis wrote all the songs, sang and played guitar and keyboard, aided by Nigel Smith (bass) and Gordon Barton (drums) as well as guest Bob Downes on flute and various exotic instruments. Opener "The Days Grew Longer For Love" is a nice acid-folk piece that gets progressively louder with steady drumming and an electric guitar crescendo near the end. "Sunday" is a Yardbirds/Hendrix-like rocker, followed by a pastoral piece with flute and chimes called "Lost A Number, Found A King". "Man Without a Name" and "Clockwork Man" are Dylan influenced, and "Cocaine" is atmospheric blues with groovy organ a la Stevie Winwood. Another organ filled tune, "Andwella" sounds like a lighter Atomic Rooster or Uriah Heep, while "Midday Sun" is a laidback hippie ballad. The album proper stops here, but this reissue adds all four sides of the band's singles: the earthier blues rock "Mrs. Man" b/w "Mr. Sunshine", orchestral pop "Every Little Minute" and atmospheric jazz "Michael FitzHenry". The new songs "Paradise Isle" and "Miles Away From My Baby" don't really belong here as the're closer to Celtic Soul than psychedelia, but it's pretty good, Van Morrison-like stuff. The band released two more LP's under the shortened Andwella moniker. I haven't heard them yet, but Love & Poetry alone has secured them a place in the pantheon of 60's psychedelic heroes anyway. The playing is amazing, and the compositions are varied and accomplished - impressively so, considering Lewis was still in his late teens. The colorful cover is also quite nice, and very much into the zeitgeist of the late 60's. If it's one of your favorite periods too, you'll probably also love this CD.
**** for The Days Grew Longer For Love, Sunday, Cocaine, Andwella, Midday Sun, Mrs. Man (45 A-side)
*** for Lost A Number, Found A King, Man Without A Name, Clockwork Man, Shades Of Grey, High On A Mountain, Take My Road, Felix, Goodbye, Mr. Sunshine (45 B-side), Every Little Minute (45 A-side), Michael FitzHenry (45 B-side), Take My Road (Alt. Mix), Man Without A Name (Alt. Mix), Paradise Isle (2008), Miles Away From My Baby (2008)
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