Fruits de Mer Records - the strange fish are beginning to swim...

Just received and listened through to Fruits de Mer's "strange fish five" CD. Absolutely superb, both in content and presentation.

I know the strange fish series is limited edition, but good luck if you've registered an interest. And if it's winging its way towards you as we speak, you're in for a treat...

Overpriced copies of the "Creation" CD...

There's a sudden rash of Beau "Creation" CDs on eBay.

These are all high-priced imports from Japan and as a bonus, only contain the original "Sky Dance" release. I've seen as much as £65 being asked! PLEASE DON'T BUY AT THESE PRICES.

The "Creation Recreated" download from Cherry Red offers much more for much less (but don't go for the "Creation Remastered" offerings from sites such as Pirate Bay - these are just rips of the Japanese CD).

"Edge Of The Dark" on Angel Air's new site...

Great page for "Edge Of The Dark" on Angel Air's newly-designed site...

Harmonic Distortion blog's take on "Twelve Strings to the Beau"...

Another really fine review of "Twelve Strings to the Beau", this time from the Harmonic Distortion blog.

Many thanks, Duncan Fletcher...

*****

Beau - Twelve Strings To The Beau

Lost album from Peel favourite finally gets released. Fourteen tracks of post-Dylan, literary folk.

We all love a lost album story don’t we, usually those featuring shelved classics such as The Beach Boys’ Smile or Dylan & The Band’s Basement Tapes. Though not as well known as those artists, singer-songwriter Beau occupies a pretty hip position within the parameters of Brit-folk, as having recorded the very first release on John Peel’s Dandelion label. This 7” single, ‘1917 Revolution’, was followed by two well-received albums for Dandelion.

A third album was recorded at Tractor Sound Studios in Heywood Lancashire. Before Beau could secure a release for this album real life intervened, prompting promotion at work and the relocation of his family. The recordings were shelved, perhaps not forgotten about, but certainly not listened to.

Fast forward 38 years to the digital age and a random blog post about Beau sees connections and deals made. The “lost” third album gets a release courtesy of The Sound Of Salvation label. Featuring simply Beau’s singular voice and trademark twelve-string acoustic guitar, the music lies somewhere in Dylan’s long shadow. Traditional folk song forms with a sometimes political, sometimes introspective bent it owes much his Bobness’ Another Side Of album.

Though very much a product of its era, it’s aged pretty well. There’s a Donovan-esque naïvety on some tracks that today’s smug smart arses might scoff at but that’s part of its charm. And the sparse arrangements let you soak up the lyrics, which is what the record is really about. Wordy, literate, informative and as beneficial as a slow release pill. Subject matter is diverse, ranging from colonialism, war, industrial action as well as the problems of Leeds’ drainage system. There’s also room for a love song or two. Give it a listen on a relaxed, balmy summer evening with a glass of something nice and it will all make sense. Beau is still making music so go catch him at a gig if you get the chance.

Brilliant review of "Twelve Strings to the Beau" in the new edition of Shindig! magazine...

One of the best reviews I’ve ever had has just come out in the new edition of Shindig! magazine! 

Many thanks to Jeff Penczak – I’m glad you like the music – but special thanks to Anthony Nyland and Chris McGranaghan at Those Old Records without whom “Twelve Strings…” would never have made it into the light. 

Cheers, guys!

*****

BEAU

Twelve Strings To The Beau

The Sound Of Salvation LP

Christopher John Trevor Midgley (AKA Beau) released the first record on John Peel’s Dandelion imprint and currently maintains the web’s best Dandelion site. Two albums followed and, in February 1975, he entered label mates Tractor’s studio to record a third, which finally sees the light here. Beau’s exquisite 12-string backing imbues his troubadour-style ballads with an immediacy that leaves the listener hanging on his every word. This is folk singer storytelling at its finest, buoyed by lyrics that rival Dylan and Cohen in their vivid imagery, particularly the epic ‘Why Do You Laugh?’

Highlights are many, including the rousing, Kingston Trio-ish ‘The Commodore’, the graphic plague tale of ‘The Roses Of Eyam’ (popularised by Rob Bailey), and the nostalgic tearjerker ‘The Wine Was Sweeter Then’. Forty years ago this would have settled nicely alongside your Roy Harper and Tom Rapp/Pearls Before Swine albums. Now I think I’ll play it more than any of them.

Jeff Penczak

"Rainbow Jam Theme" - first airplay...

A little bird just whispered “Rainbow Jam Theme” from strange fish 5 will be getting its first airplay on the Green Arrow Radio show just after 4pm UK time this afternoon. It’s on WSUM 91.7FM Radio (Madison, Wisconsin).

Thanks, Mr G!

That same bird also tells me it’ll be the second song up. So turn on, tune in,enjoy...

Terrascope reviews the strange fish instrumentals...

Another fine review of the upcoming strange fish instrumental series from Fruits de Mer. More kind words about "Rainbow Jam Theme" as well...

Buzz magazine reviews “Twelve Strings to the Beau”…

Another really neat review of “Twelve Strings to the Beau” – this time from the June issue of Buzz Magazine. Many thanks, NG!

BEAU ****

Twelve Strings To The Beau (The Sound Of Salvation)

There are probably several hundred lost and/or obscure folk-rock records rereleased each year, and to try and group them into ‘valuable’ and ‘unnecessary’ would most likely be classic narcissism of small differences behaviour. I’m most taken with this ’un, however: Trevor ‘Beau’ Midgley recorded it in 1975 for John Peel’s Dandelion label, but it was never released until now. Dramatic 12-string guitar work, Beau’s cut-glass English accent and lyrics which entwine the abstract and the personal add up to an album worthy of comparison to, say, Roy Harper. NG

“Rainbow Jam Theme” on The Active Listener Sampler 8…

The Active Listener Sampler 8 – including the instrumental "Rainbow Jam Theme", shortly to appear on Fruits de Mer Records’ strange fish 5 CD – has just been released for download. You can get it for free, or make a voluntary donation (recommended!).

Please note: this great set is an authorised release. It is NOT a bootleg. In the immortal words of Richard Branson, "Now that's what I call music"...!

Roy Bailey's "Roses Of Eyam" now out on iTunes (and others)...

Just heard Roy Bailey's 1982 version of "The Roses Of Eyam" is now available for the first time as a download... 

Good stuff!

Beau song lyrics at lyrics.wikia.com...

The lyrics to almost 100 of my recorded songs have been posted at lyrics.wikia.com. 

Many thanks to Vincas Stepankevicius in Lithuania for all his hard work! Much appreciated...

"Rainbow Jam Theme" promo video from Fruits de Mer Records...

New video upload from Fruits de Mer...

an excerpt from strange fish five - a bonus CD - exclusively available to buyers of the new set of 'strange fish' instrumental albums from Fruits de Mer Records. This track is by Beau - and a totally-unexpected, and previously unavailable, instrumental offering from the mid-80s from the singer-songwriter who first recorded for John Peel's Dandelion lable over 40 years ago, and is still going strong.


More information at www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/strangefish.h­tml

"Rats" on Radio Zenith's Popcast show (France)...

Thanks indeed to Flat Ed for playing "Rats" from the new "Twelve Strings to the Beau" record on his Radio Zenith Popcast show last Saturday.

The podcast's available as we speak. Includes Wolf People too! Can't be bad...

Heyday Blog review of Fruits de Mer's strange fish albums...

Couldn't help but notice this really neat review on Nick Leese's Heyday Blog of the new strange fish series from Fruits de Mer's Regal Crabomophone Records - and the particularly generous comments about Rainbow Jam Theme on sf5!


14.05.13 - Strange Fish are Happening! 

Fruits De Mer’s latest venture lands sometime in June. The ‘Strange Fish’ series has been mooted for a while, and is four loosely ‘themed’ albums (two on single vinyl and two on double vinyl) with a free CD of unissued music for purchasers of the complete set! CDRs of the albums have arrived here recently and this is one Pandora’s Box of krautrock, progressive/acid jams, electronica, and much more!

Coming from a psych/blues background I knew I’d be in for a challenge with the series, but the whole concept has kept me coming back to it for the last few weeks. I’ve played the whole series from start to finish, I’ve ‘dipped’ into various volumes playing specific tracks, not just because I may have liked particular tracks but also the ones I couldn’t take to initially I wanted to give another chance.

OK, so I still can’t take to ALL of the music on offer, but it’s been an adventure checking these sounds out!
I’m still not into pure synth sounds, unless played alongside the standard rock fare of guitars, bass and drums. A few years ago I experienced an intense headache listening to an electronic album, and I don’t suffer from headaches as a rule. Even now while listening to some of the tracks in this series, I still feel uneasy with the electronica tracks. I can also feel the temperature drop around me. Luckily for me, there are guitars, bass and drums (even saxophones too!) to be heard within the series, so I was in my ‘safety zone’ for at least some of the time!

Strange Fish One features floating ambient sounds. Sendelica contribute the track ‘Strange Fish’ here. This 24 minute jam features a simple ringing guitar motif and a bass line alongside various sound effects (plus a little altered tape speed!) I wouldn’t say the various stages of the piece ‘fit’ together seamlessly, but they hold my interest. It’s been the track I’ve returned to a few times. There’s something about the guitar in it I like. Reminds me of temple bells.

Strange Fish Two is loosely based around kraut/prog rock guitar led jams. More like it, me thinks! Organic Is Orgasmic feature with ‘At Dawn Of Men’. Haunting/spacey saxophone sounds are suddenly shattered after 5 minutes when the track hits a cool groove that’s pretty much maintained up to its 13 minute limit. Nothing is too rushed, it’s very controlled. Sendelica appear again with the wonderfully titled ‘80% Neon Bridge Of Sighs’. Very Floydian! Actually the track titles throughout the whole series are very imaginative – they make you want to hear what a tracks with these kind of titles sound like - good bait! Best of all on this particular volume is ‘Space Orchid vs. Massive Drumkit’ by The Grand Astoria. Lovely Eastern/Hippy vibe that mutates into another solid groove.

The third volume isn’t really for me. Based around kosmische/motoric/electronic sounds, I find it the most difficult volume to listen to, but I do have a liking for Vert:x (stars of the ‘The Crabs Freak Out’ CD). They contribute three tracks, two of which (’Bad Calibration’ & ‘Killer Beez’) feature their trademark ‘muscular’ riffing. I like the energy, it's relentless! And who let Hawkwind gatecrash too?

Now to volume four - the mood is gentle, and there’s acoustic guitar to be heard! Jewel in the crown is Hi-Fiction Science’s James McKeown. I’ve got copies of the two most recent solo outings from James and this guy creates some really beautiful instrumentals. He contributes four tracks here and each one is wonderful listening. ‘Euclid Dreaming’ is my particular favourite, but it could have easily been any of the others. The Vox Humana, who also feature members of Hi-Fiction Science, offer more gentleness with ‘Shortwave Radio And The Ionosphere’ another favourite of mine.

The Strange Fish 5 CD as I mentioned earlier, is only available with the purchase of all four albums. This features tracks that didn’t quite fit or work with the rest of the series, but there’s no slouching here. Jay Tausig’s ‘Shortwave’ is a beautiful groove, while Oceanfire fight off another Hawkwind intrusion on ‘Elevations’. Mustn’t forget ‘Cathedral’ by Purple Rock Trip either - this 11 minute track is a guitar orchestra! Finally, legendary songwriter Beau chips in with an unissued mid 80s track, originally recorded for a video project entitled ‘Rainbow Jam Theme’. This I really enjoyed! It’s a fuzzy Bo Diddley-esque work out. The ‘oddest’ track of the entire set for sure, but I defy anyone not to like it!

The Strange Fish series is definitely a challenging listen. Worth taking up though, you may get into something new - let’s compare notes at the end…

I’ll check in again soon.

The Strange Brew Podcast reviews "Twelve Strings to the Beau"...

Many thanks to Jason at The Strange Brew Podcast for this excellent review of the new release!


Twelve Strings to the Beau

Sunday, 19 May 2013
Review by Jason Barnard


In July 1969, as Beau, Trevor Midgley released the very first single on John Peel’s Dandelion Records, followed by two critically acclaimed albums prior to the label’s demise. In 1975 with his trusty twelve-string in hand, he recorded an album’s worth of material that through a twist of fate didn’t see a release at the time. The Sound of Salvation label has now presented this material, that would have been Beau’s third album in the format it deserves: in heavyweight vinyl, high quality artwork and lyric sheet.

It does sound excellent in analogue and though a few tracks have crept out from the archives over the years this is their most fitting setting.

“Love Is” one of the few love songs in Beau’s catalogue and is an excellent way for the uninitiated to hear this master songsmith. The second track “The Roses of Eyam”, a true story based on the Great Plague is already a folk standard due to Roy Bailey’s release but this is the original and best version.

Beau digs far deeper and wider than most songwriters and his topics inform and challenge the listener from child abduction in “Miss Alice Preece”, “Cartoon” – colonialism, to alternative World War Two events in “Bristol Museum”.

Other favourites include “Black Raven of the Morning” and “Shanty Town”; the latter with a political edge. The aptly named “Goodbye” finishes this splendid long player; it focuses on the passing nature of life but this is a record that will live long in the memory.