Stackridge [Import]

Stackridge | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 25, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Edsel Records UK
• ASIN: B0000011X5
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,779 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Grande Piano

2. Percy The Penguin

3. Three Legged Table

4. Dora The Female Explorer

5. Essence Of Porphyry

6. Marigold Conjunction

7. 32 West Mall

8. Marzo Plod

9. Slark

Editorial Reviews

2006 issued digitally remastered edition of the first Stackridge album that was originally released on 6th August 1971. The remastering job was done by James Warren and Andy Davis. The album was recorded on 16-track equipment at Kingsway Studios, London in 1971 with the help of producer Fritz Fryer of the 1960's harmony group the Four Pennies; engineer was Martin Birch, who went on to produce many famous heavy metal acts (what he made of Stackridge's cast of characters that inhabit their songs is unknown). Enjoy English popular music at its creative best. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting find!, February 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Stackridge (Audio CD)

Oh goody! I'm going to be reunited with my old friend Slark! (it seems I've found many a kindred spirit among these reviewers) Amazon.com, please include Slark among the audio tidbits so others will know (or remember) what we're talking about. I'm willing to bet that's the only reason many are buying this...long, long ago, in the days when FM radio was called Progressive Rock, a haunting tune called Slark was played late at night to arouse the heeby-jeebys -and enhance the acid trips- of listeners throughout the land...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Classical Rock meets Sgt. Pepper, June 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Stackridge (Audio CD)

I bought the album for "Slark", an old favorite of mine. The rest of the CD is an interesting mix of classical-style theme and variation writing, mixed with a Beatles "Sgt. Pepper" flavor of bouncy tunes and lyrics that kids (young and old) can enjoy. I think that it will take some time before I can really hang onto what must have been side one of the LP, but side 2 with Marzo and Slark is very entertaining.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obscure folky nostalgia still does it for me, April 27, 2006

By 

D. Hamilton-Smith "dave" (Merrye Olde Engelond) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stackridge (Audio CD)

I have a great deal of sentimental bias towards this album. It was the first LP my dad ever bought, and was so out of sync with what he and his friends listened to at the time (soul & reggae) that they dubbed it "Robin Hood music" and didn't let him play it in their presence. For as long as I can remember, I've had the darkly catchy melody to 'Slark' buried away in the back of my mind, and it's only since I got into prog rock a few years ago that I realised that's what this album is. Before that, it was just "weird".

It's not strictly prog, though. It's more like '68-'69 Beatles played by (English) country bumpkins using distinctly prog-like instruments (flutes & keyboards) to carry the lead melody lines. They are adventurous with their song structures too, switching tempo and instrumentation as songs progress. Above all, much of their music is great fun to listen to, with James Warren's twee and mystical lyrics floating harmonically over fiddle solos, stomping rhythm 'n' blues tracks and wistful proggy acoustic sections.

The production is a little uneven, but it adds character. As an album, you'd be hard pushed to find a more diverse collection of folk-prog songs (Jethro Tull included) that still seem to be strongly identifiable as Stackridge. They are basically a group of very talented, very playful and very English songwriters and multi-instrumentalists having a great time recording their debut album.

'Slark' and 'Three-Legged Table' must be identified as the highlights - both quite long, evolving pieces with several gear changes and irresistable pop hooks embedded in the folky oddness.

It won't go down in history, but I really do love it.