Search - Andy Fairweather-Low :: Wide Eyed & Legless-a&M Recordings

Good time music by a talented performer

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 04/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a world where most singers, however brilliant, sound like a lot of other equally brilliant singers, Andy Fairweather-Low has a very distinctive voice that doesn't draw any obvious comparisons with others. Quite apart from his distinctive voice, Andy also plays guitar, writes great songs and records them in a diverse range of styles.



Andy first made the big time in the sixties as the front man for Amen Corner. In that capacity, he had six hits in the British pop charts, four of which made the top ten including Bend me shape me (a top three hit that was a cover of a song that had been a huge American hit for American Breed) and If Paradise is half as nice (which made number one in the British charts). Amen Corner split in two, with Andy and three of the other five members forming Fair Weather, who had a British top ten hit with Natural sinner, but this group was short-lived. Eventually, Andy emerged as a solo artist and this collections contains the first three of the five solo albums that he recorded for A and M, together with a bonus track (If I ever get lucky) that originally appeared as the B-side of a single.



The first two of these three albums each spawned a British top ten hit single, these being Reggae tune (from the first album, Spider jiving) and Wide eyed and legless (from the second album (La booga rooga). The third album (Be bop 'n' holla) marked a slight change in style, sounding a little mellower than its predecessors, but yielded no hits. Unless you are already familiar with Andy's music beyond the hits, you won't know most of the other songs. There are three cover versions but they aren't of the most obvious songs. My bucket's got a hole in it (a cover of a Hank Williams song) may be familiar - and not just to country music fans, as Andy was by no means the first rocker to cover the song. Indeed, it is possible that Andy learned the song from a rock'n'roll cover version, of which there were several. Fans of the Beatles' white album will immediately recognize Rocky raccoon, but not many others will because there aren't a huge number of covers of this song. At least among Brits, the most famous of the three songs covered is Travellin' light, which provided Cliff Richard with a British number one hit in 1959. With all three songs, Andy puts his distinctive stamp on them.



Andy recorded the first of these albums (Spider jiving) in San Francisco, with Elliot Mazer (who had already worked with Neil Young among others) as the producer. The other two albums were recorded in Britain with Glyn Johns as the producer. In all three albums, the overall feel is of good-time music performed in a variety of styles, yet somehow holding together well. Picking out favorites among the less familiar songs is hard as there is so much good material here.



Andy was supported by a stellar cast of musicians on all three of the albums re-issued, so it seems a cruel twist of fate that he has spent much of the time since the seventies providing musical backing to others, especially Eric Clapton and Roger Waters. Still, at least he's been able to continue making a living in the music business and we should be thankful for that.



The booklet includes lyrics and musician credits for all songs except the bonus track, together with a couple of pages of liner notes. While the music is not easily pigeon-holed - it isn't progressive rock, glam-rock or mainstream pop - there is a lot to like about Andy's good-time seventies rock music."

An idiosyncratic album!

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 07/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's no point listening to this album if you can't stand the voice, because in order to really enjoy it you have to accept the idiosyncratic vocal style that Fairweather-Lowe possesses! It also needs to be said that it was never intended that all three albums should be listened to at once. Thus this set is comprised of "Spider Jiving"(1974) tracks 1 to 11, "La Booga Rooga"(1975) tracks 12 to 21 and "Be Bop 'N' Holla" (1976) CD2 tracks 1 to 10 with a bonus 'b' side as track 12.Fairweather-Lowe emerged from 'Amen Corner' and in trying to move on from the restrictions of the format of that band, followed the prevalent Brit Soft rock example of others like Gallagher and Lyle.The session players are excellent with the Memphis Horns featuring throughout the album. Two really outstanding tracks "Every Day I die" and the 'hit' "Reggae Tune". "La Booga Rooga" is more country orientated than its predecessor, with B.J.Cole on pedal steeel featured prominently, along with another set of luminary players including Mick Weaver, Georgie Fame and Bernie Leadon. The obvious attraction is "Wide eyed and legless" [I've gone and done it again!] and "If that's what it takes". The third album is more laid back. Favourite tracks are "I can't take much more", a good attempt at the Beatles "Rocky Raccoon" and "Ain't no fun anymore." There's no doubt that Andy Fairweather-Lowe is an acquired taste, but there's no doubting his pedigree, as he's still touring with Eric Clapton.If you're prepared to give this album time to deliver its own peculiar blend of styles it will reward you with some memorable moments. As you might have guessed I have got to like the style!"

Just gotta keep on rockin'

Dr.D.Treharne | 06/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This great value CD comprises of three albums recorded in the 70's by
Andy Fairweather-Low. Now with Eric Clapton's band, he used to front 60s group 'Amen Corner' With his distinctive voice and outstanding songwriting talent he should of had more success than he did. With a dream crop of backing musicians and first rate songs, you really must buy this CD right away.
You will not regret it I promise you. They just don't make 'em like this anymore!"