Originally known as '1-2-3', The Clouds were a prog rock outfit championed by none other than David Bowie, who got Ian Ellis to play on the original demos of Bowie's 'Hunky Dory' album. Two albums produced by Terry Ellis o... more »n 1 CD. 20 tracks.« less
Originally known as '1-2-3', The Clouds were a prog rock outfit championed by none other than David Bowie, who got Ian Ellis to play on the original demos of Bowie's 'Hunky Dory' album. Two albums produced by Terry Ellis on 1 CD. 20 tracks.
CD Reviews
Scottish Pub Band Poor CD
Larry Martin | San Francisco, CA | 10/04/2005
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Clouds were a Scottish Pub band that came down to London around
1966 in search of a recording deal. They were decent musicians
live, but poor song writers. This CD is their first and last
albums packaged together. Both of these albums are pretty shaky.
I would NOT recommend them. Some of the reviews offered here are
completely laughable. Trying to make Clouds out to be some sort
of great band. They are obviously submitted by relatives and
former employees. Hey I saw Clouds three times and they were just
an enjoyable Scottish Pub band PERIOD!"
They Should have left the S off the title
Harry Hughes | London, England | 02/24/2005
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This album is the worst. Badly written songs and poor production
and recording. Terry Ellis should be shot. I saw Clouds 3 times
and they were just alright. Billy Ritchie is and always was just
an average organ player. The only influence he had was that he
stood up! Clouds couldn't write a good song to save their lives.
If you want to hear 2 of the worst songs ever recorded "Waiter
There's Something in my Soup" and "Grand Dad" get this pathetic
CD. Rated one star because there's nothing lower.
"
Clouds Fun Band Live
Peter Jones | San Diego, CA | 10/05/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Clouds a number of times live and they were fun and
enjoyable. Their records on the other hand were not that good.
They definitely should have used a better producer. Interesting
the reviews here. We have someone named Kath who's not CRAZY
about the CD, but none the less rates it FIVE STARS! Then someone
else named Sarah who thinks it's just pleasant, but also rates
it FIVE STARS! Five Stars is reserved for a masterpiece, NOT an
album that is JUST PLEASANT or that you're not CRAZY about. For
those that are interested in how Clouds sounded live. Listen to
"The Carpenter" that's their signature tune."
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT
Van the Man | Isle of Hope, Savannah | 10/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Clouds in Chicago and at the Fillmore New York. Absolutely brilliant! Watercolour Days has to be one of the best-ever progressive pop songs, and Scrapbook is just a classic song of a different kind. Waiter is pre-McArthur Park brilliance, and Cold Sweat is majestic musicianship. Shame that their second album Up Above our Heads isn't for sale here too."
Missing Genius..
EdwardSharp | England | 03/30/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"David Bowie, interviewed in Mojo magazine (1994), described Clouds(formerly 1-2-3)and in particular, Ritchie the keyboard player, as 'genius' material - and one can only rue the fact that this group did not record more albums, for what we have here on these records are tantalising glimpses of brilliance without the meat on the bones. In my opinion, the songwriting and the musicianship shows signs of inherent greatness that is nevertheless obscured by lack of direction and certainty in the recording production/arrangement. If I was to guess further, I would say that these songs do not represent the true worth of the writer, nor does the playing represent the true worth of the group. They needed more time to produce, two more albums perhaps, and we would have had something to rival any other artist (and I DO include 'The Beatles'!).
An opportunity lost, and genius unfulfilled."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1