Search - McGuinness Flint :: The Capitol Years

English 70s music at its best

Glenn Andersson | 12/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"McGuinnes Flint made, in this constellation, only two albums (between 1970 and 1971), but to me they represent the English musical heritage in its strongest form. Group was founded in London 1969; Tom McGuinness had once been in Manfred Mann and drummer Hughie Flint had a spell with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers in the 60s, during when Eric Clapton was a member and became a guitar hero. Therefore, there is a core of british blues in McGuinness Flint's music. But what really makes them something else are the folky, innovative and introspective songs penned by the group's most important members, the Scottish singer-songwriter duo Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, who wrote almost everything of the band's material. And they were singers and multi-instrumentalists as well, with a range spanning from guitars and piano to more obscure things like ocarina, mandolin, banjo etc. Singer Dennis Coulson, with his harsh, loud and lamenting voice, completed the line up.I first heard the second album, "Happy Birthday, Ruthy Baby", which I got hold on by accident (on vinyl). As with most brilliant albums, it took me a few listenings before I grasped and understood their special brand of music, but after that, it has become THE album in my collection of 70s music. It is absolutely splendid with its wide use of different instruments, its vocal harmonies and haunting compositions, very much in the mould of the Beatles in their later years (it's no wonder why they after their debut album were hailed as "the new Beatles" by the critics). "Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby" is an album perfectly suited for rainy autumn afternoons, a mood that also can be tributed to the horn arrangements with overdubbed trombones and saxophones. The songs from "Happy Birthday, Ruthy Baby" are placed on the second half of this CD, while the first half contains the material from the eponymous debut album, which is equally brilliant, but more folky and acoustic than the second. (The cover picture on the CD "The Capitol Years" is taken from the album cover of the debut album.)In addition there are a few extra bonus tracks that doesn't appear on the original albums -- sadly one of the more interesting songs from the debut album, "Brother Psyche", has, due to the restriction of the CD format, been left out.Most people know the group from thir big hit "When I'm Dead and Gone", which is totally unbelieveble, because it is, with its sloppy, unpretentious manner and relatively weak melody, not at all representative for the groups more serious and creative sound, and -- to be honest -- quite a disastrous and overrated song. In contrast, their other hit song, "Malt and Barley Blues" (only released as a singel) is a much stronger tune. It is, however, with the orchestrated acoustic ballads, like "Klondike" and "International", they peek in musical quality (even though the lead vocals aren't always spot on -- their only flaw).McGuinnes Flint is, with their blend of acoustic folk, blues rock, jazz and ragtime influences and orchestrated ballads (á la Paul McCartney-style), a fantastic musical experience. Unfortunetaly, they are to this day relatively unknown outside Britain and made only these two classic albums, the latter partly as a result of Gallagher and Lyle's departure from the group to move on as a succesful duo in thier own right, and partly due to the band's problems with handling their early success with the debut album. The follow-up "Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby" (1971) was, according to themselves, recorded under demanding circumstances and therefore not an album they there pleased with at all. It also failed to repeat the commercial success and critical acclaim of the first album -- though I myself think it's an album of much higher standard and more carefully crafted arrangements and compostitions. It also had a brilliant and ironic cover, with a black-and-white photo of a lonely woman sitting in her kitchen on her birthday, knitting, waiting for the guests who probably never will show up. The CD "Capitol Years" also contains a great booklet, with obscure pictures of the band as well as a longer article written by founder member Tom McGuinness, where he in his own words tell the story of the band. The CD-remixes of the songs are done with great care and hasn't destroyed the warmth of the songs from the original vinyl recordings.Anyhow, the recordings of McGuinnes Flint remains to me the most interesting music ever made in a recording studio. And the fact that all of the songs are produced by the legend Glyn Johns (who also produced The Band, Eagles and Manfred Mann, among others), garantee an experience besides the ordinary in music."

WONDERFUL!!!!

M. Brust | Denton, TX United States | 03/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music is a timeless distillation of English folk,contextualized by the musician's backgrounds and recorded by the deft touch of producer Glyn Johns. Without Gallagher and Lyle, these guys recorded the mythic Dylan collection "Lo and Behold"--another A+++++ outing. Don't miss this opportunity to hear a band of fellows at the absolute peak of their game. The 100 proof stuff contained here-in will make you jump,scream,holler and weep. And they meant every note of it-to their soul. It's just not done like this anymore."

It's Been A Long, Long Time!

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 12/05/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Way back in the Summer of 1971, I came across an Odd Curio in the Cut-Out Bin of a Dark & Dusty Ol' Record Shop. For a Whopping 99 Cents, the first McGuinness Flint LP. All I knew was that Hughie Flint had played with John Mayall, nothing else about this bunch was Ringin' any Bells. The Cover was Dark & Gloomy and it had a Cool Texture about it...Sale.



This Record along with Donovan's Great LP: "Open Road", were about my two Favorite Disc's that Summer, as the Both were so unique in their Approach and Stood out during The Blues-Based, Hard Rocks that dominated Music then.



The Stand-Out track on the first, McGuinness Flint record was: "When I'm Dead & Gone". The only Song close to this Classic was: "Tarkio Road" by Brewer & Shipley, but that tune pales in comparision to anything on the McGuinness Flint LP.



With Ten Tunes and a brief Running Time this great LP was all but ignored in the USA. But with it's Mixture of Rock, Folk, Gospel & Ol' Fashion Good Time Music, this Gem SHOULD have done much better here and I don't have an answer of why it wasn't a Popular Album, but I'm Glad that I Lucked upon it! With the Wonderful Song's: "Dream, Darlin' Dream", "I'm Letting You Know" & "Let It Ride", this Record and this Band should have been HUGE.



Years later, I spotted another McGuinness Flint LP, this One was Called: "Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby", and I was quick to own this One as well. For me, This the Second Album, did not have the impact of the First LP, and after a few plays on the Turntable it was Retired, but it did get a Listen every few Years, but again to my ears the Magic is on the First LP, there is just a Little less on the Second One.



I am Surprised to see these Records on CD at all, but here they are Together. And for the New Listener I say Go Fer' It, Buy This, it's just Damn Good Acoustic Music that could have been played in the 1920's or even 50 Years from Now...Timeless Stuff. Five Stars for the First Record and Three Stars for the Follow-Up. Great Package with Good Informative Liner Notes...FOUR STARS !!!"