Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Axe Victim
Company: Harvest
Catalog: SHVL 823
Year: 1974
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: UK pressing; gatefold sleeve; price written in ink on back cover
Available: 1
Price: $25.00
Following the release of a pair of late-'60s albums with the Yorkshire, England-based Gentle Revolution and a 1971 solo album ("Northern Dream"), singer/guitarist Bill Nelson recruited a backup band to support live performances. Originally called Flagship, the fastidious Nelson quickly dissolved the line up, recruiting bass player Bob Bryan, drummer Nicholas Chatterton Dew and guitarist Ian Parkin for a full scale band. Already a fan of Nelson's solo work, BBC DJ John Peel became an early booster of Be Bop Deluxe. With support from Peel the band signed with EMI's Harvest subsidiary. Interestingly, having recording several demo tapes, Nelson and company were told to gain some live experience prior to recording any additional material. The ever eccentric Nelson responded to the suggestion by cooking up an extremely strange stage act. With its emphasis on makeup, outlandish costumes and stage theatrics, the band's mix of slam-bam rock and glam moves initially recalled The New York Dolls.
Debuting with 1974's Ian McLintock produced "Axe
Victim" Nelson and company pursued a surprisingly conventional and straightforward commercial sound. While Nelson's quivery voice proved an acquired taste, there was no denying his talent as a writer and a guitarist (check out the beautiful jazzy solo on "Adventures In a Yorkshire Landscape"). Musically the debut was somewhat tenuious and unfocused; the title track, "Third Floor Heaven", "Night Creatures" and "Love Is Swift Arrows" recalling a weird mix of mid-career Ray Davies and the Kinks and glam-era David Bowie. Give the set was released in the midst of the public's fascination with glam, it was only natural the genre would have an influence on Nelson (check out the over-the-top closer "Darkness (L'Immoraliste)" and the the Ziggy-styled heavy makeup the band's wearing on the back cover). Exemplified by material such as the ballad "Jets At Dawn", "Rocket Cathederals" and the blazing "No Trains To Heaven" the rest of the set opted for a tuneful, if largely anonymous mix of pop and hard rock moves. Housed an eye opening cover (courtesy of artist John Holmes), the collection was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.
In support of the album, the band hit the road opening for Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. Unhappy with the debut and the group's live performance, at the conclusion of the tour Nelson fired drummer Chatterton-Dew, replacing him with former Hackensack drummer Simon Fox. Still unsatisfied with the line up, Nelson next fired guitarist Ian Parkin, hiring bassist Charlie Tumahai and former Mother's Finest keyboard player Simon Andrew Clarke.
"Axe Victim" track listing:
1.) Axe Victim (Bill Nelson) -
2.) Love Is Swift Arrows (Bill Nelson) -
3.) Jet Silver and the Doll of Venus (Bill Nelson) -
4.) Third Floor Heaven (Bill Nelson) -
5.) Night Creatures (Bill Nelson) -
6.) Rocket Cathederals (Bob Bryan) -
7.) Adventures In a Yorkshire Landscape (Bill Nelson) -
8.) Jets At Dawn (Bill Nelson) -
9.) No Trains To Heaven (Bill Nelson) -
10.) Darkness (L'Immoraliste) (Bill Nelson) -
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Futurama
Company: Harvest
Catalog: ST-11478
Year: 1975
Grade (cover/record): --
Comments: --
Available: --
Price: $ --
"Futurama" track listing:
1.) Stage Whispers (Bill Nelson)
2.) Love With the Madman (Bill Nelson)
3.) Maid in Heaven (Bill Nelson)
4.) Sister Seagull (Bill Nelson)
5.) Sound Track (Bill Nelson)
6.) Music in Dreamland (Bill Nelson)
7.) Jean Cocteau (Bill Nelson)
8.) Between the Worlds (Bill Nelson)
9.) Swan Song (Bill Nelson)
Rating:
Title: Sunburst Finish
Company: Harvest
Catalog: ST-11478
Year: 1976
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
Co-produced by Nelson and John Leckie,1976's
"Sunburst Finish" was probably their most accomplished and consistent release. With keyboardist Andrew Clark finally a full time member, the set featured a fuller sound. To his credit, Nelson found a balance between progressive moves, guitar hero and mainstream appeal. In fact, exemplified by the ballads "Heavenly Homes" and "Crying To the Sky" (the latter sporting one of his pettiest guitar solos), much of the album underscored Nelson's oft overlooked ability to craft highly commercial material. Elsewhere, released as a single the cha-cha "Ships In the Night" even provided the band with an unexpected UK hit. In support of the album Nelson and company undertook their first American tour . Backed by the tour and strong reviews, the album reached #96, providing the band with their initial taste of domestic success
"Sunburst Finish" track listing:
1.) Fair Exchange (Bill Nelson) -
2.) Heavenly Homes (Bill Nelson) -
3.) Ships In the Night (Bill Nelson) -
4.) Crying To the Sky (Bill Nelson) -
5.) Sleep That Burns (Bill Nelson) -
6.) Beauty Secrets (Bill Nelson) -
7.) Life In the Air-Age (Bill Nelson) -
8.) Like An Old Blues (Bill Nelson) -
9.) Crystal Gazing (Bill Nelson) -
10.) Blazing Apostles (Bill Nelson) -
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Modern Music
Company: Harvest
Catalog: SN 16026
Year: 1977
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: reissue
Available: 1
Price: $8.00
Continuing their collaboration with producer John Leckie,
"Modern Music" stood as the band's most consistent set (bet you could have guessed that looking at the tie and suit album cover). Overlooking an odd fascination with offbeat, sci-fi landscapes ("Twilight Capers", "Honeymoon On Mars" and "Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids"), the collection sported a first-rate blend of guitar rock ("Bring Back the Spark") and more melodic endeavors ("Orphans of Babylon", "Twilight Capers" and "Kiss of Life" - the latter would have made an amazing single). With strong reviews from the critics and support from a second American tour, the collection reached #88. It also marked a turning point for Nelson, who
subsequently embarked on what became a prolific, but increasingly idosyncic recording career.
"Modern Music" track listing:
1.) Orphans of Babylon (Bill Nelson)
2.) Twilight Capers (Bill Nelson)
3.) Kiss of Light (Bill Nelson)
4.) The Bird Charmer's Destiny (Bill Nelson)
5.) The Gold at the End of My Rainbow (Bill Nelson)
6.) Bring Back the Spark (Bill Nelson)
7.) Modern Music (Bill Nelson)
8.) Dancing in the Moonlight (All Alone) (Bill Nelson)
9.) Honeymoon on Mars (Bill Nelson)
10.) Lost in the Neon World (Bill Nelson)
11.) Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids (Bill Nelson)
12.) Modern Music (Reprise) (Bill Nelson)
13.) Forbidden Lovers (Bill Nelson)
14.) Down on Terminal Street (Bill Nelson)
15.) Make the Music Magic
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Live! In the Air Age
Company: Harvest
Catalog: SKBB-11666
Year: 1978
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: double LP; gatefold sleeve; white vinyl
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
The following year saw the release of "Live! In the Air
Age". Recorded during a 1977 English tour, the collection showcased a pleasant cross section of material drawn from the band's four studio sets. Surprisingly tight and focused, material such as "Ships In the Night" and "Blazing Apostles" should have alleviated the notion that Nelson and company couldn't be commercial. Elsewhere the album included two previously unreleased efforts: "Mill Street Junction" and the bluesy "Piece of Mine". Personal favorites; the jazzy "Adventures In a Yorkshire Landscape" and Nelson's guitar workout on the eight minute "Stand". The album was originally released on white vinyl (use to dry our laser turntable crazy) with a bonus three track 12" EP. Supporting the collection Be-Bop returned to the States for a third tour; this time as a headliner. Ironically, although their stage act included some of the era's most elaborate lights and special effects, critics panned most of the tour pointing out the band seemed to be playing with little enthusiasm; certainly less than earlier tours when they opened for the likes of Blue Oyster Cult and the Patti Smith Group. (Great idea for an album cover.) Their biggest seller, the set reached #65.
"Live! In the Air Age" track listing:
1.) Life in the Air Age (Bill Nelson)
2.) Ships in the Night (Bill Nelson)
3.) Piece of Mine (Bill Nelson)
4.) Fair Exchange (Bill Nelson)
5.) Mill Street Junction (Bill Nelson)
6.) Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape (Bill Nelson)
7.) Blazing Apostles (Bill Nelson)
8.) Shine (Bill Nelson)
9.) Sister Seagull (Bill Nelson)
10.) Maid in Heaven (Bill Nelson)
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Drastic Plastic
Company: Harvest
Catalog: SW-11750
Year: 1978
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $8.00
1978's "Drastic
Plastic" offered an interesting change of pace. While previously releases showcased Nelson's unique guitar stylings and his
ongoing fascination with sci-fi, "Plastic" exhibited a strong and surprisingly melodic synthesizer base. Moreover, the set proved even more commercial than earlier releases; material such as "Electric Language", "Surreal Real Estate" and "Panic In My World" exhibiting a knack for penning radio-friendly material Nelson had seldom displayed. Unfortunately, while the sudden change in direction drew critical approval, listeners remained unconvinced, the set faltering at #95. To our ears, it may be the band's most
consistent and enjoyable offering. (A promotional version was also pressed on white vinyl.) Six months after the album's release, claiming he didn't want the group to become institutionalized, Nelson abruptly terminated Be-Bop.
"Drastic Plastic" track listing:
1.) Electrical Language (Bill Nelson)
2.) New Precision (Bill Nelson)
3.) New Mysteries (Bill Nelson)
4.) Surreal Estate (Bill Nelson)
5.) Love in Flames (Bill Nelson)
6.) Panic in the World (Bill Nelson)
7.) Dangerous Stranger (Bill Nelson)
8.) Superenigmatix (Lethal Appliances for the... (Bill Nelson)
9.) Japan (Bill Nelson)
10.) Possession (Bill Nelson)
11.) Islands of the Dead (Bill Nelson)
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: The Best of ... and the Rest of Be-Bop Deluxe
Company: Harvest
Catalog: SKBO-11870
Year: 1979
Grade (cover/record): --
Comments: --
Available: --
Price: $ --
Having invested considerable time and effort in the band, in the wake of Nelson's decision to call it quits, Harvest quickly released a posthumous "best of" set entitled
"The Best of ... and the Rest of Be-Bop
Deluxe". A 22 track compilation, in addition to pulling together the band's better known efforts, the set included several outtakes from the previous "Plastic" sessions. It's probably the set for the curious and uncommited fan to invest it.
"The Best of ... and the Rest of Be-Bop Deluxe" track listing:
1.) Axe Victim (Bill Nelson)
2.) Maid In Heave (Bill Nelson)
3.) Music In Dreamland (Bill Nelson)
4.) Sister Seagull (Bill Nelson)
5.) Sleep That Burns (Bill Nelson)
6.) Ships in the Night (Bill Nelson)
7.) Blazing Apostles (Bill Nelson)
8.) Kiss of Light (Bill Nelson)
9.) Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids (Bill Nelson)
10.) Forbidden Lovers (Bill Nelson)
11.) Panic in the World (Bill Nelson)
12.) Blimps (Bill Nelson)
13.) Autosexual (Bill Nelson)
14.) Lovers are Mortal (Bill Nelson)
15.) Shine (Bill Nelson)
16.) Quest for the Harvest of the Stars (Bill Nelson)
17.) Japan (Bill Nelson)
18.) Speed of the Winds (Bill Nelson)
19.) Lights (Bill Nelson)
20.) Blue as a Jewel (Bill Nelson)
21.) Face in the Rain (Bill Nelson)
22.) Futurist Manifesto (Bill Nelson)