Week of April 12, 1998

Blodwyn Pig

Personnel:
Mick Abrahams - Guitar
Ron Berg - Drums
Jack Lancaster - Woodwind
Andy Pyle - Bass
Graham Waller - Keyboards
Peter Banks - Guitar, Vocals
Clive Bunker - Drums

Albums:
Ahead Rings Out (Island ILPS 9101) 1969 (CD Reissue: Beat Goes On: BGOCD54)
Getting To This (Chrysalis ILPS 9122) 1970 (CD Reissue: Beat Goes On: BGOCD81)

45s:
Dear Jill/Sweet Caroline (Island WIP 6059) 1969
Walk On The Water/Summer Day (Island WIP 6069) 1969
Same Old Story/Slow Down (Island WIP 6078) 1970

Formed in November 1968 by Mick Abrahams after he left Jethro Tull. They recorded two good rock albums and toured the US. Their first album had a pig's head on the front cover with a ring through its nose, a fag in its mouth, sunglasses and headphones. The playing on the album is good but it isn't always matched by the material. Still, it had its moments, listen out particularly for some classic progressive rock on "The Modern Alchemist" and "Ain't Ya Coming Home, Babe?" which conclude each side of the album. Their second album saw them move away from their blues roots towards a more soulful sound. The See For Miles CD reissue of this contains two additional cuts, both sides of their second 45.  In September 1970, Pete Banks joined from Yes but the new line-up just didn't gel and the band split up at the end of 1970. Subsequently, Mick Abrahams formed his own band; Andy Pyle joined Savoy Brown and was then in a later incarnation of Juicy Lucy with Ron Berg.

The band reformed briefly in 1974 and played some live gigs, but had no vinyl output.

Compilation appearances included "Send Your Son To Die" on Bumpers and "Sing Me A Song That I Know" on Nice Enough To Eat More recently, "See My Way" has resurfaced on "The Age Of Enlightenment - Prog. Rock, Vol. One".

Source: The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Vernon Joynson
ISBN 1 899855 04 1


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