Ian A. Anderson

• 180 gram vinyl

When we talk about British folk revival, we should not forget a key figure: Ian A. Anderson, a songwriter and a truly prime mover in the local scene.

Currently editor of the "world music magazine" Roots, Ian A. Anderson first performed in his home town of Weston-super-Mare as a member of the Backwater Jook Band and came to prominence as a member of the Bristol based country blues scene of the mid to late 1960s, performing live and on record, both solo, with Al Jones and Elliott Jackson as the trio Anderson Jones Jackson, and as a duo with "globetrotter" and long-time friend Mike Cooper.

After two EPs, he recorded his first album, Stereo Death Breakdown, as Ian Anderson's Country Blues Band, which was released by Liberty/United Artists in 1969. In December 1969, with John Turner, he conceived the record label The Village Thing, for which he was also a producer. The label released two dozen albums mostly between 1970 and 1974 including influential albums by Wizz Jones, Sun Also Rises, Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra, Steve Tilston, Dave Evans, Lackey & Sweeney, Chris Thompson, Dave Peabody, and more, as well as three by Anderson himself. Royal York Crescent, his proper solo debut, was licensed November 13th 1970 and is still considered a forerunner of the acid folk movement.

His light fingerpicking was backed by Ian Turner (bongos) and John Turner (bass/piano) providing a dynamic effort for his spectacular lyricism. This long-lost classic is finally back in print for your necessary uplifting entertainment.

PERSONNEL:

• Ian A. Anderson (vocals, guitar)
• John Turner (bass, piano)
• Ian Hunt (2nd guitar, vocals)
• Ian Turner (bongos)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. No Way To Get Along
• A2. Please Re-Adjust Your Time
• A3. Goblets And Elms
• A4. Shining Grey
• A5. The Worm
• A6. Hero

• SIDE B
• B1. Silent Night No. 2
• B2. Mr Cornelius
• B3. The Maker / The Man In The High Castle / The Last Conjuring
• B4. Ginger Man
• B5. Working Man