Medicine Head: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|British blues rock band}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> |
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'''Medicine Head''' |
'''Medicine Head''' were a British [[blues rock]] band – initially a duo – active in the 1970s.<ref name="Music">{{cite book |last=Du Noyer |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Du Noyer |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music |publisher=Flame Tree Publishing |location=London |edition=1st |date=2003 |page=181 |isbn=1-904041-96-5}}</ref> Their biggest single success was in 1973 with "[[One and One Is One (song)|One and One Is One]]", which reached number 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> The group recorded six original albums, the first three of which were released by [[John Peel]]'s [[Dandelion Records|Dandelion]] label.<ref name="Larkin"/> |
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==Main personnel== |
==Main personnel== |
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For most of its career, the group was a [[duet (music)|duo]] comprising: |
For most of its career, the group was a [[duet (music)|duo]] comprising: |
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*'''John Fiddler''' (born 25 September 1947, the [[Moxley]] area of [[Darlaston]], Staffordshire, England) – (vocalist, guitarist, pianist and drummer)<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=829}}</ref> |
*'''John Fiddler''' (born 25 September 1947, the [[Moxley, West Midlands|Moxley]] area of [[Darlaston]], Staffordshire, England) – (vocalist, guitarist, pianist and drummer)<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=829}}</ref> |
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*'''Peter Hope-Evans''' (born 28 September 1947, [[Brecon]], [[Powys]], [[Wales]]) – (harmonica, [[Jew's harp]], guitarist, and mouthbow player).<ref name="Larkin"/> |
*'''Peter Hope-Evans''' (born 28 September 1947, [[Brecon]], [[Powys]], [[Wales]]) – (harmonica, [[Jew's harp]], guitarist, and mouthbow player).<ref name="Larkin"/> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Fiddler and Hope-Evans met while attending [[Wednesfield |
Fiddler and Hope-Evans met while attending [[Wednesfield Grammar School]], [[Wolverhampton]] and later [[Stafford]] Art School, [[Dropping out|only to then quit]], and began performing together on an informal basis. In or around 1968, they began performing the blues and rock and roll songs in pubs and clubs in and around [[Birmingham]]. Radio DJ [[John Peel]] saw Fiddler and Hope-Evans perform at the Lafayette Club and later shared their music with [[John Lennon]], [[Eric Clapton]] and [[Pete Townshend]]. At Lennon's insistence, the duo was signed by [[Dandelion Records]].<ref name="rc">Nick Dalton, "A Medical Miracle", ''[[Record Collector]]'', number 415, June 2013, pp. 30–36</ref><ref name="AMG"/> |
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The demo recording of "His Guiding Hand" was released as a single, Peel describing it as "the cheapest single ever made and one of the classic records of all time" and keeping the single in [[John Peel's Record Box|his box of most treasured records]].<ref name="rc"/> The duo's first album, ''New Bottles Old Medicine'',<ref name="Larkin"/> was recorded in a single two-hour session, and they toured with Peel at many of his gigs, Peel paying them out of his own fee.<ref name="rc"/> Their second album, ''Heavy on the Drum'',<ref name="Larkin"/> was recorded with |
The demo recording of "His Guiding Hand" was released as a single, Peel describing it as "the cheapest single ever made and one of the classic records of all time" and keeping the single in [[John Peel's Record Box|his box of most treasured records]].<ref name="rc"/> The duo's first album, ''New Bottles Old Medicine'',<ref name="Larkin"/> was recorded in a single two-hour session, and they toured with Peel at many of his gigs, Peel paying them out of his own fee.<ref name="rc"/> Their second album, ''Heavy on the Drum'',<ref name="Larkin"/> was recorded with Keith Relf, formerly of [[The Yardbirds]], as producer. The single "[[(And The) Pictures in the Sky]]" rose to number 22 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1971.<ref name="Larkin"/> This was not included on ''Heavy on the Drum'', but was added to CD reissues of their debut, ''New Bottles Old Medicine''. "[[(And The) Pictures in the Sky]]" was the first hit on the Dandelion label.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book |editor-last=Roberts |editor-first=David |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |location=London |edition=19th |date=2006 |page=359 |isbn=978-1-904994-10-7}}</ref> |
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Hope-Evans left the band for over a year,<ref name="Larkin"/> and Fiddler, Relf (on bass), and drummer John Davies recorded the band's third album and last on Dandelion, ''Dark Side of the Moon''.<ref name="rc"/> It was released in 1972, the year before the [[Pink Floyd]] [[The Dark Side of the Moon|album of the same name]].<ref>'[http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/medicine_head/albums.jhtml?albumId=394531 Dark Side of the Moon] MTV</ref> According to [[Nicholas Schaffner]], Pink Floyd briefly changed the name of their piece (which they were already performing live), to ''Eclipse'', until the Medicine Head album turned out to be "a commercial dud".<ref>Schaffner, ''A Saucerful Of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey'', 1992, Delta Publishing</ref> The track "Only To Do What Is True" appeared on the 1972 [[compilation album|compilation]], ''[[There Is Some Fun Going Forward]]''. |
Hope-Evans left the band for over a year,<ref name="Larkin"/> and Fiddler, Relf (on bass), and drummer John Davies recorded the band's third album and last on Dandelion, ''Dark Side of the Moon''.<ref name="rc"/> It was released in 1972, the year before the [[Pink Floyd]] [[The Dark Side of the Moon|album of the same name]].<ref>'[https://archive.today/20130129041643/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/medicine_head/albums.jhtml?albumId=394531 Dark Side of the Moon] MTV</ref> According to [[Nicholas Schaffner]], Pink Floyd briefly changed the name of their piece (which they were already performing live), to ''Eclipse'', until the Medicine Head album turned out to be "a commercial dud".<ref>Schaffner, ''A Saucerful Of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey'', 1992, Delta Publishing</ref> The track "Only To Do What Is True" appeared on the 1972 [[compilation album|compilation]], ''[[There Is Some Fun Going Forward]]''. |
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Medicine Head signed for [[Polydor Records]], and Hope-Evans returned for the album ''One & One Is One'', produced by [[Tony Ashton]] and recorded with various [[session musician]]s.<ref name="Larkin"/> The title track became the band's biggest hit, reaching |
Medicine Head signed for [[Polydor Records]], and Hope-Evans returned for the album ''One & One Is One'', produced by [[Tony Ashton]] and recorded with various [[session musician]]s.<ref name="Larkin"/> The title track became the band's biggest hit, reaching number 3 in the UK in 1973, and they followed it up with "Rising Sun" (number 11).<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> For the next album, ''Thru' A Five'', the duo were augmented on a regular basis by Rob Townsend – previously of [[Family (band)|Family]] – on drums, Roger Saunders on guitar, and George Ford on bass.<ref name="Larkin"/> The album featured the [[Slim Harpo]]-influenced song "Slip and Slide", which became the band's final hit, reaching number 22 in the UK in 1974.<ref name="rc"/> Despite consistent touring, often as a [[opening act|supporting act]], Medicine Head failed to place an album on the [[UK Albums Chart]]. For their final album, ''Two Man Band'', recorded at Pete Townshend's [[Eel Pie Studios]], they reverted to being a duo.<ref name="rc"/> Medicine Head finally folded in 1977.<ref name="AMG"/> |
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In 2005, [[Angel Air Records|Angel Air]] released the album ''Don't Stop The Dance''. In effect it was a 'lost' album, compiling some singles from an unsuccessful period with the WWA label, and some unreleased sessions with the band as a five piece. In March 2007 Medicine Head's debut album ''New Bottles, Old Medicine'' was re-released on CD by [[Cherry Red Records]]. In May 2009 Cherry Red also released, ''One And One Is One – The Very Best Of Medicine Head''. Fiddler released solo albums after the breakup of the band but revived the Medicine Head name for ''Fiddlersophical'' in 2011. |
In 2005, [[Angel Air Records|Angel Air]] released the album ''Don't Stop The Dance''. In effect it was a 'lost' album, compiling some singles from an unsuccessful period with the WWA label, and some unreleased sessions with the band as a five piece. In March 2007, Medicine Head's debut album ''New Bottles, Old Medicine'' was re-released on CD by [[Cherry Red Records]]. In May 2009, Cherry Red also released, ''One And One Is One – The Very Best Of Medicine Head''. Fiddler released solo albums after the breakup of the band but revived the Medicine Head name for ''Fiddlersophical'' in 2011. |
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==Post break-up careers== |
==Post break-up careers== |
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Since the band's break-up, both members have continued to work in the [[music industry]]. |
Since the band's break-up, both members have continued to work in the [[music industry]]. |
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Fiddler was a member of [[British Lions (band)|British Lions]] and [[Box of Frogs]],<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p19278|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Jason Ankeny |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=21 October 2009}}</ref> and has released solo material including a 1995 album, ''Return of the Buffalo''. He has occasionally revived the Medicine Head name, to tour a show of their hits (fellow musicians have included [[Laurence Archer]], [[Clive Edwards]], Mark Luckhurst and James Fox) and to release further low-key recordings. |
Fiddler was a member of [[British Lions (band)|British Lions]] and [[Box of Frogs]],<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p19278|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Jason Ankeny |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=21 October 2009}}</ref> and has released solo material including a 1995 album, ''Return of the Buffalo''. He has occasionally revived the Medicine Head name, to tour a show of their hits (fellow musicians have included [[Laurence Archer]], [[Clive Edwards]], Mark Luckhurst and James Fox) and to release further low-key recordings. In 2020, John Fiddler again resurrected the Medicine Head name to release 2021's ''Warriors of Love'' and 2024's ''Heartwork'' albums. |
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Hope-Evans appeared on many albums, most prominently with Pete Townshend,<ref name="Larkin"/> and has played in several bands including The Dance Band, who released a 1980 album ''Fancy Footwork'', and more recently accompanying singer-songwriter Noah Francis.<ref name="rc"/> |
Hope-Evans appeared on many albums, most prominently with Pete Townshend,<ref name="Larkin"/> and has played in several bands including The Dance Band, who released a 1980 album ''Fancy Footwork'', and more recently accompanying singer-songwriter Noah Francis.<ref name="rc"/> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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===Albums=== |
===Albums=== |
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{{div col}} |
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*''New Bottles, Old Medicine'' (1970) |
*''New Bottles, Old Medicine'' (1970) |
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*''Heavy on the Drum'' (1971) |
*''Heavy on the Drum'' (1971) |
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*''Medicine Head'' (1976) |
*''Medicine Head'' (1976) |
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*''Two Man Band'' (1976) |
*''Two Man Band'' (1976) |
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*''Return Of The Buffalo (John Fiddler solo)'' (1995) |
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*''Timepeace'' (1995) |
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*''Live at the Marquee'' (2001) |
*''Live at the Marquee'' (2001) |
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*''Don't Stop the Dance'' (2005) |
*''Don't Stop the Dance'' (2005) |
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*''Only the Roses'' (2005) |
*''Only the Roses'' (2005) |
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*''BBC Radio Sessions'' (2010) |
*''BBC Radio Sessions'' (2010) |
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*''Fiddlersophical'' (2011)<ref name="Albums">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p19278/discography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Allmusic ((( Medicine Head > Discography > Main Albums )))}}</ref> |
*''Fiddlersophical'' (2011) |
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*''Warriors Of Love'' (2021) |
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*''Heartwork'' (2024)<ref name="Albums">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p19278/discography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Allmusic ((( Medicine Head > Discography > Main Albums )))}}</ref> |
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{{div col end}} |
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===Singles=== |
===Singles=== |
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{{div col}} |
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* "His Guiding Hand" (1969) |
* "His Guiding Hand" (1969) |
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* "Coast to Coast (And Shore to Shore)" (1970) |
* "Coast to Coast (And Shore to Shore)" (1970) |
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* "[[(And The) Pictures in the Sky]]" (1971) – [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] |
* "[[(And The) Pictures in the Sky]]" (1971) – [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] number 22<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> |
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* "How Does It Feel"/"Morning Light" (1972) |
* "How Does It Feel"/"Morning Light" (1972) |
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* "Only to Do What Is True" (1972) |
* "Only to Do What Is True" (1972) |
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* "Kum On"/"On the Land" (1972) |
* "Kum On"/"On the Land" (1972) |
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* "[[One and One Is One (song)|One and One Is One]]" (1973) – UK |
* "[[One and One Is One (song)|One and One Is One]]" (1973) – UK number 3 |
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* "Rising Sun" (1973) – UK |
* "Rising Sun" (1973) – UK number 11 |
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* "Slip and Slide" (1974) – UK |
* "Slip and Slide" (1974) – UK number 22 |
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* "Mama Come Out" (1974) |
* "Mama Come Out" (1974) |
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* "(It's Got to Be) Alright" (1974) |
* "(It's Got to Be) Alright" (1974) |
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* "It's Natural" (1976) |
* "It's Natural" (1976) |
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* "Me and Suzie Hit the Floor" (1976) |
* "Me and Suzie Hit the Floor" (1976) |
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{{div col end}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/m/medicinehead/ John Peel (BBC) website] |
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/m/medicinehead/ John Peel (BBC) website] |
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* [ |
* [https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/medicine-head/ Medicine Head] at [[Cherry Red Records]] |
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* [https://medicinehead.rocks Medicinehead/john fiddler – website ] |
* [https://medicinehead.rocks Medicinehead/john fiddler – website ] |
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* {{Discogs artist|Medicine Head (2)}} |
* {{Discogs artist|Medicine Head (2)}} |
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* {{imdb name|3855950}} |
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* {{youtube|SFXMwx2t-kg|Slip And Slide (Live at Radio 1)}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Musical groups established in 1968]] |
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1968]] |
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[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1977]] |
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1977]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:English blues musical groups]] |
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[[Category:English rock music groups]] |
[[Category:English rock music groups]] |
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[[Category:Dandelion Records artists]] |
[[Category:Dandelion Records artists]] |
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[[Category:Polydor Records artists]] |
[[Category:Polydor Records artists]] |
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[[Category:People educated at Wednesfield Grammar School]] |
[[Category:People educated at Wednesfield Grammar School]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:English rock music duos]] |
Latest revision as of 10:19, 21 August 2024
Medicine Head | |
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Origin | Stafford, England |
Genres | Blues rock |
Years active | 1968–1977 |
Labels | Dandelion, Polydor, WWA |
Past members | John Fiddler Peter Hope-Evans |
Medicine Head were a British blues rock band – initially a duo – active in the 1970s.[1] Their biggest single success was in 1973 with "One and One Is One", which reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] The group recorded six original albums, the first three of which were released by John Peel's Dandelion label.[3]
Main personnel
[edit]For most of its career, the group was a duo comprising:
- John Fiddler (born 25 September 1947, the Moxley area of Darlaston, Staffordshire, England) – (vocalist, guitarist, pianist and drummer)[3]
- Peter Hope-Evans (born 28 September 1947, Brecon, Powys, Wales) – (harmonica, Jew's harp, guitarist, and mouthbow player).[3]
At various stages, the band used the following musicians: Laurence Archer, Clive Edwards, Keith Relf, Tony Ashton, Roger Saunders, George Ford, John Davies, Rob Townsend and Morgan Fisher.[3]
Career
[edit]Fiddler and Hope-Evans met while attending Wednesfield Grammar School, Wolverhampton and later Stafford Art School, only to then quit, and began performing together on an informal basis. In or around 1968, they began performing the blues and rock and roll songs in pubs and clubs in and around Birmingham. Radio DJ John Peel saw Fiddler and Hope-Evans perform at the Lafayette Club and later shared their music with John Lennon, Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend. At Lennon's insistence, the duo was signed by Dandelion Records.[4][5]
The demo recording of "His Guiding Hand" was released as a single, Peel describing it as "the cheapest single ever made and one of the classic records of all time" and keeping the single in his box of most treasured records.[4] The duo's first album, New Bottles Old Medicine,[3] was recorded in a single two-hour session, and they toured with Peel at many of his gigs, Peel paying them out of his own fee.[4] Their second album, Heavy on the Drum,[3] was recorded with Keith Relf, formerly of The Yardbirds, as producer. The single "(And The) Pictures in the Sky" rose to number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in 1971.[3] This was not included on Heavy on the Drum, but was added to CD reissues of their debut, New Bottles Old Medicine. "(And The) Pictures in the Sky" was the first hit on the Dandelion label.[2]
Hope-Evans left the band for over a year,[3] and Fiddler, Relf (on bass), and drummer John Davies recorded the band's third album and last on Dandelion, Dark Side of the Moon.[4] It was released in 1972, the year before the Pink Floyd album of the same name.[6] According to Nicholas Schaffner, Pink Floyd briefly changed the name of their piece (which they were already performing live), to Eclipse, until the Medicine Head album turned out to be "a commercial dud".[7] The track "Only To Do What Is True" appeared on the 1972 compilation, There Is Some Fun Going Forward.
Medicine Head signed for Polydor Records, and Hope-Evans returned for the album One & One Is One, produced by Tony Ashton and recorded with various session musicians.[3] The title track became the band's biggest hit, reaching number 3 in the UK in 1973, and they followed it up with "Rising Sun" (number 11).[2] For the next album, Thru' A Five, the duo were augmented on a regular basis by Rob Townsend – previously of Family – on drums, Roger Saunders on guitar, and George Ford on bass.[3] The album featured the Slim Harpo-influenced song "Slip and Slide", which became the band's final hit, reaching number 22 in the UK in 1974.[4] Despite consistent touring, often as a supporting act, Medicine Head failed to place an album on the UK Albums Chart. For their final album, Two Man Band, recorded at Pete Townshend's Eel Pie Studios, they reverted to being a duo.[4] Medicine Head finally folded in 1977.[5]
In 2005, Angel Air released the album Don't Stop The Dance. In effect it was a 'lost' album, compiling some singles from an unsuccessful period with the WWA label, and some unreleased sessions with the band as a five piece. In March 2007, Medicine Head's debut album New Bottles, Old Medicine was re-released on CD by Cherry Red Records. In May 2009, Cherry Red also released, One And One Is One – The Very Best Of Medicine Head. Fiddler released solo albums after the breakup of the band but revived the Medicine Head name for Fiddlersophical in 2011.
Post break-up careers
[edit]Since the band's break-up, both members have continued to work in the music industry.
Fiddler was a member of British Lions and Box of Frogs,[5] and has released solo material including a 1995 album, Return of the Buffalo. He has occasionally revived the Medicine Head name, to tour a show of their hits (fellow musicians have included Laurence Archer, Clive Edwards, Mark Luckhurst and James Fox) and to release further low-key recordings. In 2020, John Fiddler again resurrected the Medicine Head name to release 2021's Warriors of Love and 2024's Heartwork albums.
Hope-Evans appeared on many albums, most prominently with Pete Townshend,[3] and has played in several bands including The Dance Band, who released a 1980 album Fancy Footwork, and more recently accompanying singer-songwriter Noah Francis.[4]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- New Bottles, Old Medicine (1970)
- Heavy on the Drum (1971)
- Dark Side of the Moon (1972)
- One & One Is One (1973)
- Thru a Five (1974)
- Medicine Head (1976)
- Two Man Band (1976)
- Live at the Marquee (2001)
- Don't Stop the Dance (2005)
- Only the Roses (2005)
- BBC Radio Sessions (2010)
- Fiddlersophical (2011)
- Warriors Of Love (2021)
- Heartwork (2024)[8]
Singles
[edit]- "His Guiding Hand" (1969)
- "Coast to Coast (And Shore to Shore)" (1970)
- "(And The) Pictures in the Sky" (1971) – UK number 22[2]
- "How Does It Feel"/"Morning Light" (1972)
- "Only to Do What Is True" (1972)
- "Kum On"/"On the Land" (1972)
- "One and One Is One" (1973) – UK number 3
- "Rising Sun" (1973) – UK number 11
- "Slip and Slide" (1974) – UK number 22
- "Mama Come Out" (1974)
- "(It's Got to Be) Alright" (1974)
- "It's Natural" (1976)
- "Me and Suzie Hit the Floor" (1976)
See also
[edit]- Harvest Records discography
- List of Peel sessions
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
- List of British blues musicians
References
[edit]- ^ Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
- ^ a b c d Roberts, David, ed. (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 359. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 829. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ a b c d e f g Nick Dalton, "A Medical Miracle", Record Collector, number 415, June 2013, pp. 30–36
- ^ a b c "Biography by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ 'Dark Side of the Moon MTV
- ^ Schaffner, A Saucerful Of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey, 1992, Delta Publishing
- ^ "Allmusic ((( Medicine Head > Discography > Main Albums )))".