Fuzzy Duck was an English progressive hard rock group from London, formed in 1970 and based in North London. This is one of the many harder-edged and organ dominated progressive bands that
emerged in the early Seventies. Their name taken from the popular linguistic inversion of the time (Fuzzy Duck - Duzz ’E Fuck?), this early 70s UK progressive rock quartet featured Paul Francis (drums), Mick Hawksworth (bass), Roy Sharland (organ) and Garth Watt-Roy (guitar/vocals). Prior to the band’s formation Hawksworth had played with Andromeda and Five Day Week Straw People, while Sharland had been a member of Spice and worked with Arthur Brown. Watt-Roy had been a member of Greatest Show On Earth.
Fuzzy Duck recorded one self-titled album for Mam Records and two singles, ‘Double Time Woman’
and ‘Big Brass Band’, for the same label. The album, which was musically if not lyrically impressive, was issued in a limited pressing of 500 copies, the cover depicting a duck wearing an ‘Afro hairstyle’. A popular item among collectors of progressive rock, it was eventually re-released in 1993 on Repertoire Records.
There are pleasant vocals, a tight rhythm-section, strong guitarwork and, the most delightful element, floods of Hammond organ. This reminds of Ken Hensley from early URIAH HEEP and Manfred
Wieczorke from German heavy progressive band JANE. The guitarplay is also a good point, featuring fiery solos and catchy riffs. The final song "A word from bid D" includes the so called 'ducking vocals' from keyboardplayer Roy (Daze) Sharland, very funny to hear. FUZZY DUCK's music has echoes from ATOMIC ROOSTER, SPENCER DAVIES GROUP, VANILLA FUDGE and QUATERMASS. If you like the Hammond organ, don't miss this CD!
The group disbanded soon after the release of their album, but enduring interest in the band led to reissues on CD by Akarma, Esoteric and Repertoire Records. A much sought-after classic of U.K. underground progressive rock and psychedelia, this was originally issued in a scarce edition of 500 back in 1971.
This album is classic keyboard-driven British progressive rock in the vein of Soft Machine and Caravan
and is well-deserving of reissue. The Arkarma issue features four bonus tracks previously unreleased
and excellent repackaging that surpasses the originals for quality. This powerful album is as solid as a proverbial rock with an unrelenting pace from beginning to end. It's an album with timeless appeal, featuring a glorious combination of the powerful Hammond organ sound and psychedelic fuzzy guitar riffs. The "Fuzzy Duck" album is not particularly proggy - it's just a good old-fashioned slice of Classic British Rock.
Fuzzy Duck – Fuzzy Duck
Label: Repertoire Records – REP 4352-WP
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 1993
Country: Germany
Released: 1971
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Prog Rock
TRACKS
01. Time Will Be Your Doctor
(Written-By – David Brown, Nick Graham, Paul Francis) 5:09
02. Mrs. Prout
(Acoustic Guitar – Grahame White/Written-By – Paul Francis, Roy Sharland) 6:47
03. Just Look Around You
(Electric Piano – Daze Sharland/Written-By – Mick Hawksworth) 4:22
04. Afternoon Out
(Written-By – Paul Francis, Roy Sharland) 4:57
05. More Than I Am
(Written-By – Mick Hawksworth) 5:32
06. Country Boy
(Written-By – Grahame White, Paul Francis, Roy Sharland) 6:03
07. In Our Time
(Other [Cricket Bat] – Doc Hawksworth/Written-By – Mick Hawksworth) 6:39
08. A Word From Big D
(Written-By – Grahame White, Mick Hawksworth) 1:39
Additional Tracks
09. Double Time Woman
(Written-By – Garth Watt Roy) 2:58
10. Big Brass Band
(Written-By – Tim Martin, Walt Meskell) 2:56
11. One More Hour
(Written-By – Garth Watt Roy, Mick Hawksworth, Paul Francis, Roy Sharland) 3:58
12. No Name Face
(Written-By – Garth Watt Roy, Mick Hawksworth, Paul Francis , Roy Sharland)
3:03
Garth Watt-Roy (guitar/vocals).
Doc Hawksworth - Bass, Vocals, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Cello [Electric]
Paul Francis - Drums, Percussion
Grahame White - Guitar, Vocals
Daze Sharland - Organ, Effects [Ducking Vocals]
Keith Harwood - Engineer
Producer – Fuzzy Duck
Thanks for another discovery!!!
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