Velvett Fogg: Velvett Fogg... Plus 1969 (Reissue 1989)

 

Velvett Fogg were a British psychedelic rock band between 1968 and 1969. Tony Iommi was a member in mid-1968, but soon left to form Black Sabbath. Their lone eponymous album was released in January 1969, and re-released on CD by Sanctuary Records in 2002. The group released an album of organ-heavy, derivative psychedelic rock in the late '60s with a tinge of eccentricity. It became a sought-after collector's item 15 to 20 years later. Velvett Fogg were one of many new bands within the

underground scene, that were formed at the end of the 1960s that would attempt to take pop music to a higher level of creativity. Birmingham also had its own flourishing underground music scene during that time with a variety of innovative groups emerging. The line up of Velvett Fogg all came from within this alternative music scene in the city. The Velvett Fogg line-up were players whose common attributes consisted of an abundance of musical talent along with a desire to create something new and exciting.
                     

Velvett Fogg were formed in 1968 from members of a Birmingham band Gravy Train. Up front was soul singer Ernie Handy, Bob Hewitt was lead guitarist, with Graham Mullett on drums, and Mick Pollard on bass guitar. Londoner Frank Wilson who played Hammond organ, was also on vocals, eventually becoming band leader and lead vocalist. The newly formed band spent most of the year touring Germany playing at army bases and clubs. Their stage act included a light show and a go-go

dancer (who later married Ernie). Upon returning to Birmingham, the band, now managed by an agency called Inter City Artists, was given a record deal by Jack Dorsey of Pye Records. At this time it seemed that the more unusual or controversial a band was, then the greater chance there would be for success in the record business. The record label was looking to sign unusual "underground" acts and Velvett Fogg were told to, in Jack Dorsey's words; "develop an image that would make people think you would piss on the pope" !
                

Keith takes up the story; "I was in the Rum Runner one night, when someone told me that Velvett Fogg were looking for new material, and they introduced me to them. I arranged to meet them at their rehearsal place, Langley Baths. I went along the next day, and went through the following songs with

them; 'Yellow Cave Woman', 'Once Among The Trees', and 'Within' The Night' and that was it! The next couple of days, they were in London recording". Before recording could begin in late 1968, Ian Leighton departed Velvett Fogg and was replaced by guitarist/vocalist Paul Eastment (a cousin of the band's previous guitarist Tony Iommi). Paul Eastment was also to contribute original compositions for the album along with Frank Wilson, Graham Mullet and Mick Pollard.
                   

Velvett Fogg recorded the tracks for their debut album on Pye Records under the direction of Jack Dorsey. Apparently, Dorsey aimed to get the band onto the then-popular progressive band wagon. "I was a classically trained pianist but we all had to play way below our capabilities" said Frank Wilson.

The band were also allowed to record covers of a few songs they liked, and these included psychedelic-sounding versions of "New York Mining Disaster 1941" by The Bee Gees and Tim Rose's "Come Away Melinda". Original songs for the Velvett Fogg album were supplied by Keith Law, a local who became a friend of the band. A veteran of the West Midlands music scene, Law played with such groups as The Williamsons, Love and Understanding, Paint, and Jardine. In his initial writing sessions with the band Law came up with "Yellow Cave Woman", "Once Among The Trees" and "Within' The Night".
                        

John Peel wrote sleevenotes for their 1969 debut and only album, where he mentioned how he discovered the record:
                       

"Actually producer Jack Dorsey of Pye Records and his secretary brought me this record as I huddled in my mean bed wracked with jaundice with the unoccasional, long-suppressed flicker of pain crossing my boyish features. They left the record, saying they needed the notes that I’m typing by Monday. It’s

now Saturday night, tomorrow’s “Top Gear” and I’ve listened five or six times to the Velvett Fogg, liking them more with each hearing. However I forgot to ask anyone for details about the members of the group – In fact I don’t even know how many there are within it. Perhaps that information will be elsewhere on this sleeve. I don’t know their names, what they play, when they were born, the colour or not of their eyes, hair, teeth. I have never heard even the faintest rumour about their taste in breakfast foods, furniture, musicians or girls."
                     

Frank Wilson returned to London and joined Riot Squad and then The Rumble Band before following in Rick Wakeman's footsteps to join Warhorse in 1970. Frank Wilson, now performs with his band Run VT, and performs at venues in South East England. Keith Law and Frank Wilson are back together writing as Velvett Fogg Reloaded, and recording for a proposed new Velvett Fogg album.
                   

Paul Eastment started a Brum band called Holy Ghost — later to become Ghost, with whom he recorded an album He later fronted another group called Resurrection, as well as recording with local folk singer, Shirley Kent. (You can find GHOST HERE)
               

Keith Law stayed in the music business, is still writing songs, and is now an entertainer in South West England.
                     

                
During the years since Velvett Fogg's demise, demand amongst collectors for copies of their (now very rare) album has increased considerably. Original albums have changed hands for high prices with bootleg copies also known to be in circulation.

                                    

Velvett Fogg – Velvett Fogg...Plus
Label: See For Miles Records Ltd. – SEE CD 259
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 1989
Country: France
Released: 1969    
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                           

01. Yellow Cave Woman  (Written-By – K. Law)   7:00
02. New York Mining Disaster  (Written-By – B.R. & M. Gibb)   2:55
03. Wizard Of Gobsolod  (Written-By – Eastment)   2:57
04. Once Among The Trees  (Written-By – K. Law)   5:39
05. Lady Caroline  (Written-By – Eastment)   2:23
06. Come Away Melinda  (Written-By – Minkoff, Hellerman)   5:55
07. Owed To The Dip  (Written-By – Wilson, Mullett, Pollard, Eastment)   6:07
08. Within The Night  (Written-By – K. Law)   4:47
09. Plastic Man  (Written-By – Wilson, Mullett)   4:47
10. Telstar 69  (Written-By – J. Meek)   2:47

Total Time: 00:45:25

NOTES

                         

Track 10 is a bonus track.

LINE - UP

                    

Frank Wilson - Hammond organ, vocal
Paul Eastment - guitar, vocal
Graham Mullett - drums
Mick Pollard - bass guitar
Keith Law - songwriter

Flac Size: 257 MB