Music Legends - Featured Artist Audience

Audience in their short span of four years built up a cult following, yours truly right up there with them.

A British band consisting of Howard Werth (Electric acoustic guitar and vocals), Keith Gemmel (alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet and flute), Trevor Williams (bass and vocals) and Tony Connor (drums and vocals)., formed in the year 1969. They were, with the exception of Connor, previously known as “Lloyd Alexander Real Estate” …HUH???? . Within weeks of the band forming they already had management, a recording contract with Polydor and residency in the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

Their first album was simply named Audience, a majorly acoustic style with Gemmel’s saxophone frequently being electronically altered to resemble a lead guitar. The band was not happy with Polydor’s marketing style and moved to Switzerland to avoid dealings with the label. The song ‘Too late I’m gone’ was to be released as a single but this was cancelled.

One thing I would like you, the reader and listener to focus on is how their music evolves in the short time they were together

Too Late I’m Gone…bluesy and swing influences … not a Rock in sight !!

By the end of the year (1969) the band were already getting press recognition for their arrangements, as well as attracting quite a following.

The band were spotted by the director of Charisma records while playing as a support act for Led Zeppelin and he immediately signed them up. They released three albums for the label, the first being Friends Friends Friends.

The title track Friends Friends Friends

This album was entirely produced and designed by the band!! Now I must admit that they are an acquired taste, smacks of Jethro Tull and Cat Stevens … but stay with me a while, I believe the metamorphous is worth it

Their first two albums were not released in the States, and Elektra signed them and so they gained access to the US market for their final two albums. Indian Summer was released as a single and got them entry to the bottom of the charts.

Okay, thanks for sticking around as so far this has been pretty eclectic. Their next album, with the help of Gus Dudgeon was far more rock focused and far more sophisticated (my opinion) and is the Album that really achieved cult status. That album was House on the Hill.

The title track ….House on the Hill

and another ……Jackdaw …

This music is definitely for listening to, not background and not party. The distance the band travelled music wise in 4 years for me is astounding. My favorite from the House on the Hills album…

You’re not smiling

At this time the band were starting to crack, having toured and recorded for three straight years !! A US tour with Rod Stewart, although successful, brought things to a head and Keith Gemmel left the band. That basically was the end of Audience.

I leave you with a final listen to a band that went from slugs to butterflies in a very short period (my thoughts)

Thank you for reading (and hopefully listening…IT IS ABOUT THE MUSIC !!

Credits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

I am featuring artists from the 60’s and 70’s from diverse genre’s over the next few months. If you love music … FOLLOW and take the journey with me..it is going to be one thrilling ride !! Furthermore I will only be featuring artists from MY vinyl collection, and I shall start all of the posts with a photo of an album cover to authenticate

This post only requires only Steem Power

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The Rolling Stones
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