Capitol Years

Way back in the summer of 1971, I came across an odd curio in the cut-out bin of a dark and dusty ol' record shop. There it was and for a whopping 99 Cents, the first McGuinness Flint LP could be all mine. All I knew was that Hughie Flint had played with John Mayall, nothing else about this bunch was ringin' any bells. The cover of this LP was dark & gloomy (Scotland) and it had a cool texture about it...Sale.This recording along with Donovan's great LP: "Open Road", were about my two favorite albums of that summer. Both records were so unique in their approach and stood-out during the blues-based, hard rocks that dominated the music of that era.The stand-out track on the first McGuinness Flint record was: "When I'm Dead & Gone." The only song close in competion to this classic was: "Tarkio Road" by Brewer & Shipley. But "Tarkio" pales in comparision to anything on the McGuinness Flint LP.With ten tunes and a brief running time this great LP was all but ignored in the USA. But with it's wonderful mixture of rock, folk, gospel & ol' fashioned good time music all blended together on this package this gem of a record SHOULD have done much better here and I don't have an answer as to why it wasn't a popular album. I am happy to have lucked upon it!With the wonderful tunes: "Dream, Darlin' Dream" "I'm Letting You Know" & "Let It Ride" this record and this great band should have been HUGE.Years later, I spotted another McGuinness Flint LP. This new discovery was entitled: "Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby", and I was quick to grab this one up as well. For me, the second album from the Flints did not have the impact of the first LP, and after a few plays on the Turntable it was retired. I would give 'Ruthie' a return listen every few years or so but again to my ears the magic is on the first LP and there is just a little less found on the second album.I am very surprised to see both of these records together on CD at all and no we have have them captured in one spot. And for the new listeners out there I say: "Go fer it!" Buy this one now. This is simple as what you will find here is just damn-good acoustic music that could have been played in the 1920's or be something you will be hearing fifty years from now...Timeless stuff. I will go five stars for the first record and three stars for the follow-up album.This is a great package with nice informative liner notesFour Stars!

Finally, the long wait is over, If you missed Mcguinness Flint's excellent LP in '70, shame on you,now's your chance to pickup on some really tight harmonies and feel good music There's isn't a throwaway track in the bunch. You'll want to leave this CD on your player and never take it off. Rock on rock on everybody's gotta rock on.These tunes will stick in your head and you'll find yourself singing them by heart on lazy afternoon's.Don't miss out again.

This group was the British equivalent of "The Band". Folky, country, rock. The CD is combination of their first two albums. Many masterpiece songs, written mostly by members Gallagher and Lyle. Later Gallaher and Lyle recorded albums as a duo, but never reached this level again.

This music is a timeless distillation of English folk,contextualized by the musician's backgrounds and recorded by the deft touch of producer Glyn Johns. Without Gallagher and Lyle, these guys recorded the mythic Dylan collection "Lo and Behold"--another A+++++ outing. Don't miss this opportunity to hear a band of fellows at the absolute peak of their game. The 100 proof stuff contained here-in will make you jump,scream,holler and weep. And they meant every note of it-to their soul. It's just not done like this anymore.

Really good album. I would have bought just for Dead and Gone, which is a GREAT song, but the rest of the album is very good. What the hell happened to these guys???

Great Group, Great Albums.

McGuinness Flint were formed following the break-up of Manfred Mann in 1969 by one of its ex-members, Tom McGuinness. He was hoping to continue making music, but with (it seems) a lower profile than Manfred Mann had. He didn't get that lower profile, as the first single, When I'm dead and gone, became a UK #2 hit and the album containing it also did well. So the band never had the chance to develop quietly as they had hoped, but were immediatrely thrust into the big time. Theie second single, Malt and barley blues, became a UK #5 hit, adding further pressure. They therefore rushed out a second album, but it didn't do all that well, neither did the single (Happy birthday Ruthy baby) and the band broke up.The music here is high quality acoustic rock, with a touch of the blues. The other members included Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, two songwriters who had written a song for Mary Hopkin (Sparrow), and who stayed together as Gallagher and Lyle after McGuinness Flint broke up.All their music except one track is to be found here, and the one omission is caused by lack of space on the CD. All the McGuinness Flint music that really matters is here. The booklet containing notes by Tom McGuinness is also interesting.Tracks1.When I'm Dead And Gone2.Lazy Afternoon3.Bodang Buck4.Mister Mister5.Heritage6.I'm Letting You Know7.Let It Ride8.Dream Darlin' Dream9.Who You Got To Love10.Nternational11.Malt And Barley Blues12.Rock On13.Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby14.Conversation15.When I'm Alone With You16.Fixer17.Faith And Gravy18.Klondike19.Reader To Writer20.Changes21.Friends Of Mine22.Piper Of Dreams23.Jimmy's Song24.Sparrow25.Wham Bam26.Back On The Road Again

I only really liked one of the tracks. I still tend to go for the pop type single. I never gained the sophistication some of these musicians have even though I spent time with many of their compatriots. I did listen to them before I bought the CD but couldn't get the single at the time. That is my reason for a 4 star. For those impressed by one single don't always buy the whole CD.

Somewhat of a letdown this CD features the two famous songs When I'm Dead & Gone and Malt & Barley Blues plus 24 other tracks verging from good Rock On, Bodang Duck & Let It Ride to several slow paced very forgetable songs. Try the 2-Fer of Rainbow/Cest La Vie, it is much better overall.

great

A great retrospective of an underrated British band who didn`t last long enough to fulfill their potential.

DELIVERED AS PROMISED. EXCELLENT DISC WITH FAVOURITE TRACK ON IT!