Peter Bardens – Don’t Goof With A Spook
Peter Bardens – I Can’t Remember
Peter Bardens – The Answer
Picked this up recently at Atomic in Burbank. Sometimes when I’m at record stores as I’m flipping through 100s of records that I don’t think I want, I wonder how many albums I’ve passed by just because for whatever reason the cover didn’t spark anything with me. Conversely I can’t quite figure out why certain albums seem to stick out from the rest. I’m not sure what it was about this one that got my attention, the cover isn’t that striking, though it does have a bit of an odd color scheme and design. The fact it was a rock record on Verve probably piqued my interest, but I’d never heard of Peter Bardens before happening upon this album.
Turns out, Bardens was more than just a bit player in the British blues/rock scene of the 1960s, playing along with Ray Davies of the Kinks, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green, Rod Stewart and was even a member of Them with Van Morrison. When I run into records from artists like this, who seemed to work with everyone, but I still didn’t know their name, it makes think that there must be a reason for that and my expectations for the music get lowered tremendously. In this case I chose to side with pedigree, and picked up the LP to give it a shot.
“The Answer” was Bardens’ proper debut as a solo artist and it’s largely a mixed bag. It does have some really strong moments, with eccentric vocal stylings from Bardens and some pretty fantastic guitar from a person who is credited as “Andy Gee” but sure does sound a lot like Peter Green. Green’s sound on guitar is one of my all-time favorites, so it’s virtually unmistakeable when you hear that trademark use of feedback especially on the just in time for Halloween, “Don’t Goof With A Spook” and the title track.
“I Can’t Remember” is a super-sized stoner anthem, replete with toking sound effects, “I Don’t Want To Go Home” features some nice flute work though that musician also is uncredited. I could have done without the rambling workout on “Homage To The God Of Light” or the forgettable “Let’s Get It On” but I’ll likely hold on to this one just for the Peter Green connection and the tunes that take up the whole first side (all posted here). Apparently there is a alternate version of this with a mildly salacious cover that is fairly collectible, but all in all, really solid work from a diggin’ leap of faith.
Cheers,
Michael
Hi Michael,
I really enjoy your "Dig Deep" posts. And for once, someone I can add something on and offer some recommendations.
You mentioned in the post that you weren't familiar with Pete Bardens. Are you familiar with the band Camel? Prog rockers from the 70's. Bardens was a member, playing keyboards and contributing songs.
Check out "Another Night" from their LP Moonmadness. The edited 45 version was intriguing, as instead of just dropping the extended instrumental break, the song was structured entirely differently. Hard to describe, sort of like entire passages had been re-arranged in different sequences.
Another recommendation, from the all instrumental LP The Snow Goose, the flute and piano dominated "Rhayader."
Another Bardens credit was the keyboards and synths which featured prominently on Van Morrison's LP Wavelength.
Sadly, Bardens passed away from cancer in 2002. He'd been living in the Los Angeles area for a while. I recall him doing his own farewell concert and I also recall a benefit concert for him, both of which were held in the Los Angeles area.
I recommend checking out Bardens work with Camel, particularly those tracks I mentioned.
Many thanks on that Jim, I'll definitely check them out at some point I noticed that Atomic has several Camel LPs too.
Sensational article. Writing is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to those who have none.