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Back to the '70s for this fantastic album by Norman Watt-Roy, Charlie Charles, Mickey Gallagher and John Turnbull. Seasoned musicians from Bell and Arc, Skip Bifferty, The Greatest Show On Earth and Glencoe.
The band were named "Loving Awareness" after the concept their manager Ronan O'Rahilly promoted on his pirate station Radio Caroline. The songwriting on display is truly exceptional, Beatles inspired but tinged with funk. If you listened to Caroline in those days, you surely know "Love You To Know", "Free Your Soul", "Existence" and "Let Yourself Go". The original LP was on More Love Records and came in a lavish gatefold sleeve complete with posters.
The music has hardly dated at all. Perhaps this is because they were pioneers of blue-eyed funk. The band were unbelievably tight. They also toured and I was lucky enough to catch one of their shows. They pulled a big crowd, although I believe sales of the LP were disappointing. Maybe this was because it was only available mail order and at gigs. Rumour at the time was that record shops were scared to stock the LP due to Caroline's illegal broadcasting status. Vive la Revolution!
Now after years in collectorland obscurity the album is available again on CD. Packaging is not top notch, although the 12-page booklet is an interesting read. Even better are 4 bonus instrumentals, different arrangements to the vocal versions, linked by suitably oceanic sounds. These are truly beautiful. There is also a short audio clip of Ronan O'Rahilly and some nostalgic Radio Caroline jingles to round off the package. Poor availability of the album proves that some things never change - it's only available mail order. Get it now while it is still in print, from Radio Caroline's store at:http://rcsocietysales.co.uk/music.html
It's a purchase you will never regret.
The band split due to the limitations of the whole Loving Awareness concept, only to regroup as the Blockheads backing Ian Dury. Partial to their Abracadabra? Oh yes indeed, and the band are still touring to this day.
Perhaps more importantly, Radio Caroline is back and broadcasting legally on satellite and the web at: http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/#home.html
It's usually well worth a listen and they are campaigning for a legal medium wave/AM slot here in England...
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