CAPTAIN MARRYAT LP/1974 Scotland/UK/Heavy Rock/Deep Purple/Uriah Heep/SHADOKS

$

50

CAPTAIN MARRYAT 's/t' LP (Germany, Shadoks, Catalogue #114) Brand new/unplayed copy of limited Shadoks label LP edition (new third edition, in transparent white vinyl, of 400 numbered copies) of rare demo-only LP, recorded and released in 1974, by Scottish Heavy Rock band Captain Marryat.

(NOTE: LIMITED, NUMBERED EDITION OF 400 COPIES ONLY!)

'2017 repress. Shadoks Music present a reissue of Captain Marryat's self-titled album, originally released in 1974. First reissued in 2010 as a black vinyl edition and in 2013 as a transparent pink vinyl edition of 200, This edition comes on transparent white vinyl with a color photo on the front. Captain Marryat were from Glasgow, Scotland and they recorded this demo album in 1974, released in a tiny pressing on the Thor label, hoping to get an EMI or Chrysalis deal, who both showed interest in the band at the time. They wanted to record only a single, but instead came up with a complete album of self-composed tracks. Since it was not that easy for a Scottish band to get attention down in London, this album was the only pressing ever done and was sold at band gigs only. Five musicians, great organ, vocals, extra heavy fuzz-guitar with drums and bass - amazing underground songs, influenced by Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Beggars Opera - a true lost classic. Dig on the truly tribal percussion, searing guitar leads and drugged-out keys on the fully-instrumental and galloping "Dance Of Thor." The band formed in the early '70s, around 1971 to 1975, generating quite a following while playing all around Scotland and the Borders at various venues including Burns Howff in Glasgow which was a very popular venue as other bands such as Alex Harvey Band, Nazareth, and Beggars Opera also played there. Shadoks Music were lucky to find the band themselves to make a deal so this beauty can finally conquer the world of rock music. Many people watching eBay auctions were surprised to see this album selling for nearly 3,000 Euro each. Before that, this album was completely unknown. Members include: Jimmy Rorrison, Hugh Finnegan, Allan Bryce, Tommy Hendry, and Ian McEleny. Comes in a heavy sleeve; Comes as 180 gram, transparent white vinyl; Includes a two-page insert; Edition of 400 (numbered).'

"1974 was a banner year for what has become known as progressive heavy rock. Bands such as Lucifer’s Friend, Beggars Opera, and Wishbone Ash were all in their heyday. The heavy organ and guitar sound was all the rage. Deep Purple had just scored with “Woman From Tokyo,“ and Uriah Heep with the great “Stealin.“ Even Iron Butterfly were still in the game, with the underrated Scorching Beauty LP.

Enter Scotland’s Captain Marryat. They took their name from a London author, and associate of Charles Dickens, Captain Frederick Marryat. It is interesting that they chose a friend of Dickens for their moniker, as the character of Uriah Heep comes from the Dickens novel David Copperfield.

In those heady, post-hippie days, a band like Captain Marryat could make a living on the Scottish pub circuit. When they felt they were ready, the band recorded and self-released their one and only LP. It was done as a demo to drum up interest from the majors more than anything else.

With only 200 copies of Captain Marryat ever pressed, the original album is a highly valued collectors item. Copies have reportedly changed hands for over 3,000 Euros recently. While the original is obviously a rare and attractive piece for vinyl fetishists, what about the music itself?

I am happy to report that the Captain Marryat record is as faithful to the genre as anything I have ever heard. From the opening, Phantom Of The Opera-type keyboard trills of “Blindness” all the way through to the prog-mania that is “Dance Of Thor,” Captain Marryat are brilliantly of their time.

The second song on the record, “It Happened To Me,” is the band’s tour-de-force. At eight minutes, it is also the longest track here. They needed that amount of time to get the full guitar and organ solos in though, and I for one am very grateful.

The guitar solo followed by an even lengthier organ solo is the format Captain Marryat holds to pretty consistently in the instrumental sections of their songs. Until we come to “Changes” that is. The tune seems to be their bid for airplay, as it is certainly the most radio-friendly cut on the record.

“Gonna be changes come someday, gonna be changes come your way.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

The six minute instrumental “Dance Of Thor” closes Captain Marryat out, and it is a thing of beauty. On top of a driving drumbeat comes the power-organ of Allan Bryce, followed by Ian McEleny’s searing guitar work. Last but certainly not least are the sounds of thunder, in honor of Thor, the original god of thunder.

There is not a lot of middle ground with Captain Marryat. You either love this type of early-Seventies European progressive hard rock, or hate it. I totally dig it, and will be filing this disc between Banquet by Lucifer’s Friend, and Uriah Heep’s The Magician‘s Birthday."

- 2017 repress. Shadoks Music present a reissue of Captain Marryat's self-titled album, originally released in 1974.
- Captain Marryat were a band from Glasgow, Scotland formed in the early '70s - five musicians, great organ, vocals, extra heavy fuzz-guitar with drums and bass
- Members include: Jimmy Rorrison, Hugh Finnegan, Allan Bryce, Tommy Hendry, and Ian McEleny.
- RIYL: Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Beggars Opera.
- Comes in a heavy sleeve; Comes as 180 gram, transparent white vinyl; Includes a two-page insert; Edition of 400 (numbered).

High-quality 180-gram pressing.

Tracks on this LP are as follows:

• Blindness
• It Happened To Me
• A Friend
• Songwriter's Lament
• Changes
• Dance Of Thor

Shipping in US is $5.00./CANADA AIRMAIL is $17.00./MEXICO AIRMAIL is $22.50./OVERSEAS AIRMAIL is $24.00. (Shipping totals will be consolidated for multiple winning bids.)

Record shipped in professional, superior rectangular shaped, corner-protecting corrugated cardboard record mailer with filler pads. Satisfaction guaranteed!