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Every serious collector of (and dealer in!) rare records dreams of making that one great discovery an album that is completely unknown. and which (unlike so many of the over-hyped and overpriced obscurities of little merit that litter the specialist dealers' catalogues) actually turns out to be a thing of beauty. The disc you are holding is proof that it's still possible. The story of the rediscovery of the sole album but JUST OTHERS and its eventual reissue on the EVANGEL label is nothing less than a series of remarkable strokes of luck . . .
It's just another afternoon in the summer of 1996. and I'm happily rooting
around the record shops in Swoons, South Wales. in search of stock for my
next catalog of rare vinyl. A regular port of call is More Music, a tiny
crowded shop crammed to the rafters with records of every. kind, presided
over by the knowledgeable and enthusiastic Jules. "I just had this in," says
he. handing me an obviously home-designed and hand-made LP cover with a
striking black-and-white design. "I've no idea what it is, but it looks like
your sort of thing let's have a listen. "Three tracks in, the extraordinary
Ballad of Lady Ann, and it's obvious we're in the presence of something
special. A deal is quickly done.
A week or so later, and I'm hooked. I've made a tape copy, and I'm playing
it in the car and around the house... the truth is sinking in: JUST
OTHERS/AMALGAM is a folk album of exceptional beauty and depth. I telephone
friends and fellow dealers but I'm none the wiser: no one has ever heard of
it. perhaps I have the only known copy. A glowing description in my
catalogue immediately secures it a new home in Japan, where it soon reaches
the ears of EVANGEL'S Noboru Fujisaki. Within days, I am requested to
contact JUST OTHERS, if possible, with a view to the album's reissue on
EVANGEL. By sheer good luck, the previous owner had managed not to lose the
insert - I've kept a photocopy. It tells us that JUST OTHERS were Geoff
Twigg and Brian Rodgers, and that at the time of AMALGAM's release in 1974
(22 years ago!) they lived in Kent. I obtain the addresses of all
subscribers with the same surnames listed in the relevant telephone
directory, mail out a persuasive circular letter, and await results,
admittedly more in hope than expectation . . . Within 48 hours, the phone
rings: "Hi, this is Brian Rodgers."
Geoff Twigg and Brian Rodgers first met in Frank Terenzi's music shop in
Maidstone, Kent. in September 1973. There was instant musical rapport, and
they did their first gig together a mere 7 days later. Both had been
musically active in the area for years: Geoff had played in a teenage band
called Wyndrush, and in a duo with Penny Connor, and was a member of the
Concord Singers, a Kent-based choir; Brian, meanwhile, had been a member of
a folk-rock outfit (name long forgotten) , and worked with another band,
Bacchus, and as a solo folkie. Geoff's main influences were Lennon and
McCartney, Paul Simon, Melanie, Judy Collins. Joni Mitchell, and others in
the singer-songwriter vein, underpinned by a keen interest in the classical
guitar repertoire by contrast. Brian's enthusiasm was for the current
British folk scene - Ralph McTell, Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Steeleye
Span. Tir Na Nog, John Renbourn. John James, and others. The
cross-fertilization between their separate enthusiasms and previous musical
experience goes a long way toward explaining the uniquely distinctive blend
to be heard on AMALGAM.
JUST OTHERS worked in most of the folk venues around the southeast of
England, and secured a residency at the Faversham Folk Club. Keen for wider
acclaim. they entered the annual Melody Maker contest, but, in Brian's
words, "played abysmally, go nowhere". AMALGAM was recorded, making the
utmost of the most basic equipment. in the spring and summer of 1974. Just
250 copies were pressed (500 were ordered. but the pressing plant was in
financial difficulties) , and the record was sold only at gigs. Enough songs
were written for a second album. and record companies were duly approached,
including such obvious candidates as Rocket and Chrysalis, but without
success. Chappell Music were prepared to take on the publishing, and even to
underwrite the recording of the follow-up, but it was not to be . . . The
songs remain unrecorded, and sadly, for the most part forgotten.
The need to pursue their individual careers was to force the eventual demise
of JUST OTHERS. Geoff worked as a peripatetic music teacher. and achieved
academic distinction at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Kings
College, where he studied composition. He later moved to the United States,
where he currently works as the musical director for a church. Brian,
meanwhile, became a full-time teacher (art design and technology); he also
took up sailing, and has raced small sailing craft at international level.
He returned to university in 1986. and taught in Australia throughout 1993,
where he began playing music once more. Since returning to the UK in 1994.
he has regularly performed solo, and has recently farmed a duo, NO
VACANCIES, with Bernard Quenby, playing. ragtime/blues, folk, and other
material. including at least one song from the JUST OTHERS days, Close Your
Eyes to the Sun.
What kind of album did JUST OTHERS make? Every listener will make up their
own mind, for sure, but to my ears, there are sangs on AMALGAM that manage
to convey striking post-Swinging London melancholy (Ballad of a Londoner),
soft-focus summer laziness (Close Your Eyes to the Sun), yearning
romanticism (Question of Emotion. I Do Not Know Your Name), Lost love
lamented (Dialogue Between a Young Man and the Night), and universal
agnosticism (Where Is He?), and they do it more effectively than most albums
that cost many megabucks to record; there are flashes of true inspiration,
like the crumhorns which frame the stunning Ballad of Lady Ann (a track
whose hallucinatory neo-medieval vibe is, in today's parlance, pure
acid-folk), and the distant string quartet on Where is He. There are
anthemic melodies that won't let go (At The End of the Rainbow, Sing For
me). And there is an all-pervading feeling, part optimism, part melancholy,
that makes this a uniquely interesting addition to any serious collection of
acoustic music of the period.
At the time of writing these notes, I am fairly certain that no other copies
of JUST OTHERS/AMALGAM have been found, or offered on the collectors'
market. That summer afternoon discovery in 1996 was certainly lucky for me,
and I'm happy that this richly deserved reissue on the EVANGEL label means
that others can share in my luck. JUST OTHERS/AMALGAM is indeed something
rather special.
ANDREW HAWKEY
1. I Do Not Know Your Name I do not know your name Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg Another day. another face goes rolling by, And not a trace of what we had is left behind Another year, another tear falls from my eye Another fear creeps to my heart, but you are near. No I do not know your name And I don't know who you are, But I'll meet you just the same, near or far. No I do not know your name And I don't know who you are, But I'll meet you just the same, near or far. Another time, another place, We will be standing face to face Love at first sight or so it seems Another house another land We will be walking hand in hand I've seen it happen in my dreams No I do not know your name And I don't know who you are, But I'll meet you just the same, near or far. No I do not know your name And I don't know who you are, But I'll meet you just the same, near or far. 2. Question Of Emotion Question of Emotion Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg It's a question of emotion, with the answer in your heart It's a promise made and broken, at the very start. Will you tell me the your leaving if I ever make you cry? Will you turn again to watch my animation die? Life means little to me, love means even less, So to pledge my life to loving would be pledging emptiness. Still, given half the chance I'll prove my worth. I will clothe the sea in sunshine, and put it in the earth And one day when you are walking, You will come across a flower With it's seeds at my beginning. And it's blossom in my final hour. Life means little to me, love means even less, So to pledge my life to loving would be pledging emptiness. Still, given half the chance I'll gladly show. That affection like a flower, can blossom and will grow And your questions of emotion will be answered for a time. And the peace of love returning will be yours and mine. 3. A Ballad Of Lady Ann A Ballad of Lady Ann Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg This is a song to my Lady. To be sung to the tide and the passing breeze How can I tell that I love her Wind will you whisper it from the trees? Lady Ann, although I love you so You will never know Ivory eyes sparkling like diamonds Crackling flame in her moonlight hair To distant shores she transports me Promising that she will meet me there Lady Ann, although I love you so You will never know Juniper trees blossom in rainbows Glistening leaves in the morning sun. While Lady Ann walks in the garden Innocence works in a world rebegun Lady Ann, although I love you so You will never know Mosaic hall marbled in checkmate Silver surrounding a golden throne Queen of my heart and is my keeper Keys of my heart give to her alone Lady Ann, although I love you so You will never know END 4. We Are Not Alone We are not Alone Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg I think I've got something to say to you I don't know if I'm going to see it through You're not like the other girls, other girl s I've known Whether together or far apart. And for tonight I am sorry dear. When we're together, I don't think clearly. Maybe someday, I will see, through a mist of shame How to be with someone wonderful Ours is the finest sympathy I have ever known Whether together, together or far apart We are not alone END 5. Close Your Eyes To The Sun Close your eyes to the Sun Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg Lay back, close your eyes to the sun And dream of me Somewhere, in a land far away, I am dreaming of you Dreaming of you Sunshine, and you are lying on golden sands Lie with me Sailing to the twinkling distant stars Fly with me All through the night we will search for the dawn And in the light of the morning, I will lead you to your home. Lay back, close you eyes to the sun And dream of me. Somewhere, in a land far away I am dreaming of you, Dreaming of you. END 6. Concerning A Lost Love Concerning a lost Love Words and Music by Brian Rodgers arr. Rodgers/Twigg I saw you first in '68; you looked divine to me A pretty girl with long dark hair' bound for Germany Well I knew that I wouldn't see you for a year or two I thought that I could stay behind and write a song for you The girl I love has gone away It's really rather sad To think that something so good Could make feel that bad. While you were out across the sea, I missed you for a while. But then I met a young girl called Maureen, And I thought I'd cause to smile We laughed a bit and we cried some, young Mo was good for me In three months time it was over - true was not to be. Chorus Well when you came back from Europe with a tale to tell or two About fast sports cars and soldiers - of both you'd used a few We fell in love soon after, and thought perhaps we'd wed. You took my ring but then dropped, like a balloon made of lead. Chorus I loved you then and I love you now, but love was not your need' For you to stick with just one man, and you left me here to bleed It's awful that it didn't work out, we seemed to lose the track. I know that it would be alright if only you'd come back. (God forbid) Chorus 7. I Miss You I Miss You Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg I didn't know just how much I would miss you I miss you Everyone's fine, and they all send their love But I miss you I can't forget all the love I have seen in your eyes Since we first met, And I knew you were mine. Now that I'm here, I would like you to know That I miss you. Wish you were here Now I'm alone and the fires going out You are near me Over the miles there is never a doubt You can hear me. That's all there is, as my song takes the place of a tear. Wish you were here. END 8. Song For All Seasons Song for all seasons Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg A song for all seasons, nothing can change the love I hold And even thigh you might see clouds in the sky Why let them worry you? I can tell the north wind to blow them all away, come again another day But not too soon Think of the summer time, Summers in England are hardly the best. But we can get suntanned along with the rest On a beach in Majorca Or if you prefer it, we'll stay at home watching the raindrops make our flowers grow And when the snow falls, follow my tracks, they lead to your door I won't let it stop me if the car doesn't start I'd rather walk than spend Christmas a part Spring is the best time, promise again that you'll always be true Tell me the story of love made new. A song for all seasons, nothing can change the love I hold. And even though you might see clouds in the sky Why let them worry you? I can tell the north wind to blow them all away Thank you, we'll let you know. END 9. Ballad Of A Londoner Ballad of a Londoner Words and music by Geoff Twigg Arr. Rodgers/Twigg Evening falls on the smoky walls and the railings drip with rain, I will cross the old river to see my girl again. Through dirty dusky damp domains to water bridged with light I see the lamp lit watchers keep appointments with the night And solemn stones stand sentry where the relatives forget On this side of the river, but not with her, oh no, not yet. I know a garden in a street which no-one ever knew I know a rose beyond the Thames where flowers are pale and few Evening falls on the smoky walls and the railings drip with rain, And I will cross the old river to see my girl again. END 10. Where Is He? A dialogue between a young man and the night words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg Are you the same night as when she was with me? And is the starlight the best you can give me? I know you are darkness, you are starlight, you are night I am the same night as when she was with you. And yes the starlight is all I can give you. Yes I am a darkness, I am starlight, I am night. Does the moon shine to remind me? And are the bad times all behind me? I have not a mother or a lover or a wife. I know you're not hiding, you are guiding, you are light Young man the moon shines to reflect the sun. And you have troubles that are still to come. I have not a rainbow, or a seed to grow, or a light. I am always hiding, never guiding, I am night Oh will you help me to confide in you And If I close my eyes, may I hide in you I am always dreaming, never seeming to be known I have none to guide me, none to hide me, I'm alone I cannot help you, but you may rest in me And it is up to you, to do your best in me No-one ever knows me I am lonely for a while Very soon on a starry night at another's side You will smile And then the moon will shine like the sun above The stars will fill your eyes when you find your love. I will sadly watch you go, see your garden grow, see your life I have only darkness for your comfort I am night END 11. A Dialogue Between A Young Man And The Night Where is He? Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg Where is He? They told me I might find him here. Where is He? I cannot wait another minute, For my life is fading fast, The memories appear before my eyes; And in the past I see an emptiness Which none of you can recognize Where is He? They told me Jesus is the only one. Where is He? Where can I find God's only Son, To whom I give myself, my family, and all the ones I care for. Where is He? What man can show me to His life. Where is He? I know that I will never live my own again I see the look of laughter on your faces You live in my old hell, It's made of empty spaces END 12. At The End Of The Rainbow At the end of the Rainbow Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg At the end of the rainbow you will find the sea and the sky. There is nothing between them but you and I, And the man who makes the clouds go by Smiles in his house across the road. And the photographs he gave me of the end of the rainbow Are behind the clock on the shelf. And he thinks himself something rather special with a message for the world And he writes to all the papers saying: At the end of the rainbow you can find the sea and the sky There is nothing between them but you and I But the sea it is dying as the years go by and by And he tells me we can save it in a very special way We can save the world today At the end of a lifetime we allow a man to die But will we say goodbye to a friend when the world is at an end? END 13. Sing For Me Sing for Me Words and Music by Geoff Twigg arr. Rodgers/Twigg She played the piano on a Sunday afternoon But no-one could hear the tune she played would fade in the distance. And sailing away on a ship without a home The captain would roam to be alone His only existence. Sing for me, Sing for me. Of peace and an island Sing for me, Sing for me, Of peace and an island Long long ago, as she walked across the sand, Hand holding hand, the day was planned For Sullivan's daughter. A body was found, the bold captain drowned, And brought by the waves, his ocean slaves, To rest on the island And sometimes she hears, through the song of the years, His parting request for happiness And rest, on the island Sing for me, Sing for me, Of peace and an island Sing for me, Sing for me, Of peace and an island She played the piano on a Sunday afternoon But no-one could hear the tune she played Would fade
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