The Wilde Flowers

by The Wilde Flowers

Overview

Twenty-two tracks, recorded between 1965 and 1969 by various aggregations of the band. Some of the fidelity is primitive, and the performances are much more tentative and less virtuosic than what the musicians would tender on their Soft Machine and Caravan records. But the songs are playful and melodic, pushing the boundaries of the British Invasion pop they began with toward something more idiosyncratic and adventurous. Several of the songs, like "Memories" (three versions, considerably different from each other, are included here), ended up in the Soft Machine's early repertoire. Indeed, it's a shame that the Softs didn't record more of them; the chief flaw of these tracks is that the arrangements and instrumental proficiency are underdeveloped, and the Soft Machine could have transformed them into prime stuff. A few of the cuts were recorded in late 1969, and could have easily slotted in on the Wyatt-era Soft Machine albums. Wyatt and Hugh Hopper appear on most of the 22 tracks; to a lesser extent, Kevin Ayers, Pye Hastings, and even Mike Ratledge also pop up. Comes with an excellent booklet of photos and an extensive history by Wilde Flowers guitarist Brian Hopper, brother of Hugh. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	12/20/2024
Label:	Retroworld
UPC:	0805772646414

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Wilde Flowers   Primary Artist
Zobe   Primary Artist
Hugh Hopper   Guitar (Bass)
Robert Wyatt   Drums,Vocals,Trombone,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Pye Hastings   Guitar
Richard Sinclair   Drums,Guitar,Percussion
Mike Ratledge   Organ,Pan Flute
Brian Hopper   Guitar,Sax (Alto),Sax (Soprano),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Graham Flight   Vocals,Voices
Kevin Ayers   Vocals,Voices,Vocals (Background)
John Lawrence   Guitar
Dave Lawrence   Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Richard Coughlan   Drums

Technical Credits

Hugh Hopper   Composer
Robert Wyatt   Composer
Brian Hopper   Composer
Graham Flight   Composer
Zobe   Performer
Kevin Ayers   Composer
Chris Thorpe   Mastering
Booker T. Washington White   Composer
Chuck Berry   Composer