The New Hovering Dog
23/12/2006 By BJ Cole
‘The New Hovering Dog’ was my first solo album, and was originally released in 1973. It has never been re released on CD, and has become a much sought after collectors item.
After making three albums with the Country Rock/ Psychedelic band Cochise (1969/1973), I broke away from the Country Rock format to create a more experimental album that combines poetic lyrics with orchestrations and electronics. In retrospect it can be compared with the early work of Brian Eno.
THE TRACKS.
‘REGAL PROGRESSION’ and
‘COLD MOUNTAIN MARINER’ features a strong cast of the top musicians of the era, including Danny Thompson on Double Bass, Mike Giles (King Crimson) on drums and Francis Monkman (Curved Air) on Harpsichord. Robert Kirby, who is better known for his work with Nick Drake, did the orchestral arrangements. As with most of the other tracks on the album, and on this unique occasion, I did the singing, as well as all the Pedal Steel parts.
‘NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON’T’,
YOU’RE PROBABLY LOST’ and
‘I KNOW NOW’.
Songs of paranoia and megalomania, featuring my old buddies Keith Baker (Bass) and Laurie Jellyman (Drums). Heavily inspired by seeing Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band. Additional madness is supplied by Graham Preskett (Violin & Vocals) and Bill LeSage (Piano).
‘UP ON THE HILL WHERE THEY DO THE BOOGIE’.
A momentary lapse into Country Music territory with this cover of a John Hartford song. This was the single, believe it or not.
‘FIVE PIECES FOR STEEL GUITAR AND PERCUSSION’ my first attempt at writing a suite of orchestral pieces. Featuring Tristan Fry (later of the group SKY) on percussion.
‘THE EAST WINCHLEY TANGO’
In 1971 I got hold of one of the first VCS3 Synthesizers. This tune was edited down from a longer improvised performance utilising the oscillators and joystick control, and morphed into ring modulated wind chimes.
The album has been re mastered from original master tapes and transferred at high resolution by Neil Wilkes of Opus Productions Ltd. The album has not sounded this good since I mixed it at Lansdowne Studios, London in 1972
BJ Cole 2006
Track Listing
*The Regal Progression
*Now You See Them, Now *You Don't
*The Cold Mountain Mariner
*Up On The Hill Where They Do The Boogie (Hartford)
*You're Probably Lost
*Five Pieces For Steel Guitar & Percussion
*I Know Now
*The East Winchley Tango
All songs composed by BJ Cole except where shown
Musicians.
BJ COLE Steel Guitar, Dobro, Cheng,VCS3 & Vocals
ROBERT KIRBY Piano & arrangements
FRANCIS MONKMAN Harpsichord
DANNY THOMPSON Double Bass
KEITH BAKER Electric Bass
MIKE GILES Drums
LAURIE JELLYMAN Drums TRISTRAM FRY Percussion
GRAHAM PRESKETT Electric Violin
CRISPIAN STEEL-PERKINS Trumpet
MICK AUDSLEY Guitar & Vocal
ROY GILLARD Violin
ANDY BABYNCHUK Violin BRIAN HAWKINS Viola
SUE SHEPHERD Cello
Recorded at Lansdowne, DJM, Philips and DeLaneLea Studios London 1972
Quotes from Franz Kafka’s short story, ‘Investigations Of A Dog’, Used in the promotion campaign of the album ‘The New Hovering Dog’ by BJ Cole.
“We dogs are all engaged in the strangest occupations, occupations in which one would refuse to believe if one had not the most reliable information concerning them. The best example I can quote is that of the hovering dog. The first time I heard of one I laughed and simply refused to believe it”.
“So it was too with the hovering dogs. I discovered a great many things about them; true, I have succeeded to this day in seeing none of them, but of their existence I have been firmly convinced for a long time, and they occupy an important place in my picture of the world”.
“Take the hovering dogs once more as an example; they are not haughty as one might imagine at first, but rather particularly dependent upon their fellow dogs; if one tries to put oneself in their place one will see that.”
“And perhaps indeed it is well not to be too obstinate, but to yield to public sentiment, to accept the extant hovering dogs, and without recognizing their right to existence, which cannot be done, yet to tolerate them. But more than this must not be required; that would be going too far, and yet the demand is made. We are perpetually being asked to put up with New Hovering Dogs who are always appearing.”
Following the release of ‘The New Hovering Dog’ in 1973, BJ Cole went on to record with an impressive roster of well known recording artists, and to record four more solo albums of his own. To find out all about his many projects and achievements, check out his website at www.bjcole.co.uk and contact him via www.Myspace.com/bjcolemusic
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