Barnabus - album launch gig October 2021

 Barnabus - album launch Gig October 2021

by Pete Clemons

The early 1970s brought music that was exciting, adventurous, heady and inspiring. For those playing it, it was days full of risk and vigorously alive. And Barnabus were another of those hard working bands from that time.

November 1971 saw them enter a studio and record an album that, sadly, never saw day of light for almost 50 years. But now, all has been corrected and, here we are in October 2021 for, at long last, the launch gig of that album.

The band have also threatened that this will be there last ever gig. Maybe it will be but as they were playing, it was easy to see that Barnabus were clearly enjoying it, and I couldn't help but think that there was more life left to be had in their songs.

Before the gig guitarist John Storer lamented that 'It had been a wonderful journey supporting bands such as Van der Graff Generator, Man, Trapeze, Hawkwind' and 'local band, The Edgar Broughton Blues Band as they were known back in the early 70s. As well as Barnabus playing gigs such as the Swan in Yardley, The Crown in Birmingham, off Navigation Street and Chetwyn's also Navigation Street. Also we cannot forget of course the Walsgrave Pub in Coventry and the Sportsman's Arms'

The first set that Barnabus played kicked off with a really excellent version of 'Morning Dew' a tune covered by the likes of The Grateful Dead. And the theme of the first part of the gig, if indeed there was one, was to concentrate on the more softer songs such as 'Beginning to Unwind' and 'Gas Rise'.

The second set was altogether different as Barnabus went for the more heavier songs such as 'America', their take on the Leonard Bernstein’s classic, 'The War Drags On', 'Mortal Flight', 'Winter Lady' a song that once had Ozzy Osbourne leaping out of his chair, and 'Apocalypse'. The band finished with the Cream number 'Crossroads'.

It really had been a special evening. Even today these songs sound different and assured. Any thoughts of failure, at the time of the recording, must have been outweighed by the feelings of knowing that you really were in a great band and had some really good music to offer.

Post gig and there was absolutely no doubt that all three members of the band had realised that they had put in a decent shift.

John Storer mentioned that 'it really couldn't have gone any better, right down to the timing of both sets'. Drummer Tony Cox commented that 'it was the best we had ever played'. While bass player and vocalist, Keith Hancock said 'it was great to play the old songs just one more time. A bit dated now, but still hold their own relevancy to what's going on today. Very happy with the way the whole thing went'.


The band were also keen to thank Barnabus lyricist Les Bates and his family for attending. They had come all the way down from Scotland for the event.

During the gig many old memories were sparked. None more so than one about Carole Knee of Friars Promotions who put on many of Barnabus's gigs during the early 1970s. The band were originally known as 'Barnabus Legge' and it was Carole who advised them to cut off the 'Legge' part which they agreed to do. It was ironic that her name was 'Knee' and she wanted the 'Legge' cut off.

The album, titled 'Beginning to Unwind' has been released on Rise Above Relics which is a part of Lee Dorrian’s Rise Above Records. Rise Above is a label that is dedicated to releasing relatively obscure hard rock and folk music from the late 1960s through to the mid-70s. It has to be said that Lee has done an incredible job in turning those 50 year old tapes into the CD and LP packages that are now available. Glad to hear that the album has sold particularly well in places like America. 50 years on, and who would have thought.