Mouldy Old Music

 

Mouldy Old Music

by Pete Clemons

Muriel Young was both a radio and television presenter having worked for commercial television since its inception during 1955. And during the 1960s and 70s she worked behind the scenes on many of the more influential pop music programmes.

And it was Muriel, who originated from the north east, that saw the potential in Coventry band Stavely Makepeace during 1970. After several singles Stavely Makepeace, with the addition of pianist Hilda Woodward, became know as Lieutenant Pigeon, and went on to have a hit with 'Mouldy Old Dough' during 1972. The note below, from Muriel, is taken from the reverse of the Lieutenant Pigeon album, 'Mouldy Old Music' released February 1973,

'It's three years ago since a couple of round faced lads, Rob and Nigel, came into my office with a disc. Stavely Makepeace was the name and I was knocked out with the sound, partly because it was different – fresh and sort of kerpow !!. Also because I was intrigued that the discs had been made in Rob's front sitting room. This had been handed over to him willingly by his Ma and fitted out as a sound studio. 'What a super Ma', I said to myself, and what a super Ma she turned out to be when I met her in Lieutenant Pigeon. Along with Rob and Nigel (not so round faced three years later) and Steve, Mrs Woodward at piano, added another fun dimension to the sound which to me is still different, fresh and loaded with kerpow !! Thank you Lieutenant Pigeon.'

A review of the album, released on the Decca label SKL5154, has been reproduced below.

'This will do. Despite the awesome threats that it was all a one hit wonder gimmick and destined for an early grave, the gallant Lieutenant's music has gone on to do well in the charts. Nigel Fletcher, Rob Woodward, Steve and 'Ma' open here with Mouldy Old Dough, then into a fairground sound on Jumping Jack and, on side two Desperate Dan makes a predictable appearance. They plunge into the martial beat on Opus 300, and its organ cranking stuff on The Monkey Song. There's the odd break for piano, and the odd extra curricular bit of vocalising – in short don't expect no musical miracles and you'll enjoy the exercise. It's happy go lucky, enthusiastic stuff, and the group has done well to get so many variations of style and sound especially considering the smallness of the personnel. On the sleeve note, Muriel Young opines: its a fun dimension to the sound which to me is still different, fresh and loaded with KEPOW!. Perhaps that's the word for which we've been searching.......'different'.

'Unusual stuff not without its charms from a band who were rather difficult to pigeon hole. Its not an obvious style of music from any era and at times it appears to hark back to the old days of the music hall although the piano is largely dominant'.

Sadly the Lieutenant Pigeon album never fared as well as the single. But one thing is for sure, almost 50 years on, and Lieutenant Pigeon left us with one of the most recognisable tunes ever released.......To a certain generation at least.

Rob Woodwood of Lieutenant Pigeon as Shel Naylor at 17 on the Decca label with a song written by Kinks member Dave Davies in 1964. Jimmy Page on guitar.