Revelation 2001
By Pete Clemons
Back in 2013 I wrote a piece that covered a potted history of how Peppermint Kreem came about and how they claimed their place in Coventry music history.
This is a long overdue follow up to that article and is focused on a unique piece of music Peppermint Kreem produced titled Revelation 2001 a story of the world, its future and one man's journey through it all, seeking some kind of truth.
Don Fardon, who once looked after Peppermint Kreem, once said about the band 'As amateurs they are professionals – but as professionals they are amateurs. Nevertheless they are very good'.
After listening to the piece I (PC) had a chat to its creator Paul Kennelly (PK) about his thoughts and memories of it all.
PC - Blimey Paul, this is very listenable. Am I right it was initially recorded during 1973, re-recorded 1987, performed 1973 at Memorial Park but conceived as far back as 1968 ish?. That was some journey if I am correct.
PK - I am not sure how far back the rock opera idea goes but it really came together during band practice in the Heath pub. But that was the first time I introduced the guys to my own work. That would be during 1972.
The album was recorded at Bird Sounds in Snitterfield in 1973 but the original tapes are now long lost. The master tape remained with Monty Bird and there were cassette copies around but sadly no one seems to have one.
Back in 1987 Arthur Albrighton was over from Germany and we kitted a studio out in our Time Machine shop, Earlsdon specifically to re visit the work. That was myself, Arthur and Bob Hopkins. Bob 'Spindler' Hopkins took the lead and improvises while Arthur Albrighton plays support chords and sound effects. Arthur also engineered the recording. This recording still exists but has only two keyboard tracks and vocal. It's in an unfinished state, not having bass, lead or percussion.
Arthur took the masters from that session back to Germany to add guitar and percussion. I have no idea why, but he never did complete the work. What you have is really a part work. All a long time ago.
PC - So really then the album could have been even grander than it is?
PK - Could still be if the guitar and drums was dubbed in. I also wrote two other similar pieces, one called 'Atlantis' and the other 'Nord Zaga'. Peppermint Kreem laid down keyboard and vocal tracks for 'Atlantis'. Again , this was never fully completed and remains unreleased and likely never to see the light of day. Sadly.
PC - Was this the music you played at Memorial Park 1973? If so who was in band that day. How did music go down?.
PK - Memorial Park gig. Keyboards Bob 'Spindler' Hopkins. Vocals Paul 'the Egg' Kennelly, Drums Pete 'the feet' Davoile, Bass guitar Keith 'Keethy Babes' Jaynes and guitar Arthur 'Modie' Albrighton.
We shared the gig with a band called Just Before Dawn. As can be seen from the poster, no one was top of the bill. The manager of Just Before Dawn got arsey and insisted they go on last.
This suited us. We had the big crowd as can be seen from the attached photos. By the time the other band went on it was dusk and the audience was mostly by then drunks.
I always say that of this gig, the public were watching a free show. They did not have to hang around if they thought the music was crap. But we held them, playing rock standards in the first half and the Rock Opera in the second half. I often wonder if someone out there took a movie of the show or made a recording.
No comments:
Post a Comment