Nektar

 

Nektar

by Pete Clemons

I have written several articles about Coventry born and Nektar lead guitarist Roye Albrighton but never much about his band.

Nektar are such a wonderful band to listen too. For me they had a perfect blend of qualities like musical virtuosity, genre-bending innovation, profound emotional depth, captivating stage presence, universal appeal, and timeless relevance.

I first got into them around the time that their second album, 'Tab in the Ocean', was released. They instantly became one of those bands I just bought whatever they released - nowadays I think they call it autobuy.

Looking back on their career as best I can, unlike other bands, Nektar never really seemed to get the media attention lauded on others. There is actually very little I can find in the way of album reviews, articles and interviews. That said I did find this review, in French, of 'Tab' that I let Google translate work its magic on.

'Slowly but surely, Germany seems to be waking up from a long-standing lethargy in pop production. Yet, musicians are unable, or with difficulty, to free themselves from Anglo-Saxon influences. Nektar illustrates this problem perfectly: their scores, while commendable, remain lacking a great deal of personal inspiration. Here, the style is floating, with the prolonged chords of an emphatic organ. There, it undergoes a twist, a long-matured surge, to approach a more overt and concrete expression. The tone lands in reality. It should be noted, however, that to the group's disadvantage, some unexpected modulations are a bit forced and find no justification. But the general harmony and the curve of the work do not lack beauty and melodic lyricality, if we admit above that there is a commercial synthesis from a mix and, without any ulterior motive, to hear in eye to eye with Genesis or King Crimson'

By the time Nektar's 4th album 'Remember the Future' was released, the first album recorded in their native Britain, headway had been made and America had called.. Remember the Future is one continuous piece of music which takes up both sides of the album, covering as many moods as the band achieves during its stage show. It was said that 'Few bands had impressed as much as Nektar during 1973. Few will achieve as during the coming year'.

1974 on October 8th at 4:32pm Nektar return to Britain with 8 tons of equipment after successfully completing their first American tour. On that tour they headlined at every venue they played, sold out four concerts in St Louis playing to over 12000 people. They triumphed in New York's academy of music at a special midnight concert which was broadcast live over New York's WNEW FM radio to a quarter million listeners. Additionally thousands of fans tried to get tickets for their 2 shows in Houston. Their album Remember the Future is now in the US top 50 and moving upwards every week. The British band who live in Germany and who are very much at home in the USA.

Roye Albrighton talking of those days: 'At last, we were to embark on our first tour of the States. The excitement in the camp was at an all–time high, and just before we left, we managed to spurt out yet another album that was due for release in Germany, in the form of Down To Earth. This was Nektar's "Magical Mystery Tour" album. Everybody in those days seemed to record at least one LP that seemed to have nothing at all to do with what they were really all about. Although I thought it was a good album, it really didn't hit the mark in Germany and lots of our fans over there were starting to wonder if we were starting to lose all control. Personally, I didn't find it that bad and the idea behind it was good, but you cannot argue with your public, they always know best'.

However 'Down to Earth' could possibly have had the adverse effect. Again Roye thinks back: 'Down To Earth was not for the American market, but 'Recycled' was, and I believe to this day that had they released 'Recycled' directly after RTF and not waited a year and released Earth, then Nektar might have been in a different position today'

This view is supported to a point in a review I did find for 'Down to Earth': 'Nektar's smooth move from cosmic progression, though it was more genuinely rocky than that of past practitioners of the style, to a more straight forward rock 'n' roll sound is both a surprise and a pleasure. After all, you can only take so much of bluebirds from outer space, whereas you can never get enough of the real stuff. Down to earth indeed.

Last word with Roye: 'RTF will always have a special place in my heart as the album at the pinnacle of the Nektar years'.

Chevy – St Patricks Club, Leamington Spa

Chevy – St Patricks Club, Leamington Spa

by Pete Clemons

People tend to live in the now. With that in mind it cant be easy for a band to revisit the feelings, get back to a place they were in with a retro comeback thing.

Absolutely no disrespect to the rest of the band but I think that responsibility, in the main, lies with the vocalist. It is they who have to muster up those feelings. The singer has to bring the emotion, melody and the audience connection.

And Martin Cure managed to do that in spades as Chevy celebrated their album 'The Taker' which was released 45 years ago. Martin even touched on how Chevy had loved managers and agents back then.

But before all of that we had an hour of Dirt Road Band who, nowadays, bring with them a high energy groove.

One of Dirt Road Band's first gig, as I remember, was at St Patrick's Club in Leamington Spa. The same venue as this evenings shenanigans. This, however, was back in 2017 when Dirt Road Band were prefixed by 'The'.

As The Dirt Road Band they had a more boogie-rock, blues-focused sound. They were energetic, brought a touch of rock and brought unique vocal and harmonica styles. Today, Dirt Road Band carry a high energy rhythm and pulse. From blues to high energy frenetic blues. They are as tight as too. But this was Chevy's night. And they brought a change of direction.

Chevy found themselves as part of the burgeoning New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene in the early 1980s, known for being one of the more melodic and thoughtful bands in the movement. The band split up shortly after the album's release, they left behind a respected album and are remembered for their talent and contribution to that era.

They were fast, raw and energetic. Their sound included, melodic hooks and, possibly above all, twin-guitar harmonies that created some fantastic lead breaks. Chevy were also a band who, as support to Tygers of Pan Tang, on a 'BBC in concert' recording session reportedly blew the main event off stage during that particular transmission. Given that, the task to recreate, was immense. There was no need to worry though, they sailed through it.

It was a remarkable evening as several of the musicians played both sets demonstrating their skill and versatility. Above all it came across as an evening of musicians completely enjoying themselves and an audience totally enjoying what they were hearing.

The evening was dominated by a hard-hitting rock style, with the album showcasing hits like the title track 'The Taker', 'You Got Me Running', and the fan-favourite 'Skybird'. Ted Duggan was a monster behind the drums. Steve Walwyn and Paul Shanahan were sublime. Their twin guitar playing coming together to create a single, cohesive, tightly locked in sound. It was a joy to hear.

Credit where due to all musicians involved but I did notice a comment from Martin the following morning where he praised Horace: 'hope your having a relaxing day Horace, after last nights revels…..many thanks for all the hard work you put in to make it happen'.