Andwella - World's End LP 1970

Dunhill DS 50095

USA

1970

levy Ex-

gatefold kannet Vg+ pintakulumaa, RW, yläreunassa teippituentaa

prog

netistä stooria: At the Beginning of the End “Everybody says there’s better days ahead, there’ll be better words to say about tomorrow but going back in time I can see that man hasn’t changed too many names and games to blame for his sorrow”. World’s End is a stupendous album – magnificent arrangements and rich instrumentation just make it inimitable. And all the diverse songs are performed at the top of musicianship and despite its diversity musically the entire collection is utterly consistent. “Back on a road, everybody knows I’m a beggar I don’t have any clothes let me rest awhile help me love again. Lady with the laughing eyes, you’re like me half way from here to paradise, help a blind man in the wrong disguise who worships you”.

I bought this record back in the early 70s from 'Sam The Record Man', a well known Canadian retailer. Their location on Yonge Street in Toronto was my favourite place to explore during this period. They had the most amazing import section, which really opened my ears to a lot of great bands from abroad.
Upon first glance, the LP looked interesting, and this is what initially lured me in. That said, I had no idea what to expect music wise. Upon first listen, I thought it was just OK. After a few more spin's, it became my favourite LP for quite sometime. The albums style seems to change continuously throughout, which is why I think I've always enjoyed it so much.

Side 1 opens with a wonderful track called "Hold on to Your Mind", that just screams late 60's/early 70's British rock. The percussion within the first 30 seconds or so reminds me of the intro to The Stones "Sympathy For The Devil", but that's where the comparison ends, as the song begins to take on a mind of its own. The track "Michael FitzHenry" is probably my favourite on this album, beginning with dreamy flutes, jazzy lead guitar, bass and drums, eventually exploding into heavy rock mayhem. The lead singer/guitarist/flautist/pianist, David Lewis' vocals tend to remind me of the late Mike Patto at times.

Side 2 begins in a much mellower vein, with "Worlds End pt 1" and its wonderfully orchestrated intro, reminiscent of Barclay James Harvest.
The track "I Got a Woman" is yet another stellar part of this LP, with David Lewis obvious homage to Peter Green's "Black Magic Woman". The similarities between these two songs are uncanny. Though through all of these band comparatives I've made within this review, Andwella still manage to engage the listener without coming off sounding overly derivative.