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ENGLAND: Garden Shed (2005 Special Edition)

Release

Style

To Canadian prog watcher Jerry Lucky, who authores “The Progressive Rock Files” (four editions), England’s “Garden Shed” is one of his favourite prog records. Yet it remained one of prog’s history best kept secrets. That’s because it’s the band’s only real major album, issued back in 1977. A record with leftovers, “The Last Of The Jubblies”, appeared only twenty years later and was picked up especially by the die hard fans.

My search around the internet last year finally resulted in the purchase of a copy published by the Korean Si-Wan Records label, that specializes in classic European rock. Another Si-Wan copy I own, for example, is Refugee’s eponymous album from 1974, also a hard-to-find little gem featuring Patrick Moraz (Mainhorse, Yes) and the rest of The Nice after Keith Emerson’s departure.

And then suddenly, a 2005 re-release of “Garden Shed” is announced, because renewed interest in the band is popping up. Quite right so, since this record has lost nothing of its magic in 28 years. This is ‘classic vintage prog’ featuring tremendous Mellotron and Hammond organ, and the unmistakable bass sound of the good old Rickenbacker. The sharper edge is especially provided by Frank Holland’s solo guitar. Jode Leigh’s great drumming is well up there in the mix, although the cymbals sound a bit dry.

“Garden Shed” is a timeless masterpiece, essential in every prog collection. Not because it’s a Yes or Genesis clone, but because they blended these bands’ influences with their own vision, thus creating something that sounds straight-out phenomenal. It’s not just the sheer virtuosity of the band, though impossible to ignore. Perhaps it’s their sense of humour that is immediately recognized by the listener. The wit and the madness are perfectly translated into the thoughtful yet playful arrangements and vocal harmonies. Not that England introduced a humorous attitude in the symphonic side of prog, far from it, since bands like Genesis and Caravan were already combining the two with huge success. But in a way, England immediately had their own distinctive voice in prog.

Just listen to the intro to “Midnight Madness”. You only hear a weird keyboard line, and yet a whole new musical universe is revealed. And then you’re starting to realize it: the whole record long this band owns the key to create music that is so challenging for musician and listener alike, and at the same time offers great accessible melodies that will haunt you for days. The listener is moved by the time signatures, the dynamic writing, the beautifully shifting moods and changes in climate. Listen to the “Three Piece Suite”, and it is just what it says it is in the best symphonic tradition. At the same time, the band proves to be believable miniaturists in Robert Webb’s emotionally moving piano track “All Alone” and in “Yellow”. But the true ‘pièce de résistance’ is of course “Poisoned Youth”, a captivating tale about a painter struggling with age. The Oscar Wilde-based dark romantic undertones are magnificently covered here, with the percussion taking on an important role.

This record comes in a special edition 7-inch, full colour, 20 page booklet that includes all the original, never-before published artwork and lyrics. And that’s the real plus of this reissue. A previously unreleased track of the 1976 Olympic Studio recording of the “Three Piece Suite” is also added, but it barely differs from the album version and the sound recording isn’t top-notch. Anyhow, make sure “Garden Shed” is part of your prog collection. Enjoy! And meanwhile, try not to think of all the great music we would know if this band could have carried on for twenty or thirty more years. However: in the introduction to this edition Robert Webb and project manager Maggie Alexander announce their hope that this will mark the start of future Garden Shed Music releases! I’m curious if new secret vaults have been unlocked, or even better, if a reunion is submerging from the deep. After the amicable Pink Floyd reunion, nothing is impossible anymore. Perhaps Webb will unfold some of their plans in an upcoming interview, soon on this site.

Musicians

Martin Henderson: Bass, Acoustic 6-String Guitar, Vocals
Frank Holland: Guitars, Mellotron, Vocals
Jode Leigh: Drums, Percussion, Vibes, Bass, Vocals
Robert Webb: Mellotron, Mini-Moogs, Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Grand Piano, Harpsichord, Acoustic 12-String Guitar, Vocals

Midnight Madness
All Alone
Three Piece Suite
Paraffinalea
Yellow
Poisoned Youth
Extra track:
Three Piece Suite (Olympic Studio recording)

Garden Shed (1977)
The Last Of The Jubblies (1997)

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Last updated: 06 augustus 2005 .
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