BELL + ARC: LP gatefold 1971, Charisma records CAS1053 Used. Heavy Prog. Check videos

Description

Nowadays the album has gained belated recognition and is highly sought after in LP format.

Bells white soul style vocals are somewhere between Joe Cocker and Paul Rodgers, the opening High priest of Memphis giving him an early chance to stamp his authority on the bands sound. The slightly echoed voice, female backing vocals and rhythmic piano all contribute to the gospel tinged sound.

During the recording of the album, drummer Rob Tait, who had already replaced the bands founding drummer, was himself replaced by Alan White (later of Yes). Whites first appearance here is on the second track Let your love run free, a blues/funk number with a rock and roll rhythm. The track features a Chicago like brass section who drive the repetitive beat forward. Keep a wise mind ventures towards country rock. Side one of the album closes with covers of songs by Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. For both tracks, Ken Craddock moves to organ for the first time on the album, immediately changing the whole atmosphere. Cohen’s So long Marianne becomes a soulful ballad emphasising again Bells proximity style wise to Joe Cocker. Dylan’s She belongs to me (from Self portrait) was covered somewhat more radically by the Nice, the version here being a mid-paced blues.

Yat rock is the longest track on the album at a shade over 6 minutes. The title is somewhat misleading, the first part of the song being a melancholy blues of little consequence. Things transform midway as the band ups the pace and bursts into a piano driven jam.

Bell softens things right down for his solo spot Dawn, where his delicate vocal is accompanied only by acoustic guitar. Children of the north prison continues the downbeat mood, acoustic guitar giving way to another orthodox piano based blues. The album closes with Everyday (no relation to other similarly titled songs, this is a Bell + Arc composition), which reverts to the lighter country tinged pop rock style.

Those who were there will recall that 1971 was a wonderful time for music, and especially for prog.

Releases information:
LP 1971 Charisma records CAS1053
A1 High Priest of Memphis 3:28
A2 Let Your Love Run Free 6:02
A3 Keep a Wise Mind 3:21
A4 So Long Marianne 3:52
A5 She Belongs to Me 4:24
B1 Yat Rock 6:08
B2 Dawn 3:11
B3 Children of the North Prison 4:05
B4 Everyday 3:49

Line-up / Musicians:
– Graham Bell / Vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar
– Tom Duffy / bass
– Michael Gallagher / piano, organ
– Rob Tait / drums
– John Turnbull / guitars
– Ken Craddock / Guitars, piano, organ
– Alan White / Drums, percussion, vibes

With:
– Steve Gregory / Tenor brass
– Buddy Beadle / Baritone brass
– Jeff Condon / Bass brass
– John Woods / Percussion

Check all samples:  www.allmusic.com/album/bell-arc-mw0000260306

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4.0 out of 5 stars Soulful Stuff,
Fans of Terry Reids voice, Thomas Beaudry of Frigid Pink voice will surely enjoy the vocals on this record. The music itself is somewhat diverse intertwining elements of folk, progressive rock, blues and blue-eyed soul with an edge. I hear plenty of early Mott The Hoople elements throughout this recording as well. If you grew up in the 70s and listened to music on the outskirts of the norm you will more than likely enjoy this recording. Additionally, my compliments to the other 3 reviewers of this record – most impressive.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Bell + Arc – self-titled
Released in 1971, as this looks to be the post-Skip Bifferty bands sole effort – could’ve sworn they put two lps out. Guess not. I couldn’t help but to notice that Bell + Arc had managed to incorporated the elements of pop, soul and AM rock into their sound. Tunes here I liked best include “High Priest Of Memphis”, “Keep A Wise Mind”, their heartfelt Bob Dylan cover “She Belongs To Me”, “Yat Rock” and “Children Of The North Prison”. Main line-up: Graham Bell (Skip Bifferty) – vocals, John Turnbull (Skip Bifferty, Ian Dury And The Blockheads) – guitar, Tom Duffy – bass, Mick Gallagher (early member of The Animals, Heavy Jelly) – piano, Ken Craddock – organ and Rob Tait – drums. Recommended for fans of the Kinks, (obviously) Skip Bifferty, the Chosen Few and maybe the Creation.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Great lost rock.
Ok, Bell and Arc: This is basically a stew of very well produced rock from the early 1970s. Blues and Calafornia Country and Rock Stedy stand next to, and complement each other, perfectly.

This album reminds me of Spooky Tooth’s Spooky Two, in all the right ways. The production is live and organic, allowing the music to breathe and sound fresh at every turn. “High Priest Of Memphas,” if you listen, has a wonderful piano hook, great rhythms, and a female backing section that sounds completely soulful. It sounds like the band has taken all their woody instruments into your living room, and they are rising to the ceiling.

Jimmy Miller may not have produced this, but his spirit lingers as the music emerges.

The album does have some ballads, but these work well, using the same production techniques.

Any fan of early 70s rock will enjoy Bell and Arc. Buy it.