Harvest (label)
22 November 2024 (released)
3 h
Back in 1970, the bigwigs at EMI wanted to get in on the new hippy culture and created the sub-label Harvest. The first band signed to Harvest was The Greatest Show On Earth, originally a soul & R&B band but now more of a jazz rock outfit.
Band members included Norman Watt-Roy – he of Blockheads and Wilko Johnson fame - and his older brother Garth Watt-Roy, Ozzie Lane, Mick Deacon, Ian Aitcheson, Tex Philpotts, Dick Hanson, Ron Prudence and Colin Horton-Jennings. Their usual producer was EMI house producer Jonathan Peel, not to be confused with DJ John Peel.
After the band broke up the various members went on to stints with the likes of The Hollies, Cilla Black, Dana, Sunny, Paul Nicholas, Kenny Lynch and Edwin Starr, Chapman / Whitney Streetwalkers and Medicine Head, Graham Parker, Shakin’ Stevens, The Clash, East of Eden, The Q-Tips (featuring Paul Young), Vinegar Joe, Suzi Quatro and Darts
This is the first of the two albums that they made for Harvest and, while very much of its time, it is a cracking piece of music and a fine example of a British attempt to get into the Chicago / BS&T horn laden pop sphere.
Single ‘Real Cool World’ was a hit in the Netherlands, but after two albums they went their separate ways.
There was a sense in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s that you could put a load of different sounds together and come up with a coherent sound. In the case of TGSOE you have horns, Hammond organ and fuzzed guitar working together with Colin Horton-Jennings stentorous vocals and making pop records.
Some of the songs are powerful and have a serious tone while others – such as ‘Day Of The Lady’ – are much lighter and more ‘pop’ in their presentation.
It is all much better than the collection above might suggest, and actually stands up very well against many bands of the day. ‘Real Cool World’ is a superb number, full of power and a theatrical presence.
The Greatest Show On Earth are a fine example of the desperate attempts by the major labels to get into the new young culture but for all that this is a bloody good album.
