- Eden Abba - double bass (1969)
- Brian Cresswwell - flute, sax (1969-71)
- Gordon Giltrap - vocals, guitar (1969-70)
- Ian Hoyle - drums (1969-71)
- Don Partridge - vocals, guitar, vibes (1969-71)
- Malcolm Pool - contrabass fiddle (replaced Eden Abba)

  (1969-71) 
  

- The Artwoods (Malcolm Poole)
- Gordon Giltrap (solo efforts) 

- Don Partridge (solo efforts)

Genre: progressive

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Accolade

Company: Capitol

Catalog: ST-597

Year: 1969

Country/State: UK 

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear; cut out hole top right corner

Available: SOLD

GEMM catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD - $40.00

Cost: $5.00

Accolade's one of those short-lived late-'60s/early-'70s English bands that attempted to expand musical boundaries, mixing traditional English folk with some rock influences.  In one respect the band (bassist Eden Abba, woodwind player Brian Cresswell, singer/guitarist Gordon Giltrap, drummer Ian Hoyle and guitarist Don Partridge) was quite different from many of their contemporaries - namely they were brimming with talent.  Prior to their collaboration in Accolade, both Giltrap and Partridge had enjoyed some solo recognition.  Giltrap had released a pair of critically praised solo albums, while Partridge (who was actually working as a street musician (what the English term a busker)), enjoyed a fluke UK hit with the song "Rosie").  Unfortunately, Accolade's pastoral stylings guaranteed instant obscurity in the States.  In fact, it's somewhat of a mystery how they even got their 1968 debut released by Capitol (a label hardly renown for its willingness to take a chance on cutting edge sounds).

Produced by Don Paul, 1969's cleverly-titled "Accolade" is hard to accurately describe.  Recorded with former Artwoods bassist Malcolm Pool replacing Abba, the collection exhibits a smooth and calming sound throughout. Largely acoustic (though you don't really realize it), material such as "Maiden Flight Eliza" (featuring some weird Mamas and Papas-styled harmonies - we're not kidding), "Prelude To a Dawn" and "Never Ending Solitude" wasn't exactly mainstream rock, nor did it fall under the banner of Fairport Convention-styled English folk.  Imagine well crafted cocktail jazz with the addition of a touch of English folk ("Ulyssees") and you'll get a feel for the LP.  While that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, the result is actually a fascinating album that we repeatedly come back to.  Our favorite tracks?  Abba's only contribution, the bluesy "Nature Boy" and the surprisingly hard rocking "Gospel Song".

"Accolade" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Maiden Flight Eliza   (Don Partridge) - 2:42

2.) Starting All Over Again   (Gordon Giltrap) - 4:45

3.) Prelude To a Dawn (instrumental)   (Brian Cresswell)  - 3:10

4.) Never Ending Solitude   (Gordon Giltrap) - 2:36

5.) Nature Boy   (Eden Ahbez) - 9:35

(side 2)

1.) Gospel Song   (Gordon Giltrap) - 3:31

2.) Calico   (Don Partridge) - 3:03

3.) Ulyssees   (Don Partridge) -  12:32

4.) Go On Home   (Don Partridge) - 2:37

Genre: progressive 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Accolade 2

Company: EMI Regal

Catalog: SLRZ 1024

Year: 1970

Country/State: UK 

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: UK pressing; minor edge and corner wear; sticker residue on back cover

Available: SOLD

GEMM catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD - $100.00

Following a personnel shakeup that saw singer/guitarist Gordon Giltrap leave the band returned with 1971's cleverly titled "Accolade 2". Again produced by Don Paul, Capitol executives apparently deciding the set had no commercial potential and passed on the opportunity to release the collection domestically. That was unfortunate given the band's sophomore effort was actually far stronger than the debut. With Partridge continuing to serve as chief writer (he's credited with six of the ten songs), his contributions were far more varied than on the first LP. Musically the set was pretty entertaining, mixing acoustic folk and jazzy touches with occasional slices of more pop and rock-oriented material. Highlights included the opener "Transworld Blues", the surprisingly taunt rocker "The Spider To the Spy" (sporting some of the year's most inept harmony vocals) and the bizarre "Cross Continental Pandemonium Theatre Company". This is one of those albums that reward's patience. The first time around it doesn't sound like anything special, but with repeatedly play, it grows on you.

"Accolade 2" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Transworld Blues (Don Partridge) - 
2.) The Spider To the Spy (Don Partridge) - 
3.) Baby, Take Your Rags Off (Don Partridge) - 
4.) Cross Continental Pandemonium Theatre Company (Brian Cresswell - Ian Hoyle - Don Partridge - Malcolm Poole) - 
5.) Snakes In a Hole (Wadnius - Borgudd) - 

(side 2)

1.) The Time I've Wasted (Don Partridge) - 
2.) Sector Five Nine (Don Partridge) - 
3.) If Only I'd Know (Jones) - 
4.) William Taplin (Giltrap) - 
5.) Long Way To Go (Don Partridge) - 

'Course we know none of you buy music based on what the critics say ... were you to ever fall to such a temptation, this one's included in Hans Pokora's "2001 Record Collector Dreams". (We've only seen two copies in our twenty years of collecting; explaining our asking price.