Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: The House On the Hill
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-74100
Year: 1971
Country/State: London, UK
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: gatefold sleeve; includes the insert
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5527
Price: $20.00
I remember buying a copy of this album about twenty years ago and being thoroughly under whelmed by it. I recall playing it multiple times and simply not getting what all the excitement was about. I bought another copy about ten years ago and still didn't get it. Fast forward a decade and a found a copy at a yard sale and with an asking price of $1 decided I could afford to give it another shot ... tastes change, so why not. Well in this case the old adage the third time is the charm seems to have been apt. True enough, the third time around I got it ...
Produced by Gus Dudgeon, there are actually two versions of 1971's "The House On the Hill". Released by Charisma, the original UK issue featured ten tracks, including the song 'Eye To Eye'. Released by Elektra, the US version dropped 'Eye To Eye', replacing it with 'It Brings a Tear' and a slightly different running order. As I said, the third time around, this album clicked with me. That got me thinking about what had changed. Looking back I think there were two things that put me off. Werth's voice wasn't the most commercial instrument you'll ever hear. Ragged and occasionally strained, it was one of those voices you'd label as an acquired taste. The other factor was their unique sound - propelled by Gemmell's sax and woodwinds, I'm not sure if it would be more accurate to describe them as a rock band wanting a progressive edge, or a progressive band wanting a rock edge. Regardless, the sound was somewhat unusual and occasionally a little disconcerting - check out the title track's freak out segment. Enough psychobabble. Normally I avoid song-by-song narratives, but I'll make an exception in this case.
Showcasing Werth's gritty voice, one of their most appealing melodies and an intriguing lyric, 'Indian Summer' should have provided the band with a major hit. Terrific song made even better by Gemmell's sax riff (and I'm not a big saxophone fan).
'You're Not Smilin'' was just as commercial, but featured a taunter melody that allowed Werth to kick up the vocal ampage. 'Nother great Gemmell performance on sax.
Anyone doubting the band's rock credentials need only check out the blistering 'Jackdaw'. Seven minutes of sheer intensity with a blazing fuzz guitar thrown in for good measure. Every time I listen to it I'm left to wonder how Werth avoided destroying his voice on this one ...
'It Brings a Tear' - Beautiful mid-tempo ballad with one of Werth's best vocals ...
'Raviole' closed side one with a beautiful Spanish flamenco influenced instrumental. Kicked along by Werth's stunning acoustic guitar the song would be a perfect addition to some chick flick soundtrack.
Hum, 'Nancy' was about as close to a pop song as they got this time out.
Not sure why, but every time I hear 'I Had a Dream' it reminds me of John Fogerty and CCR. Heartfelt blue collar rock? Straightforward and mesmerizing melody? Hell if I know what it is ...
The one non-original, critics rave about their cover of Screaming Jay Hawkins' 'I Put a Spell On You'. Maybe because I love the original, I'm in the minority on this one. Their version always reminded me of a stoned Bryan Ferry outtake ...
'The House On the Hill' was originally recorded for the debut LP, though this version featured a more elaborate production job, complete with a wild mid-song freak out segment..
One last comment - Werth and Gemmell typically attract all the attention, but the under appreciated soul of the group was the rhythm section. Trevor Williams' bass playing was phenomenal. Check out his work on '', or '' and drummer Connor relentlessly kept the rest of the band on track.
Elsewhere, Elektra tapped the LP a pair of US singles:
- 1971's 'Indian Summer' b/w 'It Brings a Tear' (Elektra catalog number EKS-45732)
- 1971's 'I Put a Spell On You' b/w 'Stand By the Door' (Elektra catalog number EKS-45756)
Neither did much commercially as was the case for American tour opening for The Faces.
"The
House On the Hill" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Indian Summer (Howard Werth - Trevor Williams) - 3:14
2.) You're Not Smilin' (Howard Werth - Keith Gemmell) - 5:22
3.) Jackdaw (Howard Werth - Keith Gemmell) - 7:20
4.) It Brings a Tear (Howard Werth - Trevor Williams) - 2:53
5.) Raviole (instrumental) (Howard Werth) - 3:43
(side
2)
1.) Nancy (Howard Werth - Trevor Williams) - 4:20
2.) I Had a Dream (Howard Werth - Trevor Williams) -4:20
3.) I Put a Spell On You (Jay Hawkins) - 4:12
4.) The House On the Hill (Howard Werth - Trevor Williams) - 7:31
Werth has an interesting website at:
http://www.luminousrecords.co.uk/
There's also an active Audience website at:
http://www.audienceareback.com/