- Bob Andrews -- vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass 

  (1970-75)

- Ian Gomm - vocals, guitar (1972-75)

- Nick Lowe -- vocals, guitar (1970-75)

- Brinsley Schwarz -- vocals, guitar, percussion (1970-75)

- Bill Rankin -- drums, percussion (1970-75)

- Ian Gomm (solo efforts)

- Kippington Lodge (Nick Lowe - Brinsley Schwart)

- Live Stiffs (Nick Lowe)

- Nick Lowe (solo efforts)

- Rockpile (Nick Lowe)

- The Rumour (Bob Andrews and Brinsley Schwarz)

- Terraplane (Bill Rankin)

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Brinsley Schwartz

Company: Capitol

Catalog: ST-589

Year: 1970

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: SOLD

GEMM catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD

The UK band Kippington Lodge recorded a series of poor selling mid-1960s pop/rock singles.  By 1969 the line up consisted of keyboardist Bib Andrews, singer/guitarist Nick Lowe, guitarist Brinsley Schwarz and drummer Bill Rankin.  Expanding their reportoire into psych and California-styled folk-rock, the quartet also adopted a new name - Brinsley Schwarz.

left to right: Brinsley Schwarz - Nick Lowe - Bob Andrews - Ian Gomm - Billy Rance

Under the guidance of manager Dave Robinson the band signed with United Artists, debuting with 1970's cleverly titled "Brinsley Schwarz".  Largely penned by Lowe, the results were certainly strange.  Complete with multi-part vocal harmonies, banks of strumming acoustic guitars and pseudo-hippy lyrics, tracks such as 'Hymn To Me', 'Shining Brightly' and 'Ballad of a Has-Been Beauty Queen' sounded like these guys had been on a CSN&Y bender.  In fact the extended 'Lady Constant' sounded so much like a CSN&Y outtake that it's hard to believe they weren't hit with a plagerism suit.  Elsewhere 'Rock and Roll Women' and 'What Do You Suggest' bore more than a passing resemblance to Dylan and the Band.  While the album's good natured CSN*Y mimickry was mildly enduring (especially in hindsight), it didn't leave much room in the originality category..  

The commercial failure was underscored by Robinson's lame brained marketing campaign, which included a decision to showcase the band at a Fillmore East concert opening for Van Morrison.  The concert idea might not have been too bad, but Robinson decided to fly all of England's leading rock critics to the New York concert.  Things turned increasingly ugly when the band members were initially denied US entry visas.  The visas were ultimately approved at the last minute, but left the band members with just enough time to get to New York for the concert.  The final blows came when the flight carrying the music critics suffered technical problems and was delayed for hours.  Plying the critics with free booze wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do since by the time they finally made it to New York most were tired, frustrated and too drunk to enjoy the concert.  Coupled with a lackluster performance and the resulting reviews and publicity were universally critical.  Needless to say, sales were dismal.      

"Brinsley Schwarz" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Hymn To Me   (Bill Rankin - Nick Lowe - Bob Andrews - Brinsley Schwarz - 4:50

2.) Shining Brightly   (Nick Lowe) - 4:20

3.) Rock and Roll Women   (Nick Lowe) - 3:31

4.) Lady Constant   (Nick Lowe) - 7:21

(side 2)
1.) What Do You Suggest   (Nick Lowe) - 4:46

2.) Mayfly   (Nick Lowe) - 4:37

3.) Ballad of a Has-Been Beauty Queen   (Nick Lowe) - 10:27

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Nervous On the Road

Company: Capitol

Catalog: ST-589

Year: 1972

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 55619

Price: $20.00

As you can tell from the other reviews, it took me awhile to appreciate the joys of Brinsley Schwarz.  Four albums to be honest.  The funny thing is that musically 1972's "Nervous On the Road" wasn't a major departure from the band's earlier releases.  So what made this one so much more palatable to me?  With Nick Lowe again responsible for the majority of material, as exemplified by tracks like 'Happy To Do What We're Doing' and 'Don't Lose You Grip On Love' these guys remained big country-rock fans, but this time out they added a large chunk of pop to the mix.  Lowe had always had a goofy and commercial streak in him, but up until this set he seemed reluctant to let it out.  That reluctance was totally abandoned this time out with 'Surrender To the Rhythm' (you've got to love Andrews Hammond B-3), the title track, 'Why, Why, Why, Why, Why', and 'Brand New You, Brand New Me' (folks overlook what a great ballad writer Lowe was), all showcasing top-40 potential.  The other thing that made a difference was the collection's overall vibe.  On the earlier albums they frequently sounded as if they were trying way too hard.  This time around the album had an easy-going, don't give a crap, studio vibe.  Very, very nice !!!  Shame it bombed in the States.

"Nervous On the Road" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) It's Been So Long   (Ian Gomm) - 2:02

2.) Happy To Do What We're Doing   (Bob Andrews - Nick Lowe) - 4:34

3.) Surrender To the Rhythm   (Nick Lowe)  - 3:18

4.) Don't Lose You Grip On Love   (Nick Lowe) - 4:15

5.) Nervous On the Road (But Can't Stay Home)   (Nick Lowe) - 4:50

(side 2)
1.) feel a Little Funky   (Nick Lowe) -  5:00

2.) I Like It Like That   (Chris Kenner) - 3:02

3.) Brand New You, Brand New Me   (Nick Lowe) - 4:32

4.) My Home In My Hand   (R. Self) -  2:49

6.) Why, Why, Why, Why, Why   (Nick Lowe) - 3:40

YouTube has an appearance by the band performing 'Surrender To the Rhythm' on The Old Grey Train Whistle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c5wLR02kIU

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Despite It All

Company: Capitol

Catalog: ST-744

Year: 1970

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: SOLD

GEMM catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD

In the wake of a disastrous debut album and marketing campaign many bands would have simply called it quits.  To their credit Brinsley Schwarz responded by redoubling their efforts.  Renting a country home outside of London, they spent several months rehearsing and recording their sophomore album - 1970's "Despite It All".  Musically the album served as a showcase from Nick Lowe who penned seven of the eight tracks and handled most of the vocals.  Judging by tracks like the jauntry 'Country Girl' the group figured out that they weren't going to cut it as a CSN&Y cover band, though The Band influences remained intact on songs like Bob Andrews' 'Piece of Home'.  Shifting creative gears they turned their creative attention to country-rock.  Tracks like 'Funk Angel', 'Love Song' and 'Starship' were certainly authentic, but the fact they could play C&W didn't make for the year's most exciting offer. Their occasional nods to Van Morrison (the pretty ballad 'The Slow One') were far more interesting.  More consistent than their debut, but not as eclectic, call the sophomore effort a decent holding action and move on ...

"Despite It All" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Country Girl   (Nick Lowe) - 3:02

2.) The Slow One   (Nick Lowe) - 5:29

3.) Funk Angel   (Nick Lowe) - 4:17

4.) Piece of Home  (Robert Andrews) - 6:10

(side 2)
1.) Love Song   (Nick Lowe) - 3:59

2.) Starship   (Nick Lowe) - 2:36

3.) Ebury Down   (Nick Lowe) - 5:10

4.) Old Jarrow   (Nick Lowe) - 7:05

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Silver Pistol

Company: United Artists

Catalog: UAS-5566

Year: 1972

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: minor edge wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5076

Price: $10.00

Co-produced by Dave Robinson and the band, creatively 1972's "Silver Pistol" wasn't a major departure from the previous self titled set.  Largely penned by Nick Lowe, tracks like the pretty ballad 'Nightingale', 'One More Day' and 'The Last Time I Was Fooled' again underscored the band's affection for American country-rock and The Band styled rockers (though with a unique English edge). That said, adding singer/guitarist Ian Gomm to the lineup injected a much needed slice of diversity and kicked the band into high gear. While Lowe's material was uniformly excellent ('Unknown Number' was one of his prettiest compositions), Gomm's four contributions were even better. 'Dry Land' could have been a Lowe song, except Gomm's enthusiastic delivery kicked it up a notch, while 'One More Day' and 'Range War' should've been killer singles.  Elsewhere the album included a pair of tracks that were apparently recorded for an abandoned project with American singer/songwriter Jim Ford. Lose and surprisingly funky (!!!!) their covers of 'Nicki Hokey' and 'Ju Ju Man' were simply killer, making you wonder what happened to the rest of their collaboration with Ford.  Elsewhere UA tapped the album for a single:

- 'Nightingale' b/w 'Silver Pistol' (United Artists catalog UA-50915)

"Silver Pistol" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Dry Land   (Ian Gomm) - 2:25

2.) Merry Go Round   (Nick Lowe) - 4:01

3.) One More Day   (Ian Gomm) - 2:50

4.) Nightingale   (Nick Lowe) - 3:00

5.) Silver Pistol    (Nick Lowe)- 2:28

6.) The Last Time I Was Fooled   (Nick Lowe) - 3:58

(side 2)
1.) Unknown Number   (Nick Lowe) - 2:48

2.) Range War   (Ian Gomm) - 2:25

3.) Egypt   (Nick Lowe) - 5:13

4.) Nicki Hokey  (Jim Ford - Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 3:20

5.) Ju Ju Man   (Jim Ford) - 3:39

6.) Rockin' Chair   (Ian Gomm) - 2:08

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Brinsley Schwarz's Original Golden Greats

Company: United Artists

Catalog: USP-101

Year: 1974

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: original textured UK cover

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5057

Price: $15.00

This UK-only retrospective seemed kind of premature at the time it was released, but it did a decent job of compiling the highlights from the band's first three studio sets. The focus was clearly on Nick Lowe's contributions giving the set set kind of a country-rock feel (at the expense of their ability to handle a broad range of genres), but you could do worse.   In addition to LP highlights "Brinsley Schwarz's Original Golden Greats" added several worthy non-LP singles including '(It's Gonna Be A) Bring Down' and the live seasonal treat 'Run Rudolph Run' to the track listing.  

Here's a link to a YouTube clip showing the band performing '' on BBC's The Old Grey Train Whistle television program:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOnXqW-BJPg

"Brinsley Schwarz's Original Golden Greats" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Shining Brightly   (Nick Lowe) - 3:30

2.) Country Girl   (Nick Lowe) - 3:07

3.) Starship   (Nick Lowe) - 2:39

4.) Funk Angel   (Nick Lowe) - 4:16

5.) Nightingale   (Nick Lowe) - 3:00

6.) Ju Ju Man   (Ford) - 3:30

(side 2)
1.) Happy Doing What We're Doing   (Bob Andrews - Nick Lowe) - 4:34

2.) Surrender To the Rhythm   (Nick Lowe) -3:18

2.) Don't Lose Your Grip On Love   (Nick Lowe) -4:15

4.) Hypocrite   (Bob Marley) - 2:57

5.) (It's Gonna Be a) Bring Down   (Ian Gomm) - 2:50

6.) Run Rudolph Run   (Chuck Berry) - 3:20

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Brinsley Schwartz

Company: Capitol

Catalog: SWBC-11869

Year: 1978

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: double LP; gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5056

Price: $20.00

An apparent attempt to capitalize on the late-1970s successes Nick Lowe enjoyed as a member of Rockpile and as a solo act, Capital repackaged the band's first two studio sets ("Brinsley Schwarz" and "Despite It All") as a two-fer collection.  You can read the individual reviews above.  I'll simply add this is a great please to get an introduction to the band at a reasonable price.

"Brinsley Schwarz" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Hymn To Me   (Bill Rankin - Nick Lowe - Bob Andrews - Brinsley Schwarz - 4:50

2.) Shining Brightly   (Nick Lowe) - 4:20

3.) Rock and Roll Women   (Nick Lowe) - 3:31

4.) Lady Constant   (Nick Lowe) - 7:21

(side 2)
1.) What Do You Suggest   (Nick Lowe) - 4:46

2.) Mayfly   (Nick Lowe) - 4:37

3.) Ballad of a Has-Been Beauty Queen   (Nick Lowe) - 10:27

(side 3)

1.) Country Girl   (Nick Lowe) - 3:02

2.) The Slow One   (Nick Lowe) - 5:29

3.) Funk Angel   (Nick Lowe) - 4:17

4.) Piece of Home  (Robert Andrews) - 6:10

(side 4)
1.) Love Song   (Nick Lowe) - 3:59

2.) Starship   (Nick Lowe) - 2:36

3.) Ebury Down   (Nick Lowe) - 5:10

4.) Old Jarrow   (Nick Lowe) - 7:05