Spooky Tooth
Band members Related acts
line up 1 (1968-69)
- Luther Grosvernor -- lead guitar
line up 1 (1969-70)
- Luther Grosvernor - lead guitar
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up 3 (1970) - Mike Harrison - - vocals, keyboards
- Michael Kellie - drums, percussion -- lead guitar
(replaced Gary Wright)
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up 4 (1970) NEW - John Hawkin -- keyboards (replaced Alan Spenner) - Michael Kellie - drums, percussion NEW - Steve Thompson -- bass (replaced Henry McCulloch)
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up 5 (1973) Michael Kellie) - Mike Harrison - vocals, keyboards NEW
- Ian Herbert -- bass (replaced Steve
Thompson) Chris
Stainton)
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up 5 (1973)
- Mike Harrison - vocals, keyboards NEW
- Chris Stewart - bass (replaced Ian Herbert)
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up 6 (1973-74) - Mick Jones - guitar, backing vocals NEW - Mike Patto -- vocals (replaced Mike Harrison) - Gary Wright - vocals, keyboards
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up 7 (1974) Michael Kellie) NEW - Val Moore -- bass - Mike Patto -- vocals NEW
- Chris Stewart - bass (replaced Ian Hebert)
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- Art - Frampton's Camel
(Mike Kellie) Alan Spenner) - Illusion (John Hawkin) - Junkyard Angels (Mike Harrison and Ian Herbert) - The Alvin Lee
Band (Bryson Graham) - The People (Henry McCulloch and Chris Stewart) - Stealers Wheel (Luther Grosvenor) - Stone the Crow (Steve Thompson) - Timebox (Pike
Patto) - Van Der Graff Generation (Keith Ellis) - The Leslie West
Band (Mick Jones) Mick Jones)
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: It's All About Spooky Tooth Company: Island Catalog: ILPS 9080 Country/State: US/UK Year: 1968 Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+ Comments: UK pressing; extra heavy vinyl Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD Price: SOLD $40.00
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Evolving out of the R&B oriented VIPs (who metamorphosed
into the progressive leaning Art (see separate entries), Spooky Tooth was formed in late 1967 by
expatriate American keyboard player Gary Wright (then studying medicine in England) and English guitarist Mike Harrison. With the addition of lead guitarist Luther Grosvernor, drummer Michael Kellie and bassist Greg Ridley, extensive touring tightened the band's chops, leading to a deal with Chris Blackwell's Island Records.
1.) Society's Child (Janis Ian) - 4:30 (side 2) 1.) It's All About a Roundabout (Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 2:43
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Genre: rock Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Spooky Tooth Two Company: A&M Catalog: SP-4194 Country/State: US/UK Year: 1969 Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: minor ring, corner and edge wear Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5861 Price: $15.00
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Standing as the group's formal American debut, 1969's "Spooky Two" reinforced their reputation as a happening underground act. Refining their molten-metal attack, the collection benefited from growing studio confidence and improved production values. Showcasing an exceptional strong set of original material, tracks like 'Evil Woman' and 'That was Only Yesterday' aptly displayed the group's keyboard and guitar fury, quickly becoming FM staples. Elsewhere, Luther Grosvenor's lead guitar theatrics added real rock punch to tracks such as Better By You, Better By Me'. Less appealing, 'Bubbles' found the band taking an unsuccessful stab at Traffic styled psychedelia. A classic example of late 1960s FM rock, the album marked the band's artistic and commercial zenith.
- Michael Kellie's funky drum intro made you wonder what you'd gotten yourself into, but then Greg Ridley's innovate bass, Gary Wright's pounding organ and wailing vocals, and Grosvenor's guitar kicked in. Classic Spooky Tooth and a shame it faded out so early. rating: **** stars - Wright's weird affection for Gospel has always been a curiosity to my ears, but complete with wailing background singers he seldom did it as well as on this mid-tempo rocker. Not sure who she was, but one of those background singers threatened to sing Wright under the table. Get a good pair of headphones to hear the battle clearly. rating: *** stars - 'I've Got Enough Heartaches' continued the Gospel-influences though this one had a slightly more mainstream and commercial flavor. Once again the female backing singers threatened to blow Wright off the stage. rating: *** stars - Side one ended with Spooky Tooth's finest moment - the blazing 'Evil Woman'. Kicked along by a great molten Grosvenor lead guitar pattern and one of his finest solos (take note Jimmy Page), the icing on the cake came in the form of Wright's 'balls-in-a-vice' vocals. The man sounded like he was in true pain on this one. To my ears the extended nine minute track simply epitomized late-1960s heavy metal. rating: **** stars - As much as I'd like to say something nice about 'Lost In My Dream' this one was simply over-the-top excess ... rating: ** stars - Spooky Tooth goes country? Wouldn't sound very promising, but they actually managed to pull it off with 'That Was Only Yesterday'. rating: **** stars - Side two's stand out performance, 'Better By You, Better Than Me' marked a return to their patented heavy metal sound. The combination of Grosvenor's crushing guitar and Wright keyboard fills and agonized vocals had to be heard. rating: **** stars - It took awhile for it to kick in, but 'Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree' morphed from a stark acoustic ballad in to a cool sing along ditty with some nice fuzz bass from Ridley.
In
summary, the Spooky Tooth album I'd migrate to if I had to pick one. In the States the single was:
- 1969's 'Feelin' Bad' b/w 'I've Got Enough Heartaches' (A&M catalog number 1110)
In the UK and Europe the singles were:
- 1969's 'Waitin' For The Wind' b/w 'That Was Only Yesterday' (Island catalog number ) - 1969's 'That Was Only Yesterday' b/w 'Oh! Pretty Woman' (Island catalog number WIP 6058) - 1969's 'Better By You, Better Than Me' b/w 'Waiting for the Wind' (Island catalog number 6014 007) France only
An impressive seller, the album peaked at # 44. Shortly after it's release bassist Gregg Ridley left to join Humble Pie and was replaced by Andy Leigh.
"Spooky Two" track listing:
1.) Waitin' For The Wind (Luther Grosvenor - Mike Harrison - Gary Wright) - 3:29 (side 2) 1.) Lost In My Dream
(Gary Wright) - 5:03
In case anyone cares, here's the original Island UK cover:
Island catalog number ILPS 9098
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Genre: rock Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: Ceremony Company: A&M Catalog: SP-4225 Country/State: US/UK Year: 1970 Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD Price: SOLD$15.00
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1969's "Ceremony" found the band jumping into a full-scale collaboration with French electronic musician Pierre Henry. Showcasing the combination of Grovesnor's screaming guitar and Wright's growling voice and stabbing keyboards, dirge-like material such as "Offering", "Hosanna" and "Have Mercy" offered up a concept piece; the package built around a vaguely religious theme. Emphasizing electronic sounds and outright experimentation, tracks such as the percussion and guitar dominated "Confessions" and "Jubilation" (sporting an ongoing sob, the latter was easily one of rock's most irritating songs, we thought our record player had broken), left most fans confused and unhappy. While the band's credentials as serious musicians may have enjoyed a boost, the same couldn't be said for sales, the collection faltering at #92. (John Holmes cover painting stood as one of the year's uglier offerings.)
1.) Have Mercy (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 7:52 (side 2) 1.) Prayer (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 10:52
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: The Last Puff Company: A&M Catalog: SP-4266 Year: 1970 Country/State: US, UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: includes original A&M stock inner sleeve Available: 2 Catalog ID: 5819 Price: $15.00
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As expected, following the release of 1969's "Ceremony" Spooky Tooth underwent yet another round of personnel changes. This time around out the door went lead singer Gary Wright who quickly reappeared with the short-lived Wonderwheel. With the band's A&M recording contract calling for the release of one more album, survivors Luther Grosvenor, Mike Harrison, and Mike Kellie found themselves left holding the corporate bag. To their unending credit, the three were willing to complete the required obligation, promptly recruiting former Grease Band members Henry McCullough, Chris Stainton, and Alan Spenner for a late-inning Spooky Tooth. The makeshift lineup quickly recorded 1970's aptly titled "The Last Puff" (the album was actually credited to Spooky Tooth featuring Mike Harrison). Given the set's humble origins it proved a surprisingly tight and enjoyable endeavor. Having lost their prime writer, Harrison and company still managed to cobble together an occasionally engaging mixture of earlier Spooky Tooth castoffs (Wright's 'Wrong Time'), new band originals (the Chris Stainton title track), and covers (a roaring take on The Beatles' 'I Am the Walrus' and an early Elton John cover 'Son of Your Father).
- I remember being convinced I had the turntable set at the wrong speed the first time I played 'I Am the Walrus'. Harrison and company actually kept pretty close to the Beatles original, but slowed it down to a crawl - you literally wanted to reach out and slap Harrison up the side of the head and say 'get on with it'. Not sure if it was Grosenvor or McCullough, but one of them turned in a nice solo towards the end of this six plus minute epic. rating: *** stars - To my ears 'Wrong Time' was easily the standout track; in large measure due to the fact it harkened back to the original lineup's patented organ and keyboard sound. The fact it was written Wright and sounded like his lead vocals certainly didn't hurt the results. Nice mid-tempo rocker with a great lead guitar though once again I don't know if it was Grosvenor, or McCullough. rating: **** stars - In spite of an unsteady Harrison vocal that actually recalled Joe Cocker (who'd written the song), 'Something to Say ' was an okay ballad. The backing female chorus threatened to drown Harrison out in a couple of places. rating: ** stars - 'Nobody There at All' was another mid-tempo ballad with kind of a country-rock edge. The song benefited a nice chorus. This one also sounded like a Wright carryover. rating: *** stars - Their cover of David Ackles 'Down River' was suitably subdued and forgettable. rating: ** stars - I was never a fan of the original version of Elton John's 'Son of Your Father' and this half-speed cover didn't do anything to improve on it. rating: ** stars - Chris Stainton's only contribution to the album, 'Last Puff' was a bluesy instrumental. Propelled by Stainton's keyboards, picture something the Young-Holt trio might have recorded and you'd be in the right neighborhood. Nice bass line though. rating: ** stars
The album also spun off a European single in the form of:
- 1970's 'I Am the Walrus' b/w Hangman Hang My Shell On a Tree'' (Island catalog number 6014 023)
Far from the band's best, but better than your standard contractual obligation release. Although the band broke up shortly after the album's release, it proved a modest seller, reaching # 84 in the States.
- Grosvenor released a solo album, followed by stints with Stealers Wheel and Mott the Hoople. - Harrison struck out in pursuit of a brief solo career. - Kellie became a member of Frampton's Camel.
1.) I Am the Walrus (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 6:22 (side 2) 1.) Nobody There at All
(Martin - Post) - 3:58
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Tobacco Road Company: A&M Catalog: SP-4300 Year: 1971 Country/State: US/UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: Available: 1 Catalog ID: not yet listed Price: $15.00
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In the wake of the band's breakup A&M reissued the group's 1968 debut "It's All About Spooky Tooth" as
"Tobacco Road". The album proved a poor seller, faltering at
# 152.
1.) Society's Child (Janis Ian) - 4:30 (side 2) 1.) It's All About a Roundabout
(Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 2:43 |
Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw Company: A&M Catalog: SP-4385 Year: 1973 Country/State: US/UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: gatefold sleeve; US pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5860 Price: $10.00
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Following a three year break during which time their solo endeavors had proven to be lukewarm successes, in 1973 Mike Harrison and Gary Wright reunited Spooky Tooth. The revamped line up featured drummer Bryson Graham and guitarist Mick Jones from Wright's Wonderwheel project, along with bassist Chris Stewart (replacing Ian Herbert). Self-produced, 1973's "You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw" proved surprisingly tight and entertaining, though it fell short of past glories and side two was pretty weak. Largely penned by Wright (drummer Graham contributing 'This Time Around'), keyboard and guitar propelled material such as the lead off rocker 'Cotton Growing Man', 'This Time Around', and 'Wildfire' showcased the band's now-patented up-tempo blues-rock stylings. While hardly earth shattering, the set wasn't all that different from material being pumped out by the likes of Bad Company.
- Powered by Harrison's gravelly voice and Jones' raspy lead guitar, 'Cotton Growing Man' marked a return to the hard rock sound found on their sophomore album. The result was a fantastic mid-tempo rocker that would have sounded great on mid-1970s FM radio had A&M bothered to promote it when it was tapped as a single. Shame the rest of the album wasn't as good. rating: **** stars - 'Old As I was Born' has always been a personal favorite in that it boasted one of the band's most commercial songs. The track retained a distinctive Spooky Tooth sound, but sported some atypical, but exquisite group harmonies that you wouldn't normally associate with the band. There was also a nice mandolin solo and a great Wright cheesy synthesizer solo. rating: **** stars - Drummer Graham's lone contribution to the album, 'This Time Around' was an okay rocker, but lacked anything to distinguish it from the rest of the set. The highlight came in the form of a nice Jones solo. rating: *** stars - The first real disappointment, 'Holy Water' sounded like Harrison was trying to channel an early Elton John/Bernie Taupin ballad. Momentarily interesting in a Gospel-inspired way, the keyboard-propelled ballad quickly lost its energy. rating: ** stars - ' Wildfire' found the band carving out a nice little groove, but the song never really developed beyond that initial funky hook and most listeners probably tired of the song after hearing the lyric 'Wildfire is in my mind' a dozen times.. rating: *** stars - 'Self Seeking Man' showcased some of Wright's most irritating features - namely an over-the-top 'heavy' ballad that forced him to reach for those high notes that brought out the shrill aspects of his voice. This one sounded a lot like some off of his forthcoming late-1970s solo efforts. rating: ** stars - The Wright-Jones ballad 'Times Have Changed' was the song that seems to have attract the most critical attention, but to my ears it was a bland, mildly dischordant mess. rating: ** stars - Crap, another ballad ... Well, at least after two super lame songs 'Moriah' showed a little bit of energy before limping out with some hideous new-age-styled sound effects. Should have ditched the touchy feely fade out for more Mick Jones guitar. Nowhere near the album's best song, but at least it ended the set on a mildly upbeat note. rating: *** stars
For the US market A&M tapped the album for a single in the form of:
- 1973's 'Cotton Growing Man' b/w 'Times Have Changed' (A&M catalog number AM-????)
With minimal support from Island the album hit # 84 on the US charts.
All told it was patchy, but better than many
'comeback' albums.
1.) Cotton Growing Man (Gary Wright) - 4:38 (side 2) 1.) Wildfire
(Gary Wright) - 4:35
SRB 10/2009
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Witness Company: Island Catalog: ILPS-9255 Year: 1973 Country/State: US/UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: Available: 1 Catalog ID: not yet listed Price: $15.00
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Dropped by A&M, 1973's "Witness" found the quintet relocating to New York and recording for Chris Blackwell's Island Records. Classic Spooky Tooth, material such as "Ocean of Power", "Things Change" and "As Long As the World Keeps Turning" aptly displayed Wright's wailing vocals and the group's instantly recognizable over-the-top mixture of keyboards and guitar. While the album did little to expand their musical horizons, all nine tracks were professional and enjoyable. Elsewhere, the seldom heard Harrison proved himself an excellent vocalist on the standout molten-guitar rocker "Don't Ever Stray". Continuing there gradual loss of audience, the album only reached
# 99.
1.) Ocean of Power (Gary Wright) (side 2) 1.) All Sewn Up (Jones - Gary Wright)
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: The Mirror Company: Island Catalog: ILPS-9292 Year: 1974 Country/State: US/UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: original die-cast cover with original insert; cut top right corner Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4815 Price: $10.00
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With original member Mike Harrison striking out in pursuit of a solo career, Spooky Tooth fans probably weren't expecting great things from the survivors. Those fears were probably reinforced by the back cover photo that showed a band looking suspiciously like early Journey. To their collective credit surviving members Bryson Graham, Mick Jones and Gary Wright were smart enough to dig up some talented replacements in the form of former Boxer singer/keyboardist Mike Patto and bassist Val Burke (wow, some 'fro there guy). Co-produced by Wright, Jones and Eddie Kramer, 1974's "The Mirror" may not have been the year's most original offering or even the band's creative zenith, but it was far from a creative deathbed. Creatively Harrison's defection appeared to have little impact on the band with Wright and Jones proving more than capable of handling the writing chores. Patto also proved his worth wasted no time co-writing several tracks with the others. His instantly recognizable voice (check out 'Kyle') also stood as a nice counterpoint to Wright's patented screech. For all the changes material like the lead-off rocker 'Fantasy Satisfier', 'Two Time Love' and 'Woman and Gold' served to showcase the combination of Wright's patented screech and stabbing keyboards and Jones' molten guitar solos remained firmly in place. To be honest, if the set had one or two more songs as good as 'I'm Alive' or 'Hell or High Water' (and you thought Peter Frampton discovered that irritating voice box guitar effect) it would have gotten a fourth star. Surprisingly consistent the album proved a modest success, peaking at # 130. (The set was originally released with a die cut cover.)
Two singles were released in the UK and Europe:
- 1973's 'Two Time Love' b/w 'The Hoofer' (Good Ear catalog number EAR 109) - 1973's 'Fantasy Satisfier' b/w ''The Hoofer' (Island catalog number EAR 607)
1.) Fantasy Satisfier (Gary Wright -
Mick Jones) -
(side 2) 1.) Hell or High Water
(Gary Wright - Mike Patto) -
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