Andy Fairweather Low

Andy Fairweather Low - Spider Jiving - 1974 - A&M

In which the voice of (ta-ra) the Amen Corner rocks more convincingly than he ever did as an English-r&b teen throb and still somehow sounds laid-back. The secret is a rough-hewn spontaneity in which the guitar and bass that meet the Memphis Horns over an insistent but very unfunky 4/4 are both acoustic, in which Charlie McCoy plays hornpipe harp over oompah drums. The lean, direct, catchy, introspective lyrics work the same way; their substance--that is, their obsessive but unassuming speculation about man's fate--is bound up in their free use of verbatim borrowings from a common language. Apotheosis: the slyly hermeneutic "Dancing in the Dark," in which a discreet fatalism is shaped by courtly music-hall tune and elegant soft-shoe timing. A - © http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Andy+Fairweather+Low

Andy Fairweather Low spent a fair amount of the late '60s through 1970 in the British Top Ten with the pop-R&B band Amen Corner, as well the short-lived Fair Weather, before taking a nearly three-year hiatus from recording. Shedding his teen idol image of previous years, the Welsh-born Low returned in 1974 with his first solo record, Spider Jiving. Here he delivers 11 self-penned gems that can be as laid-back as they can be funky, employing support from both Nashville and Memphis while retaining the sort of looseness found in an English pub band. With producer Elliot Mazer -- known for his work with Neil Young -- Low punches up tunes such as the acoustic-based title track with help from the Memphis Horns, while his rock & roll and R&B sport wry touches of banjo, fiddle, pedal steel, and Charlie McCoy's harmonica. Lyrically, there's a thread of frustration, steeped in the experiences of someone who's had to sit back and watch others get rich from his hard work and success (Low and Amen Corner made very little money despite their success, and were actually in debt to their label following their breakup). And while lines such as "...and the sad thing is, that no one really cares" and "I've been abused too long..." may hint at singer/songwriter self-pity, closer investigation reveals a playfulness in the music, as well as a sense of humor and a sly wink in his delivery that keeps everything in perspective. Some of the highlights include the irresistible title cut; the dancehall ballad "Dancing in the Dark"; and the wah-wah driven "Reggae Tune," which continued Low's string of U.K. Top Ten hits. © Brett Hartenbach © 2012 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/spider-jiving-r37078/review

"Spider Jiving" is arguably Andy Fairweather Low's best album. Andy has never been an instantly recognizable name in rock music, but he's a true rock star. He's the kind of guy who has managed to keep a low profile throughout his career. You may have heard some of his great songs, most of which he penned himself, including - Wide Eyed And Legless, Reggae Tune, (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice, and Natural Sinner. From his early days in Amen Corner, and Fair Weather, Andy has been one of Britain's great musicians and songwriters. Much of Andy's solo work has never been taken seriously by music critics. The music is often on the lightweight and humorous side. However Andy's songs often contain sardonic and/or pessimistic lyrics combined with cheerful music, and many critics just dont get him. Andy has had many "downs" in his musical career due to bad management by record companies. In his early career with groups like Amen Corner, Andy had major hits and topped charts and still found himself in debt with a certain record company. Thankfully, those who know great music when they hear it have always appreciated Andy's unique adenoidal and reedy voice, his talent as a songwriter and brilliant guitar technique. He has built up a huge reputation as a session guitarist, and as a sideman. and has played many great musicians including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Bill Wyman, The Who, Roger Waters, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and others too numerous to mention. "Spider Jiving" is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Read Robert Christgau's article about Pete Fowler and Andy Fairweather Low @ http://www.furious.com/perfect/andyfairweatherlow.html Search this blog for related releases [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 71.7 Mb]

TRACKS

A1 Spider Jiving
A2 Drowning On Dry Land
A3 Keep On Rockin'
A4 Same Old Story
A5 I Ain't No Mountain
A6 Every Day I Die

B1 Standing On The Water
B2 Mellow Down
B3 The Light Is Within
B4 Reggae Tune
B5 Dancing In The Dark

All songs composed by Andy Fairweather Low

MUSICIANS

Andy Fairweather Low - Guitar, Vocals
Henry McCullough, John Kahn - Guitar
Weldon Myrick - Steel Guitar
Chris Stewart - Bass
Bobby Thompson - Banjo
Buddy Spicher, Vassar Clements - Violin
Mick Weaver, Mark Naftalin - Keyboards
Charlie McCoy - Harmonica
Denny Seiwell, Kenny Buttrey - Drums
The Memphis Horns - Horn
Mary Holladay, Ginger Holladay, Dianne Davidson, Lea Jane Berinati - Vocals

SHORT BIO

The seven million people who bought Eric Clapton's Unplugged album and the countless more who saw the MTV Unplugged TV show experienced the work of Andy Fairweather Low, who served as Clapton's backup guitarist/vocalist. But probably few in that giant audience knew that Fairweather Low had once been a teen idol and had an extensive recorded catalog in groups and as a solo star. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Fairweather Low formed Amen Corner in the mid-'60s, for which he served as lead singer. The group scored six U.K. hits from 1967 to 1969, the biggest of which was the number one "(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice." Its success put Fairweather Low's attractive face on the bedroom walls of teenage girls all over Britain. Amen Corner broke up at the end of the '60s and evolved into the more progressive Fair Weather, which scored a hit with "Natural Sinner" in 1970, but broke up in 1971. Fairweather Low retired for several years, but returned as a solo artist in 1974 and made a series of albums through 1980, reaching the U.K. Top Ten with the singles "Reggae Tune" and "Wide Eyed and Legless." Gradually, however, he began to work as a sideman to more prominent British musicians, notably ex-Pink Floyd leader Roger Waters, and with the ARMS benefit group in 1987. He toured Japan with George Harrison and Eric Clapton in 1991 and has since been part of Clapton's backup band. Fairweather Low began touring with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings and, in 2006, hit the road again with Waters for the Dark Side of the Moon Tour. © William Ruhlmann © 2012 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/andy-fairweather-low-p17410/biography

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Andy Fairweather Low is in a class of his own. One of the UK’s best guitar players with a truly unique voice (not to mention one of their best tennis players) he’s worked with some of the greatest artists around and still found time to release some solo material. ‘Sweet Soulful Music’ (2006) was his first solo album in 26 years but it was no simple comeback story - the intervening years were packed with people and projects virtually amounting to a stellar A to Z of Popular Music. Not surprising then that “The Very Best Of Andy Fairweather Low – The Low Rider” out on Proper Records in Spring 2008 should be such a catalogue of delight. It trawls right through his back catalogue from the hits of the late sixties right through to the present day resulting in a panoply of glorious sounds. Andy has a magnificent CV. Throughout his momentous career, he has played with such artists as Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, David Crosby, The Band, Richard and Linda Thompson, Dave Gilmour, The Who, BB King, Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn, Jimmy Page, Ronnie Lane, Linda Ronstadt, Roddy Frame, Emmylou Harris, Joe Satriani, the Bee Gees, Jeff Beck, The Impressions, Lonnie Donegan, Ringo Starr, Steve Gadd, David Sanborn, Benmont Tench, Warren Zevon, Charlie Watts, Mary J. Blige, Dave Edmunds, Georgie Fame, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Rush, Phil Collins, Van Morrison, Gerry Rafferty, Chris Rea, Buddy Guy, Chris Barber, Jackson Browne, Bill Wyman, Sheryl Crow, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, Pete Townshend and hundreds more. Quite simply, Andy Fairweather Low has been – and continues to be - the guitarist and vocalist of choice for a phenomenal cast list of musical luminaries. Cardiff-born Fairweather Low originally came to fame as vocalist and leader of the pop group Amen Corner. The band had four Top 30 hits – a sequence starting with ‘Gin House Blues’ in 1967 - on Decca’s subsidiary Deram label before leaving at the end of 1968 to join Andrew Loog Oldham’s pioneering indie, Immediate. Amen Corner were instantly rewarded with a UK number one, ‘(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice’ in early 1969 but, despite another Top Five hit with Roy Wood’s ‘Hello Suzie’, it seemed the band could not survive success. By the following year Amen Corner had split, with Andy Fairweather Low escaping the teenybop grind by forming the simply named Fairweather, a band signed to RCA’s shiny new progressive label, Neon. Fairweather reached number six in the UK singles chart with ‘Natural Sinner’ during the summer of 1970. It was to be, however, the band’s only hit. One album later and Fairweather came to an end. Andy Fairweather Low then became somewhat of a refugee from the music business, eventually emerging three years later as a solo artist with an album called ‘Spider Jiving’ on A&M. The album was produced by Elliot Mazer – best known for his work with Neil Young – and featured some heavyweight backup support from the likes of the Memphis Horns and Nashville legend Charlie McCoy on harmonica. ‘Spider Jiving’ included the wah-wah driven ‘Reggae Tune’, a UK Top 10 hit in September 1974. Andy Fairweather Low was on something of a roll. The following year, 1975, he released his second solo album, ‘La Booga Rooga’, which eventually emerged as his most successful record. Produced by the celebrated Glyn Johns – at that time fresh from working with The Eagles – ‘La Booga Rooga’ featured such stellar musicians as ex-Eagle Bernie Leadon (guitar), Dave Mattacks (drums), Eddie ‘Tan Tan’ Thornton (trumpet), Kenney Jones (drums), John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick (keyboards), BJ Cole (steel guitar) and Georgie Fame (keyboards). Among the tracks was ‘Wide Eyed and Legless’, a Top 10 hit for Fairweather Low at the end of 1975. Johns was also at the helm for ‘Be Bop ‘n’ Holla’, Fairweather Low’s 1976 album. It was followed, in 1980, by ‘Mega-Shebang’, recorded for Warner Brothers and destined to be Fairweather Low’s final solo album until 2006. In between ‘Be Bop ‘n’ Holla’ and ‘Mega-Shebang’, however, Fairweather Low sang backing vocals on The Who’s 1978 ‘Who Are You’ album - the start of a relationship which also saw him playing guitar on the band’s 1982 album, ‘It’s Hard’, and appearing with Pete Townshend on his 1993 ‘Psychoderelict’ tour. That work with The Who set the direction for Fairweather Low’s next moves. He became the ultimate Guitarist to the Stars, building an extraordinary reputation that has endured to this day. Most notably, Fairweather Low has been a stalwart of Eric Clapton’s band since the early-Nineties, touring in Clapton’s bands right up until 2003 and recording the ‘Unplugged’, ‘From the Cradle’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Riding with the King’, ‘Reptile’, ‘One More Car One More Rider’, ‘Me & Mr. Johnson’ and ‘Back Home’ albums with him. Fairweather Low was also a regular player with George Harrison, appearing on his ‘Live in Japan’ album and, in 2002, playing several of the lead guitar parts for the Harrison tribute, ‘The Concert for George’. One of Fairweather Low’s longest musical relationships, however, has been with Roger Waters. The two have worked together since Waters’ ‘Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking’ tour of America in 1985. Since that time Fairweather Low has contributed to two of Waters’ albums – ‘Radio K.A.O.S’ in 1987 and ‘Amused to Death’ in 1992 – and played guitar and bass on the 1999-2002 ‘In the Flesh’ world tour. Fairweather Low rejoined Waters for the ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ tour this year. Fairweather Low is also a regular member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, the consequence of another relationship that stretches back to the mid-Eighties. Fairweather Low and Wyman first worked together at the Small Faces’ legendary bass player Ronnie Lane’s A.R.M.S. – Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis – benefit concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1983. It was a charity cause that Wyman revisited in 1985 with Willie & The Poor Boys, a Fifties’ style rock ‘n’ roll concept band featuring Fairweather Low. Since that time Fairweather Low has been frequently involved in Wyman’s projects, most recently touring with the Rhythm Kings in 2005 and the summer of 2006. But perhaps it was inevitable that one day Fairweather Low would be tempted to return to the studio in his own right. ‘Sweet Soulful Music’ reunited Fairweather Low with producer Glyn Johns and October ‘07 saw Andy touring solo again in the UK with his own all star band containing Chris Stainton – keyboards, Dave Bronze – bass and Paul Beavis – drums. One of the shows was filmed and the resulting DVD is released in June 2008 closely following the TV advertised release of his new album “The Very Best Of Andy Fairweather Low – The Low Rider”. “The Very Best Of Andy Fairweather Low – The Low Rider” hits the shops on June 2nd and combines all the hits and more. An absolute gem, the title says it all. To coincide with its release Andy and his band, The Low Riders (featuring Dave Bronze ,Paul Beavis and keyboard player Richard Dunn), head out on a major UK tour which also encompasses Cambridge rock, Colne blues, Trowbridge and Glastonbury Festivals. © http://www.judytotton.com/printable/current_promotions/biography_andy_fairweather_low.htm

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Andy was born in 1948 in Cardiff, S.Wales and rose to prominence in the 1960’s as the front man and guitarist for chart topping teen idol band Amen Corner. His vocals and his distinctive voice were the perfect lead for the group. Amen Corner scored 6 memorable hits between 1967 and 1969 with ( If Paradise is ) Half As Nice reaching number 1 in January 1969 and their shows were always full of excitement and they were regular fixtures on package tours at the time. When the group split in 1969 Andy formed the band Fairweather which was signed to RCA on their progressive label Neon and for an underground progressive band it was somewhat surprising that they soon had a Top 10 single in 1970 with Natural Sinner. Andy’s first solo success was another Top 10 hit with Reggae Tune in September 1974 when after two albums with Fairweather and a brief spell off for good behaviour Andy had signed a Solo deal with A&M Records and recorded Spider Jiving which was produced by Neil Young producer Elliott Mazer and included major players such as The Memphis Horns & Nashville legend Charlie McCoy. Following up was not a problem and in 1975 he released his second album La Booga Rooga Produced by celebrated UK Producer Glyn Johns at that time fresh from working with The Eagles. Glyn Johns was again the producer of choice in 1976 for Andy’s third solo album ‘Be Bop ‘n’ Holla’. La Booga Rooga featured a great line up of musicians with such great players as Ex Eagle Bernie Leadon – Guitar, Dave Mattacks – Drums, Eddie Tan Tan Thornton – Trumpet, Kenney Jones – Drums, John ‘ Rabbit’ Bundrick – Keyboards, B.J.Cole – Steel Guitar and Georgie Fame – Keyboards and among the tracks was ‘Wide Eyed & Legless’ released late in 1975 and becoming another Solo Top 10 hit in the UK and major International hit record. In 1980 having moved labels to Warner Brothers Andy released his fourth Solo album Mega Shebang but had already started his notable contributions to other people’s records with his appearance in 1978 on The Who’s album ‘Who Are You’ which also continued through with his appearance on guitar on their Its Hard album in 1982 and contributions to Pete Townshend’s Psychderelict tour in 1993. From the work with The Who Andy moved on as the in demand player and ultimate Guitarist to the stars, building an extraordinary reputation that has endured to this day. In 1983, ex Small faces and Faces bass player Ronnie Lane, himself suffering from multiple sclerosis, set about organising some of the most significant musicians in the Rock world to tour on both sides of the Atlantic and record with the aim of raising awareness and funds for sufferers of MS. The project, A.R.M.S. – Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis, was immensely successful ending up with a visit to the Whitehouse for some of the participants. Andy, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ronnie Wood and Steve Winwood all appeared... In the early nineties Andy joined Eric Clapton’s band with which he stayed until 2003 touring and recording the ‘Unplugged’, ‘From the Cradle’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Riding with the King’, ‘Reptile’, ‘One More Car One More Rider’, ‘Me & Mr. Johnson’ and ‘Back Home’ albums with him. Andy was also a regular player with George Harrison, appearing on his ‘Live in Japan’ album and, in 2002, playing several of the lead guitar parts for the Harrison tribute, ‘The Concert for George’. One of Fairweather Low’s longest musical relationships, however, has been as musical director with Roger Waters. The two have worked together since Waters’ ‘Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking’ tour of America in 1985. Since that time Andy has contributed to two of Waters’ albums – ‘Radio K.A.O.S’ in 1987 and ‘Amused to Death’ in 1992 – and played guitar and bass on the 1999-2002 ‘In the Flesh’ world tour. He also rejoined Waters for the ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ tour more recently. On November 29th, 2002, one of the most important concerts ever was staged at the Royal Albert Hall. The Concert for George was a tribute to George Harrison, under the musical direction of Eric Clapton. Featuring Joe Brown, Eric Clapton, Jules Holland and Sam Brown, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Billy Preston, Ravi and Anoushka Shankar and Ringo Starr. Andy was a member of the Incredible House Band, which, among other great players, also included Dave Bronze, Gary Brooker, Jim Capaldi, Ray Cooper, Jim Keltner, Albert Lee and Chris Stainton. Andy is also a regular member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, the consequence of another relationship that stretches back to the mid-Eighties. Fairweather Low and Wyman first worked together at the Small Faces’ legendary bass player Ronnie Lane’s A.R.M.S. – Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis – benefit concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1983. It was a charity cause that Bill revisited in 1985 with Willie & The Poor Boys, a Fifties’ style rock ‘n’ roll concept band featuring Andy who, since that time has been frequently involved in Wyman’s projects, most recently touring with the Rhythm Kings in 2005 and the summer of 2006 and 2007. But perhaps it was inevitable that one day Fairweather Low would be tempted to return to the studio in his own right. That time came in 2006. ‘Sweet Soulful Music’ reunited Fairweather Low with producer Glyn Johns - and features bassist David Bronze (Eric Clapton, Robin Trower, Procol Harum), drummer Henry Spinetti (Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey) and John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick (Bob Marley, The Who, Pete Townshend) together with Roger Waters’ back-up singers Katie Kissoon, Carol Kenyon and PP Arnold. Twenty-six years is a long wait but ‘Sweet Soulful Music’ signaled a welcome return for one of the UK’s most distinctive artists, as heartily endorsed by many of the world’s greatest talents. The current band is also a who’s who of the best players on the rock scene, joining Andy on Drums is Paul Beavis (Thea Gilmore, Robbie Macintosh & Sunday All Over The World) on Keyboards is Chris Stainton (The Grease Band, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton & The Concert For George) and on Bass is long standing associate Dave Bronze (Clapton, Concert For George, Dear Mr Fantasy tribute to Jim Capaldi). © 2006 Proper Records