Lindisfarne

 
Formed in Newcastle in 1967 as Downtown Faction, changing name to Brethren, and later Alan Hull And Brethren. Became Lindisfarne when they signed to Charisma in 1968.

The story goes that Charisma boss Tony Stratton-Smith signed the band because he liked Jackson’s harmonica playing. They established strong following on college circuit, but it was festivals in England in 1969-70 that really broke the band. Their good-time brand of folk-rock was particularly suited to open-air events.

(I) was greeted with strong approval from fans and critics alike, and is still regarded by many as Lindisfarne’s high-water mark. Hull had written many of the songs before band was formed, while woring as a nurse in a mental hospital. Clear White Light and Lady Eleanor were both tracks released as singles-but both failed to take off: But group did eventually make singles chart in 1972 with Clements’ Meet Me On The Corner from (2), which was produced by Bob Johnston.

(2) was Britain’s biggest-selling album in 1970-71. After this success, Lady Eleanor was reissued, and reached No.3 in May 1972. (3) again produced by Johnston met with critical disapproval; material on (I) and (2) had been written before band took off: All material for (3) was new, and was decidedly inferior.

From then on, original Lindisfarne lost confidence. Band were unhappy with Johnston’s mix of (3) and re-mixed it themselves. Final split came in 1973 – Clements, Laidlaw and Cowe breaking away to form Jack The Lad. Hull and Johnston retaining name and bringing in Paul Nichols (drms) Kenny Craddock (kybds) and Tommy Duffy (bs). Magic had evaporated by now and though band issued (6) which was actually quite promising, on a new lable, theit spirit was broken, and they decided to call it a day soon afterwards.

Meanwhile, Jack The Lad attracted strong following on circuit, and issued (8) and (9), though Clements left after (8), and after (9) band were dropped by their record company.

Hull issued solo album (10) in 1973, and (11) in 1975; by then band’s large audience of early 1970’s had been completely dissipated; rapid rise and equally rapid fall of Lindisfarne remains one of more inexplicable mysteries in British rock.

(I) Nicely Out Of Tune (Charisma 1969)
(2) Fog On The Tyne (Charisma 1970)
(3) Dingley Dell (Charisma 1972)
(4) Lindisfame Live (Charisma 1973)
(5) Roll On Ruby (Charisma 1974)
(6) Happy Daze (Charisma 1974)

Compilation:
(7) Lindisfarne’s Finest Hour (Charisma 1975)

Jack The Lad:
(8) It’s Jack The Lad (Charisma 1973)
(9) The Old Straight Track (Charisma 1974)

Alan Hull solo:
(10) Pipedream (Warner Bros 1973)
(11) Squire (Warner Bros 1975)