Ragamuffin's Fool & Bump 'n' Grind
David LaFond | Grand Rapids, MI United States | 05/08/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a 'two-fer' of the third and fourth album from this group that was a branch off of The Nice et.al. The first recording (King Progress) was so distant from anything The Nice did that it did not sell well. The second (Fifth Ave.Bus, I believe) was never released in the states that I know of, and Ragumuffin's Fool was released here as just "Jackson Heights" on Verve. This is how I first heard it and I was quite impressed with the recording. Mr. Jackson was never known for his vocals (no offense intended), and here he had two singers with good vocal abilites and their harmonies were good together. They were a keyboard oriented group (guitar is here, but not a lot), and it was one of the first recordings where I heard Mellotron really integrated into the sound textures without being overpowering. The two new people John McBurnie (Vox, guitar, keys) and Brian Chatton (vox, keys) created some good songs (Maureeen, Oh You Beauty, As She Starts) and some 'music hall type' songs (Ragamuffins Fool, Poor Peter, Chips and Chicken, Bellyfull of Water), along with one Nice song (Chorale-Five Bridges Suite) that sounds better to me than the original Nice version. Combine this with Michael Giles drumming on most of the tracks, and they got a pretty good recording. If sounds to me like a cross between Barcley James Harvest, choral influenced harmonies, and some of the Nice, with some pop sensibilities.
Bump 'n' Grind was not released in the states, but I was able to get a vinyl copy years ago, and it is nice, but does not have as strong of songs as RF. Giles is on board on drums again, which is always a welcome addition. They seem to be gelling more as a group, but not expanding on their sound. I Could Be Your Orchestra, Public Romance and Ladies in the Chorus are nice, and I think the way this recording is perceived is reflected in the album notes. All the credits listed are for RF, none for B 'n' G. The inside notes do not give any worthwhile information. I know that all of these members have gone on to do more recordings in the late 70's and 80's, but no mention of these. I waited for a long time to replace my vinyl copy of RF, and I am pleased with the transfer. I hope you will enjoy it too."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1