“Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated (aka Blues Incorporated) was formed 1961 in London, England and is undoubtedly the master UK root that helped form the family tree of today’s British blues and rock music direction. From the root-stew of a handful of seminal UK musicians in the mid 1950s, who were influenced by the blues and jazz movements trickling in from America, a new musical energy grew in the shape of British Blues. Jazz bandleader Chris Barber began promoting blues session intervals during his Marquee Club residency, with Alexis Korner and Ottilie Patterson. It was here that Korner (who had previously worked with Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen) then formed a group, that included harmonica-player Cyril Davies, to expand upon these Marquee blues sessions in January 1962. This embryonic group then evolved into the formal Blues Incorporated, using on-stage amplification systems and becoming pioneers in the new ‘electric blues’ sound. It is difficult to grasp today how much of a stir this caused among traditional Folk-purists, plus the alienation of pub landlords due to the level of sound the band produced. The band initially had a regular slot at the Marquee. However, it wasn’t long before Korner and Davies created their own residency for the band by taking over an old venue and forming The Ealing Club, opposite Ealing Broadway underground station. Here Blues Incorporated would play and give open house to the many fledgling musicians and blues groups that were emerging in the early 1960s. The band released two singles and four albums and tracks can also be found on a wealth of blues compilations. As Korner’s desire increased for developing and experimenting with Blues Incorporated’s fusions of jazz & blues, Davies decided to part company, forming his own and more ‘purist’ R&B group Cyril Davies And His Rhythm And Blues All Stars. However, the two remained friends until Davies’ tragic death aged just 31”.
The music on this album is representative of the three main “lives” of Blues Incorporated. The first and most well-known is the outfit which made their debut album, R&B From The Marquee featuring vocals from Cyril Davies and Long John Baldry. Secondly, the late ’63 to early ’65 period when the band were fronted by experienced black American vocalist, Herbie Goins. Finally the spell from mid ’65 to ’66 when the band were effectively without a vocalist other than Alexis Korner himself. Blues Inc. released four studio LP’s, one live LP and two UK singles from 1962 to 1966 but the disc you have in your hands is the first vinyl LP to zero-in on the band at the BBC.
Track B8 recorded BBC Jazz Club, 12 July 1962.
Tracks A1-A5 recorded BBC Jazz Club, 24 January 1963.
Tracks A6-A8, B1 recorded BBC Top Gear, 27 November 1964.
Tracks B2-B6 recorded BBC Jazz Club, 31 May 1965.
Tracks B7 recorded BBC Band Beat, 10 December 1965.
See second photo for personnel, fuller details and sleeve notes. The roll call is a glimpse into the history of British Blues!
Tracklisting:
Side One
- Rockin’
- Overdrive
- I Need Your Loving
- Turn On Your Lovelight
- Roberta
- Every Day I Have The Blues
- Oh Lord, Don’t Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb On Me
- Sappho
Side Two
- River’s Invitation
- Blues À La King
- The Organiser
- Watermelon Man
- Back At The Chicken Shack
- Trouble In Mind
- The Jailbird
- Hey Hey
