In the early 1970s, a strange apparition began to appear on the stages of a vibrant U.K. gig circuit in the shape of a band of West Country troubadours, rejoicing under the odd name of Stackridge. Their music presented an extraordinary mix of styles, from genres as diverse as folk, classical, progressive rock, jazz, pop and music hall.In this book, Alan Draper traces the ever diverging and remerging paths of the core four Stackridge songwriters: Andy Davis, James Warren, Mutter Slater and Crun Walter, both within and without Stackridge. It’s a trip that spans half a century of recording. Commencing with their eclectic debut album Stackridge in 1971, it proceeds via many fascinating musical paths and occasional cul-de-sacs en route. The band’s 1970s heyday was marked by many personnel reshuffles and after their dissolution in 1976, James Warren and Andy Davis combined to form The Korgis, who scored worldwide hits with ‘If I Had You’ and the much-covered standard ‘Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime’. Also taking in The Korgis, Mutter Slater Band and solo projects, our trip finally arrives in the 21st century as Stackridge return for a second career and a heroes’ welcome from their dedicated fan base.
