Part of
Cherry Red
's ongoing reissue of albums from the late British DJ
John Peel
's short-lived indie label
Dandelion Records
,
Beau
is undeniably a minor work that would likely not get much attention were it not for its connection to such a beloved figure. Although released in 1969, the skeletal arrangements -- just a 12-string acoustic guitar and vocals -- have more in common with the very first wave of post-
Dylan
singer/songwriters
. Think
David Blue
Tom Paxton
, and
Phil Ochs
, not the later swell of
rock
and
psych
-influenced pretenders to the throne.
Christopher John Trevor Midgley
-- it's immediately obvious why he chose to change his name professionally -- was the first act signed to
Dandelion
; as the comprehensive liner notes point out,
Peel
's business partner,
Clive Selwood
, was also the European head of A&R for
Elektra Records
, and the stripped-down earnestness of these songs is entirely in keeping with
Elektra
's
singer/songwriter
aesthetic. However, it's also clear that
got
because
wasn't interested in an act that was already a throwback by the standards of then-current
acts like the
Stooges
and the
Doors
. With several decades' hindsight, however, the low-key and gentle charms of
are more obvious. Although the album is clearly overshadowed by the outstanding single
"1917 Revolution,"
a piece of passionate
folk-rock
weirdness that bears fruitful comparison to
Tom Rapp
Pearls Before Swine
, even less unique tunes like
"Pillar of Economy"
"A Nation's Pride"
are thoughtful
folk
songs with better than average lyrics powered by
's truly inventive guitar playing. ~ Stewart Mason