VA - Looking Towards The Sky (Progressive, Psychedelic & Folk Rock From The Ember Vaults)

Fantastic Voyage has already made fantastic inroads into pioneering UK independent label Ember’s vast pop archives, and

now turns its attention to the label’s psych, prog and folk years for a new series called Ember Rock. The original albums are of the sort which now go for

three figures, such as folk couple 9.30 Fly’s album, which currently fetches over £200, and a band called Blue Beard,

caught here with a track from their album which never got beyond white label status (and which deserves full release going

on the organ-driven west coast-style rock of Losing You).

Other highlights include Newport progsters Blonde On Blonde, with a track apiece from their two Ember albums; Stevie

Winwood and Fotheringay conjuring a weighty backdrop reminiscent of prime SpookyTooth behind one Paddy McGuire;

cult folkies Knocker Jungle echoing the Byrds; Canada’s The Dorians recalling early Country Joe & The Fish; and a pop singer

called Rusty Harness showing his Farfisa garage side on a previously-buried B-side called Goodbye. With other obscure

names such as The Back Street Band, Milt Mathews and Davey Payne & The Medium Wave, it’s a pretty exciting maiden voyage.

01. 9.30 Fly - Life And Times 

02. Dorians - Help For My Waiting 

03. Blonde On Blonde - Heart Without A Home 

04. Blue Beard - Losing You 

05. Rusty Harness - Goodbye 

06. Paddy Maguire - Doin' The Best I Can 

07. Knocker Jungle - I Don't Know Why 

08. Knocker Jungle - Reality 

09. Blonde On Blonde - Sad Song For An Easy Lady 

10. 9.30 Fly - Mr 509 

11. Dorians - Good Love 

12. Davey Payne & The Medium Wave - Looking Towards The Sky 

13. Milt Matthews Inc. - Disaster Area 

14. Blonde On Blonde - Circles 

15. Back Street Band - This Ain't The Road 

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