Hookfoot - Here I Come / Mystic Lady (vinyl)

Images used for this video are taken from photos and scans of my original vinyl Canadian pressings of Hookfoot's self titled debut album (1971), and their 3rd LP release titled 'Communication' (1973). I've also included a handful of black & white band pics available on the internet.
The audio is sourced from my vinyl copies utilizing an Oracle Delphi MKIII turntable, an SME45 tone arm, and a Vanden Hull MC-10 MC cartridge. Though I suppose after digital transfer to mp3, compression etc...all this is irrelevant.
Hookfoot's lineup on these two LP's was:
Caleb Quaye - Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Dave Glover - Bass
Ian Duck - Guitars, Harmonica and Vocals
Roger Pope - Drums and Percussion
With guest Peter Ross guesting on the first LP (Harmonica)
Here's a review of their debut LP that I did a few years ago at the 'Rate Your Music' website...
rateyourmusic.c....
My review:
The 1st of four excellent studio albums by this very underrated British band.
Prior to working under the name Hookfoot, they served as Elton Johns backing band in the late 60s. But for those who dislike Elton's music, 'Don't let it Bring You Down', because their music sounds nothing like the 'Rocket Man's!
It's a perfect fusion of hard rock, blues and jazz, done far better than many of their contemporaries at that time. The opening track 'Bluebird' originally penned by Stephen Stills while he was with Buffalo Springfield, is the best album opener ever! This fast paced heavy version will definitely please you. The harp playing is fantastic.
Then you have a ballad like 'Mystic Lady', which evokes 'Steely Dan' type vocal harmonies, before there was a 'Steely Dan'.
Ian Duck and Caleb Quaye are both brilliant guitarists, and Caleb makes great use of the Leslie, much like Joe Walsh. He's also a great acoustic player. At times when the two of them use their twin lead attack they remind me of 'Wishbone Ash' a little, especially on 'Mystic Lady'.
The rhythm section of Dave Glover-Bass, and Roger Pope-Drums are among the best to come out of England at the time.
There is also a cool jazz excursion called 'Wim Wom' where Caleb switches between guitar and keyboard.
These songs are all very well played, and won't disappoint even the most critical.
In the previous review by 'zombeels', he said "great version of Neil Young's 'Down by the River' ". That song never appeared on this album, although a great version of Neils 'Don't Let it Bring You Down' does.
Here are the liner notes, word for word, by Elton John: "For the last three years, Hookfoot and I have been friends. We've all struggled together, and at last their first album is ready. For me they are potentially the best new English band. This album is only the beginning".
Elton was right, because each album they released was super, I only wish they would have received more recognition for their material.
I think it's interesting to note that Caleb Quaye is the son of popular 1940's-50's jazz musician Cab Kaye. Cab's father (also named Caleb Quaye) was from Ghana. He was a well known jazz percussionist in the 1930's-40's.
Hookfoot's Caleb Quaye is also the older brother (by 26 years, and a different mother) of the more recent UK jazz/reggae and 'BRIT Award' winning artist Finley Quaye.
I think if Neil's 'Crazy Horse' was impregnated by a heavier bluesy 'Steely Dan', and that bastard child was raised by Cactus, his name would be 'Hookfoot'.