Mark E Smith and Beau's "Creation"...

I’m sure, like me, you’ve wondered over time how Mark E Smith managed to maintain his street cred? Well, a December 1977 photoshoot from Mark E’s flat in Kevin Cummins’ 2022 book, “Telling Stories – Photographs Of The Fall”, reveals all!

We all judge people by their wall art, and here Mark E notably has on display the Beau “Creation” sleeve from ’71!

(Granted, he appears to have scrawled his Tesco shopping list across it, but you certainly can’t fault the man’s taste!)

Many thanks to Ian Green for flagging this one up!

Every little helps...

Here’s one of those things the internet sometimes throws up! 

Someone’s mocked up a spoof label for the Japanese release of “Creation”! Trouble is, they’ve used the wrong catalogue #. AIRAC-1456 is a Bridget St John release!
 
Still, as they say, all publicity is good publicity…

"Silence Returns" in "For The Wild" podcast...

It’s always fascinating to know where and how one’s songs are used!

Today I’ve been pointed to the Canadian “For The Wild” podcast, hosted by a lady called Ayana Young. 

This cast dates from 2018, and opens – after Ms Young’s opening remarks – with the vocal section of “Silence Returns” from the “Creation” album.

The meat of the podcast is an interview with activist author Adrienne Maree Brown.

Better late than never - "Creation" - the vinyl reissue at Bomp...

Better late than never, this 2019 New Year(!) review of the Sommor vinyl re-release of “Creation” has just flagged up from Google. 

Don’t know why I never saw it before; and many thanks to Simon Crisp of Galactic Ramble!

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BEAU - Creation (Acid psych weirdness 1971) LAST COPIES Label: SOMMER Originally released for John Peel’s Dandelion label in 1971, “Creation” was the second album by underground folk troubadour Trevor “Beau” Midgley, recorded with psych band The Way We Live as backing group. Influenced by Tom Paxton, Leadbelly and Dylan, Beau started to write his own songs in the late 60s. After trying to secure a contract with Elektra Records with no success, he was approached by Clive Selwood (Elektra UK) and John Peel, who were launching a new label, Dandelion Records. Beau signed to them and released his eponymous debut album in 1969. For his second effort, Beau decided to experiment with a more folk-rock sound and add to the mix some avant-garde influences. Jim Milne (lead guitar and bass) and Steve Clayton (drums) from Dandelion stablemates The Way We Live / Tractor were the perfect backing band for him. “Creation” is a brilliant psych-folk / acid-folk offering with superb 12-string guitars, heartfelt vocals, studio effects and occasional acid-fuzz guitar. Beau’s avant-garde influences came to the fore on the title track, which verges into White Noise territory. The album closes with “Silence Returns”, featuring one of the most ear-splitting fuzz assaults ever committed to wax, courtesy of Jim Milne. Master tape sound. Four page insert featuring the first cover design whish was never used plus detailed liner notes by Beau himself and lyrics. Two previously unreleased bonus tracks from 1972 (featuring Tractor as backing band) which were recorded for “High Mass”, an aborted third Beau album which was never released at the time. “It’s a consistent album full of tone, deft playing and thoughtful lyrics that demand and reward attention” – Simon Crisp (Galactic Ramble) LP $16 SKU:20552

"Silence Returns" on "Uneasy Listening"...

Many thanks to Rachel C for featuring "Silence Returns" on her "Surprise Fuzz" edition of "Uneasy Listening" (WPRB Princeton) a couple of weeks back. 

AND, it opened the show (straight after her Bay City Rollers sig tune...!)

Beware the bootleg of "Creation"...

A quick heads-up. There’s a standalone CD of “Creation” still being sold on the PID label (mostly through eBay with an EAN no. 4571136374595). THIS IS A BOOTLEG, and it’s not even being sold cheap! Please be careful.

The only official standalone “Creation” CD is the on the Japanese Air Mail Archive label (AIRAC-1459) with the facsimile sleeve. 

The download “Creation Recreated” is still available from Cherry Red and, for vinyl fans, there is of course also the 2015 reissue LP from Guerssen/Sommor.

Beau - "Nine Minutes" live, with soundboard audio...

Just posted a soundboard-audio vid of "Nine Minutes" from a live set in Lichfield, Staffordshire back in 2012.

Might bring back a few memories!

"Creation" - high prices you've no need to pay...

If you're a vinylaholic, please don't pay these sort of prices for "Creation"! 

Sommor Records' 2015 re-issue with full notes and bonus tracks is available at all good record shops the world over, or simply at the click of a button.

Uncle Lakis Presents "Forgotten Tales From the Old Albion Vol.12"...

Thanks for the inclusion, Uncle Lakis!

New video of "Silence Returns" on YouTube...

A rather moving video of "Silence Returns" from "Creation" has appeared on YouTube in the last couple of days. 

I don't know who made it, but if you're one of my Facebook friends or Google + followers under another name, many thanks!!

...not forgetting "Nine Minutes" (more from WFMU-FM) ...

Brian, it's been pointed out to me I also owe you a big "thanks" for playing "Nine Minutes" (also from the Sommor "Creation") a few weeks back on 19th January!

Don't know how I missed it - must be the winter chill freezing the brain! 

All the best from a breezy UK.

"Sky Dance (Take One)" on WFMU-FM...

Many thanks to Brian Turner at New York's WFMU-FM 91.1 for including "Sky Dance (Take One)" in his show last night. 

The "Take One" version of "Sky Dance" features as one of the bonuses on Sommor's vinyl reissue of "Creation". 

Keep it rockin', Brian!

"Creation" on WMWM Salem 91.7's KMF show...

Many thanks to Doug Edwards at WMWM Salem 91.7 for including “Creation” in yesterday’s ever-excellent Kaleidoscope Moondrops Falling (KMF) show.

Appreciated, Doug!

Record Collector Magazine reviews the vinyl "Creation"...

Rather neat review by Max Bell in September's Record Collector of the vinyl "Creation". 

Not too sure about the "Here's one for the teenagers..." though!

"Creation" - "heavy airplay" on WFMU-FM...

WFMU-FM reporting "heavy airplay" for the Guerssen/Sommor vinyl release of "Creation" in their latest list. 

Many thanks to all at WFMU - much appreciated!

"Creation" on "Searching For A Thread"...

Thanks again to Dusty Visions at WRFI Watkins Glen, Ithaca, NY for playing yet another track - this time the title tune - from Sommor's "Creation" re-issue LP in his recent "Searching For A Thread" show. 

Greatly appreciated, Dusty! 

The show's been Mixclouded - do check it out!

Rocker plays "Release" on Dandelion Radio...

Many thanks to Rocker for playing "Release" from "Creation" throughout May on his Dandelion Radio prog! 

Great show as always, and the whole thing's now up on Mixcloud - do check it out!

Dandelion Radio's Rocker plays "The Smoke Of Eden"...

Shows how much catching up I have to do! The great Rocker played “The Smoke Of Eden” from “Creation” throughout April on his Dandelion Radio show, and I haven’t yet had the chance to say “cheers!”

Really appreciated, Rocker. I’ll be giving the show my customary monthly listen on Mixcloud this evening…

WFMU-FM's great support for "Creation"...

I knew Sommor’s vinyl release of “Creation” was doing well in New York City. Now I know why! You go away for a week, and everything kicks off again!

Many thanks to the guys ’n’ gals at WFMU-FM 98.1 in NYC and New Jersey for all the recent plays; particularly Pat Byrne (“Nine Minutes”, April 11^th), Nate Knaebel (“Is This Your Day”, April 12^th), BrianTurner (“Creation”, April 14^th), Nick Name (“Silence Returns” on April 24^th), Jeffrey Davison (“Is This Your Day”, April 25^th and “Blind Faith” on May 2^nd) and Martha (“Nine Minutes” on May 1^st).

And if I’ve missed anyone off, I’m truly sorry. But thanks again, folks – you really are making a big difference!

Therese plays "April Meteor" on WFMU-FM...

Very grateful to Therese Mahler at WFMU-FM 91.1 for playing "April Meteor" from the Guerssen/Sommor release of "Creation" on last weeks' show. A real vinyl sound! 

Thanks indeed, Therese!