Frank Wilson, Vocals/Keyboard Keith Law, Songwriter Paul Eastment, Vocals/Guitar Mick Pollard ,Vocals/Bass Graham Mullet, Drums
Neye Benziyor?
November 2009
Like I Know Johanna Velvett Fogg RELOADED Fifth week at No.1 on the
ReverbNation Other
charts for the UK.
Velvett Fogg
are now an official
entry in WIKIPEDIA
In January, KEITH LAW and Frank Wilson,
met in Maidstone, as a reunion,
and to discuss further 'Reloaded' songs
See 'Reunion' photos in the Biography
Frank and KEITH are currently recording, their new album, Velvett Fogg Reloaded
It is the 40th Anniversary
of the release
of the original eponymous 'cult' album Velvett Fogg
DJ TimeLordMichalis
plays Velvett Fogg songs,
every week
On his radio show in Greece,
On February 5th.2008 KEITH was interviewed live on a radio show, hosted by Psychedelic John
and Time Lord Michalis
The show featured songs, all writen by KEITH
from the albums of JARDINE and Velvett Fogg
Message Board
Velvett Fogg
can be discussed in greater detail,
with more photos etc. on
Available worldwide from U.S.A.- Amazon, CD Universe,
Tower Records, Wall-Mart. e.t.c. U.K.-Europe, Amazon, Asda,
Tesco Direct, Virgin Megastores,
WHSmith, Woolworths, e.t.c. Japan- Amazon, CD Japan, HMV,
Tower Records Japan
Volume 7. Includes Within' The Night (Keith Law)
Available Worldwide from U.S.A./Europe Amazon, e.t.c.
Rare Trax Vol. 33 - Nine Miles High.
(2004) British Psychedelia From the 60s and 70s.
Various ArtistsF
Rolling Stone [DEU] Records>br>
Includes Come Away Melinda
Includes Lady Caroline
Available Worldwide from
Discogs.com
Discography
1969 Velvett Fogg- Velvett Fogg.
Pye Records. NSPL 18272.
Telstar '69/Owed To The Dip- (Single)
Pye Records. Pye 7N 17673
1988 Pictures In The Sky
Various Artists- Features Within' The Night
Bam-Caruso Records-KIRI 083.
1988 Professor Jordan's Magic Sound Show
Various Artists- Features Lady Caroline
Bam-Caruso Records-KIRI 098.
1989 Velvett Fogg- Velvett Fogg
See For Miles. SEE CD259CD.
2001: a Space Rock Odyssey:
Classic Stoner Psychedelia from the Early 70's
Various Artists- Features Telstar '69
Castle Records-Castle Music Ltd. (UK)-CMDDD094
Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.
2003 Velvett Fogg- Velvett Fogg. Castle Records. CMR CD619.
Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.
The Rubble Collection, Vol. 1-10 [Box Set]
Various Artists-Volume 7. Includes, Within' The Night'- Velvett Fogg
Past & Present Records.B00007KI2I
Pictures In The Sky
Various Artists. Includes Within' The Night'-
Past and Present Records-PAPRLP007
2004 Rare Trax Vol. 33 - Nine Miles High. British Psychedelia From the 60s and 70s.
Various Artists.Features Come Away Melinda
Rolling Stone [DEU]REcords
Instro Hipsters Volume Five
Various Artists.Features Owed To The Dip
Past & Present Records- PAPRCD2057
Maybe Someone Is Digging Underground -
The Songs Of The Bee Gees
Various Artists.Features New York Mining Disaster 1941
Castle Music- CMQCD 963
2006 Brumbeat: the Story of the 60s Midlands Sound
Various Artists- Disc 2 features Velvett Fogg
Castle Records-Castle Music Ltd. (UK)-CMEDD1146
2007 Velvett Fogg Velvett Fogg
Akarma Records (Italy) AK377LP
Real Life Permanent Dreams:
a Cornucopia of British Psychedelia
1965-1970
Various Artists
Includes Lady Caroline
(2007) Castle Music Ltd. (UK) CMEDD1148
Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.
Disc 4, features Velvett Fogg
This Is Pyschedelia
Various Artists
Features Yellow Cave Woman
Metro Records METRTCD827
2009- Albums in progress Velvett Fogg Reloaded- Velvett Fogg
. Velvett Fogg,
are now
an official
entry in WIKIPEDIA
Encyclopedia
.
________________________
Biography
Velvett Fogg was formed in 1968
out of a respectable Brum band called Gravy Train.
They were fronted by soul singer Ernie Handy
and the guitarist at that time was Bob Hewitt. The other band members were drummer Graham Mullett, bass guitarist Mick Pollard, and Londoner Frank Wilson who played Hammond organ.
The band were soon off to Germany where they spent most
of the year playing at army bases and clubs.
Their exciting stage act included a light show and a go-go dancer
(who later married Ernie).
Upon returning to Birmingham, the band, now managed by an agency
called Inter City Artists, was given a record deal
by Jack Dorsey of Pye Records.
At this time it seemed that the more unusual or controversial a band was,
then the greater chance there would be for success in the record business.
The record label was looking to sign unusual "underground" acts
and Velvett Fogg were told to, in Jack Dorsey's
words,
"develop an image that would make people think you would piss on the pope"!
The initial line-up of Velvett Fogg featured guitarist Tony Iommi (later to make the big time with Black Sabbath).
Tony stayed in the line-up for only one gig before leaving to be replaced
temporarily by Ian Leighton - described as "a great blues guitarist"
by his friend Frank Wilson.
It was during this time that Pye Records
arranged a photo-shoot of the band for the cover
of their proposed first album (more about that later).
Material for the Velvett Fogg album would be supplied
by local songwriter/guitarist KEITH LAW
who became a friend of the band. KEITH was a veteran of the West Midlands music scene
having played in THE WILLIAMSONS,
LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING PAINT , and JARDINE
KEITH takes up the story; "I was in the Rum Runner
one night, when someone told me that Velvett Fogg were looking for new material, and they introduced me to them.
I arranged to meet them at their rehearsal place, Langley Baths.
I went along the next day, and went through the following songs with them: Yellow Cave Woman,
Within' The Night and Once Among The Trees and that was it!
The next couple of days, they were in London recording".
Before recording could begin in late 1968, Ian Leighton departed Velvett Fogg and was replaced by guitarist/vocalist Paul Eastment (a cousin of the band's previous guitarist Tony Iommi). Paul Eastment was also to contribute original compositions
for the album along with Frank Wilson, Graham Mullet
and Mick Pollard.
Velvett Fogg recorded the tracks for their debut album
under direction of Pye producer Jack Dorsey.
Apparently, Dorsey aimed to get the band
onto the then-popular "progressive" band wagon.
"I was a classically trained pianist but we all had to play way
below our capabilities" says Frank Wilson.
The band were also allowed to record covers of a few songs they liked
and these included psychedelic-sounding versions of New York Mining Disaster 1941 by The Bee Gees,
and Tim Rose's Come Away Melinda.
Velvett Fogg self-titled album was released on the, Pye label in January of 1969.
Despite what some may have thought, the album stands up
as a fine example of late 1960s British psychedelia.
As well as the previously mentioned covers,
original compositions such as Yellow Cave Woman
and Once Among The Trees are both hypnotic if not compelling.
By contrast, other tracks like Lady Caroline
and Plastic Man had both homicidal and political overtones respectively.
By far the most controversial feature of the Velvett Fogg album
was the record cover.
It displayed the pre-Paul Eastment line-up
of the band wearing garish make-up/body-paint and costume
but also included two well-endowed young women
wearing nothing but strategically applied body paint!
This politically-incorrect package was accompanied
by a typically obscure sleevenote by the influential U.K. disc jockey
John Peel who commented
"There is a lot of good music on this record.
Remember Velvett Fogg - you will hear the name again."
Along with theVelvett Fogg album, Pye Records
also released a single by the group.
It was a cover of the Tornado's classic instrumental Telstar
and was recorded by the band
as requested by Jack Dorsey
who hoped to cash in
on the publicity,
surrounding the American moon landings
taking place at that time.
While receiving some radio play, the record did not sell
enough copies to chart and a big advertising campaign
planned by the record company to promote the album
never materialized.
The band did a bit of touring after the single came out.
Perhaps discouraged by poor sales of the Velvett Fogg album, Pye seemed to lose interest in the band
so withdrew their backing.
In the autumn of 1969 the group disbanded with the members
going their seperate ways.
Frank Wilson says
"I personally thought the first line-up in Germany
was the best and most satisfying."
He returned to London and joined Riot Squad
and then The Rumble Band before following in Rick Wakeman's footsteps to join Warhorse in 1970.
Paul Eastment started a Brum band called Holy Ghost- later to become Ghost
with whom he recorded a couple of albums.
He later fronted another group called Resurrection
as well as recording with local folk singer Shirley Kent.
KEITH LAW stayed in the music business, is still writing songs,
and is now a successful entertainer in the South-West of England.
During the years since Velvett Fogg's demise,
demand amongst collectors for copies of their
(now very rare) album has increased considerably.
Original albums have changed hands for high prices
with bootleg copies also known to be in circulation.
Fortunately, in 2002 the Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.
re-issued the album officially for the first time on CD (CMRCD619)
and it is strongly recommended for those who are fans
of the British psychedelic or early progressive sounds
of the late 1960s.
Yellow Cave Woman,
"in my opinion it is still
one of THE very best rock songs ever recorded." Robin S-YouTube
"This is one of the most druggy songs I've ever heard,
and is an absolute cert in my record collection". rurig
"in my record cellection....jupp" Byggavdelningen
awesome! NWOBHM87
"I do sense a relation to Black Sabbath-
kind of explains the origins of their sound-
even though Iommi is not on this recording-
his influence must've stayed with
Velvet Fogg at this time" keltyk
"The music and the body painting are both great!" 00RockyAngel00
And Now
KEITH LAW is still writing and recording
and is also a successful entertainer
.
Frank
Wilson
is now
performing
as, RUN VT
who are one
of the most
sought after
bands in
the
South East
.
.
KEITH and Frank,at the Holiday Inn,Maidstone,Kent, UK. January 2009
KEITH LAW and Frank Wilson, founder member, vocalist and keyboard player,are back together writing and recording as Velvett Fogg Reloaded
and are currently working on their new new album Velvett Fogg Reloaded
"Remember Velvett Fogg - you will hear the name again"...(John Peel. 1969 )
Velvett Fogg are included here:-
You Tube-Come Away Melinda
Velvett Foggare featured on these fantastic sites
Velvett Fogg's Albums and CD's are released by
My gratitude and thanks to my friend Jonah, Brooklyn, New York
for hosting this site, and making this Web-Site, possible
Keith Law-Velvett Fogg
Thanks for the add! The Velvett Fogg has been with me for the last 15 years and to know you're still out there feels great - play on, brothers, play on!!!
Hi! Thanks a lot for accepting my request, it's greatly appreciated ! It's always a pleasure to listen your timeless music ! Best wishes from France Cheers!! Renaud