Cold Blue Excursion
Encyclopedia
Cold Blue Excursion was a solo album recorded by Ray Dorset
, leader of Mungo Jerry
. The majority of the group’s songs at the time were good-time blues, skiffle and rock’n’roll, and these songs on the solo album, written by him during the previous seven years, were designed to show his versatility as a songwriter away from the confines of the basic Mungo sound. The two photos of Dorset inside the gatefold sleeve — one of him sitting in a woodland clearing playing an acoustic guitar, the other of him onstage delivering an impassioned vocal performance with an electric guitar around his neck — summed the album up as well as the quotes from Woody Guthrie
printed inside along the track list —"A song was just a song to me...In my own mind, a song is just a song..."
All the songs were far removed from the group's style. Three other fellow members (John Godfrey, Colin Earl, Joe Rush) only appeared on one track, and the songs varied from gospel and soul to introspective ballads, mostly with full strings and brass accompaniments, and in one case a trad jazz band. Harmonica and kazoo, which Dorset used on most Mungo tracks, were noticeably absent.
The title track, backed with I Need It, was issued as a single, and Time Is Now had been covered as a single by contemporary group Jericho Jones
on the A&M
label the previous year. Although neither of these singles or the album ever made the UK charts, the latter received positive reviews from several music journalists who had never found Mungo Jerry to their personal taste.
It was reissued by Beat Goes On in 1994.
(last three, only on Have Pity On Me)
Ray Dorset
Ray Dorset is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founder of Mungo Jerry...
, leader of Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry is an English rock group whose greatest success was in the early 1970s, though they have continued throughout the years with an ever-changing line-up, always fronted by Ray Dorset. They are remembered above all for their hit "In the Summertime". It remains their most successful and most...
. The majority of the group’s songs at the time were good-time blues, skiffle and rock’n’roll, and these songs on the solo album, written by him during the previous seven years, were designed to show his versatility as a songwriter away from the confines of the basic Mungo sound. The two photos of Dorset inside the gatefold sleeve — one of him sitting in a woodland clearing playing an acoustic guitar, the other of him onstage delivering an impassioned vocal performance with an electric guitar around his neck — summed the album up as well as the quotes from Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
printed inside along the track list —"A song was just a song to me...In my own mind, a song is just a song..."
All the songs were far removed from the group's style. Three other fellow members (John Godfrey, Colin Earl, Joe Rush) only appeared on one track, and the songs varied from gospel and soul to introspective ballads, mostly with full strings and brass accompaniments, and in one case a trad jazz band. Harmonica and kazoo, which Dorset used on most Mungo tracks, were noticeably absent.
The title track, backed with I Need It, was issued as a single, and Time Is Now had been covered as a single by contemporary group Jericho Jones
The Churchills
The Churchills was an Israeli band founded in 1965, active until the mid-1970s. It was a part of the rhythm bands scene that were active in Israel in the 1970s, especially in Ramla. The band played rock music in English, from psychedelic rock to hard rock...
on the A&M
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
label the previous year. Although neither of these singles or the album ever made the UK charts, the latter received positive reviews from several music journalists who had never found Mungo Jerry to their personal taste.
It was reissued by Beat Goes On in 1994.
Track listing
- "Got To Be Free" – 2:50
- "Cold Blue Excursion" – 4:09
- "With Me" – 3:15
- "Have Pity On Me" – 2:57
- "Time Is Now" – 3:30
- "Livin’ Ain’t Easy " – 3:30
- "Help Your Friends" – 4:11
- "I Need It" – 3:23
- "Because I Want You" – 4:17
- "Night Time" – 3:30
- "Maybe That’s The Way" – 3:04
- "Always On My Mind' – 2:53
Personnel
- Ray DorsetRay DorsetRay Dorset is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founder of Mungo Jerry...
: vocals, 6-string acoustic, 12-string acoustic and electric guitars - Mike McNaught: piano
- Dave Markee: bass
- Sue and Sunny: backing vocals
- Mike Travis: drums
- Joe Rush: washboard
- John Godfrey: bass
- Colin Earl: backing vocals
(last three, only on Have Pity On Me)
- Various uncredited musicians: brass, strings, flutes
- Arranged by Mike McNaught, Ray Dorset