Tintern Abbey (band)
Encyclopedia
Tintern Abbey were a British psychedelic rock
band that were formed in late 1966 and professionally active between 1967 and 1968. The band are best remembered for their single "Vacuum Cleaner" that has been included on several compilation albums over the years.
also later joined.
The band released only one 45rpm single on Deram Records
, "Beeside"/"Vacuum Cleaner" (Deram 164), in December 1967. Produced by Jonathan Webber, the single failed to sell. At this point the proposed follow up was a song called "Snowman" which had reached mastering stage when Smith left the group. After Smith's leaving, Paul Brett joined as a guitarist. Also, organist Terry Goldberg, originally of the Mark Leeman Five joined to the band. "How Do I Feel Today"/"Do What You Must", was slated for an April 1968 release but never appeared. A full-length LP was allegedly meant to follow in August 1968, but the group had disbanded by then.
Since the band's breakup, the single "Beeside"/"Vacuum Cleaner" has been highly sought after by collectors (selling at £1000 plus) and has been hailed as one of the best examples of British psychedelia. As such, the band has become something of a cult
favorite. Among other places, "Vacuum Cleaner" was re-released on the Nuggets II compilation.
A 7" vinyl EP was released by Paul Brett and John Dalton in 2006 of 4 of the band's 1968-era demo songs, including "How Do I Feel Today", as a benefit for Oxfam
. These songs were recorded in 1968 at Tony Pike's studios in Putney
, London, but never released until recently and they are only copies of the original acetates. Paul Brett has a collection of songs from that era that he wrote for submission to the LP that never was, including a setting of Edgar Allan Poe
's "The Pit and the Pendulum
". Brett intends to record these songs and release them to the public.
Dave MacTavish as a solo artist released 1 single "Ooh La La" b/w "Collie Girl" on the Young Blood label in 1973 according to the labeldates (then in Germany under "Decca" - license - # DL 25564).
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band that were formed in late 1966 and professionally active between 1967 and 1968. The band are best remembered for their single "Vacuum Cleaner" that has been included on several compilation albums over the years.
History
Tintern Abbey were formed out of a group called The Sect, in which bassist Stuart Mackay, guitarist Don Smith and drummer John Dalton had played, in late 1966. During 1967, singer and songwriter David MacTavish joined to the Tintern Abbey. MacTavish was later a member of Big Bertha and Velvet Opera, the latter of which latter-day Tintern Abbey guitarist Paul BrettPaul Brett
Paul Brett is a classic rock guitarist. He played lead guitar with Strawbs, The Overlanders, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, The Velvet Opera, Tintern Abbey, Fire, Roy Harper, Al Stewart, Lonnie Donegan, and switched to twelve string guitar in the 1970s.His first...
also later joined.
The band released only one 45rpm single on Deram Records
Deram Records
Deram Records was a subsidiary record label established in 1966 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. At this time U.K. Decca was a completely different company than the Decca label in the United States, which was then owned by MCA Inc. Deram recordings were also distributed in the U.S. through...
, "Beeside"/"Vacuum Cleaner" (Deram 164), in December 1967. Produced by Jonathan Webber, the single failed to sell. At this point the proposed follow up was a song called "Snowman" which had reached mastering stage when Smith left the group. After Smith's leaving, Paul Brett joined as a guitarist. Also, organist Terry Goldberg, originally of the Mark Leeman Five joined to the band. "How Do I Feel Today"/"Do What You Must", was slated for an April 1968 release but never appeared. A full-length LP was allegedly meant to follow in August 1968, but the group had disbanded by then.
Since the band's breakup, the single "Beeside"/"Vacuum Cleaner" has been highly sought after by collectors (selling at £1000 plus) and has been hailed as one of the best examples of British psychedelia. As such, the band has become something of a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
favorite. Among other places, "Vacuum Cleaner" was re-released on the Nuggets II compilation.
A 7" vinyl EP was released by Paul Brett and John Dalton in 2006 of 4 of the band's 1968-era demo songs, including "How Do I Feel Today", as a benefit for Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
. These songs were recorded in 1968 at Tony Pike's studios in Putney
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, London, but never released until recently and they are only copies of the original acetates. Paul Brett has a collection of songs from that era that he wrote for submission to the LP that never was, including a setting of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
's "The Pit and the Pendulum
The Pit and the Pendulum
"The Pit and the Pendulum" is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1842 in the literary annual The Gift: A Christmas and New Year's Present for 1843. The story is about the torments endured by a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition, though Poe skews historical facts. The...
". Brett intends to record these songs and release them to the public.
Dave MacTavish as a solo artist released 1 single "Ooh La La" b/w "Collie Girl" on the Young Blood label in 1973 according to the labeldates (then in Germany under "Decca" - license - # DL 25564).
CDs
- "Beeside" can be found on "The Rubble Collection 6" (Bam Caruso)
- "Vacuum Cleaner" can be found on the Rhino "Nuggets II" box
- 4 demos (Do What You Must/How Do I Feel Today?/Naked Song/It's Just That The People Can't See) can be found on "What's The Rush, Time Machine Man?" a 2007 CD on UK Rev-Ola