Ducks Deluxe - ‘Side Tracks & Smokers’
New album collecting both early (1973/4) and new (2009) previously unreleased DUCKS DELUXE recordings.
Ducks Deluxe were prime movers in the UK pub-rock scene from 1972-1975, alongside others such as Brinsley Schwartz, Ace and later Dr. Feelgood, etc.
Led by vocalist Sean Tyla and guitarist Martin Belmont, they got a strong live following playing well-honed good-time rock’n’roll, and issued two albums on RCA as well as releases on French indie pioneer Skydog Records.
They eventually split late in 1975. Tyla went on to form The Tyla Gang, signing to Stiff and then Berserkley; Belmont joined The Rumour backing Graham Parker and later became an in-demand sideman to Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello et al; Nick Garvey & Andy McMasters formed The Motors.
In 2008 Tyla and Belmont reformed Ducks Deluxe, releasing the ‘Box of Shorts’ mini-album and touring across Europe, finding that a loyal following remained after all these years, most particularly in Sweden and France.
This new mid-price album bridges both their pioneering early career and current reunited incarnation. It features six newly discovered rough mixes from the 1973 ‘Ducks Deluxe’ debut album sessions, including a non-album track, and two b-sides from ‘73 & ‘74 unavailable since then.
The archive tracks are coupled with reunion recordings from 2009, both in the studio and live. Dylan’s ‘Twist of Fate’ is given a new Ducks feel recorded in the studio in Sweden, and his ‘Absolutely Sweet Marie’ is recorded live at Martin Belmont’s all-star Dingwalls bash. These are followed by a fine 2009 performance captured in Monte Carlo.
1. Twist Of Fate; 2. Saratoga Suzie; 3. I Got You; 4. Hearts On My Sleeve; 5. Daddy Put The Bomp; 6. Too Hot To Handle; 7. Falling For That Woman; 8. Bring Back That Packard Car; 9. Two Time Twister; 10. Absolutely Sweet Marie; 11. Johnny Too Bad; 12. Willie and The Hand-Jive; 13. I’m Ready; 14. Long John; 15. Styrofoam; 16. Teenage Head.
Cat no: FREUDCD105
***** A fan-club/collectors-only live CD is now exclusively available only at band gigs and the Jungle Records ebay shop! It's called 'Riviera Shuffle'. *****
