71-75 New Oxford Street - Mr. Bloe feat. Elton John

It's Elton John with Hookfoot! Mr. Bloe was a group of musicians around the Dick James Music company in the late 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. Dick James was of course the music publisher for the Beatles. The group "Mr. Bloe" had also gone by the name Hookfoot, and played together with a new singer-songwriter at Dick James called Elton John. They played on several of Elton John's early recordings.

In 1970 the group Mr. Bloe had a successful single (without the help of Mr. John) called "Grooving with Mr. Bloe". So in 1971 Dick James attempted to follow up that success with a follow-up single - this recording "71-75 New Oxford Street". This song was written by Elton John and features heavily his piano and organ playing. Elton also wrote and performed on the B-side "Get Out (of This Town)". Although this single was released in 1971 it was probably something that had sat in the cans at Dick James Music for a while, and probably dates a year or two earlier. But that isn't known for sure. What is known is that it's a wonderful recording of some of Elton John's early piano and organ playing! But alas, this single was NOT a success!

By the way - 71-75 New Oxford Street was the address of the Dick James Music offices where the young Elton John was trying to make a living - and also where he first met a young lyricist named Bernie Taupin!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Elton
• John
• Mr
• Bloe
• Caleb
• Quaye
• Ian
• Duck

[theBellydancer1949]

O.K. Just spoken to the drummer Roger Pope and yes this one is by Hookfoot - but the Groovin one isn't. Check out Hookfoot - they've got a new CD coming out soon of previously unreleased numbers. Maybe they'll get belated recognition!!!

[RonnieFriend]

Very Very Cool. Thnx again for all the info! Roger Pope is a FANTASTIC DRUMMER! I LOVE Elton's (and Kiki's) recordings with him! Cheers.....

[theBellydancer1949]

HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE - GROOVIN WITH MR. BLOE WAS NOT PLAYED BY HOOKFOOT!!!

I'll explain how the confusion came about!! HOOKFOOT were forced by Dick James to go on the road as Mr. Bloe otherwise he would cut their wages! They could "do their own stuff" so long as they threw in Groovin in the set. They also had to go on Top of the Pops as Mr. Bloe. There own music was Prog Rock. DJM used HOOKFOOT as a tax loss, thereby depriving them of their deserved recognition and fame.

[RonnieFriend]

Cool - thnx 4 the clarification. I still believe that THIS recording (by the name Mr. Bloe) was actually done by the members of Hookfoot. No?

[EarlEdgbaston]

My old school mate Dave Glover was on bass with Hookfoot ! Credit please ?

[vanjealous]

Yeah, that's definitely Ian Duck on Harmonica.

[theBellydancer1949]

71-75 New Oxford Street was the address of Dick James Music. The members of Hookfoot have only just found out that Dick James was using them as a tax loss. THEY AIN'T HAPPY!!

[MreViewer]

Thanks for posting this Ronnie. Interesting info!

[bass0111]

This is absolutely brilliant -- thanks for posting! A couple of things, though ... first, truth in advertising -- it's likely that Elton was still Reg Dwight when this was recorded; and second -- how come no credit for bassist Dave Glover??

Mike H.

[sbcruiser]

My God this is fantastic!!!

Thanks for posting this!!