Be Bop Deluxe - Soundtrack & Swan Song (added video)

The first (album) lineup of Be Bop Deluxe was dismissed by the record company as "too much like Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel". So guitarist (pianist) & leader Bill Nelson reformed it - first as a 3-piece, with lyrical Kiwi (and Hendrix clone?) Charlie Tumahai on bass and fusion-fan Simon Fox on drums. Andy 'Ashes To Ashes' Clarke joined for the third album, 'Sunburst Finish'.

Roy-Thomas Baker produced album No.2, "Futurama", in 1975 - the same time he made "A Night At The Opera" with Queen. I think this is the better album - a sort of "Axis Bold As Love" (Hendrix) for the mid-1970s. Give it a listen! Here are my two favourite tracks, edited together (for time limits) - plus my usual video treatment - all done for my favourite band of the late 1970s.

R-T's chapter in the 1982 BBC book "The Record Producers" mentions recording "one of the best guitarists in the world" - while stringing together tape machines for massive production effects. And, strangely, lighting fires in the studio - for "fun". Bill later blamed the camp producer's work for the low sales. I just wonder what all those millions of "Opera" fans would make of their not-so-unique idol's secret companion.

This is also for the late great bassist Charlie Tumahai - whose band Healing Force was big in Australia long before Be Bop Deluxe was formed (and who helped serve 'A Slice Of Heaven' afterward).

My home: http://www.myspace.com/starrex

Category:

Music

Tags:

• starrex
• be
• bop
• deluxe
• bill
• nelson
• futurama
• 1975
• roy
• thomas
• baker
• queen

[avs002]

As for Bill's later career, I "stayed on" for Red Noise, and the 'early' solo phase (to about 1983). For that... and "Practically Wired". The rest of his monolithic output can stay obscure (I have my own lo-fi solo music from that time-period to deify).

I also tried (quite unsuccessfully) to get Bill to tour Australia around 2004, flushed with the success of Yes' 2003 tour through YESFANZ.

[bill123bach]

Views: 664

This is silly, William Nelsons second record FUTURAMA is one of the best album ever. To much guitar, never, never, this pure poetry. Buy Whimsy from 2003, the guy still make great music and his guitars sounds better and better. Who can beat that.

[2perros2]

Futurama is a reel deal, the man is really Mad on this album, for me this is the greatest guitar album ever made, the spices on this record make all songs very mystic, the sound all bills guitar work on all tracks are magic. If you don´t have it, buy it......

[beboploo]

yes a swan song

[charlesremschel7]

why dont we ask my friend Steve Peer

[hottattie2]

just mukin about with old sounds what memories just flooded back always sound the same fukin amazin

[11kirky]

I was a kid, seen the album cover for axe victim and bought the album, still think it's one of the best album covers ever, anyway went out and bought futurama, stuff me i'm listening to it now, unforgettable album, soundtrack is totally brilliant, it's got everything. Be bop deluxe to me are the most underrated band ever, along with the icicle works, bills guitar work is just fucking awesome.

[BeBopDeluxe85]

soundtrack has the best solo ever.

[charlesremschel7]

@tazkb between the worlds -

[TwilightCapers]

Alert! ITV Legends TV show, featuring Bill Nelson, 26 March, Metropolis Studios, London. Full band, Be Bop Deluxe songs, recorded live for a DVD release, once in a lifetime show.

[TheEDZEPPELINBAND]

it SOUNDS SO good that I dont even care about the video, the drums, are just FANTASTIC!!!especially on this record

[spartacusvikinga]

Cracking Songs. Never tire of hearing this material.

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

One of the greatest fucking bands in rock history! It's sad so many people were oblivious and missed out. It's not too late, people. Lot's of Be Bop Deluxe's music is out there to savor.