PASCAL's KEVIN COYNE HOME PAGE

THE 'SIREN' YEARS

 

 

Siren was Kevin Coyne's first recorded band.

Thanks to the essential reissue of the two Siren albums, 'Siren' and 'Strange Locomotion', in 2012 by Turpentine and Cherry Red, and their very detailled recording information plus recollections by Siren members Nick Cudworth and Dave Clague, we now have a much clearer image of the band chronology.

Check also this new (Oct 2012), official, Facebook page. Featuring - for a start - some amazing photos from the Siren area.


In 1964, Nick Cudworth and Kevin Coyne (respectively 17 and 20) meet at Derby Art College. Coyne makes a big impression on the young Cudworth during a "Blues Hoot" where his singing and harmonica "stopped everyone in their tracks". They began to regulary jam together, Nick on piano and acoustic guitar, and play regular lunchtime performances in the lecture theatre of the school. Coyne leaves school at the end of 1964.

 

The two meet again in 1967 when Nick visits the Whittingham Mental Hospital near Preston where Kevin works. They start to work together on what would become Siren's first songs.

 

In 1969, Nick meets Dave Clague in Fulham. Clague was just out of the famous Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. Kevin travels regularly from Whittingham to London to start rehearsing with Clague and Cudworth.

 

At that time, the band is called 'Coyne-Clague'.

 

Nick "goes round Chelsea's graphics department studios enquiring if anyone played blues guitar". He finds David Gibbons and John Chichester; also drummer Tat Meager (there's also a rumor of demos being recorded with "a bus conductor who also happened to play drums"...

 

Clague gets Roger Limb at the BBC to get them a bit of studio time during after-hours (that's where the name 'At Roger's'  which appeared on several boots came from).

"At Roger's" January/February 1969 (maybe John Chichester, guitar, Dave Gibbons, guitar, "Friends", percussion):
1. Blues Before Sunrise 3.29
2. Hush Your Mouth 4.43
3. Start Walking 3.54 (Dave Gibbons, guitar)
4. Till The End Of Time 7.01 (Pete Phillips, drums)

 

In March 1969, the band records two sessions of demos for Blue Horizon label.
March 1969 at The Marquee (+Dave Gibbons (guitar)
17. Mandy Lee 2.12
18. Sixteen Women 2.33
March 1969 at CBS Studios, Bond Street, London:
19. Mandy Lee

 

They also start recording what would become the first album, 'Siren', at Regent Sound, a studio off Tottenham Court Road where Dave knew the engineer Tom Allom.
Regent Sound Studios, May/June 1969:
The first album:
1. Ze-Ze-Ze-Ze 3:04
2. Get Right Church 3:19
3. Rock Me Baby 3:29
4. Wake Up My Children 3:36 (Colin Wood, flute)
5. Wasting My Time 2:49
6. Sixteen Women 2:46
7. First Time I Saw Your Face 2:52
8. Gardner Man 3:32
9. And I Wonder 2:46
10. The War Is Over 4:48 (Colin Wood, piano)
11. Asylum 3:44
12. Bertha Lee 3:17
13. I Wonder Where 5:08
and the first singles:
14. Mandy Lee 2.02 (7ÕÕ A-Side) (Dave Gibbons, guitar)
15. Bottle Up And Go 3.12 (7ÕÕ B-Side)
16. The Stride 2.36 (7Õ A-Side)

 

The Blue Horizon deal falls through, as does a deal with Harvest Records. They sent Mike Raven (from the BBC and Transatlantic Records) a demo tape (apparently under the Coyne Clague name) - he passes it on to DJ John Peel, who loves it and signes the band to his own fledgling label, Dandelion.

Another story tells that the tape was sent to Peel without a return adress so that John Peel actually pasted 'wanted' notices on the lamposts around his home... and finally got in touch with them again!

 

Two singles released, almost simultaneously by Dandelion, mistakenly released under the name "Clague"...

• SINGLE: CLAGUE: Mandy Lee (KC/DC) (2:00) / Bottle Up And Go (Trad. arr. KC) (3:00)

Dandelion S4493, 1969

Line up on Mandy Lee is the same as the Blue Horizon demo (Nick Cudworth (piano), Dave Clague (bass), John Chichester (guitar), Dave Gibbons (guitar) and Tat Meager (drums), although this is a different version (no piano, different key).

On Bottle Up And Go, line up is Kevin Coyne, Clague and Cudworth.

A promotional single not for sale: Bottle up and Go / Mandy Lee K 4493 / 1969 ART

 

 

• SINGLE: CLAGUE: The Stride (KC/DC) / I Wonder Where (KC/NC) ART

Dandelion S4494, 1969

Line up: Kevin Coyne with Nick Cudworth (piano), Dave Clague (bass), John Chichester (guitar) and Tat Meager (drums).
I Wonder Where : Kevin and Cudworth (acoustic guitar).

The Stride was included on the US version of STRANGE LOCOMOTION LP.

It can now be found on the CD version of of STRANGE LOCOMOTION, on the RABBITS CD and THE DANDELION YEARS 1969-1972 box set.

I Wonder Where is the same as the SIREN LP .
The Stride and I Wonder Where are now included on the COMPLETE DANDELION RECORDS SINGLE COLLECTION
.

 

' The Stride' single remained one of John Peel's favorites, and was one the singles he kept in his legendary "small, battered wooden box [in which] the much-loved DJ kept a precious selection of 7 inch singles that meant more to him than any of the others", a box to be saved in case of emergency...


Elektra's president Jac Holzman was very impressed by the demos and agreed to distribute their subsequent albums in US.  (Later, Holzman tried to have Kevin Coyne fill Morrison's shoes in the Doors just after Morrison died... Kevin declined).

 

More studio recording:
Regent Sound Studios June 69:
4. Trouble In Mind 2.33
10. Start Walking 3.55
11. LetÕs Dance 2.35
12. Forked Lightning 6.35 (Dave Gibbons, guitar)
15. Like An Angel 4.03

 

Regent Sound Studios July 69:
5. Blues Before Sunrise 3.30
13. Wait Until Dark 3.05

 

"Live at Tat's", Summer 1969 (maybe John Chichester, guitar, Dave Gibbons, guitar, "Friends", percussion):
20. Bottle Up And Go 3.05

 

Regent Sound Studios August 1969:
6. What Is Your Name 3.55
8. In My Room 3.45

 

Radio recording, date unknown:
21. The Stride (Alternate Version) 2.40
22. Sixteen Women II (Alternate Version) 2.19

 

Cudworth spends several months in 1969 in the US for a travelling scholarship (this explains his absence from the sleeve photos). At his return in late 1969 he moves into Kevin's flat in Clapham.

 

Clague wants to put a second album called 'Rabbits', a double album with some poetry on it. Dandelion declines. Most of the tracks from 'Rabbits' have surfaced in the 90s. Three songs ended up in 1972 on Kevin's 'Case History': 'God Bless the Bride', 'White Horse' and 'Sand all Yellow'.

 

Regent Sound Studios October 69:
3. Whole Lotta Shaking 3.42
6. I Need You (Colin Wood, piano)
9. Big Pistol Momma 3.03

 

Regent Sound Studios November 1969:
14. Money (Spoken Word) 1.22
18. John The Baptist (Acoustic Version) 3.22
17. Rabbits (Spoken Word) 6.11

 

December 1969
5. IÕm So Happy 3.10

 

Regent Sound Studios December 1969:
7. I Drove Your Car 3.59
14. Magdalen 3.55

 

Regent Sound Studios January 1970:
12. Married Woman 3.48
15. Hot Potato 4.06 (Alternate Version) (Pete Phillips, drums)
1. Marilyn 3.45, (Colin Wood : Piano)
2. Why, Why, Why 3.36 (Colin Wood : Piano, Pete Phillips, drums)

 

Regent Sound Studios February 70:
7. John The Baptist (Mick Sweeney, guitar)
8. The Lunatic Laughs 2.58 (Mick Sweeney, guitar)

 

Regent Sound Studios March 70:
16. Our Jack 6.26
and probably the rest of what would becom 'The Club Rondo'

 

August /September 1970, at CBS Studios, Bond Street, London:
9. IÕm Going 2.47
10. Sandy 3.12
11. Once 2.51
13. LetÕs Do It 3.30
15. Black Minnie 3.01
16. Set Me Free 3.35
17. Anybody Know Me 3.48
1. Relaxing With Bonnie Lou 3:22
2. Some Dark Day 3:30
3. Hot Potato 4:07
4. Soon 3:45
5. Gigolo 4:24
6. I'm All Aching 3:01
7. Strange Locomotion 2:58
8. Shake My Hand 3:17
9. Lonesome Ride 2:20
10. Fetch Me My Woman 7:40
11. Fat Moaning Minnie 2:50
12. Squeeze Me 2:35
13. Lillian 2.40 (US-Only Album Track) (First Time On CD)
16. Soon 3.15 (Alternate Version)

 

In June 1971 Cudworth moves back to Derby and the band slowly ends.

 


DISCOGRAPHY:


Mandy Lee (Blue Horizon demo) is now included on disc 3 of the BLUE HORIZON STORY 1965-1970 VOL.1 (3 CDs), Columbia 488992-2, released in 1997. IMAGE (by the way, this BLUE HORIZON STORY box set also includes a song by Gordon Smith - a future Kevin Coyne band key member - see here.)

 

 

    OFFICIAL LP: SIREN ART

Different artwork for US release

Dandelion 63755 / Elektra D9-104 in USA, 1969

Recorded at Regent Sound Studio, London

Produced by Dave Clague and Tom Allom (executive producers: John Peel and Pig)

Kevin Coyne with Nick Cudworth (piano, guitar), Dave Clague (bass, guitar), John Chichester (guitar), Tat Meager (drums) and Colin Wood (flute*, piano**)

 

Ze-Ze-Ze-Ze (KC/DC/NC) 3:04

Get Right Church (McDowell, arr. KC) 3:19

Rock Me Baby (King, Josea, arr. KC) 3:29

Wake Up My Children (KC/DC/NC) * 3:36

Wasting My Time (KC/DC/NC) 2:49

Sixteen Women (KC/DC/NC) 2:46

First Time I Saw Your Face (KC/DC/NC) 2:52

-

Gardner Man (KC/DC/NC) 3:32

And I Wonder (KC/NC) 2:46

The War Is Over (KC/DC) ** 4:48

Asylum (KC/NC) 3:44

Bertha Lee (Petway, arr. KC) 3:17

I Wonder Where (KC/NC) 5:08

45:23

An excellent album, on the blues side of the band. The song Asylum is already like a first draft of CASE HISTORY.

First CD release by Green Tree Records, GTR 013, in 1993 including - strangely - an article by John Tobler for Zig-Zag mag from September 1972, article about CASE HISTORY, instead of the original  poem called 'My Favorite Zebra' which appeared on the LP sleeve. ART
Also rereleased as a 2CD SIREN / STRANGE LOCOMOTION minus two songs: The War Is Over and Fetch Me My Woman (See For Miles SEECD 413) released 1994 IMAGE

Third CD release as part of the THE DANDELION YEARS 1969-1972 box set .

In 2008, Airmail Recordings (Japan) rereleased Siren (Airac 1460), Strange Locomotion (Airac 1462) and Case History (Airac 1470), along with 13 other Dandelion artists cds, all presented in facsimile paper sleeves. The cds are also available as three boxed sets - Set A - AIRAC-1455 to AIRAC-1459 Set B - AIRAC-1460 to AIRAC-1465 Set C - AIRAC-1466 to AIRAC-1470 See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

 

• BOOK: Exit Issue #3 and 4 (The Zoo Issue) (no date, circa 1969), an art and poetry mag with artwork by friend of Kevin Ian Breakwell and poetry by Kevin Coyne.

 

RADIO: BBC (John Peel, Top Gear), recorded Aug 8 1969, brodcast Sep 24 1969
KC with Nick Cudworth (piano), Dave Clague (bass), Martin Sax (or is it Martin "Sachs", who briefly replaced John Chichester and was soon to be replaced by Mick Gratton on lead guitar), Tat Meager (drums)
The Stride (KC/DC)
I Wonder Where (KC/NC)
Sixteen Women (KC/DC/NC)
Get Right Church (McDowell, arr. KC)
This BBC session has never been released, official or unofficial. Anyone has that somewhere?


• SINGLE: Ze-Ze-Ze-Ze (KC/DC/NC) / And I Wonder (KC/NC) IMAGE

Elektra EKS-45714-A, US only, 1970

Another copy for radio only: ART

(both songs from the SIREN LP)

 

 

New lead guitarist, Mick Gratton.

 

RADIO: BBC (Stuart Henry; Sound of the Seventies), recorded Aug 20 1970, brodcast Aug 27 1970
KC with Nick Cudworth (piano), Dave Clague (bass), Mick Gratton (lead guitar), Tat Meager (drums)
Cheat Me [KC/DC/NC]
God Bless The Bride [KC/NC]
Lonesome Ride (KC/NC)
Soon (KC/NC)
This BBC session has never been released, official or unofficial. Anyone has that somewhere?

    OFFICIAL LP: STRANGE LOCOMOTION IMAGE

DAN 8001, 1971

Recorded at CBS Studio

Produced by Dave Clague

Kevin Coyne with Nick Cudworth (piano, guitar), Dave Clague (bass, guitar), Mick Gratton (guitar) and Tat Meager (drums)

 

Relaxing With Bonnie Lou (KC/NC) 3:22

Some Dark Day (KC/NC) 3:30

Hot Potato (KC/DC/NC) 4:07 [different form RABBITS]

Soon (KC/NC) 3:45

Gigolo (KC/NC) 4:24 [not on US version]

I'm All Aching (KC/NC) 3:01

-

Strange Locomotion (KC/DC/NC) 2:58

Shake My Hand 3:17 [not on US version]

Lonesome Ride (KC/NC) 2:20

Fetch Me My Woman (KC/DC/NC) 7:40

Fat Moaning Minnie (KC/NC) 2:50 [not on US version]

Squeeze Me (KC/DC/NC) 2:35 [different form THE SIREN YEARS]

41:27 (?)

Even better than the firt LP, the band gracefully mixes blues, boogie and acoustic ballads. Essential. The song Strange locomotion remained a stage favorite thirty years later.

Here is the Dandelion press release for the LP and a Dandelion ad: "Siren's first album was the biggest bomb we had last year".

Dandelion had released a promotional kit for the LP: says Kevin: "[it] was pretty good. definelty a thing to have".

First CD release on Golden Hind/Rockport records CD 388 7014.42 in 1994 with bonus tracks "The Stride" and "Mandy Lee" (the two 1969 singles A-sides).
Also rereleased as a 2CD SIREN / STRANGE LOCOMOTION minus two songs: The War Is Over and Fetch Me My Woman (See For Miles SEECD 413) released 1994 IMAGE

Third CD release as part of the THE DANDELION YEARS 1969-1972 box set.

In 2008, Airmail Recordings (Japan) rereleased Siren (Airac 1460), Strange Locomotion (Airac 1462) and Case History (Airac 1470), along with 13 other Dandelion artists cds, all presented in facsimile paper sleeves. The cds are also available as three boxed sets - Set A - AIRAC-1455 to AIRAC-1459 Set B - AIRAC-1460 to AIRAC-1465 Set C - AIRAC-1466 to AIRAC-1470 See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

US LP was a bit different:

•     OFFICIAL LP: STRANGE LOCOMOTION (US) IMAGE

Elektra EKS-74087, 1971 (different artwork with cutout sleeve and tracklist - see below)

 

Relaxing With Bonnie Lou (KC/NC) 3:22

Some Dark Day (KC/NC) 3:30
Lillian (KC/NC) 2:39 [not on UK version, unavailable anywhere else]

The Stride (KC/DC) 2:30 [single, not on UK version]

I'm All Aching (KC/NC) 3:01

Strange Locomotion (KC/DC/NC) 2:58

-

Lonesome Ride (KC/NC) 2:20

Fetch Me My Woman (KC/DC/NC) 7:40

Hot Potato (KC/DC/NC) 4:07 [different form RABBITS]

Soon (KC/NC) 3:45

Squeeze Me (KC/DC/NC) 2:35 [different form THE SIREN YEARS]

 

See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

• SINGLE: Strange Locomotion (KC/DC/NC) / I'm All Aching (KC/NC) ART DISC

Dandelion DAN7002 / K 190004, 1971

(both songs from the album)
This single is now included in the COMPLETE DANDELION RECORDS SINGLE COLLECTION

 

 

• VARIOUS ARTISTS EP: DANDELION SAMPLER

DAN7001, four-track seven-inch picture sleeve, 1971.

Bands are: Principal Edwards Magic Theater: "The Asmoto Running Band", Stack Waddy: "Mothballs", Siren: "Lonesome Ride" (from the STRANGE LOCOMOTION album), The Way We Live: "King Dick II". All those songs are now included in the COMPLETE DANDELION RECORDS SINGLE COLLECTION.
Here is an ad for the Dandelion sampler
 

 

  In 1981, Dave Clague released 6 cassettes of unreleased Siren studio recordings: BLUES BEFORE SUNRISE, ROGERS &TATS, THE CLUB RONDO, RABBITS, folllowed by LET'S DO IT and RABBITS TWO - see details below:

 

BLUES BEFORE SUNRISE cassette

Side A

Blues Before Sunrise [Carr. Arr. KC]

I Need You [KC/DC]

John The Baptist

The Lunatic Laughs [KC/NC]

Big Pistol Mama [KC/NC]

Hot Potato [KC/DC/NC]

Side B

Start Walking [KC/DC]

Let's Dance [KC/DC]

Forked Lightning [KC/DC/NC]

Wait Until Dark

Little Old Death [KC/NC]

Old Age [KC/NC]

 

All these songs would latter appear on the RABBITS CD, except Little Old Age and Old Age who would appear on the CLUB RONDO. Some of the line-ups listed above differ from those on the Rabbits liner notes. See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

ROGER'S AND TAT'S cassette

Side A

At Roger's

Blues Before Sunrise [Carr. Arr. KC]

Forked Lightning [KC/DC/NC]

That's Nice

Hush Your Mouth

Start Walking [KC/DC]

Side B

At Tat's

West Helena

Grow

Don't Worry

Bottle Up and Go [Trad. Arr. KC]

Squeeze Me [KC/DC/NC]

Blues Is Killing Me

Personnel:

 

All these songs and more would latter appear on the SIREN YEARS bootleg CD. See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

THE CLUB RONDO cassette Labelled "9-10 pm Tues. 24th March"

All songs by KC/DC/NC

Side A

Where Are You Going To?

Back To Chuch

Got To Get Right Away

Jack

I'm Alright Here

If Only

Side B

Club Rondo

On Holiday

Brandy In My Tea

Scunthorpe Dictator

Tighten Up

Bennett and Packet

March-Bavaria

Personnel: Kevin Coyne (vocals), Dave Clague (guitar), Nick Cudworth (piano, guitar).

 

All these songs and more would latter appear on the CLUB RONDO CD.

 

RABBITS cassette
Side A

Stride [KC/DC]

Mandy Lee [KC/DC]

Marilyn [KC/DC]

Why, Why? [KC/DC]

Cheat Me [KC/DC/NC] single (see The 70s)

Whole Lot of Shaking [Williams/David]

Side B

Flowering Cherry [KC/DC/NC] single (see The 70s)

Trouble In Mind [Jones]

God Bless The Bride [KC/NC]

Till The End Of Time

Bottle Up And Go [Trad. Arr. KC]

See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

All these songs and more would latter appear on the RABBITS CD except Till The End Of Time which is on BLUES BEFORE SUNRISE.

 

Then, in 1994 and 1995, Dave Clague released 3 CDs out of his 6 cassettes: RABBITS, LET'S DO IT and THE CLUB RONDO:

 

    OFFICIAL CD: RABBITS IMAGE

DJC 001, released 1994 by Dave Clague. The songs had appeared on the BLUES BEFORE SURNISE and RABBITS cassettes.

Produced by Dave Clague and Tom Allom. Includes the two first singles.

Kevin Coyne with Nick Cudworth (piano, guitar), Dave Clague (bass, guitar), John Chichester (guitar), Tat Meager (drums), Colin Wood (piano), Mick Sweeney (guitar), Dave Gibbons (guitar), Pete Phillips (drums), Tom Allom (drums).

Date of recording unknown.

 

Stride (KC/DC) 2:41 [single]

Mandy Lee (KC/DC) 5:05 [single]

Marilyn (KC/DC) 3:45

Why, Why, Why (KC/DC) 3:36
Cheat Me (KC/DC/NC) 3:13 [single (see The 70s) different form MARJORY RAZORBLADE - different credits too...]

Whole Lotta Shaking (Williams/David) 3:42

Flowering Cherry (KC/DC/NC) 2:50 [single (see The 70s) different from THE CLUB RONDO]

Trouble In Mind (Jones) 2:34

God Bless The Bride (KC/NC) 3:50 [different mix from CASE HISTORY]

Bottle Up And Go (Trad. arr. KC) 3:14 [single, different form THE SIREN YEARS]

Blues Before Sunrise (Carr. Arr. KC) 3:14 [different form THE SIREN YEARS]

I Need You (KC/DC) 3:00

John The Baptist 3:04 [different from LET'S DO IT]

The Lunatic Laughs (KC/NC) 3:54

Big Pistol Momma (KC/NC) 2:58

Hot Potato (KC/DC/NC) 4:10 [different form STRANGE LOCOMOTION]

Start Walking (KC/DC) 2:35 [different form THE SIREN YEARS]

Let's Dance (KC/DC) 2:35

Forked Lighting (KC/DC/NC) 6:36 [different form THE SIREN YEARS]

Wait Until Dark 3:10

68:15

 

In the same good vein as STRANGE LOCOMOTION. See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

 

    OFFICIAL CD: LET'S DO IT IMAGE

DJC 002, released 1994 by Dave Clague.

Kevin Coyne with Nick Cudworth (piano, guitar), Dave Clague (bass, guitar), John Chichester (guitar), Tat Meager (drums), Mick Gratton (guitar), Pete Phillips (drums)

Produced by Dave Clague

Date of recording unknown (the liner notes say "1969/70")

 

I'm So Happy (KC/NC) 3:09

What Is Your Name (KC/NC) 3:54

I Drove Your Car (KC/DC/Ferguson) 3:59

In My Room (KC/NC) 3:44

Rabbits 6:11 [spoken/poetry]

Money 1:21

Liver 4:22 [spoken/poetry]

Blue Suit 4:54 [spoken/poetry]

Mr. President 0:54 [spoken/poetry]

Television Life 0:27 [spoken/poetry]

Influence Of The Past 2:02 [spoken/poetry]

Black Minnie 3:01

Set Me Free 3:35

Anybody Know Me 3:47

John The Baptist 3:22 [different from RABBITS]

I'm Going (KC/NC) 2:47

Sandy (KC/NC) 3:11

Once (KC/NC) 2:51

Married Woman (KC/DC/NC) 3:48

Let's Do It (KC/DC/NC) 3:30

64:57

 

Not as good material as the others, OK though.

See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

About Ferguson: "I met Kevin in about 1965, when I was 17. He had just started working alongside my mother at the Social Therapy Department of Whittingham Mental Hospital, near Preston in Lancashire and she brought him to our house one evening for a meal. During my summer holidays I worked as his assistant in the department, living with him and his wife Leslie and baby son Eugene at their house in Whittingham. Later they moved to London. IÕd been living in France, and when I came back I had nowhere to stay and he and Leslie, who by now had given birth to Robert, let me stay with them again. During the time I was living and working with Kevin I owned a WoolworthÕs guitar which I kept in open tuning. In the evenings, usually after we had been down the pub, he would start improvising lyrics to some of the very primitive finger-picking patterns I was capable of playing. Forty years later I found out that for these very modest contributions of mine he had given me co-composer credits on two of his songs: ŌWhite HorseÕ from the Dandelion Years reissue of his classic Case History album, and ŌI Drove Your CarÕ from the 1994 release LetÕs Do It." (this from Ferguson website.)

 

 

    OFFICIAL CD: THE CLUB RONDO IMAGE        

DJC 003, released 1995 by Dave Clague. Some of the songs had appeared on the CLUB RONDO cassette.

Kevin Coyne with Dave Clague (bass, guitar), Nick Cudworth (piano, guitar), Ron Brow (trombone, one track*), John Chichester (guitar, one track*), Tat Meager (drums, one track*).

Produced by Dave Clague.

Date of recording unknown (the cassette said only: "9-10 pm Tues. 24th March")

 

Flowering Cherry (KC/DC/NC) * 2:31 [different from RABBITS and the 1971 single]

Magdalen (KC/NC) 3:52

Like an Angel (KC/NC) 3:58

Little Old Death (KC/NC) 1:08

Old Age (KC/NC) 3:04

On Holiday (KC/DC/NC) 2:46

The Club Rondo (KC/DC/NC) 7:26

Brandy in My Tea (KC/DC/NC) 2:02

Scunthorpe Dictator (KC/DC/NC) 4:01

Tighten Up (KC/DC/NC) 1:42

Bennett and Packet (KC/DC/NC) 1:56

Bavaria (KC/DC/NC) 1:32

Intro (KC/DC/NC) 0:34  [Instrumental]

Where are you Going to (KC/DC/NC) 5:37

Back to Church (KC/DC/NC) 3:34

Get Right Away (KC/DC/NC) 2:35

Our Jack (KC/DC/NC) 6:22

I'm Alright Here (KC/DC/NC) 4:38

If Only (KC/DC/NC) 5:26

Outro (KC/DC/NC) 0:34 [really Intro again]

66:25

 

*The track is Flowering Cherry, a different version from the 1971 single, featuring a trombone solo. Rest of the CD is mostly studio improvisation by the three Siren founding fathers. Kevin at his very best. A fascinating – and very funny – glimpse into their way of working in the studio.

 

OFFICIAL CD: RUFFSTUFF ART
Released Jan 2005 by Dave Clague. DJC Records 022. "Original sound recordings 1969 DJC Records"
Most of this CD was already available through boots like THE SIREN YEARS

1 Mandy Lee (KC/DC/NC) [The Blue Horizon version - different credits] 2:12
2 Sixteen Women (KC/DC/NC) [different from SIREN; from the Blue Horizon session?] 2:32
3 West Helena (Trad. arr KC)* 2:43 [unreleased]

4 Grow (KC/DC/NC)* 5:44 [unreleased]

5 Don't Worry (KC/DC/NC)* 5:01 [unreleased]

6 Bottle up and go (Trad. Arr. KC) * 3:04 [different form RABBITS]

7 Squeeze me (KC/DC/NC) * 3:31 [different form STRANGE LOCOMOTION]

8 Blues is Killing me (Trad. arr KC)* 4:47 [unreleased]
9 You got me Tied (KC/DC/NC) 7:01

10 Blues before Sunrise (Carr. Arr. KC) 3:29 [different form RABBITS]

11 That's Nice 5:06 (KC/DC/NC) [unreleased instrumental] 4:47

12 Hush your Mouth (Trad. arr KC) 4:46 [unreleased] 4:42

13 Start Walking (KC/DC/NC) [different credits]3:54 [different form RABBITS]

14 Soon (KC/NC) 3:14 [different form STRANGE LOCOMOTION]

15 Cheat Me (KC/DC/NC) 3:53 [different form RABBITS]
16 The Stride (KC/DC) 2:39 [different version]
17 Sixteen Women (KC/DC/NC) 2:19 [different from SIREN]
18 Till The End Of Time (KC/DC/NC) 7:01

Here is the interesting blurb by Dave Clague for Ruffstuff:
"This collection of recordings goes way back to the early days of Siren. The line-up was the original 1969 6-piece band consisting of  Kevin Coyne (vocal, harmonica), Dave Clague (bass), Nick Cudworth (piano), John Chichester (lead guitar), Dave Gibbons (guitar) and Tat Meager (drums).

See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

SIREN YEARS: In the early 2000s, DJC Records issued a wrapped set of their three SIREN CDs: RABBITS, CLUB RONDO and LET'S DO IT IMAGE (see Dave Clague's website)

Here is the DJC catalogue

Not to be confused with this next bootleg:

 

• BOOTLEG CDR: THE SIREN YEARS IMAGE

Excalibur 037, released 1999. Actually a CDR made after one of Dave Clague's cassettes from 1981. Most of the songs (except those in bold below) were later issued on RUFFSTUFF.

Previously unreleased or alternate studio stuff; date of recording unknown. Mostly live in the studio improv and jams (no overdubs).

Kevin Coyne with Nick Cudworth (piano), Dave Clague (bass), Tat Meager (drums), Dave Gibbons and John Chichester (guitar): an unusual second electric guitar (as in the Blue Horizon 1969 demos). Songs marked (*): Kevin Coyne with Nick Cudworth (piano) and Dave Clague (guitar). (The exact lineup comes from the bootleg CDR: LIVE AT ROBERT'S HOUSE / LIVE AT TAT'S HOUSE).

No songwriter credits.

 

Blues before Sunrise (Carr. Arr. KC) 3:30 [different from RABBITS]

Forked Lightning (KC/DC/NC) 7:46 **[different from RABBITS]

That's Nice 5:06 [unreleased instrumental]

Hush your Mouth 4:46 [unreleased]

Start Walking (KC/DC) 4:30 [different from RABBITS]

West Helena * 2:43 [unreleased]

Grow * 5:47 [unreleased]

Don't Worry * 5:35 [unreleased]

Bottle up and go (Trad. Arr. KC) * 3:12 [different form RABBITS]

Squeeze me (KC/DC/NC) * 3:46 [different from STRANGE LOCOMOTION]

Blues is Killing me * 5:08 [unreleased]

Till the end of Time 7:17 [unreleased]

Old Folks Home 0:57 ** [unreleased spoken poetry]

Doctor Lee [Doctor Love] * **3:36 [unreleased, KC solo]

63:44

 

On the blues side again. Sound is not so good. For die-hard fans only. See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

 

• BOOTLEG CDR: LIVE AT ROBERT'S HOUSE / LIVE AT TAT'S HOUSE (a.k.a. ROGER'S AND TAT'S) IMAGE

Artwork by Kevin Coyne, layout by me. Same as THE SIREN YEARS. Actually a CDR made after one of Dave Clague's cassettes from 1981. Later issued on RUFFSTUFF

AT ROBERT'S

Blues before Sunrise (Carr. Arr. KC) 3:30 [different form RABBITS]

Forked Lightning (KC/DC/NC) 7:46 [different form RABBITS]

That's Nice 5:06 [unreleased instrumental]

Hush your Mouth 4:46 [unreleased]

Start Walking (KC/DC) 4:30 [different form RABBITS]

 

AT TAT'S

West Helena * 2:43 [unreleased]

Grow * 5:47 [unreleased]

Don't Worry * 5:35 [unreleased]

Bottle up and go (Trad. Arr. KC) * 3:12 [different form RABBITS]

Squeeze me (KC/DC/NC) * 3:46 [different form STRANGE LOCOMOTION]

Blues is Killing me * 5:08 [unreleased]

 See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

• BOOTLEG CDR: AT ROGER'S

 

Blues before Sunrise (Carr. Arr. KC) 3:30 [different form RABBITS]

Forked Lightning (KC/DC/NC) 7:46 [different form RABBITS]

That's Nice 5:06 [unreleased instrumental]

Hush your Mouth 4:46 [unreleased]

Start Walking (KC/DC) 4:30 [different form RABBITS]

24:36
Same as THE SIREN YEARS and LIVE AT ROBERT'S HOUSE / LIVE AT TAT'S HOUSE . Again, a CDR made after one of Dave Clague's cassettes from 1981. Later issued on RUFFSTUFF

  See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

BOOTLEG CDR: BLUES BEFORE SUNRISE

 

Stride (KC/DC) 2:41 [single]

Mandy Lee (KC/DC) 5:05 [single]

Marilyn (KC/DC) 3:45

Why, Why, Why (KC/DC) 3:36
Cheat Me (KC/DC/NC) 3:13 [single (see The 70s) different form MARJORY RAZORBLADE]

Whole Lotta Shaking (Williams/David) 3:42

Flowering Cherry (KC/DC/NC) 2:50 [different from THE CLUB RONDO]

Trouble In Mind (Jones) 2:34

God Bless The Bride (KC/NC) 3:50 [different from CASE HISTORY]

Till the end of Time 7:17 [unreleased]

Bottle Up And Go (Trad. Arr. KC) 3:14 [single?, different form THE SIREN YEARS]

 

All the songs are the same as RABBITS, except Till the end Of Time, from THE SIREN YEARS. Nothing to do with the BLUES BEFORE SUNRISE cassette. Later issued on RUFFSTUFF. See also 2012 reissue by Cherry Red/Turpentine below.

 

3 CD BOX SET: JOHN PEEL'S DANDELION - COMPLETE DANDELION RECORDS SINGLE COLLECTION 1969-1972 BOX ART CD ART (each cd features Coyne related images)
Cherry Red Records. CRCD BOX1. Issued Oct 2006. The sound has been remastered and all and is much better than most of the previous Siren cds.
This box features all the singles issued on Dandelion Records from 1969 to 1972: feat. Beau, Bridget St John, Principal Edwards Magic Theatre, Clague, Kevin Coyne, Siren, Gene Vincent, Medicine Head, Mike Hart, Bill Oddie, Stackwaddy, The Way We Live, Yamasukis, The Coxhill/Bedford Duo, Will Andy & the Dandylettes, Supersister, Tractor, Clifford T Ward.
Includes:
"CLAGUE":
Mandy Lee/Bottle up and Go single
The Stride/I Wonder Where single

SIREN:
Lonesome Ride (from the Dandelion sampler)

Strange Locomotion/I'm All Aching single

KEVIN COYNE:

Cheat Me/Flowerring Cherry 1972 single (see The 70s)

3 CD BOX SET: KEVIN COYNE THE DANDELION YEARS 1969-1972 ART
Cherry Red Records CRCDMBOX2. Issued Sep 2007.

The box features the SIREN LP + bonus tracks Mandy Lee/Bottle up and go and The Stride (a.k.a. the "Clague" singles) + STRANGE LOCOMOTION LP (without the US bonus Lilian) + CASE HISTORY + bonus tracks Cheat Me/Flowering Cherry (single - see The 70s)
Order here

Although they share the same artork, this box not to be confused with the 3LP box "THE DANDELION YEARS" from 1982 (Butt Box, But 1) which offered the same 3 vinyl, minus the bonus tracks. ART

 

 

SIREN Š THE CHERRY RED/TURPENTINE DELUXE EDITION REISSUES (Nov 2012):

SIREN
TURPD3

(CD 1) Dandelion 63755, 1969
1. Ze-Ze-Ze-Ze 3:04
2. Get Right Church 3:19
3. Rock Me Baby 3:29
4. Wake Up My Children 3:36
5. Wasting My Time 2:49
6. Sixteen Women 2:46
7. First Time I Saw Your Face 2:52
8. Gardner Man 3:32
9. And I Wonder 2:46
10. The War Is Over 4:48
11. Asylum 3:44
12. Bertha Lee 3:17
13. I Wonder Where 5:08
BONUS TRACKS:
14. Mandy Lee 2.02 (7ÕÕ A-Side)
15. Bottle Up And Go 3.12 (7ÕÕ B-Side)
16. The Stride 2.36 (7Õ A-Side)
17. Mandy Lee 2.12 (Blue Horizon Demo)
18. Sixteen Women 2.33 (Blue Horizon Demo?)
19. Bottle Up And Go 3.05 (Live at TatÕs, Summer Õ69)
20. The Stride (Alternate Version) 2.40
21. Sixteen Women II (Alternate Version) 2.19
Total Time: 1.05

SIREN (CD 2)
1. Blues Before Sunrise 3.29 (At RogerÕs, March Õ69)
2. Hush Your Mouth 4.43(At RogerÕs, March Õ69)
3. Start Walking 3.54 (At RogerÕs, March Õ69)
4. Till The End Of Time 7.01 (At RogerÕs, March Õ69)
5. IÕm So Happy 3.10
6. What Is Your Name 3.55
7. I Drove Your Car 3.59
8. In My Room 3.45
9. IÕm Going 2.47
10. Sandy 3.12
11. Once 2.51
12. Married Woman 3.48
13. LetÕs Do It 3.30
14. Money (Spoken Word) 1.22
15. Black Minnie 3.01
16. Set Me Free 3.35
17. Anybody Know Me 3.48
18. John The Baptist (Acoustic Version) 3.22
Total Time: 1.05

STRANGE LOCOMOTION TURP D2
(CD1)
Dandelion DAN 8001, 1971
1. Relaxing With Bonnie Lou 3:22
2. Some Dark Day 3:30
3. Hot Potato 4:07
4. Soon 3:45
5. Gigolo 4:24
6. I'm All Aching 3:01
7. Strange Locomotion 2:58
8. Shake My Hand 3:17
9. Lonesome Ride 2:20
10. Fetch Me My Woman 7:40
11. Fat Moaning Minnie 2:50
12. Squeeze Me 2:35
BONUS TRACKS
13. Lillian 2.40 (US-Only Album Track) (First Time On CD)
14. The Stride 2.36 (7ÓA-Side/US Album Track)
15. Hot Potato 4.06 (Alternate Version)
16. Soon 3.15 (Alternate Version)
Total Time: 56:27

STRANGE LOCOMOTION (CD2)
1. Marilyn 3.45
2. Why, Why, Why 3.36
3. Whole Lotta Shaking 3.42
4. Trouble In Mind 2.33
5. Blues Before Sunrise 3.30
6. I Need You
7. John The Baptist
8. The Lunatic Laughs 2.58
9. Big Pistol Momma 3.03
10. Start Walking 3.55
11. LetÕs Dance 2.35
12. Forked Lightning 6.35
13. Wait Until Dark 3.05
14. Magdalen 3.55
15. Like An Angel 4.03
16. Our Jack 6.26
17. Rabbits (Spoken Word) 6.11
Total Time: 1.06

Here and here is a single by Coyne-Clague "Wake up my Children/First Time I saw your face", Emidisc. No idea what this isÉ an acetate?

From KC Facebook page on November 2012: "Here's a super-rare Siren concert poster designed by band member Nick Cudworth. Not many survive. According to Kevin, him and the band were supposed to stick them up around London, but they got bored after putting up a few and chucked the rest in the Thames."

Miscelanous information about Siren:

1971: the Dandelion Tour of Europe, featuring Lol Coxhill, Bridget St John and Kevin Coyne (with or without Siren?).

 

I read in a ZIG-ZAG interview (probably from 1971 and which was Kevin's second interview ever - 1st was for ZIG-ZAG too) that, back in 1971, Siren played live at Guildford Town Hall without Dave Clague and with Mike Connell on guitar and Jim Sullivan on bass.

 

The band reformed in October 2003 for one show in Shrewsbury (read more).


To close this page on the Siren years, beware of a so-called boot called COYNE COLLOSEUM 1971 which is really Kevin Coyne tracks from various albums and a show of the band Colloseum live in Heidelburg 1971. Actually, no live recording of Siren is reported.

 

 

THE 70's

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