Category Archives: Live At The Marquee 1975
MEDICINE HEAD – Live At The Marquee 1975
This CD captures them at their live, thunderous best and was recorded in the latter part of their career…
Make no mistake, this is no one-dimensional performance, with John playing guitar, drums and handling vocal duties while Peter accompanies him with harmonica, jews’ harp and claves, at times you need to pinch yourself to remember this is just two guys, not a five-piece band.
The delivery is paced just right, too, with heavy, fast, crunching numbers mixed in with the slower ones. Like set opener How Does It Feel and Pictures In The Sky getting everyone present nicely warmed up. Two Men Now slows things down nicely (Peter’s jews harp is clearly audible) before picking up again for Home’s Odyssey…
A demo of Pictures In The Sky rounds the CD off nicely, but its the live material you’ll be buying it for. A 12-page booklet (written by MTHAS’ Keith Smith) summarises Medicine Head’s career, complete with discography and rare photos.
Medicine Head was a band that was championed by DJ John Peel (they were even signed to his Dandelion label for a while) and which, despite finding some fame in 73/74 with hit singles he never tired of. One of the reasons is they never lost touch with what they were really about. All the evidence is here on this disc. I like live albums anyhow, and I think you’ll like this one too.
Adrian Perkins (June 2001)
Excellent quality recording…the gig itself is top quality, and a reminder how underrated this rather obscure duo were…an essential purchase for any Medicine Head/John Fiddler fans. 8/10
Jilly’s Rock World (June 2001)
This performance was recorded in June 1975 at the height of their commercial success…Musically the band sit somewhere between rock, pop and blues…Anyone familiar with the work of Hardin & York from the early 70′s should substitute the organ for guitar and this should give you an idea of where Medicine Head were at. Serious collectors of the Yardbirds should be very interested in the CD’s bonus track, a demo version of ‘Pictures In the Sky’ recorded in John Fiddler’s kitchen with features Keith Relf on guitar.
Medicine Head were a joyous one off, and this CD shows them in all their unique glory.
Steve Ward, Wondrous Stories (July 2001)
They rock in a way that predates punk yet manage to sound as if they’re in a sleazy Louisiana roadhouse rather than London’s Soho…Thrown in for good measure is an echoey demo version of Pictures that could have come from Sun Studios, circa 1959. Awesome.
Nick Dalton, Country Music International (July 2001)
This superb concert captures the combo in full force with their compelling lyrics and passionate vocals.
Norfolk & Suffolk Preview, (July 2001)
Originally issued in 1995, this set adds excellent extensive sleeve notes and a discography, as well as a bonus track that features the Yardbirds’ Keith Relf. Essential for fans and a good place to start for beginners.
Record Collector, (August 2001)
…catches the duo of Fiddler and Peter Hope Evans at their hit-making peak…one wonders why, with material of this quality at their disposal, Medicine Head didn’t make more of a splash during their lifetime.
Jo Ann-Greene, Goldmine, (August 2001)
It may be dated, very Seventies, but there is good clear sound, and the music is in the hands of guys who care. Worth hearing.
Feedback, (Sep 2001)
…a welcome tonic…in this world of computerised gadgetry and synthetically enhanced, mass-production lines comes this delicious slice of naturally grown, wholesome organic music. And what’s more – it’s really good for you!
Two Miles From Heaven (November 2001)