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CD TRACKLISTING It’s Natural |
Two Man Band, from 1976, captures the essence of Medicine Head’s minimalist rock ‘n’ roll but mixes it with flourishes from the best of British musicians, including Ashton, Gardner & Dyke and Family piano man Tony Ashton, Mott The Hoople keyboard whiz Morgan Fisher (later to team up with John Fiddler in British Lions) and pedal steel virtuoso BJ Cole, who has played with everyone from John Cale to The Verve.
The result is Medicine Head at their most innocent with John Fiddler’s rootsy, poppy songs reinvented. This was to be the band’s final album but they went out in a dignified, happy fashion with the music hand-crafted to perfection.
This is released on CD for the first time with the addition of three bonus tracks, the single ‘Me And Suzie (Hit The Floor), and the B sides ‘Moon Child’ and ‘Midnight’. The authorative 12 page CD booklet is written by the Daily Express’ Nick Dalton and includes rare unseen photos from John Fiddler’s own personal archive.
Reviews
This is a surprisingly laid back, almost dreamy album which has a lovely innocent quality which permeates through the majority of the tracks...Great stuff from one of the better, and most original bands from the 70's
Steve Ward, Wondrous Stories (October 2001)
The album is real nice and has highlights like the snappy 'Mother Love', 'Over You' (with its cool Jaw Harp) and reminds me of two Free songs mixed into one - 'Mr Big' and 'Fire And Water'...Recorded by Pete Townsend at his Eel Pie Studios...it's been re-released...with three bonus tracks which make it worth buying if you already have the original crackly vinyl...
A beauty of a buy if you like folky 70's rock (8/10)
Glenn Milligan, Metalliville (October 2001)
This is a great introduction to the band, as it encompasses many of their styles from blues to singer songwriter, lots of acoustic as well as some electric…This was the last release as Peter and John parted ways permanently soon afterwards, but they left on a strong note. A goody.
Feedback, (November 2001)
There's a bluesy feel throughout the album, with hints of pop imbibed with a timeless quality that means the music doesn't sound dated at all…this album is important as it marks the end of one of the unique bands of British Rock…
Adrian Perkins
Against all the odds, Two Man Band turned out to be a remarkably positive and, in the circumstances, upbeat album. The band's rawer side was sidelined in favour of finely crafted melodic songs imbued with an innocent pastoral quality that conjured up images of lazy summer afternoons, sippin gice cold drinks and watching the world go by…
Two Miles From Heaven (November 2001)
What a pleasant surprise it was to hear the unique chugging bluesy twang of the opening track. And things just kept getting better…
This is the first time on CD for this gem from 1976…And while the Byrds may have perfected the sound of twangy guitars, twang really don't get much stronger than the noise made by Medicine Head's jew's harp!
Clint Thigh, Bucketful Of Blues (November 2001)
This...is their rootsiest, countriest collection. John Fiddler's songs are at their gentlest, and warmest...although still with his knack of writing neat pop songs...A lovingly-prepared reissue with several bonus tracks and excellent sleeve notes. Play it just as the sun's going down. Divine
Nick Dalton, Country Music International (November 2001)
…a must for fans, and the sleevenotes and extra tracks all make for a comprehensive history lesson.
Joe Geesin, Record Collector (December 2001)
Magical soft rock that captivates with its innocence and simplicity. Gentle rhythmoic rock with clever and catchy lyrics are the perfect medicine for those wanting a remedy for some of today's less appealing music.
Hartlepool Mail, 31 December 2001
…a defiantly contrary collection of rootsy. Bluesy gems…One reaches the end astonished that a band that still sounded this vital, vibrant and vivacious should have felt the need to break up.
Jo-Ann Green, Goldmine, January 2002
The music is very easy to listen to. I suppose it's gentle rock including a couple of nice ballads…This is Medicine Head at their softest and best despite it being their last album together; this album stands up well and is well worth a listen.
Modern Dance #39 (August 2002)
This is a surprisingly laid back, almost dreamy album which has a lovely innocent quality which permeates through the majority of the tracks...Great stuff from one of the better, and most original bands from the 70's
Steve Ward, Wondrous Stories (October 2001)
The album is real nice and has highlights like the snappy 'Mother Love', 'Over You' (with its cool Jaw Harp) and reminds me of two Free songs mixed into one - 'Mr Big' and 'Fire And Water'...Recorded by Pete Townsend at his Eel Pie Studios...it's been re-released...with three bonus tracks which make it worth buying if you already have the original crackly vinyl...
A beauty of a buy if you like folky 70's rock (8/10)
Glenn Milligan, Metalliville (October 2001)
This is a great introduction to the band, as it encompasses many of their styles from blues to singer songwriter, lots of acoustic as well as some electric…This was the last release as Peter and John parted ways permanently soon afterwards, but they left on a strong note. A goody.
Feedback, (November 2001)
There's a bluesy feel throughout the album, with hints of pop imbibed with a timeless quality that means the music doesn't sound dated at all…this album is important as it marks the end of one of the unique bands of British Rock…
Adrian Perkins
Against all the odds, Two Man Band turned out to be a remarkably positive and, in the circumstances, upbeat album. The band's rawer side was sidelined in favour of finely crafted melodic songs imbued with an innocent pastoral quality that conjured up images of lazy summer afternoons, sippin gice cold drinks and watching the world go by…
Two Miles From Heaven (November 2001)
What a pleasant surprise it was to hear the unique chugging bluesy twang of the opening track. And things just kept getting better…
This is the first time on CD for this gem from 1976…And while the Byrds may have perfected the sound of twangy guitars, twang really don't get much stronger than the noise made by Medicine Head's jew's harp!
Clint Thigh, Bucketful Of Blues (November 2001)
This...is their rootsiest, countriest collection. John Fiddler's songs are at their gentlest, and warmest...although still with his knack of writing neat pop songs...A lovingly-prepared reissue with several bonus tracks and excellent sleeve notes. Play it just as the sun's going down. Divine
Nick Dalton, Country Music International (November 2001)
…a must for fans, and the sleevenotes and extra tracks all make for a comprehensive history lesson.
Joe Geesin, Record Collector (December 2001)
Magical soft rock that captivates with its innocence and simplicity. Gentle rhythmoic rock with clever and catchy lyrics are the perfect medicine for those wanting a remedy for some of today's less appealing music.
Hartlepool Mail, 31 December 2001
…a defiantly contrary collection of rootsy. Bluesy gems…One reaches the end astonished that a band that still sounded this vital, vibrant and vivacious should have felt the need to break up.
Jo-Ann Green, Goldmine, January 2002
The music is very easy to listen to. I suppose it's gentle rock including a couple of nice ballads…This is Medicine Head at their softest and best despite it being their last album together; this album stands up well and is well worth a listen.
Modern Dance #39 (August 2002)
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