Battered Ornaments
Formed in 1969 by poet and lyricist Pete Brown, this innovative group was initially completed by Graham Layden (vocals), Chris Spedding (guitar), Charlie Hart (organ/violin), George Khan (tenor saxophone), Butch Potter (bass), Rob Tait (drums) and Pete Bailey (percussion). Brown's early intention to play trumpet rather than sing ended on Layden's departure, but the leader's gruff, untutored delivery added considerable empathy to the unit's excellent debut single, The Week Looked Good On Paper, and their subsequent album, A MEAL YOU CAN SHAKE HANDS WITH IN THE DARK. This eclectic set drew its inspiration from Graham Bond, jazz and oriental modes and included Politician, Brown's acerbic view of parliamentarians also recorded by Cream. However, strained relations between Brown and Spedding culminated in a disingenuous putsch when the former was fired on the eve of the famed The Rolling Stones' Hyde Park free concert of 1969. MANTLEPIECE had been completed prior to this development, but the original vocal was wiped and replaced prior to release. Brown then formed the highly-regarded Piblokto!, which included Rob Tait, whereas the Battered Ornaments split when Spedding embarked on an independent career.