Curtiss Maldoon
Encyclopedia
Curtiss Maldoon is a singer-songwriter duo from England.They first began working together in the band Bodast in 1968 which also featured Steve Howe (Yes, Asia, GTR) on guitar and Bobby Woodman Clarke on drums. They recorded one album produced by Keith West whom Howe had worked with in U.K. psych band Tomorrow
(known for their hit 'My White Bicycle') but it remained unreleased until it came out in truncated and remixed form in 1982 as 'The Lost Bodast Tapes'. A full re-issue featuring the original 1969 mixes came out under the title 'Spectral Nether Street' on the RPM label in the 1990s. Although not very active on the live circuit as they preferred to spend their time writing and rehearsing, Bodast played a legendary show called the Pop Prom in 1968 where they were on the bill with the Who and acted as Chuck Berry's back-up band for the night.
Curtiss Maldoon were on Purple Records, the label started by Deep Purple
. Their connection to Deep Purple came out of Dave Curtiss short-lived involvement with an early incarnation of the band known as 'Roundabout' where Curtiss was the vocalist (and Bobby Woodman Clarke was the drummer). No recordings have come to light of this line-up. Dave Curtiss (under the name Dave Curtis and the Tremors) recorded several 'beat' singles in the mid 60s for various labels.
Madonna
's "Ray of Light
" is based on the duo's track "Sepheryn," although beyond the first verse, the comparisons are loose.
Their first L.P. features Steve Howe
(lead guitar), Tony Ashton
, and musicians from Mighty Baby
: Roger Powell ...
Curtiss Maldoon did some touring after the release of this album bolstered by a rhythm section. They played shows with Badfinger in the U.S. and also did a well reviewed concert at Lincoln Center where they were on the bill with vocalist Merry Clayton
.
Their 2nd LP came out under the name 'Maldoon' as Curtiss asked that his name be removed from the project and that it be a CLive Maldoon solo album. It came out on the Purple label as well, this time distributed by Warner Brothers.
After this album, Clive Maldoon continued trying to establish himself in the music world but ran into a series of managerial and contract problems. He died in 1978 of complications from prescription medications.
Tomorrow (band)
Tomorrow were a 1960s psychedelic rock band. Despite critical acclaim and support from DJ John Peel who featured them on his "Perfumed Garden" radio show, the band was not a great success in commercial terms. They were among the first psychedelic bands in England along with Pink Floyd and Soft...
(known for their hit 'My White Bicycle') but it remained unreleased until it came out in truncated and remixed form in 1982 as 'The Lost Bodast Tapes'. A full re-issue featuring the original 1969 mixes came out under the title 'Spectral Nether Street' on the RPM label in the 1990s. Although not very active on the live circuit as they preferred to spend their time writing and rehearsing, Bodast played a legendary show called the Pop Prom in 1968 where they were on the bill with the Who and acted as Chuck Berry's back-up band for the night.
Curtiss Maldoon were on Purple Records, the label started by Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. Their connection to Deep Purple came out of Dave Curtiss short-lived involvement with an early incarnation of the band known as 'Roundabout' where Curtiss was the vocalist (and Bobby Woodman Clarke was the drummer). No recordings have come to light of this line-up. Dave Curtiss (under the name Dave Curtis and the Tremors) recorded several 'beat' singles in the mid 60s for various labels.
Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's "Ray of Light
Ray of Light (song)
A high-speed electronic dance song, "Ray of Light" has received stylistic comparisons to rave, psychedelic and acid music. The track contains strong techno elements, as well as disco, trance and Eurodance influences, and it sees Madonna deepen her dance roots and go for a more electronic sound...
" is based on the duo's track "Sepheryn," although beyond the first verse, the comparisons are loose.
Their first L.P. features Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
(lead guitar), Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton was an English rock pianist, keyboardist, singer, composer, producer and artist.-Biography:...
, and musicians from Mighty Baby
Mighty Baby
Mighty Baby were formed in 1968 from the ashes of The Action. They released two albums, Mighty Baby and A Jug Of Love . Their debut, a collection of psychedelic rock, appeared on the tiny Head record label in the UK, and on Chess in the United States...
: Roger Powell ...
Curtiss Maldoon did some touring after the release of this album bolstered by a rhythm section. They played shows with Badfinger in the U.S. and also did a well reviewed concert at Lincoln Center where they were on the bill with vocalist Merry Clayton
Merry Clayton
Merry Clayton is an American soul and gospel singer , and an actress...
.
Their 2nd LP came out under the name 'Maldoon' as Curtiss asked that his name be removed from the project and that it be a CLive Maldoon solo album. It came out on the Purple label as well, this time distributed by Warner Brothers.
After this album, Clive Maldoon continued trying to establish himself in the music world but ran into a series of managerial and contract problems. He died in 1978 of complications from prescription medications.
Discography
- You Make Me Happy / Amber Man (non LP track) Regal Zonophone RZ 3038. UK. July 1971
- Curtiss Maldoon: "Curtiss Maldoon" - Purple RecordsPurple RecordsPurple Records is a record label established in 1971 by Deep Purple's management. Their releases were distributed by EMI. The label was run until 1979. In 1997 Simon Robinson from RPM Records established a second label releasing rare and previously unissued recordings...
TPS 3501, Oct 1971 (also issued on Capitol ST 880 in America): Man From Afghanistan, Fly Like An Eagle, So Nice, Long Long Time, Ibiza Beach Song, Warm On The Ridge, Sepheryn, I'm Waiting, You Make Me Happy (And You Make Me Sad), Find A Little Peace - Maldoon: "Maldoon" - Purple TPS 3502, Nov 1973 (also issued on Warner Bros. BS2706 in America): Ballad Of Lots Road, You Were A Friend, It Still Feels Sore, Clouds In My Hair, Sit & Talk About It, One Way Ticket, All The Time
External links
- http://www.purplerecords.net/sepheryn/sepheryn.htm Purple Records