Gravy Train (Rock Group)
Encyclopedia
Gravy Train were a progressive rock
group
from Lancashire
, England
, formed by vocalist
and guitarist
Norman Barratt
in 1969. Together with J.D. Hughes (keyboards
, vocals, wind
), Lester Williams (bass
, vocals) and Barry Davenport (drums
) they recorded
four studio
album
s. The first two were released on the Vertigo
label
, and the latter two by Dawn Records
.
The band was dissolved in 1975. Little is known what happened with its members except for Barratt, who appeared in Mandalaband for their second and final album in 1978. He went on to found the Barratt Band
, which recorded albums in the early 1980s. Les Williams has been working as Ocean Entertainments - an agency for bands and acts - since the 1980s.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
from Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, formed by vocalist
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Norman Barratt
Norman Barratt
Norman Barratt was a guitarist and songwriter, mostly known for his membership of the band Gravy Train and the Christian groups the Alwyn Wall Band and the Barratt Band.-Early life:...
in 1969. Together with J.D. Hughes (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocals, wind
Woodwind instrument
A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument which produces sound when the player blows air against a sharp edge or through a reed, causing the air within its resonator to vibrate...
), Lester Williams (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals) and Barry Davenport (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) they recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
four studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s. The first two were released on the Vertigo
Vertigo Records
Vertigo Records today is a UK-based record label operated by Universal Music UK.-History:Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the late 1960s for its record sub-label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI with Harvest Records and Decca Records with Deram...
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, and the latter two by Dawn Records
Dawn Records
Dawn Records was a subsidiary of Pye Records. Active from 1970 to 1975, it was set up largely as Pye's 'underground and progressive' label, a rival of the EMI and Phonogram equivalents, Harvest and Vertigo....
.
The band was dissolved in 1975. Little is known what happened with its members except for Barratt, who appeared in Mandalaband for their second and final album in 1978. He went on to found the Barratt Band
Barratt Band
The Barratt Band was formed in 1980 by Norman Barratt, formerly of Gravy Train and the Alwyn Wall Band, and in its initial stages consisted of Barratt , Dave Morris , Tim Hatwell and Russ Caldwell . The band recorded their first album Playing in the City in 1981 at Chapel Lane Studios just outside...
, which recorded albums in the early 1980s. Les Williams has been working as Ocean Entertainments - an agency for bands and acts - since the 1980s.
Albums
- 1970: Gravy Train (VertigoVertigo RecordsVertigo Records today is a UK-based record label operated by Universal Music UK.-History:Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the late 1960s for its record sub-label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI with Harvest Records and Decca Records with Deram...
6360023) - 1971: A ballad of a peautiful man (Vertigo 6360051)
- 1973: Second Birth (DawnDawn RecordsDawn Records was a subsidiary of Pye Records. Active from 1970 to 1975, it was set up largely as Pye's 'underground and progressive' label, a rival of the EMI and Phonogram equivalents, Harvest and Vertigo....
DNLS 3046) - 1974: Staircase of a beautiful day (Dawn DNLH 1)
Singles
- 1973: "Strength Of A Dream" / "Tolpuddle Episode" (Dawn DNS 1036)
- 1973: "Starbright Starlight" / "Good Time Thing" (Dawn DNS 1058)
- 1975: "Climb Aboard The Gravy Train" / "Sanctuary" (Dawn DNS 1115)