THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Jackson Webber - It's Only Fools

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO

What It Is CD - £9.99

WALLY ON 'THE OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST'

What a band! I really cannot make up my mind whether I prefer the original albums, or the new one. You decide. Check out the Gronzo Artist Page for Wally

LINK: Wally review

http://blog.billkopp.com/?p=789

Album Review: Wally - Montpellier

With a sound that falls somewhere between Dire Straits and Pink Floyd, the goofily-named Wallycreates a musical ambience that is rooted in classic rock styles, yet vaguely contemporary-feeling. On their latest,Montpellier, they go lots of places, and it’s an engaging ride.

“Sailor” opens with keyboard textures straight out of Meddle– complete with “seagull” guitar work, but then quickly shifts gears into a piano-based melody that owes more to Supertramp or Harry Nilsson. There are a lot of appealing qualities to Wally’ music, but their not-so-secret weapons are steel and pedal steel guitar. Not sinceDavid Gilmour, Steve Howe and Glenn Ross Campbell (The Misunderstood) has steel guitar been used so effectively in this sort of music. Soaring, dive-bombing guitar runs are joined by female-chorus vocals (more shades of Pink Floyd, but with less of a space-rock bent) as the lengthy-but-never-boring “Sailor” unwinds.

As the liner notes explain, Wally had been working on what would have been their third album for Atlantic around 1975, when something happened. The notes don’t make it clear what that something was exactly, but it’s safe to assume that either the band broke up, Atlantic dropped them, or both. In any event, the songs on Montpellier thus have a pleasantly timeless quality that is firmly built on a foundation of that album-rock era.

Wally is a big band with a big sound: Montpellier credits seven musicians (plus a guest guitarist on one track, and those three female auxiliary vocalists). But the song arrangements – “Thrill is Gone” being one of many good examples – aren’t fussy and overwrought; the band crafts a sound that is halfway between meat’n'potatoes rock and more subtle and finessed styles.

“Surfing” edges closer to a progressive approach, and is reminiscent in places of Roy Harper or Jethro Tull, albeit with a subtle reggae flavor. Like most of the songs on Montpellier, it’s a longish number, running in excess (but not excessively so!) of seven minutes. Pete Sage’s violin – the other sharp weapon in Wally’s arsenal – is central to the appeal of the track, adding color to the song’s spoken/sung lyrical approach.

The initially understated “In the Night” sounds a bit like Sting’s 90s work, but a delightfully long instrumental break with loads of stratospheric guitar lines give it more texture before returning to earth. The country-flavored “She Said” is based on a familiar melodic approach, but as with all the other songs on the set, the effective use of pedal steel and other slightly outside-the-box sounds help take it somewhere more interesting. A ghostly, melancholy violin solo opens “Giving,” continuing the Americana vibe (Wally’s a British group, by the way), but again employs a well-worn but effective arrangement approach: halfway through, the song opens up, goes instrumental and really takes off. The band is adept at conveying emotion wordlessly, and “Giving” is an exemplar of their skill at doing so.

Interested listeners will come to Montpellier for the guitars and fiddle. They’ll stay for Wally’s well-written, -arranged and -played songs.

WALLY NEWSLETTER

Hi folks, gosh it seems like a long time since we sent a news letter.

Various bits of news for you. Firstly the Montpellier album has been successfully released on the Gonzo label, other albums and the DVD to follow in the coming months. The original Atlantic albums Wally and Valley Gardens will have extra tracks and sleeve notes by Bob Harris and are due for release any day now. The DVD will include a video interview with the band.

You can now Twitter with Wally @wallymusic and on @jacksonwebberuk

Roy Webber and Will Jackson are busy in the studio working on a new Jackson Webber album for release either late this year or early in the new year. Their first album 'What it Is' has also been released on Gonzo with two extra hidden tracks at the end, including their version of the classic Wally track 'Your Own Way'.

Check into http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/ for details of releases and how to purchase.

Origional albums are still available on iTunes or from the website www.wallymusic.co.uk


Happy listening

Stuart (on behalf of Wally and Jackson Webber)

LINK: Another Wally Review

http://palaceofrock.blogspot.com/2012/03/in-my-stereo-wally-montpellier.html%20%20

In my stereo : Wally - Montpellier (2012)

Wally is a British progressive rock band formed by singer song writer Roy Webber in Harrogate in the early seventies. The band was signed to Atlantic Records in 1974 after entering a contest organised by the music paper Melody Maker. Unfortunately the band did not win the competition but they did catch the eye of One of the judges at the competition, presenter of the Old Grey Whistle Test Bob Harris who oversaw their prize which was to record a session for his Radio 1 programme. Through Bob the band were signed to Atlantic Records and Bob subsequently produced the band’s debut self titled album alongside Rick Wakeman. The band also enjoyed a number of high profile concerts including an appearance at the 1974 Crystal Palace garden Party which was headlined by Rick Wakeman and after being managed briefly by the manager of Yes Brian Lane would support Yes also at a number of high profile concerts.

A second album emerged in 1975 again produced by Bob Harris entitled Valley Gardens the band now joined by keyboardist Nick Glennie-Smith who would go onto a successful production and composing career after Wally split in the late seventies just before the band could record their third album Montpelier is the result of a reformation of the band and includes material that would possibly have featured on the bands third album in the seventies alongside new material. The band have performed annual concerts in their home town of Harrogate for the last three years but Montpelier is the first studio album since Valley gardens in 1975. The band does have a large cult following and this album will certainly be welcomed by that substantial following. Release date : March 12th

• Edit Posts

Tracks: 1. Sailor , 2. Sister Moon , 3. Thrill Is Gone , 4. Surfing , 5. In The Night , 6. Human , 7. She Said , 8. Giving.
For fans of Manfred Mann´s Earth Band, John Miles, Camel
http://www.wallymusic.co.uk/

WALLY: The Reason Why (At The Royal Hall, Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Saturday 17th April 2010)

Roy Webber, Paul Middleton, Pete Sage, Nick Glennie-Smith, Roger Narraway, Frank Mizen, Will Jackson, Phil Dean & The Wallettes

Check out the Wally Page on Gonzo

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/artists/6764/Wally

WALLY DOWN UNDER

OK, that headline is a little misleading. Wally are not actually in The Antipodes at the moment (OK, they might be, but if they are, nobody told me). What I actually meant to say in my own bumbling fashion is that those jolly nice chaps and chapesses at the Australian music website, Glory Days Music, have posted a couple of really nice, complimentary articles about the band.

They have a system whereby you have to join before you can read ow't, and so that I can't actually nick any of their content, but it is a mighty fine website and well worth joining, so go ahead and check them out...

http://www.glorydazemusic.com/articles.php?article_id=4722
http://www.glorydazemusic.com/articles.php?article_id=1788

When you join up, tell George Hatcher that Jon from Gonzo Daily sent ya...

LINK: German review of Wally

http://www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/w/wally/montpellier.html



Playing time: 55:18
Format: CD
Label: Gonzo Multimedia, 2010
style: prog rock
04/04/2012 Review of Joachim 'Joe' Brookes
Wally is back. Over thirty years, Roy Webber & Co., the band let it rest. In 2009 it was in the home town of Harrogate, Yorkshire a reunion concert sold out and documented this performance with the DVD "The Urban Man."

Long, long time ago ... Beginning of the seventies took Wally to a contest organized by the Melody Maker. The winner was Druid across the finish line, but even before the finals enthusiastic Wally theYes -keyboardist Rick Wakeman , who also produced the debut album "Wally" (1974). At that time, no expense has been spared, was recorded for the first record in the Morgan Recording Studios. Probably by Wakeman taught, for both Yes and Joan Armatrading , Black Sabbath ,Ten Years After , or UFO at that time used the recording studio. Even during follow-up "Valley Gardens" (1975) showed cracks in the facade group. Many international tours took their toll, and then broke even on the Atlantic Records recording contract.

To break the thirty years is an eternity for a band. After a successful restart of the group and a DVD in his luggage, it is now called "Montpelier." The liner notes make clear, what story is behind the eight songs: "Back recording together for the first time in 36 years we hope that we have retained some of the essence of Wally music. Some of these tracks were conceived for what would have been our third album for Atlantic Records around 1975 and others were a result of more recent times in the studio. "Old and New in new bottles from an old tape.

Before the band's dissolution, there were already been some changes in the lineup, but this disc recorded with almost all the original members. Basically it can be when listening to the eight numbers say that the music has no patina much less rusted. What is here but under the prog rock genre, doing business is relative. Many moments in the fifty-five minutes are characterized by essences of Country or Southern flair. For God's sake, this description is accurate but style does not mean thatWally presents weak music.

Instruments such as violin, mandolin, slide guitar and pedal steel by Frank Mizen make people curious about the composition and also the often appearing around the piano keyboard is remarkable.In addition, one may, if the opener for almost eight minutes, a dynamic wave caused, won quite a damn playful direction in the melodic department, and even here, the two chorus girls Terry Sullivanand Kate Peters is an honorable mention. With "Sailor" begins a varied cruise, where you definitely know where you stand.

"Sister Moon" is beautiful. From a devout beginning violin class with the track developed until the end of a great electric guitar particular song. In "Thrill Is Gone" and the carousel rotates the other way around. With a lot of drive and powerful liberal guitar parts one might almost speak of a different band, if not for Roy Webber's vocals were good. Speaking of six-string ... the party until the last, almost infernal sounds a hell of a jam party. Super!
After this bombastic sounds that sounds of organ sounds, opened "surfing" on already strange. For the intricate rhythms of drummer Roger Narraway sings Webber with some Ian Dury intonation on the tongue and then sneaks in a nutshell but a smooth easy-fitting blues reggae feel. Oh, one has to fear in front of a Wally-night? Barney finished thunder is heard, but then the combo slides almost to whisper through the dark asphalt. Wonderful, like a Webber and the two women soothe vocally. Quite so quiet it is not, however, through the darkness, as guitars and keyboards again make a stir.

The last two numbers are beautiful. With "Giving" is Webber composed a fantastic song and form their own little memorial set for posterity. "Montpellier" is a successful revival of the group and it's nice that as a Paul Middleton has again felt his musical motive, as he was during the band break including a carpenter.

Line-up:
Roy Webber (vocal, guitar),
Paul Middleton (vocal, bass, slide guitar),
Pete Sage (violin, mandolin, guitar),
Roger Narraway (drums),
Will Jackson (guitar, piano),
Nick Glennie-Smith (keyboards)
Frank Mizen (bass, pedal steel, guitar),
Phil Dean (guitar - # 6)
Rob Reynolds (vocals - # 8)
Teri Sullivan (backing vocals),
Kate Peters (backing vocals)

Follow the link below to buy the album:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15413

LINK: A French review of Wally, with a confectioners slant

Here is another foreign review, from France this time. I hope that people don't mind me posting these as they come in, but not only is it good to see what people around the globe are saying about our favourite artists, but there is something rather touching about lined like: "Wally gives us a cake made ​​of rich titles, varied, accessible and ultimately very current."

I really like that metaphor and will be using a version of it myself...http://www.progressivewaves.com/frmchronique.aspx?pro_id=8170&url_ref=Wally_Montpellier Rating: 8.5/10

Wally is an English progressive rock group formed in the early 70s. In 2010 to everyone's surprise, the group reformed and released "Montpellier" more than 35 years after their last production.

For the record, it would seem that the choice of album title comes from the fact that much of the group lives in the French town of the same name. There ends the nod to France, the content is for its good Anglo-Saxon.

The album is a sort of compilation of old demos, old songs and some new. All 8 tracks on the album have been given the opportunity for up to date and enriched. Listed music group offers us several atmospheres with more titles Blues / Country as 'Thrill is Gone' or Rock with 'In The Night'. The combo makes good use of instruments such as the steel guitar and electric violin that add color musical special vehicle and real emotion to the listener. Percussion discrete but also enrich the audible remarks. addition to these instrumental considerations, Wally has the distinction of playing on the voices and female choirs.

As well as the male voice tracks can be lighter or guttural based singer and titles such as 'Surfing' or 'Human' singing sometimes becomes a narrative providing real originality at work. 'She Said' and 'Giving', the last two tracks on the album in my opinion are simply unavoidable.The first is a ballad where the listener will especially appreciate the piano while the second is a final lecture in which the violin will quickly transport you. After more than three decades of absence, Wally ensures a flawless and shows that returns are sometimes beneficial and justified. Far from has-been album, full of emotion, is a breath of fresh air and a feast for the ears.

Experience and maturity terms, Wally gives us a cake made ​​of rich titles, varied, accessible and ultimately very current. A group to (re) discover them.

Follow the link below to buy the album:

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15413

WALLY/JACKSON WEBBER: Eulogistic reviews from Israel

WALLY - Montpellier Gonzo 2012

http://dmme.net/reviews/reviews49.html#wally More than three decades on, the Harrogate moon rises again. It's like a heady moonshine has never been away. When WALLY fizzled out in the late '70s, nobody paid much attention and lamented the demise of a band who brewed the impossible alchemic concoction of English prog and West Coast country rock. Remembered mostly for being produced by "Whispering" Bob Harris and Rick Wakeman, their two albums became cult items nevertheless, so the group's 2009 return was met with much acclaim, even though nobody hoped for another studio work. Yet here it is - some completely new compositions, some based on the halcyon days' demos, no line drawn between them - and nostalgia trip "Montpellier" ain't, even though "Sister Moon", which connects with the ensemble's cover sign, ripples with silvery celestial sadness. Still, featuring five original WALLY members, WALLY sound surprisingly fresh, while deeply rooted in their own tradition. Thus, "Thrill Is Gone" rocks in a modern Americana way, homespun and calling to chug along, but once the birds' chirp gives way to majestic piano chords in "Sailor", a panoramic view unfurls before one's mind eye to float solemnly on Paul Middleton's and Frank Mizen's steel guitars and Nick Glennie-Smith's smooth organ before the blissful vocal harmonies strike in full force and riffs make the picture bright and clear. The same instrumental combination lights the heart-gripping velvet of "In The Night", a power ballad with the strongest pop hooks on offer - female backing, Roy Webber's warm voice and Will Jackson's transparent guitars reach for heaven on this one - and "She Said" might challenge Neil Young for troubled textural sensuality. Significantly, both songs are new, previously recorded for a Jackson Webber album so, after a long, slow, violin-oiled yet optimistic coda of "Giving" shimmering with magic, there's a longing for more music from the veterans. ****2/3

JACKSON WEBBER - What It Is Gonzo 2012

A logical and tuneful union of two stalwarts of British progressive folk scene - a perfect trip for a snug and bubbly journey down memory lane. Roy Webber and Will Jackson have too much in common not to feel the mutual gravitation, even though the former quit music in the late '70s when his band WALLY folded and the latter has been playing in public all of his life, most notably in MAGNA CARTA. Once Webber, who decided to write again, booked into Jackson's studio a powerful chord was struck, its repercussions resounding to this day: having recorded the twelve tracks in 2006, three years later the pair ended up in the reformed WALLY whose new album, "Montpellier", includes two songs from "What It Is" cut anew. Here, the sparse, ghostly "In The Night" with its exquisite six-string lace and the piano-driven "She Said" sound different, their acoustic texture more palpably delicate as Will's silky guitars wrap around Roy's mellifluous voice that grabs your attention right from the arresting chorus of mandolin-adorned opener "Falling Down" and lets go only when the bitter-sweet ring of "On Your Own Way" fades away. Yet for all the gentle flow there are rolling and rollicking pieces in a country vein that'll quicken the listeners pulse: although the reckless rumble of "Shame On You" comes too close to His Bobness' pastiche to set an irony barrier straight, "Another Time" rides the organ lick in the most rocking way THE BAND would have liked, and steel sliders of "Heartbreaker" might make Tom Petty green with envy. A shimmering celebration of simple joys of life peaks in "All These Times", so it's impossible not to relate to such a happy dozen - that's what it is in the end of the day. ***4/5

WALLY: Someone else likes them as much as I do

http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/reviewwally.htm

Wally – Montpellier
Gonzo Multimedia
www.wallymusic.co.uk
Rating: B

Wally originated in England in the early 1970’s. In 1974, they released their debut album, which, interestingly was recorded at Morgan Recording Studios, the same place that Black Sabbath and Yes had recorded. The album was co-produced by Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman.

The album ended up being one of those releases that was heralded by musicians but failed to capture the ears of the general public.

The band went their separate ways for thirty years but then, unexpectedly, in 2009 they reunited. Led by original members Roy Webber, Paul Middleton, Pete Sage, Roger Narraway and Nick Glennie-Smith, the band added Frank Mizen on pedal steel and Will Jackson on guitar.

The band sold out a gig in their hometown and recorded a DVD of the show. They discovered they still had the spark and went back into the studio.

Montpellier is part Wally, part Pink Floyd and part Grateful Dead. These diverse styles lead to one heck of an enjoyable listening experience. From the opening track of “Sailor” to the final notes of the emotional “Giving” Wally proves they were a great band who deserved much more than the business of music gave them.

This is a band, and a release, that is ripe for the picking by those ultimate Rock Nerds who search for every interesting note ever played. In Wally, they will find a treasure trove.

By Jeb Wright

JACKSON-WEBBER: Strange analogies

I know I talked about them yesterday, but in the early afternoon a parcel arrived for me. Well as you may or
may not know that I have a day job - I am director of a singular outfit called The Centre for Fortean Zoology and as part of what we do we have a number of hungry amphibians. We are presently running a breeding programme for some obscure legless amphibians caeled Rio Cauca Caecilians (don't worry about remembering the name, it is the last time I shall mention them today at least) and these little creatures mainly eat earthworms. I am awaiting a shipment of 1000 earthworms from a composting firm, and I thought that this bulky parcel from the north of England was them.

However, much to the disappointment of my amphibious pals, it was only a parcel of CDs from the lovely Anner Marie at Gonzo. And one of them was the Jackson Webber album that I have been looking forward to hearing. So, I rationalised to myself that I really should make myself familiar with the record, so I abandoned the work I should have been doing (trying to get my head around analysing the paternation on the back of various frog specimens) and I went into the sitting room, sat down in my favourite chair with the elderly orange cat on my knee and listened.

Bloody hell, its good! My first impressions are that they are like a 21st Century English analogue of The Flying Burrito Brothers, and I stand by what I said yesterday. There is something particularly English about them. Its not the way that the songs are sung, or the subject matter; they don't sing songs about ferrets, the social security system or black puddings, but something about the arrangements and instrumentation.

If you can imagine what happened if Fairport Convention of about the era when Dave Mattacks was still playing drums and Maartin Allcock had first joined the band, going to a fancy dress party as The Flying Burrito Brothers whereupon Sooty andSweep sprinkled them with oofle dust and the transformation stuck, then possibly you might have some idea what I am talking about.

But rather than trying to get your head around my particularly odd analogy, it would be simpler for you to just go out and buy the album. I warn you, I have not said my last upon this subject.

Slainte...

JACKSON WEBBER: English and Western, or should that be Country and English?

http://www.jacksonwebber.com/

I like country music. There. I've said it. Just after I turned 41 a bloke who used to work for me gave me a CDR of Gram Parsons, and I never looked back. But there is something that I have never understood. Whereas with all the other Transatlantic musical genres that have made it to this country, we have (as a nation) managed to subvert them and turn them into something of our own. We have had British folk music, British R&B, British rock and roll, British reggae and even British blues, for goodness sakes. But there has never been a convincing British country music scene.

Every Englishman who has ever donned a cowboy hat and a pedal steel has always sounded like a strange imitation of someone from the outskirts of Nashville. Until Now.

I remember reading an interview with the late Ronnie Lane soon after he left The Faces in the mid 1970s. He had just launched his new band Slim Chance and said much the same as I just have. Except he added that he wanted to make his group the first bona fide English country band.

I am not sure whether he ever managed it, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Jackson-Webber have. They are a spin-off from Wally about whom I have been eulogistic in my praise over the last few weeks, and from the bits of their album, that I have heard, I am massively impressed.

I am just waiting for my copy to arrive from the lovely Anne-Marie at Gonzo, and I will be driving my nearest and dearest bonkers by playing it too often and too loud. Watch this space!

SOMEONE ELSE THINKS THAT THE JACKSON WEBBER ALBUM IS A CRACKER

Review: Jackson/Webber-What It Is

Will Jackson and Roy Webber are members of the British progressive rock band Wally. This band has been kicking up its heels since the 1970’s. Their newest recording is very melodic and has an acoustic feel that warms the soul. What It Is will be the first recording from Roy Webber in over thirty six years. The album was begun back in 2006 and is now complete.

“Falling Down” is the first track on the album. Layered with percussion and intricate guitar riffs, this piece grabbed from the get go. The vocals are smooth and ease you into the melody. The textures created here are a myriad of beautiful tendrils twining together just as the cover art suggests. Voices coalesce into one and the instrumentation is flawless and natural.

Read on...

JACKSON WEBBER: Smashing new album

Will Jackson and Roy Webber are members of the British progressive Rock band Wally. The band Wally has a large and dedicated following and a history that stretches back to the mid seventies when the band were signed to Atlantic Records and released two albums which were produced by Bob Harris of The Old Grey Whistle Test fame. This album under the name Jackson Webber was recorded by Will Jackson and Roy Webber in 2006 and features ten tracks of finely crafted melodic rock songs with a strong acoustic feel. This along with the recently released third album from Wally sees the first new recordings to come from Roy Webber in more than thirty six years. Tracks include, Falling Down, Heartbreaker, She Said and Stoney Ground. Wally has a large and dedicated fan following and as such this album will be of enormous interest to the Wally fan base.

Tracks: 1. Falling Down , 2. It's Only Fool , 3. Heartbreaker , 4. She Said , 5. Another Time , 6. In The Night , 7. Shame On You , 8. I Believe In , 9. Wish I Was Falling , 10. Stoney Ground.

Wally Live DVD!

Legendary British band Wally will be releasing a live DVD filmed at the bands reunion in Harrogate at the Royal Theatre in 2009.



The DVD entitled "That Was Then" will include the complete performance and also feature an exclusive nterview filmed with three members of the band Roy Webber, Will Jackson and Frank Mizen. The interview was filmed at the end of August 2011 at the bands recording studio in Harrogate and the band discuss their history and also forthcoming plans both as members of Wally and a new band called Jackson Webber.



The band also discuss what it was like playing for an audience for the first time in more than thirty five years.



The DVD will hopefully be released in late 2011 along with further albums from Wally and Jackson Webber. The picture above was taken while the band were being filmed for the interiew and features from left to right Will Jackson, Roy Webber, Frank Mizen and Jon Kirkman



In the meantime you can find out more about Wally by going to the bands website here:



www.wallymusic.co.uk

Gonzo Secures Wally Albums For Distribution: New DVD, Live Album and New Studio Album On The Way

Gonzo have secured distribution rights to new reeases from 70's band Wally. Wally were signed to Atlantic in the 70's and the first self titled album was produced by Bob Harris and Rick Wakeman. A second album Valley Gardens was produced solely by Bob Harris.
The band performed many many high profile concerts including a guest slot on the 1974Rick Wakeman Garden Party Concert at Crystal palace.The band also appeared on the Old Grey Whistle Test.

Whilst the band split in the mid seventies they did reform in 2009 and were filmed at a concert in Harrogate which was played as a tribute to former members Pete Cosker and Paul Gerrett who had passed away. The concert was introduced by Bob Harris. The following year the band reformed again and the result was a double Live album entitled To The Urban Man

Since then there has also been a studio album entitled Montpelier which contains some songs that would have gone on to make the proposed third album in the 70's

The deal with Gonzo covers the Live DVD entitled That Was then
The double Live CD To The Urban Man
and
The Studio album Montpelier

Roy Webber and Will Jackson also have a side project away from Wally, Jackson<>Webber and have recorded an album entitled What It Is

This also will be distributed via Gonzo

Roy Webber founder member of Wally is seen here with Gonzo MD Rob Ayling

You can find out more about Wally and see photos of the band and a full biography of all the members at the Wall website here:
http://www.wallymusic.co.uk/