Juicy Lucy — Pieces (1972/February 17, 1997)
Formed: on 1 October 1969 in England. The band name was inspired by a character in The Virgin Soldiers (1966) by Leslie Thomas.
λ• People struggle to pigeon–hole Juicy Lucy's music; progressive blues, classic rock, "cheeky" blues but none of these really do it justice. Please, listen and judge for yourself.
Location: England
Album release: February 17, 1997
Record Label: Bronze / Polydor / Repertoire
N°.: #REP 4644–WY
Duration: 41:02
Tracks:
01. Promised Land 3:55
02. Cuckoo 3:43
03. All My Life 6:33
04. It Ain't Easy 5:55
05. Suicide Pilot 4:14
06. Why Can't It Happen To Me 3:53
07. Dead Flowers In The Mirror 3:59
08. Prospector Dan 4:55
09. How Can A Poor Man Stand These Times And Live 3:55
Written by:
λ• Chuck Berry 1
λ• Traditional 2
λ• John Williams 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
λ• Zoot Money 4
CREDITS:
λ• Ron Berg Drums
λ• Chuck Berry Composer
λ• Juicy Lucy Arranger
λ• Ian McLagan Keyboards
λ• Zoot Money Composer
λ• Micky Moody Guitar
λ• Andy Pyle Bass
λ• Jean Roussel Keyboards
λ• Bruce Rowland Original Recording Producer
λ• Traditional Composer
λ• Mick Weaver Keyboards
λ• Chris Welch Liner Notes
λ• John Williams Composer
λ• Paul Williams Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
λ• Paul Williams Vocals
Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide; AMG Score: *½
λ• Saucy blues–rockers Juicy Lucy formed in 1969 from the ashes of cult–favorite garage band the Misunderstood, reuniting vocalist Ray Owen, steel guitarist Glenn "Ross" Campbell, and keyboardist Chris Mercer; with the additions of guitarist Neil Hubbard, bassist Keith Ellis, and drummer Pete Dobson, the group immediately notched a U.K. Top 20 hit with their reading of the Bo Diddley perennial "Who Do You Love," with their self–titled debut LP falling just shy of the Top 40. Ex–Zoot Money singer Paul Williams, guitarist Mick Moody, and drummer Rod Coombes replaced Owen (who exited for a solo career), Hubbard, and Dobson for 1970's Lie Back and Enjoy It, with bassist Jim Leverton assuming Ellis' duties for the follow–up, 1971's Get a Whiff a This. The constant turnover clearly took its toll on the group both creatively and commercially, with co–founders Campbell and Mercer both exiting prior to the fourth Juicy Lucy album, 1972's Pieces, which was recorded by a makeshift lineup of Williams, Moody, keyboardist Jean Roussel, and the former Blodwyn Pig rhythm section of bassist Andy Pyle and drummer Ron Berg. Juicy Lucy finally disbanded shortly thereafter. Ray Owen revived the name in 1995 for the album Here She Comes Again which found Mike Jarvis (guitar), Andy Doughty (bass), and Spencer Blackledge (drums) rounding out the band. A couple of years later, this version of the band broke up, but Owen wanted to keep on going, especially when he formed a musical partnership with a guitarist known as Mr. Fish. Legal problems kept the new band from using the Juicy Lucy name so they gigged as Ray Owen's Moon. By 2004, bassist Fudge and drummer Fletch had joined the band and the legal issue was settled. The new Juicy Lucy spent 2006 working on a new album and touring the U.K. with Nazareth.
Career:
λ• The band immediately notched a UK Top 20 hit with their cover version of the Bo Diddley composition "Who Do You Love?" Their self–titled debut album then fell just shy of the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart. The album's cover featured a burlesque dancer named Zelda Plum, naked except for a covering of fruit.
λ• Line–up changes ensued, as former Zoot Money singer Paul Williams, guitarist Micky Moody, and drummer Rod Coombes replaced Owen (who exited for a solo career), Hubbard, and Dobson for 1970's Lie Back and Enjoy It (#53 — UK Albums Chart). In May 1970, the band appeared at the annual NME poll–winners concert. Another bassist, Jim Leverton, assumed Ellis' duties for the follow–up, 1971's Get a Whiff a This. In August 1971, Juicy Lucy appeared on the bill at the Weeley Festival near Clacton–on–Sea, Essex.
λ• The constant turnover took its toll on the group, creatively and commercially. Co–founders Campbell and Mercer, also Coombes exited prior to the fourth Juicy Lucy album Pieces (1972), which also included keyboardist Zoot Money in the recording line up. The album was recorded by the principle line–up of Williams, Moody, keyboardist Jean Roussel and former Blodwyn Pig rhythm section of bassist Andy Pyle and drummer Ron Berg. Juicy Lucy disbanded shortly thereafter. Micky Moody, formerly with Snafu joined the band in 1973, leaving in 1976 and later joining Whitesnake.
λ• In 1995, Ray Owen resurrected the band's name and recorded Here She Comes Again. The line–up for this recording also included Mike Jarvis (guitar), Andy Doughty (bass), and Spencer Blackledge (drums). This version of the band broke up in 1997, but Owen persevered and joined up with guitarist Steve Fish. Although legal problems would not allow them usage of the name Juicy Lucy, the outfit performed as Ray Owen's Moon (Moon being the title of Ray Owen's 1971 solo album). The albumBlue Thunder (1996) was released under the Juicy Lucy name by Paul Williams and Micky Moody, featuring guest musicians Mick Taylor and Andy Summers.
λ• Moody and Williams released the album Smokestacks, Broomdusters and Hoochie Coochie Men in 2002. In 2004, bassist Colin Fudge and drummer Paul Fletcher joined the band, after the legalities had been resolved. Juicy Lucy's version of the song "Who Do You Love?" was featured in the video game Shellshock: Nam '67, released in 2004. λ• The Edge Fletcher version of Juicy Lucy, released the album Do That And You'll Lose It in 2006 and toured the UK with Nazareth and also played at the Cambridge Rock Festival in 2007.
λ• In 2009, a new line–up of Juicy Lucy was formed as Owen was unable to continue touring on a regular basis, due to health problems. This line–up was fronted by singer and guitarist Steve Fish, with Paul Fletcher on drums and James Morris on bass and this they to toured throughout the UK. In September 2012, bassist Frank Cokayne joined Fish and Fletch in the UK version of the band. In March 2013, Cokayne was replaced by Michael Phillips. "Mississippi Woman" and "Who Do You Love?" (from the band's first album) are still performed live.
λ• Owen now occasionally performs in France under the moniker "Ray Owen's Juicy Lucy", accompanied by Mike Jarvis and Spencer Blackledge from the 1990s line–up. He also performs solo acoustic sets in UK, with regular appearances at the Lewes Con Club.
λ• Unfortunately all was not well in the Lucy camp. Personal differences took their toll and the band went through several line–up changes to the extent that by the time of the band’s last album "Pieces", none of the original members who had seared their way onto the scene with Who Do You Love remained in the band.
λ• And so Juicy Lucy disappeared from sight. However, 1994 saw the return of the band with singer Ray Owen taking the position centre stage on vocals and guitar and ably assisted by Mike Jarvis (guitar), Spencer Blackledge (drums) and Andy Doughty (bass) the album "Here She Comes Again" saw the light of day. The band toured in support of the album, but could not reach out to either their old fans or the new audience which they desired. Dispirited, that line–up called it a day in 1997.
λ• Soon after the collapse of that particular incarnation of Juicy Lucy, Ray came into contact with Mr Fish. It was immediately obvious to each of them that the other had talent and so they decided to work together. Legal considerations at the time prevented them using the Juicy Lucy name, so they gigged and recorded as "Ray Owen's Moon", a name originally used for Ray's 1973 solo album. Over the course of the next few years there were several changes of personnel working alongside the dynamic duo; another guitarist as well as various drummers and bass players. Finally in 2002 Fletch came on to the scene. Possessing a remakable combination of skill, power and imagination he instantly fitted into place as the final piece of the puzzle and the band achieved a new level.
λ• With renewed enthusiasm, the band set about song–writing, rehearsing and gigging. Although still out in the cold as far as the mainstream of the music industry was concerned, they set about working at the grass roots level. Doing the unthinkable, they were playing original music in pubs and small clubs, getting a great response and building up a following. By 2004 the situation with the Juicy Lucy name had been resolved and it was clear that the band had the capability to repeat, or even exceed, its earlier success. Sanctuary Records had released "Who Do You Love — the anthology" and interest in the band was being shown from all over the world. By mid–2004 a management deal had been struck, and Juicy Lucy was back in business!
λ• Following a very successful relaunch of the band on an unsuspecting public on 16th February 2005, held at the famous Eel Pie Club in Twickenham, April 2005 saw the band setting out to gig across the UK. Kicking off supporting Saxon and Wishbone Ash in front of a crowd of 4000, they played at venues from Plymouth to Aberdeen and back again. Whether playing to longtime fans from the ’70s or to student audiences the response was the same: ecstatic! As one happy audience member was heard to say in Dundee "They're real live fuck rock stars, but nobody knows it yet!"
λ• February 2006 saw the band supporting rock legends Nazareth at a string of dates up and down England as well as continuing to headline in their own right.
λ• In June 2006, the band went in to The Levellers’ Metway Studios in Brighton to work on the first new recordings for twelve years. The value of extensive live performance showed when it came to the recording sessions, with the band completing the tracking for eleven songs in four days! The result of these sessions was Do That And You'll Lose It, released in September 2006.
λ• Over the next two years the band continued to do things the old fashioned way: traveling the length and breadth of the UK, bringing their distinctive brand of blues–rock to the music loving public, building their fan base through hard work, determination and talent. In June 2008 bass player Fudge decided to leave for personal reasons and his role was taken up by the previously unseen but always present James. Not long after that upheaval, Ray was taken seriously ill with a collapsed lung. This took him out of action during the height of the summer festival season. While he recovered the band continued to perform as a trio with Mr. Fish taking on vocal duties. Ray returned to the stage after only seven weeks but never managed to achieve full fitness and suffered a recurrence of his lung problem at the end of October 2008 which required surgery on the lung itself to remove the damaged area.
λ• Ray was expected to be fit enough to return to the band early in 2009, but the remaining trio of Mr. Fish, Fletch and James had realised in Ray’s absence that changes needed to be made in order for the band to continue to develop both its music and its audience. When this was put to Ray in January 2009, he was not in agreement and decided not to return, leaving the core "power trio" to carry the Juicy Lucy legacy into its 40th year.
λ• In June 2012, James decided that, for personal reasons, he was no longer able to devote 100% of his time to the band. He was replaced on bass duties by Frank Cokayne, previously from Brighton based Southern–rock band Under The Gun. In 2013, Mike Phillips took over bass duty, where he's been ever since.
Discography:
λ• 1969 Juicy Lucy (Vertigo)
λ• 1970 Lie Back and Enjoy It (Vertigo)
λ• 1971 Get a Whiff a This (Bronze)
λ• 1972 Pieces (Polydor)
λ• 1974 The Best of Juicy Lucy (Island Records) (Compilation album)
λ• 1991 Who Do You Love – The Best of Juicy Lucy (Anthology) (Compilation album)
λ• 1995 Here She Comes Again
λ• 1996 Blue Thunder
λ• 1998 Pretty Woman (Compilation album)
λ• 2005 Raiding the Fruit Bowl (EP)
λ• 2006 Do That And You'll Lose It
λ• 2010 Rock Hits Collection (Compilation album)
Steve Fish´s website: http://www.juicylucyinfo.co.uk/index.html
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/juicylucy
Rating: http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/juicy_lucy/pieces/
_____________________________________________________________
Formed: on 1 October 1969 in England. The band name was inspired by a character in The Virgin Soldiers (1966) by Leslie Thomas.
λ• People struggle to pigeon–hole Juicy Lucy's music; progressive blues, classic rock, "cheeky" blues but none of these really do it justice. Please, listen and judge for yourself.
Location: England
Album release: February 17, 1997
Record Label: Bronze / Polydor / Repertoire
N°.: #REP 4644–WY
Duration: 41:02
Tracks:
01. Promised Land 3:55
02. Cuckoo 3:43
03. All My Life 6:33
04. It Ain't Easy 5:55
05. Suicide Pilot 4:14
06. Why Can't It Happen To Me 3:53
07. Dead Flowers In The Mirror 3:59
08. Prospector Dan 4:55
09. How Can A Poor Man Stand These Times And Live 3:55
Written by:
λ• Chuck Berry 1
λ• Traditional 2
λ• John Williams 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
λ• Zoot Money 4
CREDITS:
λ• Ron Berg Drums
λ• Chuck Berry Composer
λ• Juicy Lucy Arranger
λ• Ian McLagan Keyboards
λ• Zoot Money Composer
λ• Micky Moody Guitar
λ• Andy Pyle Bass
λ• Jean Roussel Keyboards
λ• Bruce Rowland Original Recording Producer
λ• Traditional Composer
λ• Mick Weaver Keyboards
λ• Chris Welch Liner Notes
λ• John Williams Composer
λ• Paul Williams Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
λ• Paul Williams Vocals
Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide; AMG Score: *½
λ• Saucy blues–rockers Juicy Lucy formed in 1969 from the ashes of cult–favorite garage band the Misunderstood, reuniting vocalist Ray Owen, steel guitarist Glenn "Ross" Campbell, and keyboardist Chris Mercer; with the additions of guitarist Neil Hubbard, bassist Keith Ellis, and drummer Pete Dobson, the group immediately notched a U.K. Top 20 hit with their reading of the Bo Diddley perennial "Who Do You Love," with their self–titled debut LP falling just shy of the Top 40. Ex–Zoot Money singer Paul Williams, guitarist Mick Moody, and drummer Rod Coombes replaced Owen (who exited for a solo career), Hubbard, and Dobson for 1970's Lie Back and Enjoy It, with bassist Jim Leverton assuming Ellis' duties for the follow–up, 1971's Get a Whiff a This. The constant turnover clearly took its toll on the group both creatively and commercially, with co–founders Campbell and Mercer both exiting prior to the fourth Juicy Lucy album, 1972's Pieces, which was recorded by a makeshift lineup of Williams, Moody, keyboardist Jean Roussel, and the former Blodwyn Pig rhythm section of bassist Andy Pyle and drummer Ron Berg. Juicy Lucy finally disbanded shortly thereafter. Ray Owen revived the name in 1995 for the album Here She Comes Again which found Mike Jarvis (guitar), Andy Doughty (bass), and Spencer Blackledge (drums) rounding out the band. A couple of years later, this version of the band broke up, but Owen wanted to keep on going, especially when he formed a musical partnership with a guitarist known as Mr. Fish. Legal problems kept the new band from using the Juicy Lucy name so they gigged as Ray Owen's Moon. By 2004, bassist Fudge and drummer Fletch had joined the band and the legal issue was settled. The new Juicy Lucy spent 2006 working on a new album and touring the U.K. with Nazareth.
Career:
λ• The band immediately notched a UK Top 20 hit with their cover version of the Bo Diddley composition "Who Do You Love?" Their self–titled debut album then fell just shy of the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart. The album's cover featured a burlesque dancer named Zelda Plum, naked except for a covering of fruit.
λ• Line–up changes ensued, as former Zoot Money singer Paul Williams, guitarist Micky Moody, and drummer Rod Coombes replaced Owen (who exited for a solo career), Hubbard, and Dobson for 1970's Lie Back and Enjoy It (#53 — UK Albums Chart). In May 1970, the band appeared at the annual NME poll–winners concert. Another bassist, Jim Leverton, assumed Ellis' duties for the follow–up, 1971's Get a Whiff a This. In August 1971, Juicy Lucy appeared on the bill at the Weeley Festival near Clacton–on–Sea, Essex.
λ• The constant turnover took its toll on the group, creatively and commercially. Co–founders Campbell and Mercer, also Coombes exited prior to the fourth Juicy Lucy album Pieces (1972), which also included keyboardist Zoot Money in the recording line up. The album was recorded by the principle line–up of Williams, Moody, keyboardist Jean Roussel and former Blodwyn Pig rhythm section of bassist Andy Pyle and drummer Ron Berg. Juicy Lucy disbanded shortly thereafter. Micky Moody, formerly with Snafu joined the band in 1973, leaving in 1976 and later joining Whitesnake.
λ• In 1995, Ray Owen resurrected the band's name and recorded Here She Comes Again. The line–up for this recording also included Mike Jarvis (guitar), Andy Doughty (bass), and Spencer Blackledge (drums). This version of the band broke up in 1997, but Owen persevered and joined up with guitarist Steve Fish. Although legal problems would not allow them usage of the name Juicy Lucy, the outfit performed as Ray Owen's Moon (Moon being the title of Ray Owen's 1971 solo album). The albumBlue Thunder (1996) was released under the Juicy Lucy name by Paul Williams and Micky Moody, featuring guest musicians Mick Taylor and Andy Summers.
λ• Moody and Williams released the album Smokestacks, Broomdusters and Hoochie Coochie Men in 2002. In 2004, bassist Colin Fudge and drummer Paul Fletcher joined the band, after the legalities had been resolved. Juicy Lucy's version of the song "Who Do You Love?" was featured in the video game Shellshock: Nam '67, released in 2004. λ• The Edge Fletcher version of Juicy Lucy, released the album Do That And You'll Lose It in 2006 and toured the UK with Nazareth and also played at the Cambridge Rock Festival in 2007.
λ• In 2009, a new line–up of Juicy Lucy was formed as Owen was unable to continue touring on a regular basis, due to health problems. This line–up was fronted by singer and guitarist Steve Fish, with Paul Fletcher on drums and James Morris on bass and this they to toured throughout the UK. In September 2012, bassist Frank Cokayne joined Fish and Fletch in the UK version of the band. In March 2013, Cokayne was replaced by Michael Phillips. "Mississippi Woman" and "Who Do You Love?" (from the band's first album) are still performed live.
λ• Owen now occasionally performs in France under the moniker "Ray Owen's Juicy Lucy", accompanied by Mike Jarvis and Spencer Blackledge from the 1990s line–up. He also performs solo acoustic sets in UK, with regular appearances at the Lewes Con Club.
λ• Unfortunately all was not well in the Lucy camp. Personal differences took their toll and the band went through several line–up changes to the extent that by the time of the band’s last album "Pieces", none of the original members who had seared their way onto the scene with Who Do You Love remained in the band.
λ• And so Juicy Lucy disappeared from sight. However, 1994 saw the return of the band with singer Ray Owen taking the position centre stage on vocals and guitar and ably assisted by Mike Jarvis (guitar), Spencer Blackledge (drums) and Andy Doughty (bass) the album "Here She Comes Again" saw the light of day. The band toured in support of the album, but could not reach out to either their old fans or the new audience which they desired. Dispirited, that line–up called it a day in 1997.
λ• Soon after the collapse of that particular incarnation of Juicy Lucy, Ray came into contact with Mr Fish. It was immediately obvious to each of them that the other had talent and so they decided to work together. Legal considerations at the time prevented them using the Juicy Lucy name, so they gigged and recorded as "Ray Owen's Moon", a name originally used for Ray's 1973 solo album. Over the course of the next few years there were several changes of personnel working alongside the dynamic duo; another guitarist as well as various drummers and bass players. Finally in 2002 Fletch came on to the scene. Possessing a remakable combination of skill, power and imagination he instantly fitted into place as the final piece of the puzzle and the band achieved a new level.
λ• With renewed enthusiasm, the band set about song–writing, rehearsing and gigging. Although still out in the cold as far as the mainstream of the music industry was concerned, they set about working at the grass roots level. Doing the unthinkable, they were playing original music in pubs and small clubs, getting a great response and building up a following. By 2004 the situation with the Juicy Lucy name had been resolved and it was clear that the band had the capability to repeat, or even exceed, its earlier success. Sanctuary Records had released "Who Do You Love — the anthology" and interest in the band was being shown from all over the world. By mid–2004 a management deal had been struck, and Juicy Lucy was back in business!
λ• Following a very successful relaunch of the band on an unsuspecting public on 16th February 2005, held at the famous Eel Pie Club in Twickenham, April 2005 saw the band setting out to gig across the UK. Kicking off supporting Saxon and Wishbone Ash in front of a crowd of 4000, they played at venues from Plymouth to Aberdeen and back again. Whether playing to longtime fans from the ’70s or to student audiences the response was the same: ecstatic! As one happy audience member was heard to say in Dundee "They're real live fuck rock stars, but nobody knows it yet!"
λ• February 2006 saw the band supporting rock legends Nazareth at a string of dates up and down England as well as continuing to headline in their own right.
λ• In June 2006, the band went in to The Levellers’ Metway Studios in Brighton to work on the first new recordings for twelve years. The value of extensive live performance showed when it came to the recording sessions, with the band completing the tracking for eleven songs in four days! The result of these sessions was Do That And You'll Lose It, released in September 2006.
λ• Over the next two years the band continued to do things the old fashioned way: traveling the length and breadth of the UK, bringing their distinctive brand of blues–rock to the music loving public, building their fan base through hard work, determination and talent. In June 2008 bass player Fudge decided to leave for personal reasons and his role was taken up by the previously unseen but always present James. Not long after that upheaval, Ray was taken seriously ill with a collapsed lung. This took him out of action during the height of the summer festival season. While he recovered the band continued to perform as a trio with Mr. Fish taking on vocal duties. Ray returned to the stage after only seven weeks but never managed to achieve full fitness and suffered a recurrence of his lung problem at the end of October 2008 which required surgery on the lung itself to remove the damaged area.
λ• Ray was expected to be fit enough to return to the band early in 2009, but the remaining trio of Mr. Fish, Fletch and James had realised in Ray’s absence that changes needed to be made in order for the band to continue to develop both its music and its audience. When this was put to Ray in January 2009, he was not in agreement and decided not to return, leaving the core "power trio" to carry the Juicy Lucy legacy into its 40th year.
λ• In June 2012, James decided that, for personal reasons, he was no longer able to devote 100% of his time to the band. He was replaced on bass duties by Frank Cokayne, previously from Brighton based Southern–rock band Under The Gun. In 2013, Mike Phillips took over bass duty, where he's been ever since.
Discography:
λ• 1969 Juicy Lucy (Vertigo)
λ• 1970 Lie Back and Enjoy It (Vertigo)
λ• 1971 Get a Whiff a This (Bronze)
λ• 1972 Pieces (Polydor)
λ• 1974 The Best of Juicy Lucy (Island Records) (Compilation album)
λ• 1991 Who Do You Love – The Best of Juicy Lucy (Anthology) (Compilation album)
λ• 1995 Here She Comes Again
λ• 1996 Blue Thunder
λ• 1998 Pretty Woman (Compilation album)
λ• 2005 Raiding the Fruit Bowl (EP)
λ• 2006 Do That And You'll Lose It
λ• 2010 Rock Hits Collection (Compilation album)
Steve Fish´s website: http://www.juicylucyinfo.co.uk/index.html
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/juicylucy
Rating: http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/juicy_lucy/pieces/
_____________________________________________________________