Introduction

In 1969 a disparate group of quirky individuals with a tremendous shared sense of fun and no dress sense set off from Bristol in Bessie the Van to conquer England, armed with a guitar or two and a few good songs. 1000 gigs later, they had opened the first Glastonbury Festival, taken Reading Festival by storm and in 1973 attracted the attention of Beatles mentor George Martin, who produced their "Man In A Bowler Hat" album. Seen in the '70s as the West Country's answer to the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Stackridge continues today to enjoy a reputation for eccentric behaviour and an eclectic musical style.   In 1999 Stackridge released the well-received new CD, 'Something For The Weekend' (described as "surprisingly potent pop" in Q, June 1999) and returned to top the bill on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival.  For David Stubbs, it was " a highlight of the Fayre" (NME July 1999).  In August 2000, Stackridge delighted Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival with an infectious display of fine melody, humour and superb musicianship.

This CDROM (Official Bootleg No 2) is a record of the antics of this fine group of English fellows so far. It is a veritable Ali Baba's cave of Stackridgean treasures ... old photographs, press cuttings, recordings of the '70s live band not otherwise available, video footage of the new live band and much, much more...

A special debt of gratitude is due to graphic artist Rodney Matthews (co-perpetrator with Terry Brace of the "Friendliness" Comic in 1972) for his "reincarnation" of the back and front of Slark and Marzo Plod for the new millennium, seen here.

....I'll leave the final word to that exceptionally fine Stackridgean song-writer, James Warren.  His song, "Love, Death and Photographs" sums up exactly how I feel right now.  You'll find the song on "Jim's Special Edition Easy Listening Christmas Album" (DAP102CD) available from www.stackridge.com.

Photographs:

Stackridge1969-1973: Bill Blake
The Stackettes1999: Marilyn Dumars
Stackridge 2000: Paul Morris

All archive material: copyright Stackridge Ltd 2001.

Note...more information, news, concert dates, tours, CDs & other merchandise are also available from the Stackridge website right now!

www.stackridge.com

constructed by Gerard O'Farrell (gerard@silvertrees.net)
and produced by Jennie Evans