The Artwoods
The Artwoods | |
---|---|
Origin | London, England |
Genres | R&B[1] |
Years active | 1964–1967 |
Labels | Decca, Parlophone, Repertoire, Spark |
Past members | Art Wood Derek Griffiths Reginald Dunnage Malcolm Pool Keef Hartley Jon Lord Colin Martin |
The Artwoods (also sometimes known by Decca Records as the Art Woods) were a British rhythm and blues band who formed in 1963 and were professionally active between 1964 and 1967.[1][2] They were a popular live attraction, rivalling groups such as the Animals, although, despite releasing a clutch of singles and an album, their record sales never reflected this popularity.[1]
History
Singer
The intended debut single, a cover of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man", was shelved in favour of a rendition of an old Lead Belly song, "Sweet Mary".[3] Although it didn't reach the charts, it got sufficient airplay to bring the band a lot of live work, including an appearance on the first live edition of Ready Steady Go!.[1] Their second record, "Oh My Love", was another blues cover. Like its predecessor (and subsequent releases), it failed to chart.[3] Their only chart single was "I Take What I Want", which reached No 28 on 8 May 1966. The Artwoods were one of the few British bands of the era to play behind the Iron Curtain as they toured Poland in 1966[4] with Lord's then-girlfriend Elkie Brooks as opener.[5]
As the St Valentines Day Massacre
The Artwoods were dropped by Decca at the end of 1966, and they signed a one-record deal with Parlophone, but their release "What Shall I Do" also had no success.[1][3] Later in 1967, a final "one-off" single appeared on the Fontana label, with the band billing itself as St. Valentine's Day Massacre;[6] but by the time of its release the Artwoods had effectively ceased to exist.[1]
Critical reception and post-band activity
Bruce Eder of
Over the years, there have been two compilations released by the band. In 1983, 100 Oxford Street, including most of their mid-'60s singles and seven songs from Art Gallery, was released by
Band members
- Art Wood – lead vocals (born Arthur Wood, 6 June 1937, in West Drayton, Middlesex; died 3 November 2006, in London)
- Derek Griffiths – lead guitar (born Derek Charles Griffiths, 23 June 1944, in England)
- Jon Lord – organ (born John Douglas Lord, 9 June 1941, in Leicester, Leicestershire; died 16 July 2012)
- Hayes End, Middlesex)
- Keef Hartley – drums (born Keith Hartley, 8 March 1944, in Preston, Lancashire, died there 26 November 2011)
- Colin Martin – drums (born 18 March 1945, in Leyton, East London)
Discography
Albums
- Art Gallery (Decca, LK4830) Nov 1966
- Art Gallery [Reissue] (Repertoire, REP4533-WP) 1995
Live albums
- Live at Klooks Kleek (Diamond) 2016
- Art's Gallery (Top Sounds) 2019
Compilation albums
- The Artwoods (Spark, SRLM2006) 1974
- 100 Oxford Street (Edsel, ED107) 1983
- Singles A's & B's (Repertoire, REP4887) 2000
- Steady Gettin' It – The Complete Recordings 1964–67 (RPM) 2014
EPs
- Oh My Love ["Oh My Love"/"Big City"/"If I Ever Get My Hands on You"/"Sweet Mary"] (Decca 457.076 M) 1966
- Jazz in Jeans ["These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"/"A Taste of Honey"/"Our Man Flint"/"Routine"] (Decca DFE 8654) 1966
- The Artwoods ["I Take What I Want" (Hayes/Porter/Hodges)/"If I Ever Get My Hands on You" (Carter/Lewis)/"I Feel Good" (Neville)/"She Knows What to Do" (Hill/Rebennack)] (Decca DFE 8576) Reissue, 2009 in Japan
Singles
- "Sweet Mary"/"If I Ever Get My Hands on You" (Decca F 12015) Nov 1964
- "Oh My Love"/"Big City" (Decca F 12091) Feb '65
- "Goodbye Sisters"/"She Knows What to Do" (Decca F 12206) Aug 1965
- "I Take What I Want"/"I'm Looking for a Saxophonist Doubling French Horn Wearing Size 37 Boots" (Decca F 12384) Apr 1966
- "I Feel Good"/"Molly Anderson's Cookery Book" (Decca F 12465) Aug 1966
- "What Shall I Do"/"In the Deep End" (Parlophone R 5590) Apr 1967
- "Brother Can You Spare a Dime"/"Al's Party" (Fontana H883) (as St. Valentine's Day Massacre) 1967
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "The Artwoods Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Art Wood". The Independent. London. 6 November 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Pre Deep Purple – John Lord Biography". Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ^ "The Artwoods". www.deep-purple.net. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ Trimaximalist (3 January 2018). "Elkie Brooks -". Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "100 Oxford St". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
- ^ "Singles A's & B's". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
External links
- The Artwoods at Allmusic