Week of December 24, 2006
Personnel:
Al Clare - Vocals, Keyboards
Al Rushton - Drums
Ray Russell - Vocals, Guitar
Jeff Watts - Bass
Album:
Lady Killer (Sovereign SVNA 7262) 1973
CD: Angel Air SJPCD189, 2005 (w/4 bonus tracks)
45s:
We Can Make It/It's Happening To Me And You (Sovereign SOV 122) 1973
All The Fallen Teen Angels/Just Came Back (Sovereign SOV 127) 1974
Led by jazz guitarist and session regular Ray Russell, Mouse made an
album of progressive rock that is sought-after for a number of reasons.
Russell's soaring acid-guitar reigns supreme on 'Ashen Besher' and 'It's
Happening To Me And You', subdued sadness is to be found on 'You Don't
Know', while an almost incredible use of strings in the tradition of Alban
Berg highlights 'East Of The Sun'. Given that all other tracks are at
least listenable and at best marvellous, it's easy to see why progressive
collectors consider this album a must. The sole cover is a good version of
Medicine Head's 'All The Fallen Teen-Angels'. Great fun, this one, if
somewhat disparate and short on playing time.
Ray Russell also produced and played lead on Bill Fay's “Time of the
Last Persecution” album on which Rushton drummed.
Jeff Watts was later in Steel Mill. The 45s are both scarce too.
(Marcel Koopman/Vernon Joynson)
Taken from The Tapestry of Delights Revisited
- The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and
Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Vernon Joynson
ISBN 1 899855 15 7