Goodbye October

Description

Goodbye October is the sophomore album by the British singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Adrian Snell, released in the UK on Dovetail Records in October 1976. The album was recorded by Andy Kidd, Dave Cooke, and Helmut Kaufmann at ICC Studios in Eastbourne, England; with John Pantry producing. Goodbye October was voted Album of the Year by the readers of the British gospel magazine Buzz and the magazine enthused about Snell’s “blend of classical pop” with emphasis on his “pure voice” and “brilliant piano playing.” Cover illustration by visual artist Eugene Press.

The title cut was later re-recorded by Snell on his 1990-album, Father.

Goodbye October continues to present stirring mellow music, mostly dreamy ballads and quiet moods, the atmosphere occasionally enlivend slightly by sidestepping into light rock («City Bound»), soft jazz («Summer Song») or playful pop («Jesus Is My Song»). Elka Rhapsody and Moog synthesizers join the piano for an expanded keyboard sound, bringing depth and light classical/progressive touches to selections like «By the Waters of Babylon (Psalm 137)» and the opening «Prelude». The ballads «And in the Morning» and the title track retain piano as the primary instrument. Delicate use of flute, mandolin and acoustic guitar, gently caressing songs like «This Land» and «Father, Saviour, Lord». Attractive artwork and lettering throughout the gatefold cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

There are so many memories attached to my second LP ‘Goodbye October’, released in 1976. There was the title from the piano driven song with the same name, so beautifully worded by Phil Thomson. There was «By The Waters of Babylon», my modern adaptation of Psalm 137 which would always remain linked to the songs written with Doug Constable at Lee Abbey, the place I would come to revisit so many times. And this was the very first time I worked with the visual artist Eugene Press, who painted my record covers and the inlay, giving me a style and identity with those early records that I could truly call my own. [A note by Adrian Snell posted on Facebook, August 2019]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-early-years/1483315548)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Prelude” – 4:25
A2. “This Land” – 2:47
A3. “By The Waters Of Babylon (Psalm 137)” – 4:54
A4. “Father, Saviour, Lord” – 3:32
A5. “City Bound” – 2:50

Side Two
B1. “Goodbye October” – 4:30
B2. “Summer Song” – 2:52
B3. “Jesus, I’m Alone” – 3:22
B4. “Jesus Is My Song” – 2:45
B5. “And In The Morning” – 3:25

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Dovetail Records, with the vinyl edition housed in a gatefold sleeve. Some tracks from this album were included in the 3CD set The Early Years 1975 – 1981, released on the DUtch REcord COmpany DURECO in 1994.

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CREDITS. Produced by John Pantry. Engineered by Andy Kidd, Dave Cooke, and Helmut Kaufmann. Arranged by Joe King. Art Direction by Phil Thomson. Sleeve Concept and Illustration by Eugene Press. Photography by David McQuitty.

Musicians: Adrian Snell (Vocals, Piano, Electric Piano, Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Classical Guitar, Elka Rhapsody Keyboards, String & Moog Synthesizers, Percussion [Jawbone]), Joe King (Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano, Elka Rhapsody Keyboards, String & Moog Synthesizers), Elisabeth Kaufmann (Female Vocals – tracks: B2, B3, B4, B5) , Ken Parr (Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone), Gordon Carr (French Horn – tracks: A3, B1, B2), Gerry Page (Bass, Mandolin, Voice [Heathen Shouts], Handclaps), Bernard Shaw (Drums, Percussion – tracks: A3, B4), Keith Entwistle (Drums, Percussion).