Bright Side Up

Description

Bright Side Up is the sophomore album by the British singer and songwriter Graham Kendrick, released in the UK on Key Records in 1973. The album was recorded by Nick Sykes and Barry Hammond at R.G. Jones Studios and Morgan Studios in London, England; with Martin Clarke producing. Overdubs and mixing by John Pantry. Arranged by Don Gould. All songs written by Graham Kendrick.

Guitar and vocals by Graham Kendrick “with Simon Dennis and a cast of thousands.”

On Bright Side Up Kendrick made a successful switch to a folk-pop and ballads format. As far British singer-songwriter stuff goes you’re not gonna find many that do it better than this guy. Acoustic guitar is still quite prevalent, but it’s now augmented by electric guitar, piano, bass and drums, plus light orchestration in a few spots. It’s the catchy melodies that set Kendrick above the rest, whether bright upbeat songs («Fisherman’s Song», «The Postman»), lightly jazzed moods («Yours Faithfully»), dynamic lyrical ballads («Stairway») or minor-key acoustic expressions («Wildwood»). Additional titles include «I’d Like To Be A Martyr», «End To End» (with brass), «Bad Friday Blues» and «There’s A Door». [Ken Scott, The Archivist]

Graham Kendrick – Bright Side Up (Re-Issue, Kingsway Music)

Aaah, echoes of an age. Days of Kendrick the travelling folkie, journeying to an endless stream of church halls, coffee bars, rallies, and the like, bringing a touch of finesse to the proceeding as multitudes reared on Youth Praise wondered whatever he was on about. This tape’s one of a cluster of re-released classic albums issued under Kingsway’s Right Price series. So how’s this 18-year old, bewhiskered material stood the test of time? Well, I’d really forgotten how good these early Kendrick ditties were. Hearing them again is like running into an old pal from years ago. Amazing how many of these songs had imprinted themselves on the memory. Touching lyrics with wonderful melodies, such as «Fisherman’s Song», «I’d Like To Be A Martyr», «There’s A Door». The slightly weird excursion into hippy-loud «Wildwood», and even the delightful echoes of Gilbert O’Sullivan on «Yours Faithfully». The tragedy is that these superbly-crafted songs never reached a wider audience. Not many Christians have ever got into the finer points of folk music, but people out there in the folk music world who support the genre regularly would have really appreciated the subtle craftsmanship and sheer good taste of Graham’s output. Classic material. [Tony May, Cross Rhythms, August 1991]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Fisherman’s Song” – 2:11
A2. “Yours Faithfully” – 3:30
A3. “Stairway” – 2:47
A4. “I’d Like To Be A Martyr” – 4:13
A5. “End To End” – 3:14

Side Two
B1. “Bad Friday Blues” – 3:35
B2. “Kingdom Come” – 4:27
B3. “Wildwood” – 2:02
B4. “The Postman” – 2:48
B5. “There’s A Door” – 3:32

Note: Comes with a fold-out lyrics poster.

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