Still Life - Still Life

Still Life – Still Life

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Still Life was similar to other ‘proto prog’ bands of the day; that is – heavy on vocals, shorter songs and less on musical virtuosity than say Yes or Genesis.

Written by: Eric

ARTIST: Still Life
ALBUM: Still Life
LABEL: Vertigo
SERIAL: 6306 026
YEAR: 1971
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England

LINEUP: Martin Cure – vocals * Graham Amos – bass * Terry Howells – keyboards * Alan Savage – drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 People In Black * 02 Don’t Go * 03 October Witches * 04 Love Song No. 6 * 05 Dreams * 06 Time

Background

Here’s one of those highly collectible Vertigo label rarities that still commands a high price tag even though it’s easily available on CD. I have to say the cover on this baby is gorgeous and creepy at the same time with flowers covering a human skull, very weird and ‘Goth’ before its time.

A powerful image and the history of the band reaches back to the early 60’s in various incarnations although Still Life split the same year their only album was released. They managed some live gigs with Arthur Brown and Titus Groan but fame and fortune were not to be and the only member to carry on with a musical career was vocalist Martin Cure who would front NWOBHM legends Chevy.

The Songs

Musically Still Life was very similar to other so called ‘proto prog’ bands of the day such as Gracious, Spring, Indian Summer and Cressida. In other words heavy on the vocals, shorter songs and less on musical virtuosity than Yes or Genesis.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Still Life wrote some terrific material with an emphasis on keyboard heavy rock and take note – no guitars. With song titles like ‘People In Black’ and ‘October Witches’ the music flips back and forth between Jethro Tull and The Nice influences with ease although lyrically Still Life were a bit more sinister than their contemporaries.

In Summary

Still Life is a highly recommended artifact from a bygone age and I suggest picking up the Repertoire reissue unless you have a few hundred dollars to spare on the original vinyl.


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