The debut Vigrass And Osborne album ‘Steppin’ Out’ is fairly typical early 70’s pop rock sprinkled with stunningly gorgeous orchestrations from producer Jeff Wayne.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Vigrass And Osborne
ALBUM: Steppin’ Out
LABEL: Epic
SERIAL: KE 33077
YEAR: 1974
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Paul Vigrass – vocals * Gary Osborne – guitar
Additional Musicians: Barry Clarke – guitars, mandolin, dulcimer * Tim Renwick – guitars * Mark Griffiths – slide guitar, bass * Pete Morgan, Tetsu, Peter Watkins, Herbie Flowers – bass * Barry de Sousa, Kenny Jones – drums * Sunray Cooper – percussion * Peter Wood, Alan Hawkshaw, Jeff Wayne – keyboards * Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Juanita Franklin, Judith Powell – background vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Gypsy Woman * 02 Daily Express * 03 Engine Driver * 04 Summer Passed You By * 05 Haystacks * 06 Sunshine Cake * 07 Wild And Windy Sea * 08 Steppin’ Out * 09 Sit Yourself Down * 10 Hey Brother/Heyla
WEBLINKS: NA
Background
A few of you will remember Jeff Wayne’s ‘War Of The Worlds’ musical extravaganza from 1978 and the hit single ‘Forever Autumn’ sung by The Moody Blues Justin Hayward. That song was originally written by Wayne and the duo of Paul Vigrass and Gary Osborne for their 1972 album ‘Queues’. It was released as a single then, but failed to chart which pretty much sums up Vigrass and Osborne less than stellar career together.
Sometimes it’s best to break it off and cut your losses and two albums it seems were enough. Former actor Vigrass slipped out of sight after ‘Steppin’ Out’ and Osborne went on to chart success as a writer for Elton John well into the 80’s.
The Songs
‘Steppin’ Out’ is fairly typical early 70’s pop rock sprinkled with stunningly gorgeous orchestrations from producer Jeff Wayne. I am serious when I say I wouldn’t give this album a toss if it wasn’t without Wayne’s influence which gives certain tracks like ‘Engine Driver’ and ‘Wild And Windy Sea’ an ethereal, at times folkie progressive rock flavour reminiscent of Al Stewart and The Strawbs.
Still, most of this material is second rate that no one, not even Wayne could save including the big band/glam rock embarrassment of the title track. Same goes for ‘Haystacks’ and ‘Sunshine Cake’ which are just too dreadful to bother with.
In Summary
This record was released in the U.S. and I believe there was a tour stateside to support it. I have been told, their first album is far better but I have yet to track down a copy cheap enough where I won’t need to take out a loan on my house!
Video
Entire Album