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Latest news: Work has begun on The Strawberry Bricks Companion, a curated and annotated discography of the artists and groups from the timeline, 1967 to present. Due sometime in 2025.

Buy the book: The third edition of The Strawberry Bricks Guide To Progressive Rock is available for individual purchase through your country's Amazon website, including local shipping and Prime benefits: Amazon.com (US) | Amazon.co.uk (UK) | Amazon.ca (CA) | Amazon.de (DE) | Amazon.fr (FR) | Amazon.es (ES) | Amazon.it (IT) | Amazon.jp (JP) | Amazon.com.au (AU)

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Reviews for the Third Edition

Reviews for the third edition of The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive rock (will be updated).

Totally missed this review! Thank you Pete Pardo and Sea of Tranquility!

X In Search Of Space > Hawkwind

Artist: Hawkwind
Label: United Artists Records
Catalog#: UAS 5567
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1971-10
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Hawkwind quickly earned a reputation as “the people’s band” from playing free concerts in and around London, and from the counter-culture (Friends magazine, drugs) associated with those events. One of Hawkwind’s most notable free gigs was in late August 1970, at Canvas City, an inflatable “bubble” tent outside the gates of the Isle of Wight Festival. With Thomas Crimble on bass, the band played for hours, but the experience proved too much for Huw Lloyd-Langton, who suffered an unsuspected spike of acid.

The Cheerful Insanity Of Giles, Giles And Fripp > Giles, Giles & Fripp

Artist: Giles, Giles And Fripp
Label: Deram
Catalog#: SML 1022
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1968-09
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
This was by no means a major release; these are, however, the first recordings from guitarist Robert Fripp, and as such, of interest to the timeline. The band came to London from provincial Bournemouth, on England's south coast. Brothers Peter Giles and Michael Giles, bass and drums respectively, had spent the last seven years as a rhythm section together, performing mainly R&B covers. In London, they managed to secure a deal with Deram Records, who released two singles and the album, The Cheerful Insanity Of Giles, Giles & Fripp.

Music In A Doll's House > Family

Artist: Family
Label: Reprise Records
Catalog#: RS 6312
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1968-08
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Family centered on the talents of guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney and vocalist Roger Chapman, and found early acceptance in the London underground scene. The pair was originally in the Leicester-based Farinas, along with sax/flute player Jim King and bassist Ric Grech. American producer Kim Fowley gave them their name, a reference to their "mafia" appearance. Rob Townsend then arrived on drums, and after recording one single for the Liberty label, they were signed by Reprise Records.

Fairport Convention > Fairport Convention

Artist: Fairport Convention
Label: Polydor
Catalog#: 583 035
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1968-07
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Fairport Convention got its start in the same London underground as their more psychedelic counterparts and eventually became England’s first (and finest) electric folk band. Founded by bassist Ashley Hutchings, guitarists Simon Nicol and Richard Thompson, and singer Judy Dyble, the band took its name from Nicol’s parents’ house in Muswell Hill. Drummer Martin Lamble joined after their first gig, while second vocalist Iain Matthews (McDonald) was recruited just prior to the recording of their first album.

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown > Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, The

Artist: Crazy World Of Arthur Brown
Label: Track Record
Catalog#: SD 8198
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1968-06
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Another stanchion of the London underground scene, Arthur Brown had huge success with the single "Fire" b/w "Rest Cure." Released in June, it rose to the top of the UK charts, while reaching No. 2 in the US that September. The single was a tough act to follow, perhaps even overshadowing the rest of his career. But let's not sell the man short. Brown's real contribution to rock music was theatre: his on-stage antics-from fire helmet to crucifixion-set the standard for most every act to follow.

A Saucerful Of Secrets > Pink Floyd

Artist: Pink Floyd
Label: Tower
Catalog#: ST 5131
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1968-06
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
With Syd Barrett's unpredictability on stage reaching the point of embarrassment for the band, Pink Floyd-bassist Roger Waters, drummer Nick Mason and keyboardist Rick Wright-forged ahead into 1968 with fellow Cambridge guitarist and friend David Gilmour in tow. Driven by pressure from EMI for another hit, they first released a single, "It Would Be So Nice" b/w "Julia Dream" in April, but it was mostly throwaway. However, the album, A Saucerful Of Secrets, fared much better.

Tomorrow > Tomorrow

Artist: Tomorrow Featuring Keith West
Label: Parlophone
Catalog#: PCS 7042
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1968-02
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
As the In Crowd, a London-based mid-60s soul band, bassist John "Junior" Wood and singer Keith West (born Keith Alan Hopkins) found middling success, but after teaming with ex-Syndicats guitarist Steve Howe and drummer John "Twink" Alder, the quartet rebranded themselves as Tomorrow and launched straight into the popular psychedelia of 1967.

Elegy > Nice, The

Artist: Nice
Label: Mercury
Catalog#: SR 61324
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1971-04

Five Bridges > Nice, The

Artist: Nice
Label: Mercury
Catalog#: SR-61295
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1970-06

The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack > Nice, The

Artist: Nice
Label: Immediate
Catalog#: IMSP 016
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1967-12
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Taking their name from Steve Marriott's (of the Small Faces) euphemism for being high, The Nice originally formed as a back-up band for Immediate label soul singer P.P. Arnold. But the group's infatuation with Jimi Hendrix-like stage antics, manifested in Keith Emerson's keyboard histrionics, led them quickly away from the singer and into London's limelight. Guitar heroes had been around for years already, but Emerson lashed out as England's first keyboard showman.