Stud

When Rory Gallagher left Taste for a solo career in 1970, bassist Charlie McCracken and drummer John Wilson were without a band. Recruiting guitarist Jim Cregan, Stud released their self-titled album in 1971 on the Deram label. The playful “Sail On” opens the record, with everyone in fine form, but the following “Turn Over The Pages” is more typical of what was to come: gentle, acoustic numbers similar to Family, Traffic, or Blossom Toes, as Cregan’s songwriting fits right down that alley. The lengthy “1112235” however reveals a completely different side of the band-the electric fusion first revealed on the final Taste album, On The Boards. McCracken and Wilson’s rhythm is phenomenal, driving right into the following “Harpo’s Head” with Cregan’s guitar never missing a lick. The lengthy two part “Horizon” combines the best of Stud: Cregan’s songform (“Here”)-with help from Family’s Poli Palmer on vibes and John Weider on violin-before breaking down into something far more electric and Blossom Toe-ish (“There”). Unfortunately, the album didn’t garner much attention upon release, but Stud did find success in Germany. Free from Family, Weider joined full-time as a multi-instrumentalist for their second album, September, which saw release on the German BASF label. His violin and piano added a subtle twist to the laid back acoustic songs from both he and Cregan; they’re substantial songwriters, but commercial success was again not in the offing. A final album in late 1972, Goodbye Live At The Command, was recorded live in the studio and would better showcase both the band’s fiery stage performance, and Cregan’s substantial lead guitar. Wilson then attempted to resurrect Stud (with Snowy White and Andy Sneddon), but nothing came of it. Weider would later record a solo album in 1976 with McCracken. Cregan briefly joined Family, but later found great success as Rod Stewart’s musical director.