Hunter Muskett is an English folk-rock band, that first existed between 1968 and 1974, and reformed in 2010.
Hunter Muskett | |
|---|---|
 Hunter Muskett at the Royal Festival Hall, London (May 1973) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Avery Hill College, London, England |
| Genres | Folk-rock |
| Years active | 1968–1974, 2010- |
| Labels | Decca Nova, Bradley's Records,Cherry Tree Records, Limefield, SPC, Wasabi Records (Japan) |
| Members | Terry Hiscock Doug Morter Rog Trevitt |
| Past members | Chris George (left September 2021) |
Beginnings
editThe group was formed at Avery Hill College in South London, when Terry Hiscock and Chris George were joined by fellow student Doug Morter.[1] The band's name was taken from an anecdote about an eccentric Cornishman.
Hunter Muskett began by playing in London folk-clubs and colleges mixing original songs with acoustic folk and blues. Unusually for the time they used a pa system and some electric instruments in folk clubs.[2]
Recording and touring
editThe band signed to Decca Nova after being spotted playing at The Troubadour in London's Earls Court. On the resulting album, ‘Every Time You Move’ (1970), produced by Kim Margolis, the trio's acoustic sound was augmented by Danny Thompson (uncredited) on double bass and orchestration arranged by Richard Hewson.[3] Bass-player Rog Trevitt joined shortly after the album's release. The Decca Nova label lasted less than a year.
From 1971 to 1974 the band toured[4] the UK and on the continent, also making one trip to Morocco. Although mainly working the folk/college/ circuit, they also played festivals (Cambridge, St Albans, Laycock, Norwich) and major venues, notably as support to Dutch singer-songwriter Lenny Kuhr (Holland and Belgium in 1972), Ralph McTell (UK Spring Tour 1973) and Amon Düül (Belgium and Northern France in autumn 1973). Radio appearances included Radio Hilversum, and the BBC's: Country Meets Folk, Pete Drummond’s Night Ride and Sounds on Sunday.
In 1973 managers Mike Hutson and George Fenton (then working as George Howe) signed the band to Derek Johns at Bradley's Records where they became one of three acts (alongside Paul Brett[5] and Kala[6] ) in a label launch involving considerable promotional expenditure.[7] The album ‘Hunter Muskett’ (1973) [8][9] produced by Keith Relf[10] also featured Michael Giles on drums, Jim McCarty on percussion, Ken Freeman and John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick (uncredited) on synthesiser.
Plans to add a permanent drummer were never realised although Andrew Steele played at the Royal Festival Hall (May 1973) and worked on demos for a projected second Bradley's album, whilst Roger Swallow came in for Pete Drummond's Night Ride (autumn 1973).
Break-up and re-form
editIn 1974, a change of musical policy at Bradleys (now under ex-Mojo Stuart Slater) resulted in the label parting with all three of its original acts in a quest for hit singles. With no record label and finding the economics of keeping on the road increasingly difficult the band decided to split.
Of the four members only Doug Morter continued to work as a professional musician combining a solo career with band and duo work. Now based in Denmark his credits include: Richard Digance, Magna Carta, The Albion Band, Maddy Prior Band, Then Came The Wheel, Jerry Donahue, The Backroom Boys and The Gathering Britannia.[11] Chris George, who had built instruments for Hunter Muskett, is a highly regarded luthier.[12][13][14]
Following the official re-release of ‘Everytime You Move' in 2010[15] Hunter Muskett reformed for a reunion performance. The band now tours again and in 2013 released a CD of new material, 'That Was Then This Is Now', produced by John Ellis and Bill Leader. Two further CDs have followed: 'Unafraid and Sober', featuring contributions from Jacqui McShee and George Fenton, released in 2016 and 'Roll On', including the last known[16] recorded work by US guitarist Jerry Donahue, in 2024.
Discography
edit| Title | Label | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every Time You Move | Decca Nova
Cherry Red |
1970
2009 |
LP
CD |
| Hunter Muskett | Bradleys
Self-release Wasabi Records, Japan |
1973
2020 2023 |
LP
CD CD |
| John Blair | Bradleys | 1973 | Single |
| Bradleys Roadshow Live At The Marquee | Bradleys | 1973 | LP (2 Hunter Muskett tracks) |
| That Was Then This Is Now | Limefield | 2013 | CD |
| Unafraid And Sober | SPC | 2016 | CD |
| Roll On | Self Release | 2024 | CD |
Hunter Muskett songs recorded by other artists
editSilver Coin (Terry Hiscock) appears on the following:
- Thank You For (1972), Dandelion Albums and BBC Collection (2015) - Bridget St John
- Sunsets I've Galloped Into (1995), Windward Away (2008) - Archie Fisher
- All Those Songs (1997) - Derek Brimstone
- Hand Pict (1998) - Ken Campbell
Leave It With Mine (Terry Hiscock) appears on the following:
- The Best Of All Times (2019) - Archie Fisher and Garnet Rogers
References
edit- ^ "Hokey Pokey – newsletter of Richard Thompson and chums no 23 Summer 1991 page 12" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ Melody Maker (2 January 1971) - Muskett Primed For Success - Band interview
- ^ See booklet enclosed with Cherry Tree re-issue CD
- ^ Gilbert, Jerry Sounds (13 May 1972) - At The Top Of The Road - Band interview
- ^ "Baul Brett/Bradley's Records". Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ Phil Shiva Jones - Official site Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ For example: Melody Maker (3 March 1973) pp31-34 - Centre four-page advertising spread
- ^ Gilbert, Jerry – Sounds (17 March 1973)- Hunter Muskett (Bradley’s Records) album review
- ^ Joynson ,Vernon The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976, ISBN 1-899855-04-1
- ^ French, David Heart Full of Soul - Keith Relf of the Yardbirds (McFarland, 2020) Pages143-145
- ^ Battersby, Bob Acoustic (April 2010, issue 40) - The Invisible Man Of Folk Rock
- ^ Burrluck, Dave Guitarist - Christmas 2004 (issue 258) - Chris George Custom With Variax Electronics
- ^ Burrluck, Dave Guitarist - Summer 2006 (issue 279) - Front End - Chris George Custom
- ^ Burrluck, Dave Guitarist- January 2008 (issue 298) - Chris George Custom Goldtop
- ^ Zarebski, Jan Record Collector (August 2009, Issue 368) - Cherry Tree CD review
- ^ Sleeve notes 'Roll On' CD