String Driven Thing – The Early Years – 1968-1972 (UK) prog folk

Scotland’s contribution to progressive rock may appear rather minute, but the role the Scots played in the development of folk rock (and by the same extent progressive folk)is simply enormous. After Donovan, the Incredible String Band, the Pentangle and a few more, came this Glaswegian trio called String Driven Thing in 67, composed of Chris Adams and his wife and guitarist John Mannion. While they stayed rather unsuccessful for a long while, with their debut album completely unnoticed on a independent label. By 71, the group had seen Mannion leaving, but he was replaced with violinist Grahame Smith and bassist Colin Wilson. Soon they got signed to the Charisma label and with Shel Talmy producing two excellent albums, encountering a certain kind of success in Continental Europe, but staying close to unknown in the Isles. After health-related problems in a tour founder Chris Adams quit with his wife leaving Grahame Smith reforming the group from scratch for two further albums. Neither of these albums will have the charm or adventure of the two earlier albums, developing a more AOR rock that had no real distinction except for a violin sound and the group folded in the mis-70’s. 

SDT reformed in the mid-90’s under Chris Adams’ instigation releasing a live album. SDT still plays now and again as the millennium is well under way.

- Chris Adams / guitars, vocals
- Pauline Adams / vocals percussion
- Colin Wilson / bass, guitars, banjo
- Grahame Smith / violin, viola
- John Mannion / guitar

1. July Morning
2. Say What You Like
3. Magic Garden
4. Wonderful Places
5. City Man
6. Another Night In This Old City
7. That's My Lady
8. No More You And I
9. Lie Back And Let It Happen
10. One Of The Lonely People
11. Someone Else's City ( Home Demo '67)
12. Sometimes I Wish ( Home Demo '67)
13. Waiting For The Sky To Fall (Home Demo '67)
14. Magic Garden (Dave Cousins Demo '69)
15. No More You And I (Dave Cousins Demo '69)
16. Say What You Like (Dave Cousins Demo '69)
17. Lie Back And Let It Happen (Dave Cousins Demo '69)
18. Lie Back And Let It Happen (Ironic Jam With Colin Wilson, '70)
19. Let Me Down (Home Demo, Chris & Colin, '70)
20. Old Love New Love (Studio Demo, '71)
21. Jack Diamond (Home Demo (only track with all five on it) '72)
22. Argyle Street (Home Demo, '72)
23. Winter Is Coming (Home Demo, '72)
24. Regent Street Incident (Home Demo, '72)
25. To See You (Blackpool 2001)
26. Circus ( Blackpool 2001)

Rip from CD 256@ (artwork included)
Download links
Download p.1
Download p.2