*The Dawn Label*

[Nai Noswad]

...Hopefully this is the first of several threads intended to highlight a favourite label and the artists and albums from therein.


The first being Dawn: this began as a manufacturer of TV's and radio's..originally titled Nixa/ Polygon records and was a fledgling label created by the Father of Petula Clark. With the event and success of British pop acts it was changed to Pye...The Kinks,Donovan and early Bowie being the prominent sellers.The suits at Pye were seeing off-shoot labels from EMI and Phonogram have rewards with Deram,Harvest and Vertigo..to name a few. To accommodate heavy, blues,folk and progressive-Pye formed Dawn label in November 1969.Its launch to the music press was "Leftfield"...but in it's six year life span of releasing-Mungo Jerry was the only big name and success!!
In The Summertime becoming the labels biggest seller (maybe having to play the B-side at 33rpm)...wasn't such a good idea.
Donovan put out the Open Road album in 1970.Major success though eluded the label .but due to the Internet and the passing of time...the music lovers had it 'Dawn' upon them that priceless obscure nuggets can be heard.
Let's explore-

 

[Nai Noswad]

...Folk Rockers from Belfast released an album 'Future Legends' in 1971 that has now gained Cult status.

Fruupp - Graveyard Epistle.

 

[Nai Noswad]

...This was the third album release from Gravy Train who were having 'problems' at Vertigo...their loss was Dawn's gain. Jonathan Peel produced a rock folk album that received huge attention in Germany.
Somewhat overshadowed by the 'Ballad of a Peaceful Man' album....it remains a much loved LP amongst those who "know".
Second Birth came out in 1973.

Gravy Train- Motorway.

 

[Nai Noswad]

Ballymena man ,David McWilliams had a huge 1960s worldwide hit with Days Of Pearly Spencer...he'd got connections with Van Morrison and also Rory Gallagher - (having both released singles on the Major Minor label.)
In the early 70's David released three albums on Dawn with mediocre reception...Lord Offaly remains a fine example of his work.
This taken from the album 'The Beggar and the Priest'.

David McWilliams- The Gypsy.

 

[Nai Noswad]

Arthur Brown spin-off band Atomic Rooster signed with Dawn for a two album contract.Vincent Crane was hitting a 'funky rock' trail at the time and the rock fans weren't overly keen.Lead singer Chris Farlowe was at the helm and provided excellent vocals.He was having fierce financial and legal wranglings with the Immediate label(Andrew Loog Oldham) took him and more to the cleaners...and back again!!
Made In England and Nice N Greasy are fine examples of early uk soul rock with prog leanings.

Atomic Rooster- Save Me.

 

[Nai Noswad]

Dawn signed this band with help from Alan Bown(trumpet)...he'd had quite some success with his band the Set and in a solo capacity on the Deram label.John Evans Jones and "new in town " from the USA and looking for work Jimmy Kaleth formed a keyboard/synth and brass prog band of some respect.In today's world they command and rank highly...but toured clubs & Universities back then.
This from their LP 'No Alternative.'

Jonesy - Mind Of The Century.

 

[Nai Noswad]

 

[Nai Noswad]

Tony Pook and Roy Apps won a recording contract with Dawn Records and became one of the longest touring acts the label ever featured. Collectively with help from Robert Collins this act created legendary British folk.

Heron - Lord And Master.

 

[Nai Noswad]

Kent based Comus were an Art College band inspired by Milton and others famous writers and artistes alike.Roger Wooton and Glen Goring,unbeknown to them at the time-created such interest, that they reformed around 2009.
A blend of hard prog/ acid folk and layers of vocal and sound ,made for an interesting vibe.

Comus - Song To Comus.

 

[Nai Noswad]