Andromeda were formed in mid-1968 by guitarist, vocalist and chief songwriter John Cann after the gradual collapse of his previous band, Mod/Psych legends The Attack.
A John Peel session saw the trio briefly come under the DJ’s wing before they signed to RCA.
Released in late 1969, their self-titled album attracted highly positive reviews, and is now regarded by many collectors as a definitive example of the nascent British Hard Rock sound.
But it failed to sell, and Andromeda imploded when Cann jumped ship to join Atomic Rooster, where he wrote and sang Top Five single “Devil’s Answer.”
While there have been numerous Andromeda compilations over the last 35 years, the five- CD set “Turns To Dust: The Complete Andromeda” brings everything under one roof, adding some previously unreleased acetates and correcting various long-standing errors of annotation, dates and titles.
The first four CDs collect everything recorded by the band, while Disc Five rounds up the pre-Andromeda story with tracks from The Attack and more obscure ventures, including two previously unissued cuts from the first outfit that Cann and bassist Mick Hawksworth had played in together, The Mailtown Blues Band.
While previous Andromeda compilations have optimistically claimed to be definitive, “Turns To Dust” is undoubtedly the final word on a legendary late 60s British Rock band.
• Definitive 5xCD anthology of highly regarded late 60s British Rock band.
• Includes their sole album and single, alternative versions, out-takes, previously unissued demos, a Radio 1 session and tracks from related bands.
Pre-Order here: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/andromeda-turns-to-dust-the-complete-andromeda-5cd-box-set
DISC ONE — Original Andromeda RCA album/single plus BBC session
01. Too Old
02. Day Of The Change
03. And Now The Sun Shines
04. Turns To Dust
a) Discovery
b) Sanctuary
c) Determination
05. Return To Sanity
a) Breakdown
b) Hope
c) Conclusion
06. The Reason
07. I Can Stop The Sun
08. When To Stop
a) The Traveller
b) Turning Point
c) Journey’s End
Bonus Tracks:
09. Go Your Way
10. Keep Out ‘Cos I’m Dying
11. The Reason
12. Day Of The Change
13. Return To Sanity
14. Keep Out ‘Cos I’m Dying
15. Search On
1-8 The album Andromeda, RCA Victor SF 8031, released September 1969
9-10 Single, RCA 1854, released June 1969
11-15 BBC session for John Peel, recorded 29 October 1968, first transmitted 17 November 1968
DISC TWO — John Cann’s proposed original mix/track listing/ running order for the album
01. Seven Lonely Street aka Seven Lonely Streets, aka Lonely Streets
02. The Reason
03. Day Of The Change
04. And Now The Sun Shines
05. Return To Sanity
06. Ocean Song aka Ode To The Sea
07. Too Old
08. Turns To Dust
09. I Can Stop The Sun
10. When To Stop
1-10 Proposed original mix/ alternative track listing/running order of first Andromeda album, recorded 1968-69
DISC THREE — Andromeda Beginnings
01. Let’s All Watch The Sky Fall Down
02. A Means To An End
03. Day Of The Change alternative version
04. The Darkness Of Her Room
05. Garden Of Happiness
06. You
07. Land Of A Dream
08. Too Old alternative version
09. Let’s All Watch The Sky Fall Down alternative version
10. I Can Stop The Sun alternative version
11. Return To Sanity alternative version
12. Turns To Dust alternative version
13. Go Your Way alternative version
14. Stroll On aka Roll On
15. Play The Game aka Step This Way
1-12 From the CD Andromeda – Beginnings (Angel Air SJPCD243, 2007)
13-14 From the CD The Attack – Final Daze (Angel Air SJPCD080, 2001), recorded 1968 and early 1970
15 Previously unreleased acetate, recorded early 1970
DISC FOUR — Further demos and live recordings
01. Seven Lonely Street alternative version
02. I Was Left Behind
03. Exodus aka Return To Exodus, aka Acidus
04. Dreamland
05. See Into The Stars
06. All In You
07. Step This Way aka Play The Game (alternative version)
08. Roundhouse Blues (live) aka You Need Love
09. Walking On (live) aka Walking On Nails
10. I’m Searching (live) aka Search On
11. Acidus (live) aka Exodus, aka Return To Exodus
1 From the LP Andromeda – Seven Lonely Street (Reflection 006, 1990), recorded 1968-69
2-11 From the CD Andromeda – Definitive Collection (Angel Air SJPCD053, 2000), recorded 1968-69
DISC FIVE — Magic In The Air: The Attack and other bands
THE ATTACK
01. Magic In The Air aka Watch With Mother
02. Feel Like Flying aka Making It
03. Freedom For You
04. Strange House aka In His House
05. Mr. Pinnodmy’s Dilemma
06. Go Your Way
07. Too Old
08. (And) Now The Sun Shines
09. Sleep Like A Child aka Sleep
10. Turns To Dust aka Turns To Dust II
11. When To Stop
12. Watch With Mother aka Magic In The Air
13. Magic In The Air (acoustic demo)
14. Sympathy For The Devil – Richard Shirman
15. Anything – Richard Shirman
16. Zilly Zally’s Room – The Soul System
17. I Will Girl – Mailtown Blues Band
18. South Bound – Mailtown Blues Band
19. I Just Wanna Live My Life – The Light
20. Fred The Mouse aka The Lodger – The Light
21. You Know He Did – The Morality
22. Letters To You aka My Letters – The Sonics
1-7 From the LP The Attack – Magic In The Air (Reflection MM 08, 1990), recorded 1967-68
8-9, 13, 21-22 From the CD The Attack – Final Daze (Angel Air SJPCD080, 2001), recorded 1967-68
10-11 From the CD Andromeda – Beginnings (Angel Air SJPCD243, 2007), recorded 1968
14-15 From the CD The Attack – About Time! (rpm BC 317, 2006), recorded 1969
12 Previously unreleased acetate, recorded 18th August 1967
16 Previously unreleased acetate, recorded late 1966
17-18 Previously unreleased acetates, recording date unknown
19-20 From the CD Andromeda – Definitive Collection, Angel Air (SJPCD053, 2000), recorded 1967
Hi! Just to mention that I was Andromeda’s road manager from late 1969 until mid 1970 when John left the band. Andromeda carried on for a month or so filling contracted gig obligations with another guitarist but not playing any of John Cann’s songs. After the gigs ended I carried on as Mick Hawksworth’s driver until the end of the year when the Andromeda band bus was sold. I took some photo’s of an Andromeda gig in Portsmouth, December 1969 which I still have! They would have made a nice addition to this box set as they are unpublished!
Mid 1971 I moved in with Mick and became his personal driver again, subsequently joining Mick’s latest band as road manager: Fuzzy Duck, but that’s another story!
All the best, Stirling Nash.
Hi Stirling,
Thank you so much for sharing your memories and for providing such detailed context about Andromeda’s activities during that period. It’s incredible to hear firsthand about your experiences as road manager and the photos you captured—those must be truly special! I have to say, I absolutely love Fuzzy Duck as well, so it’s fantastic to hear you were involved with them too. We really appreciate contributions like yours that help preserve and enrich the history of these bands.
All the best, Jacopo // PRJ