“Rare Bird: Beautiful Scarlet – The Recordings 1969-1975” is the title of the 6xCD box set from pioneering Progressive Rock band Rare Bird. Release date is April 30, 2021.
The remastered collection contains all of the albums and singles released by Rare Bird on both the Charisma and Polydor labels between 1969 and 1975. The set also features an additional previously unreleased CD of the band’s entire live set recorded by Polydor Records at the Theatre Royal, London in June 1974.
Formed in 1969, Rare Bird included Graham Field on organ, Dave Kaffinetti on keyboards, Steve Gould on vocals, bass and Mark Ashton on drums.
The lack of commercial success led to the departure of Graham Field and Mark Ashton, leaving Gould and Kaffinetti to form a new line-up in 1971 adding Andy “Ced” Curtis on lead guitar, Fred Kelly on drums and Paul Karas on bass, vocals with Steve Gould undertaking the role of second guitarist in addition to that of vocalist.
Rare Bird was signed by Polydor Records in late 1971. The group recorded the classic album “Epic Forest” the following year. The album was lavishly packaged with early copies featuring a poster and a bonus 7-inch EP with three additional tracks.
In 1973, Rare Bird changed line-up once more with the departure of Paul Karas. He was replaced By Nic Potter (former Van Der Graaf Generator) and the band recorded the album “Somebody’s Watching” the same year. The album featured guest John Wetton on bass for the track “Dollars”.
In 1974, Andy Rae replaced Nic Potter on bass and Rare Bird recorded their final album “Born Again.” The release of the album led to touring activity, including a memorable spot opening for label mates Barclay James Harvest at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in June 1974. However, the following year Rare Bird disbanded.
Also featured is an illustrated booklet featuring exclusive interviews with Steve Gould and Mark Ashton and a facsimile of the rare poster given with initial copies of “Epic Forest.”
Tracklist:
DISC ONE:
RARE BIRD
REMASTERED EDITION
RELEASED IN NOVEMBER 1969
1. ICEBERG
2. TIMES
3. YOU WENT AWAY
4. MELANIE
5. BEAUTIFUL SCARLET
6. SYMPATHY
7. NATURES FRUIT
8. BIRD ON A WING
9. GOD OF WAR
BONUS TRACKS
10. DEVIL’S HIGH CONCERN
11. SYMPATHY (MONO SINGLE VERSION)
A & B-SIDES OF SINGLE
DISC TWO:
AS YOUR MIND FLIES BY
REMASTERED EDITION
RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER 1970
1. DOWN ON THE FLOOR
2. HAMMERHEAD
3. I’M THINKING
4. FLIGHT
i. AS YOUR MIND FLIES BY
ii. VACUUM
iii. NEW YORKER
iv. CENTRAL PARK
BONUS TRACKS
5. WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW (MONO SINGLE VERSION)
6. HAMMER HEAD(MONO SINGLE VERSION)
A & B-SIDES OF SINGLE
7. RED MAN (1971 VERSION)
RECORDED AT CENTRAL SOUND STUDIOS, LONDON IN 1971
DISC THREE:
EPIC FOREST
REMASTERED EDITION
RELEASED IN NOVEMBER 1972
1. BABY LISTEN
2. HEY MAN
3. HOUSE IN THE CITY
4. EPIC FOREST
5. TURNING THE LIGHTS OUT
6. HER DARKEST HOUR
7. FEARS OF THE NIGHT
8. TURN IT ALL AROUND
9. TITLE NO. 1 AGAIN
BONUS TRACKS
TAKEN FROM A LIMITED EDITION
7-INCH EP GIVEN WITH FIRST EDITION OF EPIC FOREST
10. ROADSIDE WELCOME
11. FOUR GREY WALLS
12. YOU’RE LOST
DISC FOUR:
SOMEBODY’S WATCHING
REMASTERED EDITION
RELEASED IN AUGUST 1973
1. SOMEBODY’S WATCHING
2. THIRD TIME AROUND
3. TURN YOUR HEAD
4. MORE AND MORE
5. HARD TIME
6. WHO IS THE HERO
7. HIGH IN THE MORNING
8. DOLLARS
9. A FEW DOLLARS MORE
BONUS TRACKS
10. VIRGINIA
11. LONELY STREET
A & B-SIDES OF SINGLE
DISC FIVE:
BORN AGAIN
REMASTERED EDITION
RELEASED IN MAY 1974
1. BODY AND SOUL
2. LIVE FOR EACH OTHER
3. DIAMONDS
4. REACHING YOU
5. ALL THAT I NEED
6. REDMAN
7. PEACE OF MIND
8. HARLEM
9. LONELY STREET
10. LAST TANGO IN BEULAH
BONUS TRACKS
11. DON’T BE AFRAID
12. PASSIN’ THROUGH
A & B-SIDES OF SINGLE
DISC SIX:
LIVE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE, LONDON JUNE 1974
1. SOMEBODY’S WATCHING (LIVE 1974) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
2. THIRD TIME AROUND (LIVE 1974)
3. HARD TIME (LIVE 1974) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
4. ALL THAT I NEED (LIVE 1974)
5. LONELY STREET (LIVE 1974) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
6. LIVE FOR EACH OTHER (LIVE 1974) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
7. LAST TANGO IN BEULAH (LIVE 1974) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
8. DOLLARS (LIVE 1974) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
Pre-Orders are open through the Cherry Red Records Official Website: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/rare-bird-beautiful-scarlet-the-recordings-1969-1975-6cd-box-set/
