Written and recorded in 1972 this ambitious 20 minute “album side” has never been released or heard publicly since it was recorded immediately prior to the Wombles success. It has lain, unheard, in a cupboard for 50 years. Side two was never created. Reflecting Batt’s thoughts about the Vietnam War which was raging at the time it resonates with today’s situation in Ukraine, but its release EXACTLY 50 years later is a pure coincidence. The 2022 debut release takes place exactly 50 years from the date on the tape box: (17 November 1972). Vocals are by Mike’s friend Tony Rees and the rhythm section of drummer Clem Cattini, guitarists Chris Spedding and Alan Parker, bassist Les Hurdle and percussionist Ray Cooper are the same musicians who, only two years later, would play on all the Wombles records.
Stream the suite through the YouTube player below:
Batt said “As far as I can remember this was a careful but essentially “not final” mix to play to record companies. The rhythm and orchestra were recorded at Wessex Studio in Highbury, London, and Tony’s vocals added at Marquee Studio. I have borrowed just a couple of brief ideas from It over the years. There’s an oboe solo and one line of lyrics (“I know I’m not a loser when I’m on my own”) – that I re-recorded on my later solo album “Schizophonia”. I even “stole” a guitar riff from it for my new project “Songs From Croix Noire’ with Ace Hansel Junior. I’m glad finally to make it available, warts and all, to anyone who now would like to hear it.”
Get the audio from – https://ada.lnk.to/Variations
Track 1: Prelude to Variations on a Riff
Track 2: Steal Me, Free Me, Shake Me, Save Me
Track 3: Something Wrong
Track 4: Riff Variation Interlude
Track 5: The Light On The Edge Of The World
Track 6: War (Take It Away)
Track 7: Coda to Variations on a Riff