Album Information:
Album ID: 9720
About Spooky Tooth:
Spooky Tooth was a British rock band that was formed in the mid-1960s. The band was made up of some notable musicians, including Mike Harrison (vocals), Gary Wright (keyboards/vocals), Luther Grosvenor (guitar), Greg Ridley (bass), and Mike Kellie (drums).
The band started off as a blues-rock outfit, heavily influenced by bands like the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds. Their first album, 'It's All About' was released in 1968, which was highly praised for its heavy, blues-based rock sound. Their music can also be described as psychedelic rock, with some elements of soul and funk.
The band gained a loyal following with their second album, 'Spooky Two' (1969), which featured Harrison's powerful vocals and Wright's keyboard skills. The album contained one of their most famous songs, 'Evil Woman,' and was produced by Rolling Stones' longtime producer Jimmy Miller.
In 1970, Spooky Tooth went through some changes as Ridley and Grosvenor left the band. They continued to release albums and tour but with different line-ups. In 1974, after a number of failed experiments, the band decided to call it quits.
Despite the short-lived success, Spooky Tooth has left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. The band's innovative sound and unique blend of genres inspired many other musicians, including Led Zeppelin and Queen. They are revered as one of the pioneers of heavy rock music and a classic example of the long-gone era of British rock music.
About the album The Last Puff:
The album The Last Puff by Spooky Tooth was released in 1970 and features a total of eight tracks. The album is a unique blend of rock, blues, and psychedelic influences that explores the universal themes of love, life, and death.
The opening track 'I Am the Walrus' features a Beatles cover that was given an edgier and more intense treatment by Spooky Tooth. The band's signature sound is evident in this track with its intricate instrumentation, soaring vocals, and powerful rhythms.
'Pusher' is a gritty and hard-hitting track that delves into the theme of drug addiction. The track's driving beat, raw guitar riffs, and haunting vocals create a dark and ominous atmosphere that perfectly captures the despair and hopelessness of addiction.
The title track 'The Last Puff' is a slower ballad that showcases the band's more introspective side. The track's melancholy melodies and haunting vocals create a somber atmosphere that explores the themes of loss and letting go.
Other standout tracks on the album include 'Son of Your Father,' 'Cotton Growing Man,' and 'Wildfire.' These tracks feature the band's trademark bluesy sound and explore a range of themes from social injustice to personal redemption.
Overall, The Last Puff is a powerful and memorable album that showcases Spooky Tooth's unique blend of rock and blues influences. With its powerful vocals, compelling lyrics, and intricate instrumentation, the album remains a timeless classic in the world of rock music.
Members:
Spooky Tooth was a British band that formed in 1967 and went through several lineup changes throughout their career. Here are some of the key members and their biographies:
1. Gary Wright - Vocals and Keyboards
Gary Wright was born on April 26, 1943, in New Jersey, USA. He was the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and main songwriter for Spooky Tooth. Prior to joining the band, Wright was a session musician in London, where he worked with artists such as Joe Cocker and George Harrison. He left Spooky Tooth in 1970 to pursue a solo career, releasing several successful albums in the 1970s. Wright is best known for his hit song 'Dream Weaver.'
2. Mike Harrison - Vocals and Keyboards
Mike Harrison was born on September 3, 1945, in Carlisle, England. He was the co-lead vocalist, keyboardist, and occasional songwriter for Spooky Tooth. Before Spooky Tooth, Harrison was a member of the band The V.I.P.'s. After Spooky Tooth disbanded, Harrison continued to work in music, releasing several solo albums and collaborating with other artists.
3. Luther Grosvenor - Guitar
Luther Grosvenor, also known as Ariel Bender, was born on December 23, 1946, in Evesham, England. He was the lead guitarist for Spooky Tooth. Grosvenor joined the band in 1973, after they had already gone through several lineup changes. Prior to Spooky Tooth, he was a member of the band Mott the Hoople. After Spooky Tooth disbanded, Grosvenor continued to work in music, joining the band Widowmaker and later releasing several solo albums.
4. Greg Ridley - Bass
Greg Ridley was born on October 23, 1947, in Carlisle, England. He was the bassist for Spooky Tooth from 1967 to 1970. Prior to Spooky Tooth, Ridley was a member of the band The V.I.P.'s. After leaving Spooky Tooth, Ridley joined the band Humble Pie, which featured Steve Marriott of The Small Faces. Ridley played bass for Humble Pie until they disbanded in 1975. He passed away in 2003.
5. Mike Kellie - Drums
Mike Kellie was born on March 24, 1947, in Birmingham, England. He was the drummer for Spooky Tooth from 1967 to 1969. Kellie was also a member of the band The Only Ones and played drums on their hit song 'Another Girl, Another Planet.' Kellie passed away in 2017.
6. Henry McCullough - Guitar
Henry McCullough was born on July 21, 1943, in Portstewart, Northern Ireland. He was the lead guitarist for Spooky Tooth from 1969 to 1970. McCullough also played guitar for Paul McCartney's band Wings and was featured on their hit song 'Live and Let Die.' He passed away in 2016.
Track List for The Last Puff:
1. 'I Am the Walrus' (6:28) - This track is a cover of the famous Beatles song, featuring a more psychedelic and experimental sound with distorted guitars and trippy synthesizers.
2. 'The Wrong Time' (3:50) - 'The Wrong Time' is an upbeat and funky track with catchy guitar riffs and soulful lyrics about missing out on love.
3. 'Something to Say' (5:34) - This track starts off slow with a haunting piano melody before building up to an explosive chorus with powerful vocals and electric guitars. The lyrics discuss the desire to have a voice and be heard.
4. 'Nobody There at All' (4:05) - This song has a bluesy feel with a steady drumbeat and electric guitar solos. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is alone and searching for love.
5. 'Down River' (5:33) - 'Down River' is a slower, more contemplative track with acoustic guitars and ethereal vocals. The lyrics describe a journey down a river as a metaphor for life.
6. 'Son of Your Father' (3:49) - This track has an upbeat, almost surf-rock feel with catchy guitar riffs and upbeat lyrics about breaking free from tradition and expectations.
7. 'It's All About a Roundabout' (2:44) - This song is a short, whimsical track with a fast tempo and playful lyrics about getting lost in a roundabout.
8. 'The Last Puff' (3:40) - The album's title track has a slow, bluesy sound with melancholy lyrics about the end of a relationship and the desire to move on.
Overall, The Last Puff is an eclectic album that blends rock, blues, and psychedelic sounds with introspective lyrics about love, life, and finding one's voice.
Discography for Spooky Tooth:
Albums:
1. It's All About (1968)
2. Spooky Two (1969)
3. Ceremony (1969)
4. The Last Puff (1970)
5. You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw (1973)
6. Witness (1973)
7. The Mirror (1974)
Singles:
1. 'Sunshine Help Me' b/w 'Weird' (1967)
2. 'Tobacco Road' b/w 'It Hurts You So' (1969)
3. 'That Was Only Yesterday' b/w 'Oh! Pretty Woman' (1970)
4. 'I Am the Walrus' b/w 'The Weight' (1970)
5. 'Better by You, Better Than Me' b/w 'Waitin' for the Wind' (1970)
Other releases:
1. 'Evil Woman' (non-album single, 1969)
2. 'The Weight' (from the soundtrack of the film Easy Rider, 1969)
3. 'The Weight' (live version, from the album The Last Puff, 1970)