Junk Box Jury

Taken from the LP ‘Spike Island’ (Avenue AVE 057) 1971

The music of Spike Island is ‘Country Music’, but of now. Heavy, beaty, and alive with enthusiasm, although they have their slightly more gentle moments, as on the “Too Far Gone” track.

Spike Island have a versatility which gives this album a wide variety of sounds, and all members are featured well, Dave Peacock having vocal honours on “Making My Way Back To Louisiana” and “Memphis Beat”, with lead singer Thom Fricker doing his thing on the remaining vocals.

The lead guitar of Roger Dean being especially showcased on the instrumental “Spike Island Backstep”.

The most interesting track on the album is their version of “Memphis Beat”, also recorded by The RPM’s and Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs in 1965, Jerry Lee Lewis in 1966 and then by Tav Falco & the Panther Burns in 1989.

line-up:
Dave Peacock (bass, vocals, piano and banjo)
John Boniface (drums)
Arthur Jerome (steel guitar)
Roger Dean (lead guitar)
Thom Fricker (lead vocals and rhythm guitar)

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cost of record: £3
from: market stall