Cressida

Cressida in the Fall The entirety of Cressida was the riveting piano solos of Peter Jennings who also shimmered through organ and assorted keyboards. Cressida with its’ first incarnation as Cressida’s Thorns formed in the late sixties with original organist Lol Coker who was displaced with ex Mustard drummer Iain Clarke and the superior Peter Jennings. Ian Clarke had started out with The Syndicate before moving on to The Ramrods which included future Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones.

Bulging with gifts Cressida launched their self titled debut in 1970 comprising a sheath of acoustic guitars by ex Dominators John Heyworth fledged with Peter’s keys and the pleasing vox of ex Dominators Angus Cullen. Bassist Kevin McCarthy had been plucked out of Ivan Sinclair & The System Soul Band having started out in the early sixties with the Four Degrees and Peasants. Kevin also holds the distinction of being in the first Western band to play behind the Iron Curtain, namely The Original London Beat that had residence in Poland for six months.

Inspired by the Moody Blues with similarities to Affinity and Spring, the entire style of Cressida was based on keyboard sounds that lifted you into a blend of embellished emotions. The self titled debut has Peter surging with incredible zest on the swivelling “Depression”, the highlight of their debut featuring Heyworth igniting his axe in sci-fi fury. Another tranquil take is the melancholic “Spring 69” that trickles with a beautiful ebb of acoustic and emotive keys. The heart aching “Down Down” is another Heyworth gem that is superbly sung and rounded by Jennings’ gravitational keys. After the debut Heyworth departed to be replaced by ex Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band John Culley and (guest) New Seekers acoustic guitarist Paul Layton.These understated organ fusion and dual lead are best developed on the jazz fused “Munich”, a lengthy opus that filled out their follow up Asylum .

Culley’s lead axe comes to the fore when Cullen takes front vox, otherwise a fine fusion develops amidst the keyboard runs. Flautist Harold McNair fresh from sessions with John Martyn and Magna Carta is everywhere and Culley’s guitar is ruptured with a lasting psyche that inserts timeously during those keyboard rip currents.The album’s maiden flight “Let Them Come When They Will” displayed great keyboard signatures and flute riffs only second to the inspirational “Summer Weekend Of A Lifetime” boasting Cullen’s looking glass lyrics. By 1971 the group split and Culley opted for the heavy Black Widow. Layton fled back to the New Seekers, McCarthy joined Tranquility and Iain absolute glory with Uriah Heep.

Added: June 17th 2007
Reviewer: Shiloh Noone | See all reviews by Shiloh Noone
Category: Music
Related Link: Seekers Guide To The Rhythm Of Yesteryear