Dantalian’s Chariot
Out of the Big Roll Blues of the UK some would walk into the new rising rainbows, in particular ex Alexis Korner Zoot Money( Bruno Money) who received his nicknamed due to an obsession with jazz saxophonist, Zoot Sims? Zoot blew the minds of the audience at the ‘Windsor National Blues Festival’ when he unveiled his new experimental group Dantalian’s Chariot, name sourced from the spiritual pages of – ‘The lesser keys of Solomon’. The stunned audience remained silent as Zoot powered through a 10 min original called “Mad Man Running through the Fields”. The loyal English fans of Zoot’s previous Big Roll Band did not take kindly to the white ropes and psychedelic instrumentation that now substituted the gutsy blues that they were used to.
As innovative as they were their entire existence lasted for only a year. Eventually after continual airplay of the single “Mad Man Running through the Fields “backed by the Tony Colton / Ray Smith “Sun Came Bursting through My Cloud”, a certain amount of acceptance was received and the superb Chariot Rising dawned. The Chariot appeared in a hip soundtrack called Pop Down, another attempt to chronicle the excesses of Swinging London.The cult film also included Andy Ellison from John’s Children plus a young Diana Keene.
Dantalian’s ability to appear live in sync with a professional light show, gave them a professional character on a par with fellow musicians Pink Floyd. Their regular excursions at the UFO and Middle Earth were legendary and unforgettable as they donned the stage in full white gowns. Another regular Dantalian edible that was mostly digested as live shows was a Steve Hammond track called “Gemini” with excellent bass by ex Big Roll Band bassist Pat Donaldson who started out with The Jury and Nightsounds. The esoteric strength of the Chariot was the mystical Sitar of ex Big Roll Band Andy Somers who had previously featured uncredited on the Soft Machine debut. Andy had previously toured with Soft Machine on their USA tour based on the fact that it was with Jimi Hendrix.
Andy’s raga paint exquisite patterns through “This Island”, “Soma” and the ultra magnificent Zoot / Somers penned “High Flying Bird”. Also to surface was the joyful Colton & Smith penned “Recapture The Thrill” and “Coffee Song”. At that stage Zoot joined Eric Burdon in the States and recruited Andy for his gripping lead breaks which included the Chariot’s “Mad Man Running through the Fields “and “Gemini”. Andy was simply an astounding guitar player, best heard on Kevin Coyne’s “Tulip”, Curved Air and his deserved cashcow The Police. Chariot’s drummer Colin Allen moved onto Stone the Crows / Focus and John Mayall.
Added: February 10th 2008
Reviewer: Shiloh Noone | See all reviews by Shiloh Noone
Category: Music
Location: South Africa
Related Link: Seekers Guide To The Rhythm Of Yesteryear