Loving Awareness

Published February 3, 2017 | By Shiloh Noone

Radio Caroline had reached Haight Ashbury spaces and decided to promote O’Rahilly’s new concept of “LA” (Loving Awareness), a far-eastern inspired philosophy of love and peace. Many stations were embarrassed at the idea of promoting love and peace on air, but Deejay Tony Allan developed a cult following among listeners as he also combined his promotion of “Loving Awareness” with his deep knowledge of music, and rich radio voice. In 1974, O’Rahilly set up a group called The Loving Awareness Band, comprising ex Skip Bifferty guitarist John Turnbull, ex Unknowns / Animals/ The Chosen Few keyboardist Mick Gallagher also a former member of Skip Bifferty and Bell and Arc) combined with ex Living Daylights /Greatest Show On Earth/ Fuzzy Duck bassist Norman Watt-Roy and drummer Charlie Charles. In 1976 The Loving Awareness Band released their only album, Loving Awareness on ‘More Love Records’ (ML001), a label set up by O’Rahilly. The album was heavily promoted on the station, and was re-released by the ‘Caroline’ organisation in 2006 on CD with a replica of the original sleeve. The bulk of the album was bass centered around Norman Watt Roy’s mighty slams, in particular “Free Your Soul” later the bass riff to be added to “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll”. The Beatle vibe was so evident in “The Vibes Inside” and “Voice Of Love” ,so George Harrison.

Loving Awareness were the hidden Beatles next to some ex Beach Boys called The Flame and so beautiful they were. The Lennon styled “I Like What I Like”, man it must have been a Beatle on the high seas. Loving Awareness also pulsated with a number of instrumental minimalist contributions perhaps in ode to Harrison’s early Wonderwall endevours, Sitar spiced “Existence”, instrumental “Love You To”, the lavish “No other” and “Close the”. The band broke up in 1977, Watt-Roy and Charles played on ex Kilburn & the High Roads Ian Dury’s New Boots and Panties!!.Turnbull and Gallagher joined them on the Stiff’ tour, along with Ian Durie forming The Blockheads.

Added: May 2nd 2011
Reviewer: shiloh noone | See all reviews by shiloh noone
Category: Music
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Related Link: Seekers Guide To The Rhythm Of Yesteryear

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