Methuselah - Matthew, Mark, Luke And John 1969

The only album by the English rock group, fronted on vinyl in a single edition of 1969 on the "Elektra Records" in the United States and Canada. "Methuselah" in Hebrew sounds like Metushelah, and Russian biblical tradition - Methuselah (one of the forefathers of mankind, the son of Enoch, the father of Lamech, mentioned in the Book of Genesis, chapter 5, verses 21-27). Methuselah is the most-most long-lived in the history of mankind. He lived 969 years, and if there were people older than him, in any case, the Bible does not mention. Therefore, the name Methuselah has become synonymous to indicate longevity - say "Methuselah age." The founders of the group - John Gladwin and Terry Wincott - friends from school of the English heartland Scunthorpe in the county of North Lincolnshire. Their first band was called "Dimples" ("notches"), and later - "Gospel Garden" ("The Gospel Garden"). They played what could be called "psychedelic pop." When a "Gospel Garden" joined drummer Mick Bradley (some time playing in the band "The Sorrows") and lead guitarist Leslie Nicol, the group renamed itself "Methuselah". In this structure, they signed a contract to record three LPs with the label "Elektra Records". That's why this album of the English band was released in America (and in America). There they were, no one knew, no one unraveled, and there is no information about any tour "Methuselah" in the United States, therefore, the disc "Matthew, Mark, Luke And John" happily lost in the hundreds of daily releases of the rich on the work of the late sixties. After the release, the group began confusion and hesitation. John Gladwin and Terry Wincott, which was more like an acoustic folk music, tired of the fact that their sensitive playing an acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies laid out neatly drowned in an electric sound. The two men were gone and, in the end, found themselves in a group based their "Amazing Blondel", that in the XXI century continues they initiated in the seventies thing - the revival of the music of the Renaissance. Mick Bradley went to "Steamhammer", Craig Austin and Les Nicol created with drummer Steve Chapman (ex- "Junior's Eyes") group of "Distant Jim" and later - "Coast Road Drive" ... Despite the very biblical name for the album - by name apostles, who left the world the four Gospels - "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John" - lyrics are not such a spiritual nature, as might be expected. Most enjoyable and original in this group - amicable choral chants and a great game Les Nicol on lead guitar. His solo unexpectedly cut one sometimes in the most quiet moments and give the group a good drive. Generally sound in "Methuselah" rather heavy, a good old hard rock, a bit clumsy in comparison with virtuoso passages later, his representatives or modern heavy metal, but so filled with meaningful sense, that without words is clear and the desire for all music lovers that era. I should add - it's very raspevno hard rock, in the "Methuselah" well and actively sing four out of five participants (all except the drummer) and laid out a beautiful polyphony.

01. Matthew - 4:40
02. Mark - 3:01
03. Luke - 3:06
04. John - 3:10
05. High In The Tower Of Coombe - 3:15
06. Methuselah - 4:29
07. My Poor Mary - 3:17
08. Fireball Woman - 3:34
09. Fairy Tale - 3:02
10. Frere Jaques (Traditional) - 6:07


John Gladwin - lead vocals, vibes (10), glockenspiel, arranger
Leslie Nicol - lead guitar, vocals, tubular bells (06)
Terry Wincott - 2nd guitar, bongos, tablas (06), vocals, harmonium (10), tubular bells (10)
Craig Austin - bass, vocals, harmonium (01)
M.J. "Mick" Bradley - drums, congas (06)

Steve Cox - percussion
Kenny Young - producer

~Enjoy~