The Portsmouth Sinfonia was founded by Gavin Bryars in Portsmouth college in England. Anyone could join but you had to take rehearsals seriously. The orchestra had a combination of musical talent along with no talent. This record was put out by Springtime Records in 1981 and has a "Hooked on Classics" type of medley... or muddly, with a disco beat and a two note bass line. You will play this over and over again. Side two is The Hallelujah Chorus featuring a very good choir. Near the end of side two you can hear some concert goers (recorded at Royal Albert Hall) laughing, as you will too. The Portsmouth Sinfonia has never really broken up, but most shows were played from 1969 to 1974. Brian Eno joined the Sinfonia in 1970. Enjoy!
(Tracks removed at owner's request.)
Record number two is The Legendary Stardust Cowboy on Mercury records (I would guess 1968). After his Laugh-In appearance, The Ledge took his music very seriously and I've seen video footage of him very upset over the way they made fun of him on Laugh-In. Two great tracks here... Paralyzed and Who's Knocking At My Door. Crazy yelling, crazy tempo, and bugle solos! Ya can't ask for anything more and he is myspace, add him as a friend!
The Legendary Stardust Cowboy
Paralyzed (2:19)
Who's Knocking At My Door (3:12)
- Contributed by: Evil Pain Clown
Image: Singles
Media: 7 "
Artist: Portsmouth Sinfonia / The Legendary Stardust Cowboy
Label: Springtime / Mercury
Catalog: wip 6736 / m 72862
Date: 1981 / 1968
... portsmith sinfonia were arrayed w/ a fairly stellar crew - among other members, roger eno (brian's bro), michael nyman, steve beresford, oh & i misremember but there's heaps more
Posted by: jim | November 12, 2007 at 02:36 AM
could be wrong, but don't they play on "put a straw under baby?"
Posted by: andy | November 12, 2007 at 11:42 AM
I had that Stardust Cowboy single way back around 1969/70. A local radio station (in Statesboro, GA) was having a contest where they gave away a bunch of records, mostly stuff they weren't going to play on the air. A friend's sister won the contest one day and the Ledge single was among the "prizes". She hated it and, knowing my penchant for "out there" music, came to the conclusion that I would enjoy owning it. She was right. I played it again and again, much to the chagrin of the rest of my family.
Thanks for posting it. Sure does bring back fond memories! Like my mother demanding to know "What kind of music do you call that?!?!"
A Meat Beetle
Posted by: A Meat Beetle | November 12, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Hey, Meat! I worked at the campus station in Statesboro in the very early 80s, and managed to find out about The Dickies by checking the wastebasket in the station. I also had my eyes on an LP by some "Christian Punk" artist who did a cover of "Kicks," but they never let that one go.
Posted by: Kip W | November 12, 2007 at 08:34 PM
Ack, sorry to see the Portsmouth tracks had to be yanked. Fair enough that they want to rerelease these on CD (finally), but this has seemingly been in the works for a long, long time.
Posted by: Walkathon | November 16, 2007 at 09:50 AM
yea i hoped i could sneak that portsmouth sinfonia in there {sorry otis} any way at least i showed it off!!
Posted by: evilpainclown | November 16, 2007 at 12:54 PM
I've read in a few places that after getting his hands on one of the Stardust Cowboy's singles, David Bowie decided upon which surname to give to Ziggy.
Legendary Stardust Cowboy vinyl was very sought after by everyone I knew in Austin in the 80's and was a definite influence on such Cowpunk bands as the Hickoids.
Posted by: David | November 19, 2007 at 04:30 AM
Portsmouth Sinfonia both songs are on youtube. VERY INTERESTING!!!
Posted by: mike hansen | May 19, 2010 at 10:31 PM