Albums That Changed ... Nic Jones' - Penguin Eggs

Posted 20/09/2011 - 12:11 by Trevor

This week's featured album is Nic Jones' - Penguin Eggs, the last album Nic recorded in 1981.

By the end of 1978 Nic Jones had recorded four solo albums before the Trailer label stopped producing new recordings in 1979 and Nic signed to Topic for whom he recorded one album, Penguin Eggs. An untimely car accident in February, 1982 abruptly ended his career and the legacy of the serious physical injuries and brain damage he sustained is that Nic has not been able to work since.

Nic now lives in West Devon and continues his long love affair with chess and the only physical sports he can manage these days, snooker and a unique style of swimming! He still does daily battle with his guitar and writes the occasional song.

In 2001 Penguin Eggs was voted to 2nd place in the "Best Folk Album of all Time" by listeners of the Mike Harding show on BBC Radio 2. The opening track on this album, "Canadee-I-O" was also recorded by Bob Dylan and included on his 1992 album Good as I Been to You.

Trevor's blog

Nic Jones - great reception in London (UK) !!!

Listening in to Folk on Waiheke Radio [http://waihekeradio.org.nz/listen] right now - in London (UK). Its aired on Friday am for us in the UK. Great programme, great way to wake up!! The stream does keep cutting out sometimes, more due to my local ISP (Virgin) than the distance involved.

The highlight this morning was Trevor Sommers' review of Nic Jones' definitive "Penguin Eggs."

Great to hear Paul Metser's "Shotover River" again.

Yet I understand that one Dave Bulmer (Celtic Music) is reported as STILL sitting on Nic Jones' master tapes, refusing to re-issue them to benefit Nic's long term rehabilitation. Indeed the master tapes might be well decomposed beyond restoration by now. APPARENTLY ALONG WITH MANY THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF OTHER BRIT. FOLK SINGERS AND BANDS FROM THE 1970S/80S.

I am also of the understanding that any performing rights of Nic's records or songs from plays on radio etc. goes to Bulmer, rather than Nic. Appalling situation.

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?ThreadID=35698#488696

Good for Trevor in reviewing this album.

CJB.

Posted by Chris J Brady (not verified) on Thu, 22/09/2011 - 23:14

Penguin Eggs

Penguin Eggs
Seminal album because of one good song ( IMO ) Canadee-I-O I wore out the
grooves on that track, can see daylight through.

On a par with Knoppler's Sultans of Swing and Paul Brady's "Arthur" and
Martin Carthy's "Geordie".
Just so we are clear.
PjH

Posted by Pat (not verified) on Fri, 23/09/2011 - 00:11

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