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Eclection : page courtesy of Mike Harrison fughedaboudit455@yahoo.com

The sole, little-known album by England-based Eclection, recently reissued, was definitely a wonderful find. I've just begun exploring British folk-rock, and although I'm a novice in this, I still think anyone who likes the genre should make this a part of his or her collection, it's that good. The members of Eclection literally hailed from the four corners of the earth. Australian bassist Trevor Lucas and British drummer Gerry Conway would associate with Fairport Convention in the future. Norweigan guitarist Georg Hultgreen composed most of the songs, along with Canadian lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Michael Rosen. Kerrilee Male, from Australia, rounded out the lineup as the group's second lead singer. The group is often compared to Fairport Convention for their sound AND west-coast California bands such as the Mamas & the Papas for the vocal harmonies. I don't buy the argument; Fairport had more of a rock sound, and Eclection possessed four talented singers (all but Conway sang), all of whom were far more dramatic and emotional in their delivery.

The music, while often melancholy in tone, is striking nonetheless. The band often mixed electric and acoustic instruments together, while at the same time several songs also feature orchestration by Phil Dennys. This gives the material an almost classical feel, and definitely highlights the material rather than burying the basic folk-rock sound. This is particulary effective on "In Her Mind" and "Still I Can See." "Morning of Yesterday," sung by Hultgreen, is a rather upbeat and almost jazzy tune. "St. Georg & the Dragon" is almost chilling, where Male's vocals wail in the distance. "Confusion" is an interesting album closer, almost hopeful in tone; the stop-start effect of the song builds up to an almost classical crescendo toward the middle and end, and Male's almost angelic vocals contrast well. In the end, her vocals are the most memorable part of this album, and together with Michael Rosen's sonorous delivery, both singers compliment each other. The only real detriment to the album is the fact that Male is not out in front as often as I would have liked, although one might argue that her purpose was to add to the overall sound rather than step forward....this is probably the greatest difference when critics compare the band to Fairport Convention.

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Readers Comments bob huntly robert@rhuntly.freeserve.co.uk Only just read your review on eclection. Over thye last few years I have searched on the internet for info and reviews on this album. At first there was nothing. Gradually, more and more references to it are appearing. Will it eventually get the success it deserves? probably not. but it's still one of my favourite albums of the 60's. In the category of "not successful at the time but of vast importance in retrospect" could it be in the same category as "Sweetheart of thye Rodeo" and "For Ever Changes"? (Both of which I also have. Anyway, I couldn't agree more with your analysis. I have never understood why they were not more widely known. And what a fantastic voice Kerilee Male had. Trevor Pollitt trevorpollitt@hotmail.com Great to see the review of the Eclection album. I have it on reel to reel from a copy borrowed all those years ago. I also have on r-r a radio broadcast of Eclection doing what I consider to be the best version ever of 'Both Sides Now' also a song called 'Restitution'.. has anyone else heard them..?derece James McCarraher james@mccarraher.fsnet.co.uk Eclection were a pure joy and a forerunner to Fairport. Their main contributor, Georg Hultgreen (now Kajanus) is one of the most under rated composers and musicians of our time. A man of great humility, Georg has quietly gone about his own business over the years, writing and performing in Sailor and Data, more recently, classical composer. The life of Georg and Eclection can be found in my new book 'A Glass of Champagne - the Official Sailor Story'. David Wraith dwraith@gatesofdawn.freeserve.co.uk A vastly under-rated album which appeared at the time Fairport were mainly playing West Coast cover versions. Kerrilee Male's voice was just superb and heard to brilliant effect on Violet Dew. I saw them once on TV on a BBC music programme in 1969. I can't imagine that the footage still exists. From memory they did George and the Dragon (up the night). Though I think by this time it was Dorris Henderson on vocals. Derek Hyde dhyde@denby77.freeserve.co.uk I was fortunate to see Eclection at the Club Lafayette in Wolverhampton at the end of the 60s. Doris Henderson had taken the place of Kerrilee Male and they did an impressive gig - I can still remember parts of it even after all this time. Went out and bought their album the week after seeing them and still play and enjoy it today. Russell Lorenzini lorenzinibooks@comcast.net Interesting to read here that the album has been re-released. I bought the original Eclection album in shimmering vinyl when it was in first released in '68 on the strength of hearing "Violet Dew" over the speakers in Gillette's, a record store in Riverside, California, where I lived at the time (I was 19 years old). At the time, I was a huge fan of the Beatles, Buf Springfield, Byrds (the three Bs)Love and bands of that ilk, so I was surprised to hear this kind of harmony-laced jangly sound coming out of a British group. It is only recenlty, doing some reading on the internet, that I have discovered that the group was comprised mostly of non-Brits. When I got it home and put it on the turntable, I found it a bit too poppy for my taste, but I did find it pleasant and still pull it out for a spin once in a while. In particular, I like "Violet Dew" and "Nevertheless." I often wondered why the group did not make it, as it certainly seemed to have the qualities th! at were prominent on pop radio at the time. brianjdunk brianjdunk@btinternet.com I saw Eclection by chance at Newcastle City Hall in November 1968.They were sandwhiched between Chicken Shack and The Nice.Eclection stole the show and brought the house down with their great harmonies and songs which included "Betty Brown" and "Up The Night" They were way ahead of their time and years later Mike Oldfield with "Moonlight Shadow" and Renaissance with "Northern Lights" took some of Eclections style into the charts. Does anyone know what Kerrilee Male did after leaving the band?. Stephen Mason esteph42br@yahoo.co.uk I first encountered Eclection on John Peel's Sunday afternoon programme in ....when?.....1968 probably. I was already a great fan of Fairport and the parallels were obvious. To their credit Eclection survived the comparison quite well! I saw them live twice - once as support band to Fairport. I definitely preferred the Kerrilee Male incarnation but the Doris Henderson version were OK too. Both Hultgreen and Rosen wrote intriguing songs. I still have the original LP (remember them?!) Rob Hancocks rob@the-granary.fsnet.co.uk I've seen them twice once at some college in London in 69 an all night rave & Doris Hender son was on vocals & once in Dunstable as back up band for Fleetwood Mac. That time the line up had John polly Palmer on flute,vibes & congas.I bought their LP still have it,good album for the time.What I can remember about was the vocals of Doris very pure. Brian Bates bateshre@aol.com Typical that my old fiend Derek Hyde got in first! I was with him at the Lafyette in Wolverhampton back in 1968, but I also saw the Kerrilee Male incarnation at the same venue earlier. Kerrilee certainly had a more fitting voice for the type of material, giving in a real ethereal quality. It is amazing how wonderful material like this that you heard as an 18 year old stick with you forever. Philip Griffiths Phjogr@blueyonder.co.uk I too was fortunate to see Eclection at the Lafayete in Wolverhampton. I can still picture Dorris Henderson walking to the stage from the balcony with a half bottle of whisky in hand. I also remember the group doing a 20 minute version of Confusion with Gerry Conway performing a drum solo in the middle lasting about 8 minutes. Keith Davis indignews@hotmail.com From Keith - Rainbow Beach, Qld, Australia - No idea how I ended up with this album - back when all your respondents were seeing the group live at English clubs I was busy surfing Australia's east coast & Byrding my way musically - now that I've played Eclection I can't unplay them - they are a hidden treat!!! Malcolm Osborne An excellent reviewby Mike Harrison. I still have my original vinyl with Kerilee on vocals ,and it really does remain timeless in fact it has probably improved with age. I also have Nevertheless as a single from the same time ,and I would agree that it was a real loss that they never did another album .I also got to see them live as support act The Beachboys in Birmingham but I was really dismayed that by then Kerilee was no longer a member and had returned to Ozand been replaced by Doris H enderson, who although very good ,was not Kerilee (sigh) . I found this site only after e-mailing childrens poet-laureate Michael Rosen to ask if he was THE Michael Rosen , but since he was born in England not Canada I think that answers the question for me!