The story of The Turning Tide - an album of unreleased recordings from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s
Making music is a very spiritual thing. So much creativity, thought and work goes into just preparing to go into the studio and attempt to make that hit record that everyone will love.
I was at a crossroads back in 1968-1971. Immediate Records had folded and I searched for a new label that would give me the opportunity to continue make music that would take me to the next stage of my musical journey.
When I was introduced to Barry Gibb by Jim Morris (RIP) and he agreed to produce me and help me get a record deal. I was so happy and so excited about working with him as I was a big Bee Gees fan and had recorded “To Love Somebody” on my second album ‘Kafunta’.
Barry kept his word and helped me get a record deal with his manager Robert Stigwood’s ‘RSO’ record label. Robert also became my manager. A lot of time went into rehearsing and learning the songs and I was so happy when we were finally able to go into I.B.C. Studios and start recording.
The recording sessions were all very uplifting, exciting and enjoyable. The songs and all of the Bill Shepherd arrangements were so beautiful and I put my young Heart and Soul into every vocal and all the beautiful background vocal arrangements. Working with Barry, to do justice to all his beautiful songs stretched me vocally in a way I never imagined and I was so happy with the work that we were doing. We recorded around ten tracks and six of these Gibb compositions ‘Born To Be Free’, ‘Bury Me Down By The River’, ‘Give A Hand, Take A Hand’, ‘Happiness’, ‘The Turning Tide’, ‘High and Windy Mountain’ and two covers ‘Spinning Wheel’ and the beautiful ‘You Made Me So Very Happy’ will finally be released on this Heritage offering of mine, which I am calling, ‘The Turning Tide’
Eric Clapton was another RSO artist and after supporting Eric as the opening act on the ‘Eric Clapton Delaney, Bonnie and Friends tour’, Robert arranged for me to go in the Studio with Eric producing and the Delaney and Bonnie Band who later became Derek and The Dominos along with Rita Coolidge and help from my friend Doris Troy and we recorded three covers, which are also included on this album. ‘Medicated Goo’, ‘Brand New Day’ and ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’.
A further two tracks from my collaboration with the amazing, talented guitarist Caleb Quay were written and produced by Caleb and myself. Two of these songs, ‘If This Were My World’ and Children Of The Last War are also included on this album; ‘The Turning Tide’ that I am so pleased has finally seen the light of day.
