Uploaded May 2011 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
This is hidden treasure for fans of 70`s power pop need to - repeat `need` - to be aware of. The Key were two guys who recorded one album in 1978 (this one with 4 unreleased bonus trax) of classic Badfinger (think McCartney`s songs"Abbey Road" and "Ram" material), dashes of Pilot, lots of Emitt Rhodes which fans of David Grahame will recognize.
German Volker Langefeld and Englishman Alan Warren were the brains behind The Key, whose 1978 album "Fit Me In" is a largely undiscovered jewel in the `70s power-pop crown. Whilst similarly conceived long players by the likes of Klaatu and Liverpool Echo - who also wore their Paul McCartney/Emitt Rhodes/Eric Carmen influences on their sleeves - have become acknowledged classics.
Recorded in Germany and England, released on EMI`s short-lived Emily subsidiary, the album sold well and the duo recruited a touring band embarking on a whirlwind of promotional activity, appearing on TV and radio shows everywhere. A third member, Michael Lowey, joined the group in time to record a follow-up single and a couple of unreleased tracks (all included here) but the band were dropped by EMI as quickly as they`d been picked up.
This is hidden treasure for fans of 70`s power pop need to - repeat `need` - to be aware of. The Key were two guys who recorded one album in 1978 (this one with 4 unreleased bonus trax) of classic Badfinger (think McCartney`s songs"Abbey Road" and "Ram" material), dashes of Pilot, lots of Emitt Rhodes which fans of David Grahame will recognize.
German Volker Langefeld and Englishman Alan Warren were the brains behind The Key, whose 1978 album "Fit Me In" is a largely undiscovered jewel in the `70s power-pop crown. Whilst similarly conceived long players by the likes of Klaatu and Liverpool Echo - who also wore their Paul McCartney/Emitt Rhodes/Eric Carmen influences on their sleeves - have become acknowledged classics.
Recorded in Germany and England, released on EMI`s short-lived Emily subsidiary, the album sold well and the duo recruited a touring band embarking on a whirlwind of promotional activity, appearing on TV and radio shows everywhere. A third member, Michael Lowey, joined the group in time to record a follow-up single and a couple of unreleased tracks (all included here) but the band were dropped by EMI as quickly as they`d been picked up.
![The Undertakers - I Fell In Love [Black Watch 5545/6] (1965)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CQrm565hmL0/mqdefault.jpg "The Undertakers - I Fell In Love [Black Watch 5545/6] (1965)
This single was recorded in the U.S, when the band was touring there. Its very rare.")
![Gringo - Emma and Harry [Edit]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FTdnajWBmyQ/mqdefault.jpg "Gringo - Emma and Harry [Edit]
Gringo - Gringo 1971 (UK, Canterbury Scene, Progressive Rock)
Artist: Gringo
Location: England
Album: Gringo
Released: 1971
Genre: Canterbury Scene, Progressive Rock
Duration: 48:61 (with bonuses)
The only album. Listed in the directory Canterbury, but I would have said that he belongs to the early (progressive fatal) Canterbury. No jazz here. Drummer Simon Byrne, guitarist / keyboardist Henry Marsh and bassist John G. Perry started with a bit of the group Utopia Somerset. In the late 60s was the same group of Toast. Then they came to the Irish singer Casey (reminiscent of the voice of Maddy Prior) and the group became known as Gringo. Earned additionally in the resorts of France, then in England, opened the concert Barclay James Harvest and Caravan. They noticed a Decca Records offered to release the plate and gave the producers of Tony Cox. After the release of records Decca (that is experiencing financial difficulties) refused to support the group. The band broke up. Simon Byrne joined the Brotherhood of Man, and then became a session musician. Henry Marsh became a member of the Sailor. John G. Perry was a member of Spreadeagle, Caravan, Quantum, Jump, Curved Air. Casey became a session singer ... Outstanding album, I highly recommend for fans of the sound 70.
Tracks:
All songs written by Simon Byrne, Henry Marsh, John G. Perry, Casey Synge.
01. Cry The Beloved Country - 5:54
02. Im Another Man - 4:15
03. More And More - 4:41
04. Our Time Is Our Time - 5:03
05. Gently Step Through The Stream - 3:54
06. Emma And Harry - 3:53
07. Moonstone - 4:37
08. Land Of Who Knows Where - 4:06
09. Patriotic Song - 5:12
Bonuses:
10. Im Another Man (single A-side) - 3:36
11. Soft Mud (single B-side) - 3:16
Personnel:
- Casey (Casey Synge) - female vocals
- Henry Marsh - guitar, keyboards, vocals
- John G. Perry - bass, vocals
- Simon Byrne - drums, vocals
- Tony Cox - producer")
