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Reviews

The Enid — Anarchy on 45
(Mantella MNTLCD 13, 1990/1996, CD)

The Enid / Robert John Godfrey — Healing Hearts
(New Dawn NDCD15, 1996, CD)

The Enid — Members One of Another
(Mantella MNTL CD14, 1995, CD)

by Mike Ezzo, Published 1997-10-01

Anarchy on 45 Cover artHealing Hearts Cover artMembers One of Another Cover art

I love the liner notes of Anarchy on 45, showing Robert Godfrey at his clever and witty best as he likens the Enid's rollercoaster career to "...subversion in a suit and tie." Here you'll find every seven-inch single release from the band over a 15-year period. The bulk of these, however (especially the so-called "novelty singles"), do nothing but offer further proof of a major label's inability to properly promote a band of this caliber, and of the irrelevance of The Enid's music to Top of the Pops and climbing the sales charts. These songs such as "Heigh Ho" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" may shock some fans who weren't (as I wasn't) familiar with this part of the band's history. Released at the insistence of Pye Records in an attempt to soak some money out of this group of gifted young men (and prop up the failing empire of Lord Grade, Pye's executor) it is for the better in my opinion that none of them charted. A rockier and more jovial Enid than you may be used to pervades the earlier non-hits like "665" and "Golden Earrings," from around the time of Aerie Faerie Nonsense. The only place where vocals appear in their music until 1983 is on these guitar-fronted tunes. Still that signature sound is ever-present. Really, the highlight for me was the inclusion of two singles from the Come September period, that many a fan will have never discovered elsewhere. For the seasoned veteran then, an essential purchase, as having these hellaceously rare singles together like this saves the collector ohh... round about $200 or more I would reckon. The lengthy history, full-color discography, and reproductions of some of the single sleeves in the booklet add a very nice touch.

For newcomers though, I would strongly recommend you steer towards... (drum roll please)... Members One of Another. A no-nonsense package, this collection contains all the most favorite pieces, chosen by the members of The Stand (The Enid's support society). You've got epic selections from In the Region of the Summer Stars, through to the underrated (In America anyway) 80's albums like The Seed & The Sower, and even the debut studio rendition of "Nimrod," all here on one spiffy CD. The perfect introduction to what this legendary band is all about. If you want quintessential symphonic progressive rock, here is the definition thereof. And if that isn't enough, then there is Healing Hearts, another compilation of material, this time focusing on the more becalmed end of Godfrey's oeuvre. Culled from albums like the band's ballet work, Salome, and Tripping the Light Fantastic, this particular configuration of Enid music was actually selected by Britain's leading healer, Matthew Manning, for use in his practice I assume. As for Manning, I have no know knowledge of the man whatsoever. For Healing Hearts is not (emphatically, not!) anything to do with New Age music. Apart from those previously mentioned is "The Loved Ones" (from the first album), and another CD debut : the 15-minute "Seascapes," a realization by Robert Godfrey of the music of friend, William Arkle. Ironically this is quite the appropriate companion piece to Members, as it focuses on the post-70's work, which seems to have been given short shrift by many a potential fan. I recommend both highly.

Filed under: Archives, Issue 13, 1996 releases, 1990 recordings, 1995 releases

Related artist(s): The Enid, Robert John Godfrey

 

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