Goliath – I Heard About A Friend (Progressive Music) 1970

GOLIATH – I Heard About A Friend

1970

Linda Rothwell, the five-foot-nothing soul machine, has a voice usually reserved for women twice her girth, and each of the group has something to offer with their particular instrument None of them are virtuosi, but they have a natural gift for putting their talent over Melody Maker, 13/2/71

Originally known as Petrus Boonecamp, this Mancunian quintet honed their repertoire in German clubs before recording one of the better progressive obscurities of the era. The music is jazzy but tight, with cool ensemble playing, including snappy drumming, melodic flute, sax and vibes and some exciting guitar (check out the wild Eastern-flavoured solo on the superb Festival Of Light). They cook up some intense jams elsewhere, perhaps best of all on the hard-hitting No More Trash, and end with a fine rendition of Davy Grahams Maajun (A Taste Of Tangier). Its not all top-notch, but never less than interesting. The band split in March 1971, right after the LPs release, when singer Linda Rothwell was hospitalised with a serious nervous breakdown.

– Joseph Rosbotham – Flute and Tenor
– Malcolm Grundy – Guitar
– Linda Rothwell – Vocals
– John Williamson – Bass Guitar
– Eric Eastman – Drums, Vibes and Percussion