Wikipedia

The Artwoods

The Artwoods(also sometimes known by Decca Records asthe Art Woods) were aBritish rhythm and bluesband who formed in 1963 and were professionally active between 1964 and 1967.[1][2]They were a popular live attraction, rivalling groups such asthe Animals,although, despite releasing a clutch of singles and an album, theirrecord salesnever reflected this popularity.[1]

The Artwoods
OriginLondon, England
GenresR&B[1]
Years active1964–1967
LabelsDecca,Parlophone,Repertoire,Spark
Past membersArt Wood
Derek Griffiths
Reginald Dunnage
Malcolm Pool
Keef Hartley
Jon Lord
Colin Martin

History

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SingerArthur Wood,from whom the band took their name, was the eldest brother ofRonnie Wood(who later found fame with theFacesandRolling Stones). Art Wood had been a vocalist withAlexis Korner'sBlues Incorporatedfor a short period during 1962, simultaneously fronting his own group, the Art Wood Combo.[1][2]When keyboardistJon Lordand guitarist Derek Griffiths from Red Bludd's Bluesicians joined the Art Wood Combo, the Artwoods were formed.[1]WithKeef Hartley,formerly withRory Storm& the Hurricanes, joining on drums andMalcolm Poolfrom the Roadrunners joining as bassist, in December 1964 the band turned professional, securing a residency at London's100 Cluband signing a recording contract withDecca Records.[1][2][3] Colin Martin joined from the band the Ingoes, who changed their name to the Blossom Toes. Colin went on to work atRadio 2where he produced the like ofTerry Wogan,Ken BruceandGloria Hunnifordand was later appointed as Head of Music at the station.

The intended debut single, a cover ofMuddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man",was shelved in favour of a rendition of an oldLead Bellysong, "Sweet Mary".[3]Although it didn't reach the charts, it got sufficient airplay to bring the band a lot of live work, including an appearance on the first live edition ofReady Steady Go!.[1]Their second record, "Oh My Love", was another blues cover. Like its predecessor (and subsequent releases), it failed to chart.[3]Their only chart single was "I Take What I Want", which reached No 28 on 8 May 1966. The Artwoods were one of the few British bands of the era to play behind theIron Curtainas they touredPolandin 1966[4]with Lord's then-girlfriendElkie Brooksas opener.[5]

As the St Valentines Day Massacre

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The Artwoods were dropped by Decca at the end of 1966, and they signed a one-record deal withParlophone,but their release "What Shall I Do" also had no success.[1][3]Later in 1967, a final "one-off" single appeared on theFontanalabel, with the band billing itself as St. Valentine's Day Massacre;[6]but by the time of its release the Artwoods had effectively ceased to exist.[1]

Critical reception and post-band activity

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Bruce Eder ofAllmusicnotes that the Artwoods' early records today stand up well against the work of more successful groups such asthe Rolling Stones,the Yardbirdsorthe Birds(who included Art's younger brother Ronnie).[1]But at the time they came out, despite appearances on programs likeReady, Steady, Go!their singles never seemed to connect with the record-buying public. The group broke up in mid-1967. Art Wood joined his brother Ted in the graphics-art business and continued to perform music on a semi-professional basis. He also played with theDownliners Sect.[2]Keef Hartley went on to play withJohn Mayall's Bluesbreakersand Jon Lord became a founder member ofDeep Purple.[1]

Over the years, there have been two compilations released by the band. In 1983,100 Oxford Street,including most of their mid-'60s singles and seven songs fromArt Gallery,was released byEdsel Records.[7]In 2000,Singles A's & B's,comprising the group's entire single and EP output, was released byRepertoire Records.[8]

Band members

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Discography

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Albums

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  • Art Gallery(Decca, LK4830) Nov 1966
  • Art Gallery[Reissue] (Repertoire, REP4533-WP) 1995

Live albums

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  • Live at Klooks Kleek(Diamond) 2016
  • Art's Gallery(Top Sounds) 2019

Compilation albums

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  • The Artwoods(Spark,SRLM2006) 1974
  • 100 Oxford Street(Edsel, ED107) 1983
  • Singles A's & B's(Repertoire, REP4887) 2000
  • Steady Gettin' It – The Complete Recordings 1964–67(RPM) 2014

EPs

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  • Oh My Love[ "Oh My Love" / "Big City" / "If I Ever Get My Hands on You" / "Sweet Mary" ] (Decca 457.076 M) 1966
  • Jazz in Jeans[ "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" / "A Taste of Honey" / "Our Man Flint" / "Routine" ] (Decca DFE 8654) 1966
  • The Artwoods[ "I Take What I Want" (Hayes/Porter/Hodges)/ "If I Ever Get My Hands on You" (Carter/Lewis)/ "I Feel Good" (Neville)/ "She Knows What to Do" (Hill/Rebennack)] (Decca DFE 8576) Reissue, 2009 in Japan

Singles

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  • "Sweet Mary" / "If I Ever Get My Hands on You" (Decca F 12015) Nov 1964
  • "Oh My Love" / "Big City" (Decca F 12091) Feb '65
  • "Goodbye Sisters" / "She Knows What to Do" (Decca F 12206) Aug 1965
  • "I Take What I Want" / "I'm Looking for a Saxophonist Doubling French Horn Wearing Size 37 Boots" (Decca F 12384) Apr 1966
  • "I Feel Good" / "Molly Anderson's Cookery Book" (Decca F 12465) Aug 1966
  • "What Shall I Do" / "In the Deep End" (Parlophone R 5590) Apr 1967
  • "Brother Can You Spare a Dime"/" Al's Party "(Fontana H883) (as St. Valentine's Day Massacre) 1967

References

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  1. ^abcdefghijk"The Artwoods Biography".AllMusic.Retrieved2 July2010.
  2. ^abcd"Art Wood".The Independent.London. 6 November 2006.Retrieved3 July2010.
  3. ^abcd"Pre Deep Purple – John Lord Biography".Retrieved2 July2010.
  4. ^"The Artwoods".www.deep-purple.net.Retrieved15 May2023.
  5. ^Trimaximalist (3 January 2018)."Elkie Brooks -".Retrieved15 May2023.
  6. ^Unterberger, Richie."Saint Valentine's Day Massacre Biography".Allmusic.Retrieved5 June2023.
  7. ^"100 Oxford St".AllMusic.Retrieved6 July2010.
  8. ^"Singles A's & B's".AllMusic.Retrieved6 July2010.
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