zondag 16 september 2012
vrijdag 14 september 2012
Singles
(Under construction)
Chris Rainbow
Polydor 2058 878
1: living in the world today
2: Middleman
The Netherlands - 1977
Chris Rainbow
EMI 5215
A: Body Music
B: Girl in Collision
United Kingdom - 1981
Chris Rainbow
Polydor 2058 878
1: living in the world today
2: Middleman
The Netherlands - 1977
Chris Rainbow
EMI 006-07271
A: Love you eternally
B: Be like a woman
The Netherlands - 1979
Chris Rainbow
Crystal 006 CRY 07 108
A: Ring ring
B: Streetwise
Germany - 1979
Chris Rainbow
EMI 2966
A: Ring ring
B: Streetwise
The Netherlands - 1979
Chris Rainbow
EMI 5215
A: Body Music
B: Girl in Collision
United Kingdom - 1981
zondag 2 september 2012
Polydor News - Christopher Rainbow - June 1975
Christopher Rainbow stammers rather badly. If you’re afraid that may embarrass him – don’t. It’s more likely to be you that suffers and C-C-C-Chris who is laughing.
That’s the sort of person Christopher Rainbow is – honest, open, cheeky and extrovert. It’s this personality that has helped to keep him smiling through an astonishing variety of occupations which have included forging Charles Rennie MacIntosh drawings, promoting a group called the Dream Police, contributing cartoons to a Glasgow underground paper called ‘The Word’, ‘collecting’ jewelry and pottery from old graves and studying at the Society for Physic Research.
Chris Rainbow also sings. To anyone. He has sung live for Kenny Everett, made jingles for anyone who will play them(and most do!) and has very nearly had a hit record called "Solid State Brain."
A native Glaswegian, Chris was born in 1947 and, in addition(or despite) all the exploits mentioned above, managed to find seven years to spend as a coomercial artist. His first musical efforts were with an aptly named outfit - the Hope Street Band - which made two unsuccesful singles.
February this year(1975) saw Chris travelling to California tp record "Home Of The Brave", his first album for Polydor, while at the same time, releasing a ten-year ambition to visit the home of some of his greatest musical influences: Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys(the others being Lennon/McCartney and Curtis Mayfield).
Working with Stevie Wonders producers and utilising the giant synthesizer 'Tonto' Chris lived close to Malibu for three months. While the Californian surroundings inspired him to write 80% of the album during recording, he also took time out to satisfy his other passion - surfing.
On his return to England, Chris produced a fine rock and roll album for Lennie McDonald, and more recently, a single - one of his own compositions - for Polydor artist Charlie James.
Chris' inventiveness in the studio and ingenious use of harmonies and percussion make him the leading contender for the discovery of '75.
You 'd better believe it!
A native Glaswegian, Chris was born in 1947 and, in addition(or despite) all the exploits mentioned above, managed to find seven years to spend as a coomercial artist. His first musical efforts were with an aptly named outfit - the Hope Street Band - which made two unsuccesful singles.
February this year(1975) saw Chris travelling to California tp record "Home Of The Brave", his first album for Polydor, while at the same time, releasing a ten-year ambition to visit the home of some of his greatest musical influences: Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys(the others being Lennon/McCartney and Curtis Mayfield).
Working with Stevie Wonders producers and utilising the giant synthesizer 'Tonto' Chris lived close to Malibu for three months. While the Californian surroundings inspired him to write 80% of the album during recording, he also took time out to satisfy his other passion - surfing.
On his return to England, Chris produced a fine rock and roll album for Lennie McDonald, and more recently, a single - one of his own compositions - for Polydor artist Charlie James.
Chris' inventiveness in the studio and ingenious use of harmonies and percussion make him the leading contender for the discovery of '75.
You 'd better believe it!
June 1975
Discography
Solid State Brain/Electra City - Polydor 2058 4448 - March 29, 1974
Give Me What I Cry For/Gotta Song - Polydor 2058 516 - September 9, 1974
Mr. Man/Woman On My Mind - Polydor 2058 611 - June 20, 1975
ALBUMS
Home Of The Brave - Polydor 2382 338 - July 1975
Music Cassette 3170 228
Discography
Solid State Brain/Electra City - Polydor 2058 4448 - March 29, 1974
Give Me What I Cry For/Gotta Song - Polydor 2058 516 - September 9, 1974
Mr. Man/Woman On My Mind - Polydor 2058 611 - June 20, 1975
ALBUMS
Home Of The Brave - Polydor 2382 338 - July 1975
Music Cassette 3170 228
Tracks: Tarzana Resada; Funky Parrot; On My Way; Glasgow Boy; Mr. Man; A Woman On My Mind; In Memory; Is Summer Really Over; Home Of The Brave.
For further information please contact David Hughes or Janice Hague at the Polydor Press Office - 01 499 8686
For further information please contact David Hughes or Janice Hague at the Polydor Press Office - 01 499 8686
Biography
Born in Scotland, mid-20 year old Christopher James Harley decided to change his stage name just as Steve Harley became popular in United Kingdom. In a feverishly held discussion with friends it was decided that he name himself Christopher Rainbow (later simply becoming Chris Rainbow). At first Chris worked as a graphic artist between 1964 and 1972, commencing to work with his first band Hopestreet in the early 70s.
Through the lyrical compositions and his matching voice he would sign a recording contract with EMI and release his debut album in 1975. Two years later Looking Over My Shoulder followed and was highly praised by the critics. Chris established his self-recorded 'wall of voices' sound which also marks his third album, White Trails (1979). He was invited by British producer Alan Parson and first sang on one of The Alan Parsons Project releases, "Winding Me Up" from the album Eve later that year. Through APP Chris also made acquaintance with other musicians, such as Pilot's lead singer and bass player David Paton or the preferred APP guitarist, Ian Bairnson (also a member of Pilot). Bairnson was instrumental in introducing Chris to Yes lead singer Jon Anderson who just prepared his next solo work, Song of Seven. Both, Chris and Ian appeared on that album. Also, together with Paton, Chris joined Andy Latimer's Camel and recorded The Single Factor with them in 1982. Tours and more releases followed, until the band would take a break in the mid 80s and Chris membership with Camel ceased. Another short-lived project in 1980 was Maximum Penetration which Chris pursued together with popular session keyboarder Max Middleton.
Chris later became involved with the Scottish band Runrig, produced some albums for them (under his birth name Chris Harley) such as The Cutter & the Clan (1987), Once in a Lifetime - Live (1988) and Amazing Things (1993), provided backing vocals and occasionally joined them for live dates. In 1990 Chris appeared on the first album Freudiana of Eric Woolfson, long-time sideman to Alan Parsons, where he sung the track "Destiny".
Through the introduction of the internet it became apparent how many fans worldwide still appreciate Chris' recordings, many of them in Japan. His albums were re-issued as CDs and in 1994 a The Best Of Chris Rainbow compilation materialized. It is not clear whether Chris ever made any further recordings, but as various message boards on the internet have shown there was certainly a great demand for more music of this Scottish artist. In 2000 the Unreleased & Demo Tracks 1973-1983 attempted to satisfy this demand. Rumor has it that a new Chris Rainbow album will eventually see the light of day.
Through the lyrical compositions and his matching voice he would sign a recording contract with EMI and release his debut album in 1975. Two years later Looking Over My Shoulder followed and was highly praised by the critics. Chris established his self-recorded 'wall of voices' sound which also marks his third album, White Trails (1979). He was invited by British producer Alan Parson and first sang on one of The Alan Parsons Project releases, "Winding Me Up" from the album Eve later that year. Through APP Chris also made acquaintance with other musicians, such as Pilot's lead singer and bass player David Paton or the preferred APP guitarist, Ian Bairnson (also a member of Pilot). Bairnson was instrumental in introducing Chris to Yes lead singer Jon Anderson who just prepared his next solo work, Song of Seven. Both, Chris and Ian appeared on that album. Also, together with Paton, Chris joined Andy Latimer's Camel and recorded The Single Factor with them in 1982. Tours and more releases followed, until the band would take a break in the mid 80s and Chris membership with Camel ceased. Another short-lived project in 1980 was Maximum Penetration which Chris pursued together with popular session keyboarder Max Middleton.
Chris later became involved with the Scottish band Runrig, produced some albums for them (under his birth name Chris Harley) such as The Cutter & the Clan (1987), Once in a Lifetime - Live (1988) and Amazing Things (1993), provided backing vocals and occasionally joined them for live dates. In 1990 Chris appeared on the first album Freudiana of Eric Woolfson, long-time sideman to Alan Parsons, where he sung the track "Destiny".
Through the introduction of the internet it became apparent how many fans worldwide still appreciate Chris' recordings, many of them in Japan. His albums were re-issued as CDs and in 1994 a The Best Of Chris Rainbow compilation materialized. It is not clear whether Chris ever made any further recordings, but as various message boards on the internet have shown there was certainly a great demand for more music of this Scottish artist. In 2000 the Unreleased & Demo Tracks 1973-1983 attempted to satisfy this demand. Rumor has it that a new Chris Rainbow album will eventually see the light of day.
My Chris Rainbow Collection
For all who are interested in Chris Rainbow - a blog with a lot of pics.
BTW: don't expect to much stories.
Enjoy!!
Gert
Photo from the Looking Over My Shoulder cover - 1978
BTW: don't expect to much stories.
Enjoy!!
Gert
Photo from the Looking Over My Shoulder cover - 1978
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