I've been aware of this bunch for quite a while....have had 1970's third for about twelve years, but only in the last few weeks have I really 'got' them. 

Anyone else a fan of this seminal jazz-rock (though far more jazz than rock) band from the 60s/70s? 

I saw them several times in the 1970s, Swan_Knight and the concerts were very enjoyable in a sitting-on-the-floor-and-letting-the-music-wash-over-you kind of way.  The line up kept changing but I think I missed most of the famous names.  Rob Wyatt had certainly gone before I first saw them and I don't remember Karl Jenkins in any of the line-ups I saw.  Mike Ratledge was a constant and I think Elton Dean (from whom Elton John stole half his name if you ever need such info for a pub quiz!) was there at least once. 

The albums are worth listening to, though I'm afraid you might already have the best of of them (Third is really very good stuff).  If you like arty psychedelic stuff the first two albums, when Kevin Ayers was a member and a huge influence in much the same way Syd Barrett was with Pink Floyd, are interesting; but don't expect smooth, extended jazz-rock stuff such as you'll have heard on Third.  The two albums (they're both very short) are easily available on one CD but the price is a bit of a cheek at about £16.99.  If anyone hears of this going for a reasonable price I'd consider buying it myself.  I used to have 4, 5 & 6 in my collection, too but all my vinyl went west at the end of my student days.  They're all worth a listen though I wouldn't go out of my way to replace them. Third, though, is one of the few rock albums I've replaced with CD.

We discussed their Prom on this board last year.  I wasn't there but at least one member (Bryn iirc) was present. 

I just dug out Third, and tried to spin it. The general purpose DVD deck I use in this room refused to recognise it! Very strange. It has no trouble with other pressed CDs. Now ripping it to burn a copy. Hopefully that will play in the DVD deck.

Ah well, while it was ripping I popped over to Amazon UK and found that Third has been remastered with the addition of material from that Prom gig.



I have therefore just ordered both that and "Jet Propelled Photographs", the CD of early stuff with Daevid Allen. The total came to just under £15, but I still got free delivery.

The funny thing about the "Out-Bloody-Rageous" compilation album is that it does not include "Out-Bloody-Rageous".

Nice to see this thread has jogged Bryn and Martle into taking positive action!  :

Bryn, the comp does include the titular track (track 16 on disc one). I disagree with the selections from Third on here.....to my mind, 'Slightly All The Time' is the most appealing track on this album (and doesn't it just scream 1970 at you in vivid, day-glo colours?  ), though I guess it might have been left off on grounds of accessibility (ie, it has too much of it). 

Just finished listening to the 2nd disc, which surveys albums 4 through 6: very enjoyable! Looking forward to hearing the full versions! 

The Amazon listing also omits Plus Belle Qu'une Poubelle,. O-B-R is indeed presented complete on track 16.  Disc 2 also includes The German Lesson and The French Lesson.

Elton Dean (r.i.p.) used to live down the road from me. A truly great free improviser.