Dave Edmunds - Subtle as a Flying Mallet

                                           

Dave Edmunds - Subtle as a Flying Mallet
RCA Records, 1975
Recorded at Rockfield Studios, Wales (Live tracks recorded in Cardiff)
Produced by Dave Edmunds 

The reclusive Welsh musician Dave Edmunds is one of the most intriguing musicians of the 1970s. Originally the singer of the the group Love Sculpture, (known for their 1968 hit 'Sabre Dance') Edmunds is best remembered for his late seventies solo work and countless collaborations with Nick Lowe. Edmunds solo career began when he left Love Sculpture in 1970 and was quickly propelled to the top of the charts with the Smiley Lewis song 'I Hear you Knocking'. Regrettably, Edmunds' initial pop success was short lived. As a result of various label issues and subsequent single failures, his debut album Rockpile wasn't released until 1972. The delay killed all the momentum from his smash hit and Edmunds withdrew himself from the public eye.

Despite this disappointment, Edmunds began working at Rockfield Studios as a producer, recording groups like Foghat and Help Yourself. As well as his production commitments, Edmunds continued to work on his own solo music. He returned to limelight briefly in 1973 with the UK Top 10 Hits 'Baby I Love You' and 'Born To Be With You'. Both 1960s covers in which Edmunds went to great lengths to painstakingly recreate the Phil Spector produced originals, complete with lush arrangements and countless overdubs. Both tunes are a fine example of Edmunds' skill in the studio, attention to detail, and his revivalist tendencies. Interestingly, the withdrawn Edmunds did not immediately seek to follow up the success, and once again retreated to rural Wales, recording and producing music.

       Dave Edmunds' second LP, Subtle as a Flying Mallet was released in 1975, towards the end of his period in isolation. It is basically a collection of various studio and live tracks recorded between 1972 and 1974. Most of the songs are 1950s and 1960s covers which range from from country, eclectic blues, to straight ahead rock n' roll. Also included were the Spector-styled singles 'Baby I Love You' and 'Born To Be With You', alongside a magnificent remake of 'Da Doo Ron Ron'. Most impressively though is that Edmunds plays the majority of the instruments himself, justifying the three year wait between records!

        One of the standout moments is the song 'Maybe' which showcases his incredible vocal range. A lush piano ballad with various bells and chimes provide an excellent backing for his soaring, Terry Reid-like vocals. The singing gets more intense each verse and by the final refrain, Edmunds is truly belting his heart out. Another tasty moment is the delicate 'She's My Baby' penned by Nick Lowe - who latterly played with Edmunds in the group Rockpile. The tune is so melodic and pretty it would fit perfectly onto an early seventies Beach Boys' record like Sunflower or Surf's Up! 

      Some people may find this album a bit uneven, but I think that's what excites me most. It is ramshackle in places with scruffy rockers like 'Leave My Woman Alone' and the outlaw country of 'Billy the Kid'. It is glossy and poppy in parts, with lush, polished arrangements in an obvious nod to Phil Spector and George Martin. Yet in a way Subtle as a Flying Mallet sounds like nothing else released in that period. Not many British artists at the time (can't think of any - please correct me if you can think of some!) really displayed their love of 1950s American popular music so blatantly. Yes, many Glam rock artists like T. Rex, their tunes were based upon simple fifties rhythms and groves, but were not so (I hate to use this word!) 'authentic' as Edmunds. They updated the sound to appeal to kids of the age, whereas Edmunds during this period is arguably a throwback artist, interested in recreating the sounds of his youth as best as he could.

Despite the two preceding hit singles, Subtle as a Flying Mallet was a complete commercial flop failing to chart in both the UK and USA. Edmunds' fortune did improve with following albums Get It and Repeat When Necessary which stabilized his career which has continued to this day. I was lucky enough to find it on vinyl recently at a great wee record store in Norwich for only £5! I wish this album made more of an impact when it was released, but nonetheless its obscurity adds only to its curiosity!

Enjoy!

Key tracks:

Baby I Love You
Maybe
Let It Be Me
Born To Be With You
She's My Baby

If you like this record, you should also check out:

Dave Edmunds - Rockpile (1972 debut album - recorded 1970/71)
Eggs Over Easy - Good 'N' Cheap (1972)
Brinsley Schwarz - Nervous on the Road (1972)