Audience – The House on the Hill (1971)

The House on the Hill is the third album by Audience, released in April 1971 on Charisma (UK), Elektra (US, Canada), and Philips (Japan, Oceania, Italy, Germany). This was their first of two albums produced by Gus Dudgeon, best known for his work with Elton John. The title track is a seven-minute re-recording of an Audience fan favorite that originally appeared in shorter form on their debut album.

The Charisma release, which features eight songs, was preceded by the non-album single “Indian Summer” (b/w “It Brings a Tear”). Both sides of the single appear on the album’s North American pressing on Elektra, which has nine tracks (dropping “Eye to Eye”). The House on the Hill also contains the band’s only cover: the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins staple “I Put a Spell on You.”

Tracklist (Charisma):
A1. “Jackdaw” (7:20)
A2. “Your Not Smiling” (5:22)
A3. “I Had a Dream” (4:20)
A4. “Raviolé” (3:42)
B1. “Nancy” (4:20)
B2. “Eye to Eye” (2:29)
B3. “I Put a Spell On You” (4:12)
B4. “The House On The Hill” (7:31)

Werth/Gemmell (A1, A2), Werth/Williams (A3, B1, B2, B4), Werth (A4), J. Hawkins (B3)

Tracklist (Elektra):
A1. “Indian Summer” (3:14)
A2. “Your Not Smiling” (5:22)
A3. “Jackdaw” (7:20)
A4. “It Brings a Tear” (2:53)
A5. “Raviolé” (3:42)
B1. “Nancy” (4:20)
B2. “I Had a Dream” (4:20)
B3. “I Put a Spell On You” (4:12)
B4. “The House On The Hill” (7:31)

Werth/Gemmell (A1, A4)

Credits:
Howard Werth – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric classical guitar
Keith Gemmell – clarinet, flute, tenor saxophone
Trevor Williams – bass
Tony Connor – drums, percussion, vibraphone

Gus Dudgeon – producer
Robin Geoffrey Cable – engineer
Robert Kirby – string arrangements (“Raviolé“)