First Aid -

First Aid was an English symphonic-rock band that released the album Nostradamus on Decca in 1976. The album draws on prophesies of the famed seer, including his prediction that the world would end in 1986, ten years on from the album’s release.

Members: Alan Wormald (guitar and vocals), Norrie Tennet (bass), Keith Parkinson (keyboards), Dave Freeman (drums)

Background

First Aid featured drummer Dave Freeman, who played in the 1969 jazz-rock one-off ‘Igginbottom with a young Allan Holdsworth. The other members of First Aid — guitarist/singer Alan Wormald, bassist Norrie Tennet, and keyboardist Keith Parkinson — were relative newcomers. Working with conceptualist and producer Jimmy Parsons, Wormald and Parkinson composed an album of material based on 16th century French seer Michel de Nostredame.

Nostradamus

First Aid released their singular album, Nostradamus, in December 1976 on Decca.

The album follows eight linked pieces based on the life and prophecies of Nostradamus. Most passages are instrumental, with narrator Raymond Hardy reading the connecting text. Richard Hewson directs the orchestral arrangements. Parkinson wrote the recurring “Visions” theme and “The Awful Truth.” Wormald composed the remaining pieces apart from the title track, a Parsons co-write.

“Visions” emerges from spoken prophecy and wind effects before swirling electronics break into a fevered two-part exchange. “Nostradamus” surges through chanted male responses and sonorous electronics as full orchestra drives a dense passage through a brief thinning and heavier return. “The Awful Truth” pauses on a compact piano study marked by classical turns and compressed complexity. “By Royal Appointment” announces itself through a brief ceremonial fanfare. “Catherine” glides through gentle strings and an emotionally direct lead.

“Two Brothers” swells as parallel electronic lines meet a broad tutti. “Visions (Reprise)” unfurls dramatic flourishes through a full-ensemble restatement. “The Shape of Things to Come” rises from narrated foreboding through abrupt tempo and meter shifts before interlocked guitar and keyboard lines feed a stirring chorus and a finale threaded with archival speeches.

A1. “Visions” (3:52) – Parkinson
A2. “Nostradamus” (6:04) – Wormald, Parsons
A3. “The Awful Truth” (2:55) – Parkinson
A4. “By Royal Appointment” (1:17) – Wormald
A5. “Catherine” (3:18) – Wormald

B1. “Two Brothers” (6:52) – Wormald
B2. “Visions (Reprise)” (2:56) – Parkinson
B3. “The Shape of Things to Come” (12:45) – Wormald

First Aid recorded Nostradamus in 1976 at Decca Studios in London with conceptualist-producer Jimmy Parsons and engineers Alan Leeming and Martin Haskell.

Leeming assisted on the 1973 Caravan album For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night and co-engineered the 1976 Spriguns release Revel Weird and Wild. Haskell worked elsewhere at Decca on the 1976 Dodie West album Walk Through This World, then engineered the 1977 Brian Patten and Cleo Laine project The Sly Cormorant.

Hewson, an arranger on the 1976 Cliff Richard album I’m Nearly Famous, orchestrated and directed the ensemble. Iain Churches recorded the orchestral parts.

Original vinyl appeared in a gatefold sleeve with Dada visuals by one Paul Redway.

Decca also issued Nostradamus in Portugal in 1976, and London Records released a Japanese edition the following year. Flawed Gems issued an unofficial CD in 2012, while Hifly Sound Anstalt pressed a limited gatefold LP in 2015. Big Pink followed with a 2018 South Korean mini-LP CD.

Discography: