Gothic Horizon

Gothic Horizon was an English folk-rock duo that released the 1971–72 albums The Jason Lodge Poetry Book and Tomorrow’s Another Day… on Argo.

Members: Andy Desmond (vocals, guitar, bass), Richard Garrett (vocals)


Formation

Gothic Horizon sprung from a partnership between Hertfordshire folkies Andy Desmond and Richard Garrett. Associate Mike Simmons wrote most of their material and performed on one song per album. They signed with Argo, an esoteric label founded in 1951 by musicologist Cyril Clarke and run since 1957 as a classical subsidiary of Decca.


The Jason Lodge Poetry Book

Gothic Horizon released their first album, The Jason Lodge Poetry Book, in 1971 on Argo. Andy Desmond wrote five songs: “Song for Susan,” “Althea Williams,” “Wilhelmina Before Sunrise,” “Pisces,” and “A Farewell Ode to Port Sunlight.” Mike Simmons wrote the rest and plays guitar on “Willow Tree Vale Song.”

A1. “The Jason Lodge Poetry Book”
A2. “Song for Susan”
A3. “Odysseus”
A4. “A.J. Lone’s Dog”
A5. “Willow Tree Vale Song”
A6. “Six Summers Back”
B1. “Song”
B2. “Althea Williams”
B3. “Wilhelmina Before Sunrise”
B4. “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”
B5. “A Third for Jason Lodge”
B6. “Pisces”
B7. “A Farewell Ode to Port Sunlight”

Guitar, 12-String Acoustic Guitar – Andy Desmond
Vocals – Richard Garrett

Backing Vocals – The Yetties
Bass Guitar – Ron Lawrence
Flute – Ian Cameron
Keyboards – Jean Baptiste
Lead Guitar – Mark Helme
Percussion – Gray Richardson
Ukulele Banjo – Eli Bickerstaffe


Tomorrow’s Another Day…

Gothic Horizon released their second album, Tomorrow’s Another Day…, in 1972 on Argo. Andy Desmond wrote five songs: “Baby, You Make the Sunshine,” “Sunny Day Parable,” “If You Can Smile,” “Thoughts,” and “Tomorrow’s Another Day.” Mike Simmons wrote the rest and plays guitar on “Beverley’s Song.”

A1. “Thyme and Tied” (3:15)
A2. “Sydney’s Wharf” (4:15)
A3. “Beverley’s Song (Song for Beverley)” (3:35)
A4. “Baby, You Make the Sunshine” (2:50)
A5. “Lament (For Two Voices)” (3:50)
A6. “Sunny Day Parable” (4:34)
B1. “Song No. 1” (4:10)
B2. “Girl With Guitar” (3:25)
B3. “If You Can Smile” (3:35)
B4. “Jefferson James” (3:40)
B5. “Thoughts” (2:45)
B6. “Tomorrow’s Another Day” (6:50)

Producer – Kevin Daly
Recorded By – Peter Rynston
Arranged By [Strings, Brass] – John Gosling

Vocals – Richard Garrett
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Harmonica – Andy Desmond

Acoustic Guitar [Lead] – Mark Helme
Bass – Jim Mosley
Drums, Percussion – Paul Cartwright
Electric Guitar – Barrie Evans
Organ, Piano, Synthesizer [Moog] – John Gosling

Photography, Cover – Harley J. Usill


Andy Desmond Solo

Desmond reappeared on Konk, a low-budget label headed by Kinks frontman Ray Davies. In October 1975, Konk issued Living On a Shoestring, Desmond’s first of two solo albums. It features backing by The Kinks, Garrett, and guitarist–mandolinist Rick Lloyd, a onetime member of Welsh-language beatsters Y Blew.


Discography:

  • The Jason Lodge Poetry Book (1970)
  • Tomorrow’s Another Day… (1972)

Sources:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *