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Clouds - Once Upon A Time - The Collection [CD]

Clouds - Once Upon A Time - The Collection [CD]

£29.98
£29.98
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Clouds were a highly influential Scottish prog-rock band formed in Edinburgh in the mid-1960s. Under their original name 1-2-3, the band gained attention in London's underground scene, especially at The Marquee Club in 1967. Their sound was ahead of its time--melding classical, jazz, and rock influences with no lead guitarist, and Billy Ritchie taking centre stage on keyboards. Ritchie's flamboyant, frontman-style organ work would later inspire keyboardists like Keith Emerson.

In 1968, under the guidance of Brian Epstein's NEMS agency and Terry Ellis (who would go on to co-found Chrysalis), they changed their name to Clouds. They were the first band signed to Chrysalis Records and were early architects of progressive rock, predating many better-known acts of the genre. Though short-lived, Clouds are now seen as pioneers of the progressive rock movement. Their innovative structure, particularly Ritchie's role as a lead keyboardist, helped pave the way for bands like Yes, ELP, and Genesis.

Once Upon A Time - The Collection: includes their three studio albums The Clouds Scrapbook (1969), the band's debut album, which blends psychedelic pop with early progressive rock elements, Watercolour Days (1971), their second album, which showcases a more refined sound, , along with the US-only release Up Above Our Heads (1970). The set comes with 23 previously unreleased tracks, pulled from the vaults and a wealth of additional rare material. Featuring singles, B-sides and previously unheard demos, providing a complete picture of the band's brief but influential career.

At the centre of the package is a booklet featuring new essays from all three original band members: Billy Ritchie, Ian Ellis and Harry Hughes along with never-before-seen photographs and rare ephemera. All housed in a CD sized hardback sleeve with booklet.

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Description

Clouds were a highly influential Scottish prog-rock band formed in Edinburgh in the mid-1960s. Under their original name 1-2-3, the band gained attention in London's underground scene, especially at The Marquee Club in 1967. Their sound was ahead of its time--melding classical, jazz, and rock influences with no lead guitarist, and Billy Ritchie taking centre stage on keyboards. Ritchie's flamboyant, frontman-style organ work would later inspire keyboardists like Keith Emerson.

In 1968, under the guidance of Brian Epstein's NEMS agency and Terry Ellis (who would go on to co-found Chrysalis), they changed their name to Clouds. They were the first band signed to Chrysalis Records and were early architects of progressive rock, predating many better-known acts of the genre. Though short-lived, Clouds are now seen as pioneers of the progressive rock movement. Their innovative structure, particularly Ritchie's role as a lead keyboardist, helped pave the way for bands like Yes, ELP, and Genesis.

Once Upon A Time - The Collection: includes their three studio albums The Clouds Scrapbook (1969), the band's debut album, which blends psychedelic pop with early progressive rock elements, Watercolour Days (1971), their second album, which showcases a more refined sound, , along with the US-only release Up Above Our Heads (1970). The set comes with 23 previously unreleased tracks, pulled from the vaults and a wealth of additional rare material. Featuring singles, B-sides and previously unheard demos, providing a complete picture of the band's brief but influential career.

At the centre of the package is a booklet featuring new essays from all three original band members: Billy Ritchie, Ian Ellis and Harry Hughes along with never-before-seen photographs and rare ephemera. All housed in a CD sized hardback sleeve with booklet.

Track Listing

Introduction - Scrapbook

Imagine Me

Watercolour Days

The Carpenter

Sing, Sing, Sing

Cold Sweat

The Colours Have Run

Take Me To Your Leader

Lighthouse

I'll Go Girl

Big Noise From Winnetka

Long Time

Grandad

In The Mine

Mind Of A Child

Ladies And Gentlemen

The World Is Madhouse

I Know Better Than You

Humdrum

Once Upon A Time

Leavin'

Union Jack

See Me I'm Home

Get Off My Farm

Old Man

That Was Yesterday

I Am The Melody

Waiter, There's Something In My Soup

The Feeling

Once Upon A Time

Scrapbook

R.I.P

Mind Of A Child

Make No Bones About It

Why Is There No Magic

Heritage

Shadows

Sleepless Nights

A Day In The Rain

Laughin'

Clockwork Soldier

She's A Dish

Go Now Sheray

Preacher Man

Old Folks Home

Smokey Old Town

You've Been Bad

Miscellaneous

Union Jack

Ice Cream

Pawnshop

No Sign Of Being Better

The Clothes She Wore

The Camera Never Lies

French Franc

J. Graham, Watchmaker Jeweller

Danger, Roadworks Straight Ahead

Thats What Bothers Me

Details
  • Product Type: AUDIO CD
  • Barcode: 840401712122
  • Release Date: August 29, 2025
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