Blossom Toes were a British psychedelic rock band active between 1966 and 1970. Initially known as The Ingoes,[1] they were renamed and signed to the Marmalade record label of manager Giorgio Gomelsky.[2] The original line-up comprised Brian Godding (19 August 1945 - 26 November 2023, Monmouth, South Wales) (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Jim Cregan (born James Cregan, 9 March 1946, Yeovil, Somerset) (guitar, vocals), Brian Belshaw (born 25 February 1944, Wigan, Lancashire) (bass, vocals), and Kevin Westlake (born Kevin Patrick Westlake, 5 March 1947, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland (drums).[1][3]

Blossom Toes
OriginLondon, England
GenresPsychedelic rock, acid rock, freakbeat, hard rock
Years active1966–1970
LabelsMarmalade (Polydor)
Past members
Websiteblossomtoes.co.uk

The band's debut album, We Are Ever So Clean, was issued on 3 November 1967[4] It was included in Record Collector's list of the "100 Greatest Psychedelic Records".[5]

If Only For A Moment saw the band taking a noticeably heavier direction,[2] with Cregan and Godding's distinctive two-part guitar harmonies playing a prominent role.[citation needed] At this point Westlake left, and was replaced by John "Poli" Palmer, and then Barry Reeves.[2]

The band quit in 1970.[1] Belshaw and Godding rejoined Westlake in B.B. Blunder,[1] Cregan formed Stud with John Wilson and Charlie McCracken,[1] before joining Family, as did Palmer.[2]

The Blossom Toes contributed music to La Collectionneuse (1967), a film by French director Éric Rohmer, and also appeared in "Popdown" (1967) by Fred Marshall.[citation needed]

Discography

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[6]

Albums

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  • We Are Ever So Clean (Album - November 1967, Marmalade 607001 (mono) 608001 (stereo); re-releases include: 2007 Sunbeam Records CD SBRCD5035; 2022 Esoteric Recordings w/ much additional material)
  • If Only for a Moment (Album - July 1969, Marmalade 608010; re-releases include: 2007 Sunbeam Records CD SBRCD5036 ; 2022 Esoteric Recordings)

Live album

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  • Love Bomb - Live 1967-69 (Live album - 2009, Sunbeam Records 2CD SBR2CD5049, 3LP SBR3LP5049)

Compilations

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  • Collection (1988, Decal/Charly TCLIKD 43)
  • What on Earth: Rarities 1967-69 (2009, Sunbeam Records CD SBRCD5071)

As THE INGOES:

  • Before We Were Blossom Toes (2010, Sunbeam Records)

Singles

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  • "What on Earth" / "Mrs. Murphy's Budgerigar" / "Look at Me I'm You" (October 1967, Marmalade 598002 EP)
  • "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" (Bob Dylan) b/w "Love Is" (March 1968, Marmalade 598009)
  • "Postcard" / "Everybody's Leaving Me Now" (October 1968, Marmalade 598012; re-released January 2024, Think Like A Key TLAS002)
  • "Peace Loving Man" / "Just Above My Hobby Horse's Head" (April 1969, Marmalade 598014)
  • "New Day" (signaled on the SBRCD5036 Sunbeam Records CD as "unreleased 45 A-side") b/w "Love Bomb" (October 1969, Marmalade 598022)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin (1997). Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music. Muze UK Ltd. p. 65. ISBN 0-7535-0149-X.
  2. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 150. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  3. ^ Richie Unterberger. "Blossom Toes". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Marmalade Records launch L.P. goodies" (PDF). New Musical Express: 16. 4 November 1967. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Record Collector Magazine's 100 Greatest Psychedelic Records: Web link". Rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  6. ^ Blossom Toes at AllMusic
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