McGuinness Flint – McGuinness Flint

McGuinness Flint – McGuinness Flint

Released in 1970, McGuinness Flint is the self-titled debut album from the British roots-rock group formed by former Manfred Mann guitarist Tom McGuinness and former John Mayall drummer Hughie Flint. Completed by vocalist and keyboard player Dennis Coulson and singer-songwriters Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, the band developed an easygoing blend of folk rock, blues, country and rootsy British rock, with clear echoes of the American roots music that influenced their songwriting. The album reached No. 9 in the UK Albums Chart.

The record's best-known song is "When I'm Dead And Gone", written by Gallagher and Lyle. Released as the group's debut single in November 1970, it became a major UK hit, reaching No. 2 and remaining in the UK Top 10 for eight weeks. Its memorable combination of mandolin, acoustic instrumentation, harmony vocals and distinctive kazoo touches helped make it one of the defining British roots-rock singles of the period.

Elsewhere, "Lazy Afternoon" sets the relaxed tone of the album, while "Bodang Buck", "Mister Mister" and "Heritage" demonstrate the group's understated approach to folk rock and country-influenced songwriting. Gallagher and Lyle provide much of the album's melodic character through their guitar, mandolin, bass and vocal work, while Coulson's keyboards add another layer to the band's rootsy sound.

The album was produced and engineered by Glyn Johns, one of the most important studio figures in British rock, whose work with artists including The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Eagles helped define the sound of roots-oriented rock during the era. McGuinness Flint's own musical background was equally distinguished, with McGuinness having been a member of Manfred Mann and Flint having played drums with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

The second side develops the album's warm, pastoral character, moving from the brief "Dream Darling Dream" into "When I'm Dead And Gone", the bluesier "Brother Psyche", "Who You Got To Love" and the closing "International". There is a loose, organic quality throughout the record that places McGuinness Flint comfortably alongside early-1970s British folk rock, country rock and roots music, while the group's songwriting gives the album considerably more character than its modest commercial legacy might suggest.

For collectors of 1970s British rock, folk rock and roots music, McGuinness Flint is an appealing debut and an excellent example of the more understated side of the era's rock scene. With its strong songwriting, acoustic textures, prominent mandolin and the enduring "When I'm Dead And Gone", it is particularly well suited to fans of British roots rock, The Band-influenced folk rock and the early-1970s singer-songwriter sound.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Lazy Afternoon – 3:53
2. Bodang Buck – 3:06
3. Mister Mister – 2:04
4. Heritage – 2:17
5. I'm Letting You Know – 3:26
6. Let It Ride – 3:50

Side B

1. Dream Darling Dream – 1:44
2. When I'm Dead And Gone – 3:35
3. Brother Psyche – 5:00
4. Who You Got To Love – 2:38
5. International – 3:19