Clouds - Once Upon a Time - the Collection (CD)

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 it's 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 List:

Disc: 1

1. Introduction - Scrapbook
2. Carpenter
3. Colours Have Run
4. I'll Go Girl
5. Grandad
6. Ladies and Gentlemen
7. Humdrum
8. Union Jack
9. Old Man
10. Waiter, There's Something In My Soup
11. Scrapbook
12. Make No Bones About It [Single Version]
13. Heritage [B-Side]
14. Sleepless Nights
15. Laughin'
16. She's a Dish
17. Go Now Sheray
18. Preacher Man
19. Old Folks Home
20. Smokey Old Town
21. You've Been Bad
22. Miscellaneous
23. Union Jack
24. Ice Cream
25. Pawnshop
26. No Sign of Being Better
27. Clothes She Wore
28. Camera Never Lies
29. French Franc
30. J. Graham, Watchmaker Jeweller
31. Danger, Roadworks Straight Ahead
32. Thats What Bothers Me

Disc: 2

1. Imagine Me
2. Sing, Sing, Sing
3. Take Me To Your Leader
4. Big Noise From Winnetka
5. In The Mine
6. World Is Madhouse
7. Once Upon a Time
8. See Me I'm Home
9. That Was Yesterday
10. Feeling
11. R.I.P.

Disc: 3

1. Watercolour Days
2. Cold Sweat
3. Lighthouse
4. Long Time
5. Mind of a Child
6. I Know Better Than You
7. Leavin'
8. Get off My Farm
9. I am the Melody
10. Once Upon a Time
11. Mind of a Child [Single]
12. Why Is There No Magic
13. Shadows
14. Day In the Rain
15. Clockwork Soldier