Where but for Caravan Would I? Issue No.19 March 2005 I’m very grateful to Jim Leverton for sparing the time to give this interview. The piece is a summary of an interview he gave Ralph a few years ago, updated to reflect current happenings. INTERVIEW WITH JIM LEVERTO N As background, Jim came from a musical "The Lonely Ones, subsequently to be Gordon Mills who managed all three was family at took up piano at an early age. At named "The Loving Kind" and managed also looking for an opening for Jim. the age of 8, he took up guitar, left by Gordon Mills. The band recorded 3 Around the same time (1968) Noel handed and is self taught. Aged 14 Jim singles for Pye records and their Redding, still with Hendrix, had also joined his first semi-pro group, "the Big drummer Pete Kircher ended up in formed Fat Mattress and Jim played on Beats" who played rhythm and blues Status Quo. At the time Noel Redding their first LP and was with them on tour around the Dover area. Leaving school at was invited to audition for Eric Burdon, to support Hendrix. When Noel left 15, Jim became an apprentice bricklayer but the vacancy was filled. But as fate Hendrix they decided to give Fat which lasted around 9 months when he would have it, Chas Chandler needed a Mattress a real go with Eric Dillon on was asked to join "The Burnettes" a bass player for another band so Noel drums and Neil Landon on vocals. professional band from Folkestone who was drafted into the Jimmy Hendrix Arguments etc. ensured that the band played in both the UK and in Germany. Experience. split and Jim was invited to join Juicy His friend, Noel Redding was on guitar. Lucy with whom he remained for one With Noel leaving, Jim began to do The Burnettes recorded 2 singles but and a half albums. At that time drink and session work for Tom Jones, Englebert after about 18 months, the band broke drugs were taking their toll so by mutual Humperdink and Gilbert O’Sullivan. up. The remnants of the band became consent jim left the band. Where but for Caravan Would I? FOREWORD A very happy New Year to all readers. Well, the Caravan shows no sign of slowing – quite the opposite, in fact, with the band having circulated the globe over the past six months. It is heartening to receive letters and e- mails of support from a host of new younger fans as well as the more established fan base. A highlight for me was being invited along to the soundcheck at Edinburgh in December, the first time I have been present at such an event. Without boring you, it took over 3 hours which gives an indication of the sheer professionalism of the band members, the Liquid Room sound engineers and Chas, the band’s technician. A particular highpoint was listening to Pye playing acoustically prior to the check – a very talented guitarist. The gig itself was a corker despite Doug’s amp problems on "Nine Feet", with From there Jim took a year off with the I understand that you also played with the Pye and Geoffrey stepping seamlessly money he had earned from Fat Mattress Walker Brothers? into the breach until Doug resumed and managed to get himself straight. In normal service. It was great to see the Yes. their regular bassist, Cliff Barton, 1972 he was asked to join Steve Ellis and band receiving such a great ovation, became indisposed in the middle of a they recorded an album (with Zoot and also the number of youngsters tour so I was asked to step in. Cat Money). Miller Anderson then invited Jim who were present. That said, I did Stevens was on the same tour and was to join Hemlock which he really enjoyed receive a letter from a longstanding using Cliff on bass, so I ended up playing and the band toured Europe and the fan who thought the gig and venue in his band during the tour too. states for a couple of years. He then did was awful – so it just shows that you some work with Henry McCulloch and Were Savoy Brown not quite big in the can’t please all the people all of the did dates with Frankie Miller. In 1974, Jim States? time. joined Savoy Brown with of course Kim I’m very grateful to all contributors to The band was very successful in the USA. Simmonds, and Miller Anderson, Stan this edition. On the album front, When I was with them we were playing Webb and Eric Dillon. The band Better By Far is released for the first venues such as Madison Square Gardens. recorded "The Boogie Brothers" and time in CD format. Pye has been toured extensively in the States. Any idea what Miller Anderson is up to these writing bits and bobs and Geoffrey days? and Francis Kendall are about to In 1975, Jim then was invited to join Leo release their second album. Geoffrey Sayer and toured the world for the best The last I heard he was playing with Zoot has also been completing a solo album part of a year and was even paid a Money in a band called Endangered at his studio and Doug is working on retainer when not on the road. After that Species. his solo album which he tells me will Jim joined Joe Brown and the Bruvvers How did the gig with Caravan come about? be uncompromising. All this brings us with Zoot Money on piano and Vicky to Jim’s piece which I hope you enjoy. Brown (Better by Far) on vocals. In 1978 Through Geoffrey who was working at And many thanks again to Codge for Jim joined Steve Marriott and remained the time with a friend of mine restoring all his input. an integral part of his band (and best antiques. Geoffrey and I hit it off and mate) until 1991. Jim subsequently joined started playing pub dates with the aim of Eric Rory Gallagher on keyboards. Jim then recording an album together. The result played with Bloodwyn Pig and the was Follow your Heart which we Dubliners. produced on a shoestring. Geoffrey put PAGE 2 Where but for Caravan Would I? pic William Hayter Who are the musicians playing on it? Me on acoustic, electric guitars, piano and keyboards. Geoffrey on viola, violin, mandolin, banjo, acoustic and slide guitars. Ian Lander on piano, keyboards, harmonica and percussion. Richard Coughlin on drums. Kevin Richards on harmony and backing vocals Chris Hunter on drums, percussion my name forward for Caravan when Can you tell me a bit about it? and backing vocals. Richard Sinclair left. I must admit that I It’s called "Bright New Way" and is Abigail Baker and Rosey Edwards didn’t know much about them, but certainly not Caravan. It’s got more of a on backing vocals. quickly realised that they were a cracking country feel to it. There are ten tracks: band. At the start, I struggled a bit both How can we get hold of it? socially and musically, but I’m really You were on my mind - J Brown, settled in the band now. J Leverton I’m currently in talks with a couple of I can’t win - J Leverton labels who are interested and am Apart from Caravan what other work have currently preparing it for general release. you been doing? Be the one - J Leverton, S Marriott But if any one would like to buy a copy When schedules permit, Geoffrey and I May your troubles be gone - direct they can contact me at have a regular (weekly) gig at the J Leverton, J Whitfield [email protected]. For those of Neptune in Whitstable, a great bar on you on snail mail write to Eric Gray, I couldn’t sleep for thinking of Hank the beach. From time to time Coughlin 20 Greenbank Loan, Edinburgh and Eric Williams - H McCullough also gives us a gig at this hotel/pub, the will forward the details. Take a message to Mary - Bryant and Sun Inn in Faversham. Since preparing this piece, Jim has let me Bryant I gather you have also completed a new solo hear the record. I think it’s excellent with album? Save your love - J Leverton, S Marriott a number of great tracks. My favourites are the first two tracks and Bright Yes. It was recorded at my own studio in Follow your heart - J Leverton New Way. Whitstable and took about a year to Bright new way - N Landon, J Leverton complete in between Caravan work. Clonakilty bay - J Leverton PAGE 3 Where but for Caravan Would I? BETTER BY FAR TOUR DATES For the first time, Better By Far FRANCE is now available on CD on Thursday 5th May : Prog Sug Eclectic Discs. Originally produced by Tony Visconti, the GREECE album has been remastered by Paschal Byrne who re-mastered Saturday 16th April : The Rodan, Athens Caravan’s other CDs. The album can be purchased by POLAND sending Eclectic Discs a cheque Sunday 13th March : Theatre Roma, Warsaw for £11.50 (includes postage) to Eclectic Discs Ltd, Unit 1, UK the Brewery Business Centre, Saturday 7th May : The Zodiac, Oxford http://www.thezodiac.co.uk/ 75 Stour Street, Canterbury, Sunday 8th May : The Stables, Milton Keynes http://www.stables.org/ Kent CT1 2NR. Tuesday 10th May : Town Hall, Hartlepool http://www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk/events/caravan ESTELLA IN LUX Wednesday 11th May : Manchester (venue to be confirmed) Thursday 12th May : Boardwalk, Sheffield http://www.theboardwalklive.co.uk/ Also available in the next few Friday 13th May : Y Theatre, Leicester (YMCA) weeks will be the Geoffrey Saturday 14th May : Arts' Centre Norwich.