Blonde on Blonde was a guitar-led psychedelic rock group from South Wales. The band was originally formed in Newport in 1967 by vocalist/guitarist Ralph Patel, drummer Les Hicks, bassist/organist Richard Hopkins and guitarist/sitar player Gareth Johnson. The band was named after Bob Dylan's 1966 album of the same name. They disbanded in early 1972. Even though they enjoyed strong reviews from music critics and achieved massive exposure playing before gigantic crowds at the 1969 Isle of Wight festival (coincidently headlined by Dylan), they never managed to generate much in the way of sales. In 1968 the quartet left Wales for London. Playing clubs such as London's Middle Earth generated publicity for the band, and Pye Records eventually signed the band. Contrasts, released in 1969 and produced by Barry Murray, has been described as progressive. The album included the Robin Williamson covers "No Sleep Blues" and "I Need My Friend". A personal favorite was Patel's hysterical "Conversationally Making The Grade". Also included was a cover of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby". 01 - Ride With Captain Max 02 - Spinning Wheel 03 - No Sleep Blues 04 - Goodbye 05 - I Need My Freind 06 - Mother Earth 07 - Eleanor Rigby 08 - Conversationally Making The Grade 09 - Regencey 10 - Island On An Island 11 - Don't Be Too Long 12 - Jeanette Isabelle 13 - Country Life 14 - All Day, All Night LINK
