The beginnings of the Blossom Toes go as far back as to 1962, when Brian Godding and Brian Belshaw met as apprentices at the Hilger and Watts scientific instrument factory at Highbury, Islington. There they formed a group called The Grave Diggers and eventually played in The Ingoes, a R&B outfit. As The Ingoes, they teamed up with The Yardbirds manager Giorgio Gomelsky and went to Paris where they developed a strong cult following. When back in London for a break, they recruited Jim Cregan, and returned for a second spell in Paris. It was during this time that The Ingoes recorded a single version of Help!, sung in Italian for the Italian market, and an EP on the Riviera label. Right after their London return, drummer Colin Martin, left and was replaced by Kevin Westlake. It was around this time that The Ingoes became Blossom Toes. They were then housed in a flat in Fulham by manager Giorgio Gomelsky and entered the studio to record their debut album. The backing of much of the album was recorded by an orchestra and session men. The album was a 15 track collection of inventive psych pop with it's share of weirdness. Unfortunately, their live act suffered due to the inability to reproduce most of the album on stage. Their second album, If Only For A Moment was released in 1969. It was much less psychedelic than their debut, but still has some fine moments in the epic Love Bomb and the madness of the first track, Peace Loving Man. Brian Belshaw: Bass Guitar, Brian Godding: Guitar, Vocals, Jim Cregan: Guitar, Vocals, Kevin Westlake: Drums (1967-68), Poli Palmer: Drums, Flute, Vibes, Harp, Vocals (1968), Barry Reeves: Drums (1968-69). Disbanded in 1969. 01 - Peace Loving Man 02 - Kiss Of Confusion 03 - Listen To The Silence 04 - Love Bomb 05 - Billy Boo The Gunman 06 - Indian Summer 07 - Just Above My Hobby Horse's Head 08 - Wait A Minute LINK
