Whistler

Soft and delicate, yet melodic, confident and self-assured, this Deram act's only album resides somewhere between period UK country rock (Cochise, Quicksand, Southern Comfort, Quiver) and singer-songwriterdom (Mike Maran, Pete Atkin, Tony Hazzard) with plenty of light and shade thrown in from both sides. Featuring cr?me de la cr?me of Britain's studio scene and aided by a sympathetic and lush production, this band manages to produce twelve superbly orchestrated tracks full of energy, effervescence, vigour, character, rich flavour and originality.

It also features no less than three lead vocalists and - count them! - five guitarists, including none other than Southern Comfort's Gordon Huntley. Was Eric Bell the same guy who played in Thin Lizzy, on Mk I line-up's biggest hits, "Whiskey In The Jar" and "The Rocker"? Clem Cattini is featured in our other PICKs: Hungry Wolf, Ugly Custard, John Schroeder and Fancy. Jimmy Hastings, of course, needs no introduction, being a long-standing member of Canterbury prog legend Caravan. Eric Bell (guitar), Tony Carr (percussion), Clem Cattini Ork (drums), John Chuter (vocals, guitar, bass), Ant Grouth-Smith (guitar, bass, sax, vocals), Jimmy Hastings (flute), George Howe (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Gordon Huntley (steel guitar), Barry Morgan (drums), Douglas Wright (drums).