Post Description

Formed in the fall of 68, Skin Alley turned professional when they signed to Clearwater Productions as 
managers (whom also handled High Tide, The Trees and a bit later Hawkwind), on word from an ex-
member that was now in the firm. Gigging around regularly for free (concerts organized by their 
management firm) in order to find a following, this West-London quartet developed a different kind of 
rock that drew much from jazz and blues. Built around keyboardist Juskiewicz and part-time guitarist, 
but sax and flute player Bob James, Skin Alley had a distinctive sound, which made them stand out at 
the many free concerts they played. Having been spotted by the legendary John Peel, they recorded a 
BBC session for the Top Gear programme, which in the short term landed them a recording contract with 
the English branch of CBS. Recorded in November of that year, it was released in March 70 coupled with 
a non-album single. The critical acclaim and encouraging sales lead CBS to allow Skin Alley (who suffered
the departure of Crimble during the recording and was partly replaced by ex-Atomic Rooster bassist 
Nick Graham) to release a second album, From Pagham And Beyond, later that same year.

For some reasons (the album was not as successful as the debut), CBS decided not to invest further in 
the band, and Skin Alley had to find another label, which took a while. It wasn't until early 72 that their 
third album was released on the small folk Transatlantic label (and amazingly enough, the soul Stax label 
in the US), but by that time Skin alley was a different band, drummer Pope had left the group, replaced 
by Tony Knight, and the SA had a much rockier approach aimed at the US, even enjoying some success 
with the track Skin Valley Serenade. Their third album Two Quid Deal offers much prog while they 
recorded the last album Skintight in Memphis, Tennessee (home of Stax Record), maybe a hint that they 
had axed everything towards America, because of its country rock flavours. They disbanded the following 
year and outside Graham, none were to make much waves in the music industry.

Tracks CD 1
01. Living In Sin (4:41)
02. Tell Me (4:39)
03. Mother, Please Help Your Child (4:11)
04. Marsha (7:19)
05. Country Aire (2:16)
06. All Alone (8:13)
07. Night Time (5:32)
08. Concerto Grosso (Take Heed ) (0:30)
09. (Going Down The) Highway (4:16)
01-09 taken from the album Skin Alley released March 1970.
10. Better Be Blind (3:02)
11. Tell Me (3:58)
10-11 released as A & B sides of single 1970.
12. Shower Music (3:34)
13. Sofa, Taxi And Sand Themes (5:11)
14. Cemetery Scene (4:40)
15. First Drug Scene (5:15)
12-15: from the unreleased sountrack album Stop Veruschka. Recorded November 1970.

Tracks CD 2
01. Big Brother Is Watching You (6:47)
02. Take Me To Your Leader's Daughter (8:47)
03. Walking In The Park (6:41)
04. he Queen Of Bad Intentions (6:47)
05. Sweaty Betty (8:04)
06. Easy To Lie (5:18)
01-06: taken from the album To Pagham and Beyond. Released December 1970.
07. Russian Boogaloo (4:09)
08. Skin Valley Serenade (5:30)
09. Sun Music (5:26)
10. Bird Music (4:17)
11. Snow Music (2:33)
07-11: from the unreleased sountrack album Stop Veruschka. Recorded November 1970.

Musicians
Thomas Crimble - Bass, vocals, keyboards, harmonica
Bob James - Saxophone, flute, guitar, vocals
Krzysztof Henryk Juszkiewicz - Organ, piano, harpsichord, melotron, vocals, trumpet
Giles 'Alvin' Pope - Drums, percussion
Nick Graham - Vocals, keyboards, bass, flute
Tony Knight - Drums, vocals