Post Description

Tom Newman (born Thomas Dennis Newman at Perivale in 1943) is an English record producer and musician (Rhythm guitar). In 1968 he played in a band called July whose only album, also called "July" (Major Minor) is one of the most valuable UK psychedelic albums.

In 1970, he began working with Richard Branson and helped building the The Manor Studio in Oxford. He met there the 18-year old Mike Oldfield, who lent him a rough demo tape of what would become a famous recording of the 1970s, Tubular Bells.

In November 1973, Newman participated in a live-in-the-studio performance of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells for the BBC. It is available on Oldfield's Elements DVD.

Newman released some albums as a solo musician and produced several albums for other artists, most notably with Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells, Tubular Bells II, Heaven's Open).Tom is now living in Carlingford Co. Louth Ireland.

I was intrigued by the cover of this album, when I bought it back in the 80's in some dodgy second hand shop in Soho, London. Why? Well the album (the vinyl version that is) has two sleeves. One with the faerie on it and one without it. So depending your mood you can store it any which way you like, simply by flicking the cover over. Some gimmick for the 70's though. 
About the music, let me tell you, this is very laid back (prog)folk, a bit like Ant Phillips, with the rougher edges, if there is any, of Mike Oldfield's earlier work (which is not suprising bearing in mind the liner notes). All in all a very enjoyable album, although I must add, that the last number was stolen from Ant Phillips.

Tracklisting:
1. Woods of...   
2. Fordin Searchran   
3. Little Voices of the Tarans    
4. The Fluter   
5. The Seelie Court  
6. The Spell Breaks  
7. The Fairy Song  
8. Dance of Daoine Sidhe  
9. Memories of Cúichulainn    
10. Aillen Mac Midna   
11. The Unseelie Court    
12. The Woods of...   

Line up/Musicians:

Tom Newman: all instruments
except for:
Pete Gibson: Trombones, brass
Jon Field: flutes,oboe, voices
Tom Nordon: pizzicazo guitars on 6
Tina Jones: vocals on 6
Jon Collins: violins on 6
Joe O'Donnell: violin on 8



Thanks to original poster