Mick Abrahams’ Wommett – In Concert For John Peel – November 15, 1970 – BBC Radio 1 –
Mick Abrahams’ Wommett, in a rare almost unknown concert from John Peel’s Sunday Program on November 15, 1970 from BBC Radio 1.
The thing about Rock History, especially those coming to it somewhat late, is that aside from the big broad strokes; those bands and artists that created an indelible impression in music history, there were many, countless bands and artists who provided missing links, early influences and lasting impressions on those audiences at the time, but have perhaps faded from memory as years go on. Mick Abrahams was one of the key and founding members of Jethro Tull, back when they were billed as a Blues band. As lead guitarist, Abrahams provided contributions to the pivotal debut album This Was, but left the band short after the release to form other bands and carry on leaving lasting impressions with audiences and critics alike, most notably Blodwyn Pig, who released two landmark albums before splitting up. After the demise of Blodwyn Pig, Abrahams formed the even shorter-lived band Wommett, which never had any commercial releases, and for a long time collectors were only aware of their Top Of The Pops (Mike Raven BBC Session) appearance from 1970. But just around that time was another appearance, this one for John Peel’s Sunday Concert from November 15, 1970. Sadly, it’s not complete – but a good half-hour of some memorable music by one of the criminally overlooked artists of the late 60s/early 70s.
You always find yourself scratching your head, baffled why one artist makes it as a household name and another stays on the sidelines, largely relegated to the position of backbone for a genre. Mick Abrahams went through several lineups before settling on The Mick Abrahams Band. During the time-span of 1968-2009, the time of the first of several health issues for Abrahams which has forced him temporarily into retirement while he makes a full recovery, Abrahams has officially released, been involved in or had bootlegs of some 41 albums during his career so far. He is far from obscure, but his popularity is primarily with those in the know, or have followed his career since the legendary This Was for Tull.
If you haven’t heard this concert before, even a half-hour snippet is worth the price of admission alone and gives further evidence the History of Rock is massive and overflowing with uncredited and overlooked (by the mainstream) contributions.
Crank it up and check it out.
