Description MELISSA “Midnight Trampoline” Banner LP RARE Aussie HEAVY PROG west coast psych Bonus NON-LP 7” single “Mississippi Mama” Melissa – Midnight Trampoline LP (orig. Australia Banner STEREO SBNL-934350) LP: Release date: October 1971. Recording dates: 1970 – 1971 (over 9 months). Bonus 7”: Release date: March 1970. Recording date(s): Early 1970. On offer here is an ULTRA RARE original BANNER issue of the only album by Sydney-based group, MELISSA. This album was released in October 1971 and was deleted from the Festival Records catalogue by March 1972. This is my last remaining copy of two owned in the last 25 years and the disc is in STUNNING condition! The successful highest bidder will also receive MELISSA’s only 7” single “Mississippi Mama”; a highly obscure cover of a 45 originally issued by OHIO (USA) heavy rockers OWEN B in December 1969. The flipside is a raucous BOB DYLAN cover “Too Much of Nothing” (incorrectly spelt as “Too Much for Nothing”). This 45 was issued on Festival Records in March 1970 and DOES NOT APPEAR on the album. OK, let’s get back to the imaginatively titled “Midnight Trampoline”! This LP is comprised of three originals, three cover versions & one adaptation of a traditional song. The opening two tracks (both originals) are reminiscent of JETHRO TULL but with a more esoteric folksy-rock edge. “Out in the Country” (PAUL WILLIAMS & ROGER NICHOLS composition) & “Jennifer in New York” (original) are MOODY BLUES-style pastoral rock tunes. The group’s arrangement of the traditional song “Cuckoo” is delivered in a HEAVY progressive blues-rock manner. The two remaining covers, “Young Lovers Do” & “Madame George” originally appeared on VAN MORRISON’s 1968 album, “Astral Weeks”. You can listen to a few of the group’s tracks on the YouTube links below. There is certainly some impressive musical pedigree on these recordings. MELISSA’s bass guitarist & vocalist JOE CREIGHTON subsequently became a highly regarded session player and has performed with some of the biggest names in the Australian music entertainment industry. Joe Creighton is currently touring the east coast of Australia with a VAN MORRISON TRIBUTE show called INTO THE MYSTIC, with an 8 piece band incorporating the Belfast Horns. weblinks: (1) MILESAGO - www.milesago.com/artists/melissa.htm (2) Sound clip “Matalla” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0sZHT4EiiU (3) Sound clip “Getting Through” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uxtJGbnTl8 (4) Sound clip “Cuckoo” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFIlkGKiDPM (5) Sound clip “Mississippi Mama” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRW6RpfA3tA “Midnight Trampoline” LP (Banner SBNL-934350, October 1971): SIDE 1 1. Matalla (4:50) Writ: Joseph Creighton - Richard Barrett 2. Getting Through (4:08) Writ: Joseph Creighton 3. Young Lovers Do (4:05) Writ: Van Morrison 4. Out in the Country (3:58) Writ: Paul Williams - Roger Nichols SIDE 2 5. Cuckoo (5:45) Trad., Arranged by: Joseph Creighton - Richard Barrett 6. Jennifer in New York (5:10) Writ: Richard Barrett 7. Madame George (6:20) Writ: Van Morrison “Mississippi Mama” 7” single (Festival FK-3590, March 1970): SIDE 1 1. Mississippi Mama (2:00) Writ: Tom Zinser SIDE 2 2. Too Much of Nothing (2:45) Writ: Bob Dylan PERSONNEL “Midnight Trampoline” LP recording sessions: Joseph Creighton bass guitar, lead vocals (tracks 1,3,6,7) Richard Barrett electric, acoustic & 12-string guitars Robert Gunn flute, lead vocals (tracks 2,4,5) Warren Sparke drums, percussion Guest performers: Glen Farley electric piano (tracks 3,4,5,7) Peter Martin 12-string guitar (track 4) “Martin” harmony vocals (track 4) - actually Ted Mulry in disguise! Recorded at United Sound Studios (Visound) in Sydney—Australia. Produced & engineered by Spencer Lee. “Mississippi Mama” 7” single recording session(s): Robert Gunn flute, vocals Richard Barrett guitar Joseph Creighton bass guitar, vocals Warren Sparke drums Recorded at Festival’s Studio in Sydney—Australia. Produced by Rory Thomas. A D.M.E. Production. GRADING to follow . . .