Marvin, Welch & Farrar (album) explained

Marvin, Welch, & Farrar
Type:	studio
Artist:	Marvin, Welch & Farrar
Cover:	Marvin, Welch & Farrar (album).jpg
Released:	^[1]
Studio:	EMI Studios, London
Genre:	Folk rock soft rock
Label:	Regal Zonophone
Producer:	Hank Marvin Bruce Welch John Farrar
Next Title:	Second Opinion
Next Year:	1971

Marvin, Welch & Farrar is the eponymous debut album of British-Australian music group Marvin, Welch & Farrar, released in February 1971.

Critical reception

Disc and Music Echo wrote: "The guitars/drums/vocal format is tried-and-true – yet in their case particularly pleasing. But the Hank/Bruce songs, while good, smell somewhat of those CSN&Y-cum-Hollies harmonies. Therefore, despite their appeal, they tend to become predictable in parts. Their "Faithful" single is included, and Hank and Bruce deserve full marks for a very pretty album, even if it doesn't exactly stop you in your tracks".^[2]

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Dave Thompson wrote "Marvin Welch & Farrar may or may not be the template around which everyone from vintage 10cc to classic Wishbone Ash modeled their magic. But it certainly sounds like it should have been." They also wrote "Marvin, Welch and Farrar crafted a rousing, respectable and utterly enjoyable early 1970s rock album".^[3]

Track listing

1. "You're Burning Bridges" (Hank Marvin) - 4:00
2. "A Thousand Conversations" (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin) -
3. "Brownie Kentucky" (Hank Marvin) - 2:32
4. "My Home Town" (Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, John Farrar) - 3:14
5. "Silvery Rain" (Hank Marvin) - 2:30
6. "Throw Down a Line" (Hank Marvin) - 3:20
7. "Baby I'm Calling You" (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin) - 2:46
8. "Faithful" (Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, John Farrar) - 2:19
9. "Mistress Fate & Father Time" (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin) - 3:13
10. "Take Her Away" (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin)
11. "Wish You Were Here" (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin) - 3:20
12. "Mr. Sun" (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin) - 2:45
13. "Strike a Light" (John Farrar, Peter Best)

The North American release omits "A Thousand Conversations" and "Take Her Away"

Personnel

Marvin, Welch & Farrar

• Hank Marvin – vocals, guitar
• Bruce Welch – vocals, guitar
• John Farrar – vocals, guitar, string arrangement

with:

• Dave Richmond – bass guitar
• Peter Vince – occasional piano and organ
• Alan Hawkshaw – occasional piano and organ
• Clem Cattini – drums
• Graeme Hall – strings conductor

Technical

• Peter Vince - engineer
• Richard Lush – tape operator
• Hipgnosis – cover design, photography

Notes and References

1. November 1993. Record Collector. Record Collector. 101.
2. 6 February 1971. New Albums. Disc and Music Echo. 8. 17 October 2021.
3. Web site: All Music bio. AllMusic. February 8, 2016.