National Health

Label: Charly Records
Country: UK
Released: 1978
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

Album Overview

National Health's second album, "Of Queues And Cures," was released in 1978 by Charly Records. It followed their eponymous debut and was recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey. The album features a blend of rock, jazz, and progressive elements, a signature style of the band. The core lineup includes Dave Stewart, Phil Miller, Pip Pyle, and John Greaves. This album marks the first appearance of Greaves on bass, replacing Neil Murray.

Recording Details

The recording took place in July 1978 using a Mobile Mobile portable recording rig. The production was handled by Mike Dunne alongside the band. This approach allowed for a more dynamic sound, capturing the unique interplay among the musicians. The album also features a selection of guest artists, including Peter Blegvad on vocals, Georgie Born on cello, and a brass section that enhances the album's rich texture. The engineering was managed by Brian Gaylor and Mike Dunne.

Musical Composition

The album is characterized by its intricate compositions and diverse instrumentation. The opening track, "The Bryden 2-Step (For Amphibians)," runs for nearly nine minutes, showcasing complex arrangements and skilled musicianship. Other tracks like "Squarer For Maud" and "Binoculars" further explore various time signatures and melodic structures, integrating elements from jazz and rock seamlessly. The use of instruments such as the Minimoog synthesizer, flute, and steel drums adds depth to the sound.

Pressing and Collectibility

The original pressing of the album is noted among collectors for a printing error on the record label, where the title is misspelled as "Of Queues And Qures." This error has made it a point of interest for vinyl enthusiasts. The album was released with the catalogue number CRL 5010 and is available in a vinyl LP format.

Conclusion

National Health's "Of Queues And Cures" features a total of four tracks on side A and three on side B, with a mix of lengthy compositions and intricate musical dialogues.

Tracklist

A1	The Bryden 2-Step (For Amphibians) (Part 1) Cello – Georgie BornPiano, Written-By – Dave StewartTrombone – Paul NiemanTrumpet – Phil Minton	8:52
A2	The Collapso Piano, Written-By – Dave StewartSteel Drums – Selwyn Baptiste	6:22
A3	Squarer For Maud Bass Clarinet – Jimmy HastingsCello – Georgie BornOboe – Keith ThompsonPercussion [& Hand Claps] – Pip PylePiano [Innards], Written-By – John GreavesPiano, Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Dave StewartVoice – Peter Blegvad	12:05
B1	Dreams Wide Awake Bass [On 6/4 Organ Solo] – Rick BiddulphSynthesizer [Minimoog] – Dave StewartWritten-By – Phil Miller	8:54
B2	Binoculars Flute, Clarinet – Jimmy HastingsOboe – Keith ThompsonTrombone – Paul NiemanTrumpet – Phil MintonVocals [Crooning] – John GreavesWritten-By – Pip Pyle	11:58
B3	Phlakaton Written-By – Pip Pyle
B4	The Bryden 2-Step (For Amphibians) (Part 2) Cello – Georgie BornPiano, Written-By – Dave StewartTrombone – Paul NiemanTrumpet – Phil Minton	5:46