Orange Bicycle

Introduction to Orange Bicycle

Orange Bicycle is the only studio album released by the British psychedelic pop and rock band of the same name. It came out in 1970 under the Parlophone label, cataloged as PCS 7108. The group originated in Wiltshire and evolved from the band Robb Storme & The Whispers. They were recognized for their rich vocal harmonies and intricate orchestration, blending baroque and psychedelic elements in their sound.

Production and Arrangement

The album was produced by Jonathan Peel, with engineering handled by Jeff Jarrett, Andrew Stephens, and John Kurlander at the famous Abbey Road Studios. The album's cover art was created by the design firm Hipgnosis, known for their distinctive visual style. Multi-instrumentalist Wilson Malone arranged and orchestrated the album. Malone later gained recognition for his work with prominent bands, including Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.

Musical Content

Orange Bicycle features a mix of original compositions and covers. Among the covers are three songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin: "Lady Samantha," "Take Me To The Pilot," and "Country Comforts." Notably, these tracks were recorded before Elton John released his own versions. The album also includes Denny Laine's "Say You Don't Mind" and Bob Dylan's "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You." The original tracks include "The Sweet Thing Is" and "Hallelujah Moon" by Wilson Malone, as well as "Make It Rain" and "Jelly On The Bread" by John Dove.

Band Lineup

The lineup of Orange Bicycle consisted of R.J. Scales on lead vocals, Wilson Malone on keyboards, Mellotron, vocals, and arrangements, Bernie Lee on guitars, John Bachini on bass and vocals, and Kevin Curry on drums and percussion. This combination of musicians contributed to the album's unique sound, balancing vocal harmonies with intricate instrumental arrangements.

Release Format

The album was released on vinyl in the LP format, which was the standard for music releases during that era. This format allowed for the full orchestration and rich soundscapes that the band aimed to create. The production techniques utilized at Abbey Road Studios were essential in achieving the desired audio quality.

Orange Bicycle was recorded in 1970 at Abbey Road Studios.