Jackson Heights

Label: Vertigo
Country: UK
Released: 1972
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

Exploring Jackson Heights' The Fifth Avenue Bus

The Fifth Avenue Bus is the second studio album by the British progressive rock and art-rock group Jackson Heights. Released in early 1972 on the Vertigo swirl label, this album features a mix of melodic art-rock tracks that highlight the band's evolving sound. The lineup for this album introduced the core trio of Lee Jackson, John McBurnie, and Brian Chatton. Each member contributed to the unique sound that defines this release.

Band Lineup and Contributions

Lee Jackson plays bass, provides vocals, and performs on acoustic guitar and electric cello. John McBurnie is responsible for lead vocals and plays both 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, along with percussion. Brian Chatton adds depth with his skills on organ, piano, and Mellotron, also providing vocals. The album features Michael Giles, known for his work with King Crimson, who played all the drums as a session guest. This collaboration adds a distinct rhythm section that complements the band's instrumentation.

Recording Process

The Fifth Avenue Bus was recorded at Trident Studios in London. The engineering team consisted of David Hentschel and Ted Sharp, with mastering handled by Bob Hill. Lee Jackson took on the role of producer for the album, ensuring that the group's artistic vision was realized during the recording process. This attention to detail can be heard across the album's ten tracks, which primarily showcase compositions by guitarist John McBurnie.

Musical Highlights

The album includes several standout tracks. Among them are "Tramp," "Dog Got Bitten," and "Autumn Brigade." One of the more ambitious pieces is the 8-minute epic "Sweet Hill Tunnel," which showcases the band's progressive rock influences. Other notable tracks include "House In The Country," "Rent A Friend," "Luxford," and "Pastor Roger." Each song reflects the unique blend of rock and art-rock elements that Jackson Heights is known for.

Release Details

The Fifth Avenue Bus was released in 1972 under the catalog number 6360 067. This album continues to be a reference point for enthusiasts of early 1970s progressive rock. Its production and musicality highlight the innovative spirit of the genre during that era.

Tracklist

A1	Tramp Written-By – McBurnie*	5:20
A2	Dog Got Bitten Written-By – McBurnieWritten-By – Jackson	5:20
A3	Autumn Brigade Written-By – Wright*	4:32
A4	Long Time Dying Written-By – McBurnieWritten-By – Jackson	3:26
A5	Sweet Hill Tunnel Written-By – McBurnie*	8:43
B1	Laughing Gear Written-By – McBurnie*	2:44
B2	House In The Country Written-By – McBurnie*	3:20
B3	Rent A Friend Written-By – McBurnie*	3:38
B4	Luxford Written-By – Jackson*	3:12
B5	Pastor Roger Written-By – McBurnieWritten-By – Jackson	6:09

Credits

Acoustic Guitar [6 And 12 String], Vocals, Percussion [Assorted Latin American] – John McBurnie
Bass, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Congas, Cello [Electric], Producer – Lee Jackson
Drums – Mike Giles*
Engineer – Dave Hentschel*
Engineer – Ted Sharp
Engineer [Assisted By] – Dave*
Engineer [Assisted By] – Kipper
Guitar [Solo] – Roger McKew
Lacquer Cut By – Bob Hill
Photography By [Inside] – Roger Stowell
Piano – Dave Watts
Piano – Lawrie Wright
Piano, Organ, Mellotron, Vocals – Brian Chatton
Producer [Assistant] – Al Shepheard*