Album Review - Heartwork - Medicine Head

Album Review - Heartwork - Medicine Head

John Peel was taken from us too soon, why do the good die young. John knew a great artist when he heard them, and he championed quite a few who probably would not have made the grade of the Major labels of the late 60’s and 70’s. Forming his own label Dandelion he signed artists such as the duo,Medicine Head in 1968 and let them develop their sound and identity. And thanks to that, John Fiddler didn’t have to get a job as a plumber and has now released a fabulous new album - Heartwork.

In 1973/4 they had three top thirty hits with, Rising Son number 11, Slip and Slide number 22, and One And One reaching a healthy number 3. At the time they were Peter Hope Evans and John Fiddler. Peter Hope Evans finally left in 1976, and with his blessing, John Fiddler carried on flying the Medicine Head freak flag high.

This is the second album in three years for John Fiddlers Medicine head, which has

expanded to to a five piece, but still carrying on his legacy of blues based music. The

predecessor to this, his first for ten years was Warriors Of Love.

I played the first track Making Up For Lost Love and I was in love as the Santana Esque

groove washed over me. It was like a Jimmy Miller production with hot chocolate and

mollassas dripping over it.

Fiddler has recruited some excellent and experienced musicians, including Belinda

Campbell on backing vocals with a beautifully mellifluous voice blending with Johns like milk and honey. Also we have Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell on lead guitar who has played with Bad Company, Humble Pie and Buckets Rebel Heart. The rhythm section comprises Paul Edwards on drums who played for Paul Young and also Buckets Rebel Heart, and Andre Shapps on bass, who has Big Audio Dynamite to his credit. They are a great band and gel together well, producing some 70’s feeling music with a lush 2025 sound.

There are ten tracks in all, and not a filler among them. Each one stands up with it’s own

merit. If I had to choose a favourite, I would say Get Your Hand In The Air, followed closely by Making Up For Lost Love. The Bv’s on both these tracks remind me of Dr John’s Gris Gris era.

An album to be proud of John Fiddler and may you write and record for a long time to come.