Curved Air
History, 1969 - 2000
The following biographical capsule of Curved Air is temporary — a new, full-length bio is in the works.
Early in 1968, drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa and bassist friend Rob Martin were introduced to guitarist and keyboard virtuoso Francis Monkman, who was studying at the Royal Academy of Music. The trio jammed together and played cover tunes at local parties.
Soon afterwards, Francis met Royal College of Music student Darryl Way in a London music shop. Recognizing a kindred musical spirit, Darryl introduced Francis to a pianist friend named Nick Simon, and along with Florian and Rob, the band Sisyphus was formed. Shortly thereafter Simon left, and Francis began doubling on keyboards and guitar. The group decided a new name was in order and Francis suggested using a shortened version of Terry Riley’s composition «A Rainbow in Curved Air.»
That same year, folksinger Sonja Kristina was performing in the London production of «Hair.» The producer, Galt McDermott, had a second play, «Who the Murderer Was,» running concurrently in Notting Hill Gate. The pit band for «Murderer…» was Curved Air. It was suggested that Sonja audition as the new singer for the band. The sound came together quickly, and the new group soon became the first British band signed by Warner Brothers.
Their inaugural album, «Airconditioning,» was the first rock picture disc, and included the single «It Happened Today,» and the live favorite «Vivaldi.» An intriguing blend of electronics, progressive rock, acoustic folk, classical flourishes, and a bit of jazz fusion, the album reached number 8 in the British charts.
The personnel changes that were to plague the band began in April of 1970, as Rob Martin left and was replaced by Ian Eyre. Between concert tours, the new lineup recorded the «Second Album.» This record included their only Top 5 hit, «Back Street Luv.» Ian Eyre soon departed and was replaced by Mike Wedgwood. Their next single, «Sarah’s Concern,» while a worthy effort, made little impact. «Phantasmagoria,» their third successive Top 20 album, was released in the spring of 1972. Unfortunately, following tours of the UK and USA, the band fell apart, citing the usual «musical differences and personality clashes.» Only Sonja and Mike remained to rebuild the band.
Teenage prodigies Kirby Gregory and Eddie Jobson along with drummer Jim Russell were recruited and the «Air Cut» album was released in 1973. However, this version of the band lasted only a few months. The original band members, along with new American bassist Phil Kohn, temporarily reunited for a UK tour in December, 1974. The tour yielded a lovely souvenir — the critically acclaimed Curved Air «Live» album. Sonja and Darryl decided to soldier on and brought in guitarist Mick Jacques, drummer Stewart Copeland and bassist Tony Reeves. This quintet was on the road almost continuously throughout 1975 and 1976, but found time to produce the final two Curved Air studio albums, «Midnight Wire» and «Airborne.»
Curved Air regrouped occasionally in the 80’s and 90’s — the last such reunion resulted in the recently released CD, «Alive, 1990.»
Curved Air were a truly unique band which synthesized an eclectic blend of musical styles into an instantly identifiable sound. Those who were there in person to witness the violin pyrotechnics of Darryl Way, the soaring guitar and virtuosic keyboards of Francis Monkman, the nimble percussion of Florian Pilkington-Miksa, and the sultry, silken vocals of Sonja Kristina are fortunate, indeed.
http://www.curvedair.com/Directions.htm
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CURVED AIR biography
Progressive music sub-genre: Art Rock
Country: United Kingdom
Official website: http://www.curvedair.com/
CURVED AIR were formed in 1970 by Sonja Kristina (vocals), Darryl Way (violin), Francis Monkman (keyboards), Florian Pilkington-Miksa (drums). The group decided the name using a shortened version of Terry Riley’s composition “A rainbow in curved air”. In their first album “Air Conditioning”, a prominent role was given to vocals and violin; the album reached number 8 in the British charts. Then, in 1971, they released “Second Album”, highly recommended example of CURVED AIR sound (a mix of acoustic folk and progressive rock).
1972 was the year of “Phantasmagoria”, with Mike Wedgwood as bass guitarist. After a long tourney the band fell apart and Way formed the WOLF, while CURVED AIR showed a new line-up with Eddy Jobson as violinist, but they will never reach the performance level o…
CURVED AIR were formed in 1970 by Sonja Kristina (vocals), Darryl Way (violin), Francis Monkman (keyboards), Florian Pilkington-Miksa (drums). The group decided the name using a shortened version of Terry Riley’s composition “A rainbow in curved air”. In their first album “Air Conditioning”, a prominent role was given to vocals and violin; the album reached number 8 in the British charts. Then, in 1971, they released “Second Album”, highly recommended example of CURVED AIR sound (a mix of acoustic folk and progressive rock).
1972 was the year of “Phantasmagoria”, with Mike Wedgwood as bass guitarist. After a long tourney the band fell apart and Way formed the WOLF, while CURVED AIR showed a new line-up with Eddy Jobson as violinist, but they will never reach the performance level of the early two albums. In 1973, after “Air Cut” (with a sound hard oriented), Wedgwood joined with CARAVAN and Jobson with ROXY MUSIC. The four members of the original project made the first reunion in 1975 for a tourney (album “Curved Air Live”). Afterwards Kristina and Way carried on with drummer Stewart Copeland, bassist Tony Reeves, guitarist Mick Jacques and released “Midnight Wire”. Their last album was “Airborne”, published in 1976. The second reunion of the four former members was in 1990 for a concert in London (album “Alive 1990”). In the same year was released an album of previously unissued tracks recorded in 1973 (“Lovechild”). Finally, in 1995, an album of BBC sessions, called “Live at BBC”.
: : : Silvio Chiarioni, ITALY : : :
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=875
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Curved Air was founded in 1969 by Francis Monkman (keyboards, guitar), Darryl Way (electric violin, vocals), Sonja Kristina Linwood (vocals), Florian Pilkington-Miksa (drums), Rob Martin (bass). The group evolved from the band Sisyphus and was named by Monkman after the piece A Rainbow in Curved Air by contemporary composer Terry Riley.
The line-up experienced frequent changes, Ian Eyre taking over on bass for the second album and Mike Wedgwood for the third; later members included Eddie Jobson (later Roxy Music, Frank Zappa and Jethro Tull), Stewart Copeland (The Police) and Tony Reeves (ex-Greenslade, Colosseum, John Mayall). Only Sonja Kristina continuously remained as member. Monkman, member of Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, was later to play with John Williams in a group called Sky.
The musicians developed from quite different artistic backgrounds, classic, folk, and electronic sound, which resulted in a mixture of progressive rock, folk rock, and fusion with classical elements.
The band’s groundbreaking 1970 debut , Air Conditioning, reached no. 8 in the UK Albums Chart, and was the first ever picture disc. In 1976 the band recorded their last studio album and then eventually split . Intermittently since then, the group, particularly in its original line-up, has re-joined for periodic concerts, one of which in 1990 gave rise to another live album.
http://prognotfrog.blogspot.com/search?q=curved+air
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Curved Air
Origin London
Genre(s) Progressive rock
Years active 1969-1976, 1990.
Website http://www.curvedair.com
Former members:
Francis Monkman
Darryl Way
Sonja Kristina Linwood
Florian Pilkington-Miksa
Rob Martin
Notable instrument(s)
Electric violin, synthesizer,
Sonja Kristina Linwood
Curved Air were a pioneering British rock group formed in 1969 by:
Francis Monkman (keyboards, guitar)
Darryl Way (electric violin, vocals)
Sonja Kristina Linwood (vocals)
Florian Pilkington-Miksa (drums)
Rob Martin (bass).
The group evolved from the band Sisyphus [1] and was named by Monkman after the piece A Rainbow in Curved Air by contemporary composer Terry Riley.
The line-up experienced frequent changes:
Ian Eyre (born 11 September, in Knaresborough, Yorkshire) took over on bass for the second album
Mike Wedgwood (born Michael Wedgewood, 19 May 1950, in Derby, Derbyshire) took over on bass for the third;
later members included:
Eddie Jobson (later Roxy Music, Frank Zappa and Jethro Tull)
Stewart Copeland (The Police)
Tony Reeves (born Anthony Reeves, 18 April 1943, in London), ex-Greenslade, Colosseum, John Mayall).
Only Sonja Kristina continuously remained as member. Monkman, member of Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, was later to play with John Williams in a group called Sky.
The musicians developed from quite different artistic backgrounds, classic, folk, and electronic sound, which resulted in a mixture of progressive rock, folk rock, and fusion with classical elements.
The band’s groundbreaking 1970 debut , Airconditioning, reached no. 8 in the UK Albums Chart, and was the second picture disc released - the first being by the band Saturnalia in the previous year. In 1976 the band recorded their last studio album and then eventually split . Intermittently since then, the group, particularly in its original line-up, has re-joined for periodic concerts, one of which in 1990 gave rise to another live album.
Discography
- Albums
«Airconditioning» (1970) including the renowned piece «Vivaldi»
«Second Album» (1971) including the biggest hit «Back Street Luv»
«Phantasmagoria» (1972)
«Air Cut» (1973)
«Live» (1975)
«Midnight Wire» (1975)
«Airborne» (1976)
«Lovechild» (recorded 1973, released 1990)
«Live At The BBC» (1995)
«Alive, 1990» (2000)
- Singles
«It Happened Today» / «Vivaldi» / «What Happens When You Blow Yourself Up» (1971)
«Back Street Luv» / «Everdance» (1971) UK#4
«Sarah’s Concern» / «Phantasmagoria» (1972)
«Desiree» / «Kids to Blame» (1976)
«Baby Please Don’t Go» / «Broken Lady» (1976)
«Renegade» / «We’re Only Human» (1984)
Источник: lastfm.ru
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