Levi Smith's Clefs - Empty Monkey (1970)

Based around Barrie McAskill this was a continuation of The Clefs. The first three line-ups went to Sydney and had a residency at the Whiskey A Go-Go for eighteen months. The next one was formed in Sydney in 1968 after most members of the earlier line-up had left to form Tully and play in 'Hair' the musical. The next line-up toured frequently and recorded "Empty Monkey". The album captured the band moving towards progressivism on the title cut, the single "Lisa" and an 11½ minute rendition of Lennon-McCartney's "We Can Work It Out". Their soul and R'n'B influences were apparent still on covers of The Hunter and Junior Walker's "Shotgun". This line-up also backed Doug Ashdown on his double album "Age Of Mouse", but Jurd, Blisset, Howe and Buettell left then to form Fraternity. In late 1969/early 1970 the band returned to their residency at the Whisky A Go-Go. Later they moved on to a new residency at Chequers in Sydney. By 1971, they were playing Blood Sweat & Tears and Chicago material six nights a week at Chequers.

The line-up in 1972 was also known as McAskill's Bear Brigade. Later that year they moved to Melbourne with a new line-up. Most of the later line-up became Mighty Mouse. The 1973 line-up was based in Sydney, but in 1974 they returned to Melbourne.

You can also check out "Lisa" and "Road Runner" on "Festival 70". "Gonna Get A Seizure" has also resurfaced on "So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star" (3-CD), as has a version of "Take A Little Piece Of My Heart" credited to Linda Cable and Levi Smith's Clefs.

Taken from "Dreams, Fantasies and Nightmares" by Vernon Joynson, an extensive guide to Canadian / Australian / New Zealand and Latin American psych and garage music 1963 - 1976. Alex Gitlin

Rate Your Music

Link