Mike Rutherford - (1980) Smallcreep's Day

Mike Rutherford - (1980) Smallcreep's Day

Studio Album, released in 1980

Before venturing off into Popland , leading his way too clean Mechanics and the once great Genesis to dizzying commercial success, Rutherford used his Rickenbakers wisely on the Anthony Phillips debut "The Geese and the Ghost" and on this, his first solo album. Thankfully, we have these testaments to treasure , this one in particular is a fine collection especially at a time (1980) when Prog was being brutally assassinated by the Lester Bangs and assorted British punk-journalists (none of whom had talent musically or in penmanship!) of the world, imposing their rather poor taste in music and forcing Prog's extended but temporary hibernation (Video killed the radio star but punk didn't kill the Progster!).While no record executive was looking, Rutherford was free to delve into the musical adaptation of a book by Currell Brown , enlisting his good friend (and ours too) Anthony Phillips to chair the keys , as well as another famed Phillips :drummer extraordinaire Simon (no relation to the Ant), as well as one of the best movers and shakers in percussionist Morris Pert . The vocals are well piped by former String Driven Thing Noel McCalla and guitars and basses handled by the leader. The main treasure here is the long suite dedicated to the routine gloom of the hopeless blue collar worker , a stellar brew of sweeping symphonics straight out of the "Winds and Wuthering" song book , ending conclusivey on the painfully majestic"End of the Day" , owner of a melodic hook that would startle the daylights out of Peter Pan! Don't be fooled by Rutherford's future quest for stardom, this is prime prog that deserves eternal recognition.While perhaps not a monument, the context makes this an essential document. 4.5 meek inheritors

Track Listings

1. Moonshine (6:23)
2. Time and time again (4:52)
3. Romani (5:25)
4. Every road (4:13)
5. Overnight job (5:43)
6. Smallcreep's day (24:38)
... I) Between the tick and the tock 3:59
... II) Working in line 3:06
... III) After hours 1:46
... IV) Cats and rats (in this neighbourhood) 4:49
... V) Smallcreep alone 1:33
... VI) Out into the daylight 3:49
... VII) At the end of the day 5:36

Total Time: 51:14
Line-up/Musicians

- Mike Rutherford / guitars & basses

With:
- Noel McCalla / lead vocals
- Morris Pert / percussion
- Ant Phillips / keyboards
- Simon Phillips / drums