:Natural Gas (band)
{{Short description|Canadian rock group}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Natural Gas
| image =
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| origin = Canada
| genre = Rock
| years_active = 1960s - 1970s
| label = Firebird
| spinoffs =
| spinoff_of =
| current_members =
| past_members = Dave Berman
Dave Classic
Leon Feigenbaum
Graham Lear
George Olliver
Dave Tamblyn
Carl Watral
Brian Wray
| website =
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Natural Gas was a Canadian rock music group featuring a horn section. Consisting of eight members, it was formed by George Olliver. They released an album and a single in 1970. They had hit that year with "All Powerful Man". Their self-titled album also made the charts.
Background
In a similar vein to Lighthouse, Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears, the group was put together by George Olliver.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - [https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/n/#Natural_Gas NATURAL GAS] The group's line up included drummer Graham Lear,The History of Canadian Rock 'n' Roll, By Bob Mersereau - [https://books.google.com/books?id=M7sVCgAAQBAJ&dq=Graham+Lear+Natural+Gas&pg=PT6 FOREWORD A Life in Canadian Rock] and George Olliver. Founder Olliver had previously been with Mandala and George Olliver & The Soul Children which was formed in 1967. Other members were, Dave “Hulk” Berman, Dave Classic, Leon Feigenbaum, Dave Tamblyn, Carl Watral and Brian Wray. Wray had done some arrangements on Freedom North's self-titled album that was released in 1970.CATALINA ARTS and MEDIA [https://www.catalinaartsandmedia.com/summerlea-music Summerlea Music, Bands] At one stage Natural Gas was represented by public relations man Richard Drew of Austin Drew Associates in New York.Cash Box, October 17, 1970 - [https://archive.org/details/cashbox32unse_9/page/14/mode/2up?q=Natural+Gas Page 14 Group 111 Int'l Opens In N. Y.] They recorded just one album.
Brian Wray joined the group in May, 1969. He was previously in the group Five Of a Kind which also had a pre-Mashmakhan Brian Edwards in their line up. Leon Feigenbaum joined up in October. He was previously in a group called The Influence.
Career
The group was formed around late 1968. They met their managers, Pat Jaques and Fran White in March, 1969 while in New York. Their debut album was recorded at RCA studios in Montreal in October that year and mixed in New York.The Gazette, Saturday, January 17, 1970 - [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/419314093/ Page 15 Pop Music, Natural Gas a natural treat] Self-titled, it was produced by Pat Jaques and Fran White.
Also in January, 1970 the group played at The Laugh In in Victoria Street, Montreal. Playing in genres that ranged from rhythm and blues to jazz and rock, they received a positive review by Montreal's The Gazette. The reviewer noted a slightly unusual choice of material when they played the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey, but wrote that it added to their versatility.The Gazette, Saturday, January 17, 1970 - [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/419314093/ Page 15 Pop Music, Natural Gas a natural treat] Also in January, their album was released. It actually saw a US release before it got a Canadian release. The album was a Record World and Billboard frontpage pick.
It was reported by Record World in their January 24, 1970, issue that Natural Gas' single "All Powerful Man" bw "What Do You Want From My Life" would soon be released. A party was held at Broadway Recording Studios for the release of the group's album. It was attended by Gus Gossart, WCBS-FM Program Director, Dick Bozzi, WCBS-FM Music Director, Dan Goldberg, Music Editor of Record World, plus hosts, George and Sam Goldner of Firebird Records.Record World, January 24, 1970 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/70/RW-1970-01-24.pdf Page 26 Natural affection] Their song, "What Do You Want From My Life" was also getting attention.Record World, January 24, 1970 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/70/RW-1970-01-24.pdf Page 16 record world Money Music by KARL RUDMAN]
By March, 1970, Modern Tape's Promotional Director, John Driscoll was ready to tour the Western Provinces to promote the group's LP album and their single, "All Powerful Man".Billboard, March 14, 1970 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=NSgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Natural+Gas%22All+Powerful+Man%22Billboard&pg=PA58 Page 58 International News Reports, From The Music Capitals of the World]
"All Powerful Man" peaked at #76 on May 9, 1970, spending a total of 7 weeks in the Canadian charts.#RecordsAndCharts - [https://www.racpro.com/grid.php?pid=1&aid=20963 Song ID: (99205) Natural Gas - All Powerful Man] Their album got into the Canadian Top 10. It also made the Top 50 in the United States.
Line up
- Dave Berman - Saxes, Vocals
- Dave Classic - Trombone, Vocals
- Leon Feigenbaum - Bass
- Graham Lear - Percussion
- George Olliver - Vocals, Organ
- Dave Tamblin - Guitar, Vocal
- Carl Watral - Trumpet, Fleugelhorn, Vocals
- Brian Wray - Organ, Piano, Flute, VocalsJohnkatsmc5 - [https://johnkatsmc5.tumblr.com/post/185613211364/natural-gas-natural-gas-1970-canada-jazz Natural Gas "Natural Gas" 1970 Canada Jazz Rock]
Post Natural Gas
In 1971, members, Dave Berman and Brian Wray along with Brian Dewhurst, Gerry Legault and Joey Roberts (aka Joey Miquelon) became the fifth version of Motherlode, originally founded by Steve Kennedy, William Smith, Ken Marco and Wayne Stone. This fifth version of Motherlode did not release any recordings.citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - [https://citizenfreak.com/artists/99978-motherlode Motherlode]
Two Natural Gas members, Graham Lear, Brian Wray later became part of the group Truck which had evolved out of an earlier group called Sound Spectrum.Rock My World Canada! - [https://www.rockmyworldcanada.ca/truck Truck (jazz rock)] The group managed to have two singles released in 1972. They were "Canada" bw "Rain", released on Capitol 72679, and "Get It Together" bw "Can't Wait Until Tomorrow", released on Capitol 72687. They also had a self-titled album released that year.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - [https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/t/#Truck TRUCK] It included the track "Rollin's On My Mind" Lear co-wrote with keyboardist Brian Wray.Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/release/5732569-Truck-Truck Truck (9) – Truck] During their time they opened up for ELP, Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac. The biggest gig they played was to 20,000 people at the Rockwood Music Festival in Orangeville, Ontario.citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - [http://citizenfreak.com/titles/304959-truck-st Truck - ST, Information/Write-up] After a series of line-up changes the group broke up.
Two other members of the group, Carl Watral and Leon Feigenbaum would join the group Young.RPM Weekly, Volume 20 No. 1 August 18, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-08-18.pdf Page 21 RABKIN TO GUIDE FUTURE OF YOUNG]The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - [https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/n/#Natural_Gas Natural Gas]
Later years
In 1973, Olliver released a solo single, "I May Never Get to See You Again" on Much Records. The single was produced by Bill Hill who was the A&R man for the label.Billboard, June 9, 1973 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=GwkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22George+Olliver%22Natural+Gas%22&pg=PA51 Page 51 International News, Olliver Single Marks Comeback] In 1976, he had another single released. The song "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You" had Dianne Brooks helping out with background vocals.Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/release/10575849-George-Olliver-Dont-Let-The-Green-Grass-Fool-You George Olliver – Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You]{{Citation needed|reason=Proper ref for Dianne Brooks required|date=August 2022}}Canukistan Music - [http://www.canuckistanmusic.com/index.php?maid=615 George Olliver]
Discography
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Single |
| scope="col" class="unsortable" | Act
! scope="col" | Release ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| scope="row" | Natural Gas
| "All Powerful Man" / "What Do You Want From My Life" | Firebird FR 1806 | 1970 | Canada release |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Album |
| scope="col" class="unsortable" | Act
! scope="col" | Release ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| scope="row" | Natural Gas
| Firebird FB 18 | 1970 | Canada release |
Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/artist/2331215-Natural-Gas-2 Natural Gas (2), Discography]
Further reading
- [https://johnkatsmc5.tumblr.com/post/185613211364/natural-gas-natural-gas-1970-canada-jazz Natural Gas "Natural Gas" 1970 Canada Jazz Rock]
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.discogs.com/artist/2331215-Natural-Gas-2 Discogs: Natural Gas]
- retiredcanadian YouTube channel - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P6mvN8XnT4 Natural Gas entire LP, 1970]
Category:Canadian pop rock music groups