Flash (Flash album)
Flash is the self-titled debut studio album by British band Flash, released in February 1972 by Sovereign Records.
| Flash | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 1972 | |||
| Recorded | 8–21 November 1971 | |||
| Studio | De Lane Lea Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 41:35 | |||
| Label | Sovereign | |||
| Producer | Derek Lawrence[1] | |||
| Flash chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C−[2] |
Background
Guitarist Peter Banks played with several bands before forming Flash, including The Nighthawks in 1963, The Devil's Disciples in 1964, The Syndicats in 1965 and then The Syn with Chris Squire on bass in 1965. He then joined Mabel Greer's Toyshop which would be the basis of Yes in 1966, again with Chris Squire, but briefly left to join a band called Neat Change and recorded a single, "I Lied to Aunty May"/"Sandman", with Peter Frampton playing guitar on side A while Banks played on side B. He then rejoined Mabel Greer's Toyshop, who became Yes. He left them after their second album, Time and a Word in 1970 to form Flash. Their bassist Ray Bennett played with another band prior to Flash called The Breed which included Bill Bruford on drums.
Reissue
A remastered version was issued in the US in 2003. Curiously, it was coupled with their third album "Out Of Our Hands". There appears to be no CD release to date of the band's second album, In the Can.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Small Beginnings" | Peter Banks, Colin Carter | 9:23 |
| 2. | "Morning Haze" | Ray Bennett | 4:32 |
| 3. | "Children of the Universe" | Bennett | 8:55 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. | "Dreams of Heaven" | Banks, Carter | 12:57 |
| 5. | "The Time It Takes" | Banks, Carter | 5:48 |
Personnel
Flash[3]
- Colin Carter – lead vocals, percussion
- Peter Banks – electric, acoustic and Spanish guitars, ARP synthesizer, backing vocals
- Ray Bennett – bass guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals and acoustic guitar on "Morning Haze"
- Mike Hough – drums, percussion, cymbals, voice
Additional personnel
- Tony Kaye – ARP synthesizer, Hammond organ, piano
Production
- Derek Lawrence – producer
- Martin Birch – engineer
- Flash – arrangements
- Maurice Tate – artwork
- Barry Wentzell – photography
- Hipgnosis – design, photography
References
- Flash - Flash (1972) album review by Bruce Eder, credits & releases at AllMusic
- Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: F". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 26 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- Flash - Flash (1972) album releases & credits at Discogs.com
- Peter Banks - Bands Archives : http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/
External links
- Flash - Flash (1972) album to be listened as stream at Spotify.com
- Peter Banks Official Site : http://www.peterbanks.net/