A Band Called O - 1976 Within Reach

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• published: 05 Sep 2014
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A Band Called O were a band from Jersey, Channel Islands. Originally known as "The Parlour Band", playing progressive rock, they became "A Band Called O" as their music moved towards soft rock. Towards the end of their career, they adopted a disco sound and became "The O Band". Despite issuing five albums, on three major labels, and being championed by John Peel, for whom they recorded four Peel Sessions, they had no chart success; but were a popular live act, who toured Britain and Europe. 01. A Smile Is Diamond (6:03) 02. Feel Alright (3:37) 03. Lucia Loser (4:10) 04. Don't Cha Wanna (5:00) 05. Money Talk (3:29) 06. Still Burning (5:59) 07. Paradise Blue (3:48) 08. Long Long Way (5:53) 09. Within Reach (3:18) Formed in Jersey, Channel Islands, circa 1970, as "The Parlour Band", the early line up comprised brothers Mark Anders (bass and vocals) and Craig Anders (lead guitar and vocals) with Peter Filleul (keyboards and vocals) formerly of the Climax Blues Band, John “Pix” Pickford (guitar and vocals) and Jerry Robbins (drums). Released in 1972, The Parlour Band's only album Is a Friend?, was produced by Nick Tauber in a melodic progressive rock style, sounding like a "more mainstream, less art-rock-inclined Yes" with strong keyboard and guitar parts. The Parlour Band toured supporting Caravan and Steve Hillage’s Khan. They relocated from Jersey to Leicester, changed their name to "A Band Called O", and their drummer to Derek Ballard. This line-up released a self-produced album A Band Called O (1974) and, despite being an album orientated band, a single "Rock and Roll Clown"/"Red Light Mama Red Hot" was released in Germany while they recorded the first of four Peel Sessions on 24 September 1974. They recorded their second Peel Session on 18 March 1975, before touring with Man and John Cipollina. Later that year, they released their second album, Oasis. They had one track "There Ain't Nothing I Wouldn't Do" on a single to promote their tour with Sassafras and Randy Pie as the "Hot On The Tracks" package. Filleul left and was replaced by Jeff Bannister, formerly with the John Barry Seven, The Alan Bown Set and Jess Roden’s Bronco. The band changed label from CBS/Epic to United Artists, played their third Peel Session on 23 March 1976 and released their third album Within Reach later that year. A promotional single "Excerpts from Within Reach" was issued in the UK whilst two singles were taken from the album: "A Smile Is Diamond" / "Coasting" was issued in Germany, and "Don'tchya Wanna" /"Coasting" in the UK. They played their fourth and final Peel Session on 22 February 1977. Musically, their style had already evolved from progressive rock to soft-rock, but it then moved towards a pop style. They changed their name to "The O Band" and released a 12" EP Look to the Left, Look to the Right in 1977. before recording their final album The Knife, from which the single "Almost Saturday Night"/"Love Ain't A Keeper" was taken, also in 1977. Finding it increasingly difficult to obtain bookings with the rise of punk, they disbanded at the end of 1977.