Alchemy (Richard Lloyd album)
Encyclopedia
Alchemy is the debut solo album of Television
guitarist, Richard Lloyd. It was released in 1979, one year after the breakup of Television and the release of their second album, Adventure. Trouser Press
called it "a gem of a solo album." Its title track was a minor New York FM radio hit.
Lloyd's backing band on the album featured a number of notable New York musicians, including guitarist James Mastro (later of the Bongos
), Television bassist Fred Smith
and drummer Vinny DeNunzio, formerly of the Feelies
. Producer Michael Young later added guitar and synthesizer overdubs to some tracks, which Lloyd stated that he strenuously opposed at the time.
Television (band)
Television was an American rock band, formed in New York City in 1973. They are best known for the album Marquee Moon and widely regarded as one of the founders of "punk" and New Wave music. Television was part of the early 1970s New York underground rock scene, along with bands like the Patti...
guitarist, Richard Lloyd. It was released in 1979, one year after the breakup of Television and the release of their second album, Adventure. Trouser Press
Trouser Press
Trouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
called it "a gem of a solo album." Its title track was a minor New York FM radio hit.
Lloyd's backing band on the album featured a number of notable New York musicians, including guitarist James Mastro (later of the Bongos
The Bongos
The Bongos were a rock band from Hoboken, New Jersey, primarily active in the 1980s. With a unique blend of British Invasion-flavored power pop, jangly guitars, and dance beats they made the leap to national recognition with the advent of MTV.-Biography:...
), Television bassist Fred Smith
Fred Smith (bassist)
Fred Smith is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work with Television. He was the original bassist with Blondie until he replaced Richard Hell when Hell left Television in 1975 to form The Heartbreakers. At the time, Television played at CBGB along with Blondie...
and drummer Vinny DeNunzio, formerly of the Feelies
The Feelies
The Feelies are a rock band from Haledon, New Jersey. They formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1992 having released four albums. The band reunited in 2008 and most recently released an album in 2011....
. Producer Michael Young later added guitar and synthesizer overdubs to some tracks, which Lloyd stated that he strenuously opposed at the time.
LP track listing
All songs written by Richard Lloyd except where notedSide one
- "Misty Eyes" – 3:51
- "In the Night" – 3:43
- "Alchemy" – 3:50
- "Woman's Ways" – 3:14
- "Number Nine" – 2:51
Side two
- "Should Have Known Better" (Vinny DeNunzio, Lloyd) – 2:52
- "Blue and Grey" – 3:35
- "Summer Rain" – 3:17
- "Pretend" (DeNunzio, Lloyd, James Mastro, Fred SmithFred Smith (bassist)Fred Smith is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work with Television. He was the original bassist with Blondie until he replaced Richard Hell when Hell left Television in 1975 to form The Heartbreakers. At the time, Television played at CBGB along with Blondie...
) – 4:11 - "Dying Words" – 4:20
Personnel
- Richard Lloyd – guitar, vocals, piano, harmonica
- Jim Mastro – guitar
- Matthew McKenzie – guitar, backing vocals, piano
- Fred SmithFred Smith (bassist)Fred Smith is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work with Television. He was the original bassist with Blondie until he replaced Richard Hell when Hell left Television in 1975 to form The Heartbreakers. At the time, Television played at CBGB along with Blondie...
– bass, backing vocals - Vinny DeNunzio – drums, backing vocals
- Michael Young – guitar, synthesizer