Tony, Caro and John
Encyclopedia
Tony, Caro and John, a folk-rock trio, recorded the extremely rare "All on the First Day" album in 1972. The threesome took much of their inspiration from the Incredible String Band
's eclectic strain of psychedelic folk, although songwriter and singer Tony Doré's compositions had a sound and voice of their own. The All Music Guide
writes of the trio “Tony, Caro and John were also wont to embellish their basic male-female vocal harmonies, and one electric guitar-one-acoustic-guitar-bass lineup, with weird touches of hippie psychedelia in the occasional electronic effects, tinkling percussion, flageolet (a type of small flute), wah-wah, and violin….. Slightly sardonic but cheerfully playful, and with strong tunes effectively blending major and minor modes, they're more approachable for listeners with conventional rock and pop tastes than the Incredible String Band
, or Incredible String Band-like bands of the period, such as Forest
and Dr. Strangely Strange
”.
Band History
Multi-instrumentalist Tony Doré and bassist John Clark were childhood friends in Derby
, England, and played together on both the rock and folk circuit. After university they reunited in 1970, when John came to London to join Tony and Caroline (Caro), who had played university folk clubs together. "All on the First Day" was made in 1972 with almost no budget and primitive equipment, recorded on Clark's 2-track; they could overdub in mono only by re-recording the backing track at the same time. They self-pressed the LP in an edition of only 100 copies, with the home-grown nature of the product emphasized by individually spray-painted covers.
Expanding the band lineup with Simon Burrett on lead guitar, Jonny Owen on Harmonica and Rod Jones on keyboards, Tony, Caro and John continued on the college circuit for a little while under the name "Forever and Ever" but the gigging stopped in the late seventies, when families and careers took precedence. The band continued to jam together, and to record in Clark’s by now, multi-track studio.
Then in 2001, Tony Doré was contacted by Shadoks Music in Germany, when it transpired that there was an underground following for the "All on the First Day" album, and copies were changing hands for substantial sums of money. The band agreed that Shadoks could produce a limited release of vinyl albums from the original master, and at the same time release the album on CD. The release included five bonus tracks recorded around the time of "All on the First Day". Almost simultaneously the band released some of the studio tracks recorded since "All on the First Day", as the limited edition CD-R album "Retrospect" under the "Forever and Ever" band name. This can be obtained from the "Forever and Ever" website (see below). Sadly, bassist John Clark died in 2005.
Following the wider release of the band’s material, one of Doré’s compositions “The Snowdon Song” was covered by the successful indie duo Beach House
, on their eponymously titled 2006 debut album. Although given a different title (Lovelier Girl), Beach House
do not dispute authorship of the song.
Current Activity
Now living in Texas
, Tony continues to write songs, and between 2006 and 2010 recorded 13 new tracks which were finalized in 2010 in Rod Jones’ studio in France. This collection, "Fall Away Like Leaves" by Tony Doré and Friends, was released digitally in 2011 by Gaarden Records of Baltimore. Gaarden have also reissued "All on the First Day" as limited editions on green and maroon vinyl and are planning a digital release of rare Tony, Caro and John outtakes and live tracks.
Discography
"All On The First Day" (1972). Self-released, vinyl.
"All On The First Day" (2001). Shadoks Records. Re-release with bonus tracks, vinyl and CD.
"Retrospect" (2001). Self-released under name Forever and Ever, CD-R.
"All On The First Day" (2010). Gaarden Records. Digital release.
"Fall Away Like Leaves" (2011). Gaarden records. Digital release under name Tony Doré and Friends.
Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band were a psychedelic folk band formed in Scotland in 1966. The band built a considerable following, especially within British counterculture, before splitting up in 1974...
's eclectic strain of psychedelic folk, although songwriter and singer Tony Doré's compositions had a sound and voice of their own. The All Music Guide
All Music Guide
Allmusic is a service of music guide, owned by All Media Guide. Allmusic was founded in 1991 by popular-culture archivist Michael Erlewine as a guide for consumers. Its first reference book was published the following year...
writes of the trio “Tony, Caro and John were also wont to embellish their basic male-female vocal harmonies, and one electric guitar-one-acoustic-guitar-bass lineup, with weird touches of hippie psychedelia in the occasional electronic effects, tinkling percussion, flageolet (a type of small flute), wah-wah, and violin….. Slightly sardonic but cheerfully playful, and with strong tunes effectively blending major and minor modes, they're more approachable for listeners with conventional rock and pop tastes than the Incredible String Band
Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band were a psychedelic folk band formed in Scotland in 1966. The band built a considerable following, especially within British counterculture, before splitting up in 1974...
, or Incredible String Band-like bands of the period, such as Forest
Forest (band)
Forest were an English psychedelic folk / acid folk trio who formed in Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 1966. Made up of brothers Martin Welham, Adrian Welham and school friend Dez Allenby, they started out performing unaccompanied traditional folk music in a similar vein to contemporaries The Watersons...
and Dr. Strangely Strange
Dr. Strangely Strange
Dr. Strangely Strange were an experimental Irish folk group, formed in Dublin in 1967 by Tim Booth , vocals and guitar, and Ivan Pawle bass and keyboards.-Career:...
”.
Band History
Multi-instrumentalist Tony Doré and bassist John Clark were childhood friends in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, England, and played together on both the rock and folk circuit. After university they reunited in 1970, when John came to London to join Tony and Caroline (Caro), who had played university folk clubs together. "All on the First Day" was made in 1972 with almost no budget and primitive equipment, recorded on Clark's 2-track; they could overdub in mono only by re-recording the backing track at the same time. They self-pressed the LP in an edition of only 100 copies, with the home-grown nature of the product emphasized by individually spray-painted covers.
Expanding the band lineup with Simon Burrett on lead guitar, Jonny Owen on Harmonica and Rod Jones on keyboards, Tony, Caro and John continued on the college circuit for a little while under the name "Forever and Ever" but the gigging stopped in the late seventies, when families and careers took precedence. The band continued to jam together, and to record in Clark’s by now, multi-track studio.
Then in 2001, Tony Doré was contacted by Shadoks Music in Germany, when it transpired that there was an underground following for the "All on the First Day" album, and copies were changing hands for substantial sums of money. The band agreed that Shadoks could produce a limited release of vinyl albums from the original master, and at the same time release the album on CD. The release included five bonus tracks recorded around the time of "All on the First Day". Almost simultaneously the band released some of the studio tracks recorded since "All on the First Day", as the limited edition CD-R album "Retrospect" under the "Forever and Ever" band name. This can be obtained from the "Forever and Ever" website (see below). Sadly, bassist John Clark died in 2005.
Following the wider release of the band’s material, one of Doré’s compositions “The Snowdon Song” was covered by the successful indie duo Beach House
Beach House
Beach House is a dream pop duo formed in 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of French-born Victoria Legrand and Baltimore native Alex Scally. Their self-titled debut, Beach House, released in 2006, was critically acclaimed. This was followed by their second release, Devotion, in 2008...
, on their eponymously titled 2006 debut album. Although given a different title (Lovelier Girl), Beach House
Beach House
Beach House is a dream pop duo formed in 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of French-born Victoria Legrand and Baltimore native Alex Scally. Their self-titled debut, Beach House, released in 2006, was critically acclaimed. This was followed by their second release, Devotion, in 2008...
do not dispute authorship of the song.
Current Activity
Now living in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Tony continues to write songs, and between 2006 and 2010 recorded 13 new tracks which were finalized in 2010 in Rod Jones’ studio in France. This collection, "Fall Away Like Leaves" by Tony Doré and Friends, was released digitally in 2011 by Gaarden Records of Baltimore. Gaarden have also reissued "All on the First Day" as limited editions on green and maroon vinyl and are planning a digital release of rare Tony, Caro and John outtakes and live tracks.
Discography
"All On The First Day" (1972). Self-released, vinyl.
"All On The First Day" (2001). Shadoks Records. Re-release with bonus tracks, vinyl and CD.
"Retrospect" (2001). Self-released under name Forever and Ever, CD-R.
"All On The First Day" (2010). Gaarden Records. Digital release.
"Fall Away Like Leaves" (2011). Gaarden records. Digital release under name Tony Doré and Friends.