Alun Davies – Daydo (1972)

Alun was a guitarist and singer, who became a session player and a member of the touring band for Cat Stevens during his renaissance in the Seventies.   That was how I came upon this great debut, and to date, final, album by him.  Very folk rock, and mostly written before his playing with Cat, the album is simply exquisite.  Of course, Cat plays piano, along with rest of his ensemble – Jean Rouselle, Gerry Conway and Del Newman – and a lovely sound they make.  The songs include a couple of traditional folk tunes (Abram Brown and I’m Late) and a cover of Cat’s own ‘Portobello Road’, but it is Alun’s own compositions that sparkle – ‘Market Place’, ‘Poor Street’ and best of all the incredible ‘Old Bourbon’ (one of my very favourite songs).  Most of you won’t have heard of this album, but I bet Chris Tozer has.