Henry Cow

Henry Cow were an English avant-rock group, founded at Cambridge University in 1968 by multi-instrumentalists Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Henry Cow's personnel fluctuated over their decade together, but drummer Chris Cutler and bassoonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper were important long-term members alongside Frith and Hodgkinson. An inherent anti-commercial attitude kept them at arm's length from the mainstream music business, enabling them to experiment at will. Critic Myles Boisen writes, "their sound was so mercurial and daring that they had few imitators, even though they inspired many on both sides of the Atlantic with a blend of spontaneity, intricate structures, philosophy, and humor that has endured and transcended the 'progressive' tag." (Read more at Wikipedia )

Links to Peel
Henry Cow, was in the same cathegory as other bands like Van der Graaf Generator, Gong, Soft Machine and Matching Mole who han unique approach to music, much different than the typical 'mainstream progressive rock band' that John was known to dislike, so he was quite interested in them while they were active. In 1977 the band broke up, but at the time John was starting to be interested in punk and the likes, so they were not featured again in his programs.

Sessions
Five sessions. All except session #5 released on "The Road: Volumes 1-5" (ReR Megacorp ‎– ReR HC 40). Session #3 also released as "John Peel Session (24th April 1973)" (digital EP, EMI, 2010).

1. Recorded: 1972-02-28. First broadcast: 14 March 1972. Repeated: 30 May 1972.


 * Teen Beat / Rapt in a Blanket / I Came to See You

2. Recorded: 1972-10-17. First broadcast: 14 November 1972.


 * With the Yellow Half Moon and Blue Star / With the Yellow Half Moon and Blue Star part 2

3. Recorded: 1973-04-24. First broadcast: 08 May 1973. Repeated: 10 July 1973.


 * Nirvana for Mice / Guider Tells of Silent Airborne Machine / 9 Funerals of the Citizen King / Bee

4. Recorded: 1974-04-25. First broadcast: 09 May 1974.


 * Pidgeons: Ruins/Half Awake Half Asleep/Bittern Storm Over Ulm

5. Recorded: 1975-08-05. First broadcast: 18 August 1975.


 * Beautiful as the Moon Terrible as an Army with Banners / Nirvana for Mice / The Ottawa Song / Gloria Gloom / Beatiful As The Moon Etc. (Reprise)

Other Shows Played

 * 17 March 1975 : Some Questions About Hats (album - Desperate Straights) Virgin V 2024 (with Slapp Happy)