It's A Beautiful Day

It's A Beautiful Day are a San Francisco band, based around the extraordinary electric violin-playing of David Laflamme, formerly a classical musician. The band almost literally exploded onto the scene with their debut eponymous album (1969), and especially one stand-out track White Bird. However, they couldn't sustain this impact. Since it was apparent that the other members were virtually redundant, they were subject to frequent personnel changes: by the time of their second LP, Marrying Maiden (1970), Bill Gregory (guitar) and Tom Fowler (bass) had been replaced by Hal Wagenet and Mitchell Holman repsectively, and Fred Webb had been introduced on keyboards. Even so, the album had its moments, particularly the opening track, Don And Dewey, a tribute to the rock duo of the 1950s, written by Laflamme.

After their electrifying beginning, however, the band just became less and less interesting until they faded away altogether, splitting up in 1974. David Laflamme returned to recording in 1976 with an album featuring a new version of White Bird and made that the title track. They reunited for occasional concerts and have been a viable unit again since 2000, although no recordings have been made since 1973.

Peel obviously showed a passing interest in the band, featuring Don And Dewey in at least one of his shows and was one of the continuity announcers at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music in 1970 where the band played. However, since none of the shows where he played their music are currently available, it is difficult to gauge his attitude toward them, and he apparently played nothing from their final three LPs.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * NoneIt's a Beautiful Day...Don and Dewey

Sessions

 * None

Other Shows Played

 * 21 September 1969: 'Bombay Calling (LP-It's A Beautiful Day)' (CBS)
 * 11 October 1969: 'Wasted Union Blues (LP-It's A Beautiful Day)' (CBS)
 * 25 April 1970: 'Soapstone Mountain (7")' (CBS)
 * 24 October 1970: 'Don And Dewey (2x Compilation LP-Rock Buster)' (CBS)