THE VINYL SOUNDS OF THE RISING SUN: GO DREAM ‘ANDWELLA’ Who is this Dave Lewis guy, anyway?

THE VINYL SOUNDS OF THE RISING SUN: GO DREAM ‘ANDWELLA’ Who is this Dave Lewis guy, anyway? – by Tony Mastrianni.

ANDWELLA: Go Dream (NUMERO GROUP RECORDS) may be the most underrated psychedelic rock LP boxed set to be issued in the US and abroad during  past year or so. Fronted by Belfast-born precocious phenom David Lewis, ANDWELLA (formerly ANDWELLAS DREAM) having released three LP’s circa 1968-1970 for London’s Reflection label – all contained within this is majestically sonic set. Blending stunningly well-crafted original songs influenced assumedly by the likes of Cream and superb sound, perhaps evoking Traffic, along with exploratory soaring psych-rock experimentation. Their songs are sonically subtle and often well-balanced rockers and dream-scape ballads. Barely heard back then, they now conjure a popular Traffic- inspired influence leading to wonderous magic and glory to challenge the most expertly composed and orchestrated songs of this era The deluxe boxed set includes meticulous reproductions of the band’s discography, plus an ephemera-laced booklet detailing David Lewis short lived moment as an inspirational song writing/performer/arranger at the pinnacle of his powers. He can make riffs with the best of them, and a splendid keyboardist to boot.  Dunhill Records in the US released the debut ANDWELLA WORLD’S END LP in 1970 (which is superior than most rock bands you can name from that generation). This was soon after issued as a follow-up. Dunhill in the states (similarly like (UK’s Reflection label) spent very little money and effort to promote these stellar albums (included in this boxed set, along with the precursor, 1968’s ANDWELLAS DREAM (no apostrophe) LOVE AND POETRY (never issued in the US).  Though the music is spectacular, it was critically acclaimed by esoteric British magazines like ‘Melody Maker’ and ‘New Musical Express.’  They only hit American soils once for a brief tour with little if any public relations or record label support.  The third album contained in this set is PEOPLE’S PEOPLE, also issued on Dunhill in the US. Lewis scaled back and laced in some new traditional elements, having eased his psychedelic prowess and inserted some more standard yet mesmerizing tracks –presumably influenced by the great American band, THE BAND. The album contains ballads and lovely arrangements—all cleverly penned by Lewis. It even showcases flirtation with THE BEATLES Sgt Peppers studio magic.

Oddly, to this day, David (“Dave”—as he is now known as) Lewis is revered by passionate aficionados in Japan and several geographical  pockets of Europe. Shortly after the Andwella demise, he did a rare solo album DAVE LEWIS SONGS OF DAVID LEWIS on the Japanese label, VINYL JAPAN. This was issued on vinyl in 1970, and later re-issued on CD in 2003. The CD contains a booklet with lyric booklet in English and Japanese).   The album is delicately woven bunch of clever love songs and ear candy that features a collection of original compositions filed with revery and passion. It was basically a continuation of ANDWELLA with Lewis on guitar, piano, some bass and vocals supported by the same former ANDWELLA band mates Gordon Barton(bass) and Nigel Smith (drums).

NOTES: The TO DREAM version of the World’s End album does not have the lyrics-bearing gate-fold sleeve of the original LP, nor does it include include a repro of the poster coming with the UK pressing first pressings: surprising corner cutting as this is a high-end package). All the while, there was line-up churn and, with the addition of former One In A Million/Five Day Week Straw People/Andromeda member Jack McCulloch, third album PEOPLE’S PEOPLE was made. By this time David Lewis was the only original member in Andwella – the band name had become a moniker for his songs. Reflecting that, the sessions for WORLD’S END also generated 11 additional tracks which became the promotional-only Songs of David Lewis album, a pressing intended to attract interest in – and recordings of – his songs. Oddly, to this day, David (“Dave”—as he is now known as) Lewis is revered by his many aficionados in of all places, Japan! Shortly after the  Andwella demise, did a rare solo album DAVE LEWIS Songs of David Lewis on the Japanese label, VINYL JAPAN, This was issued on vinyl in 1970, and later re-issued on CD in 2003 ASKCD 141. The CD contains a booklet with lyric booklet in English and Japanese).   The album is delicately woven bunch of clever love songs and ear candy that features a collection of original compositions that are filed with revery and passion. It was basically a continuation of ANDWELLA with Lewis on guitar, piano, some bass and vocals supported by former ANDWELLA band mates Gordon Barton (bass) and Nigel Smith (drums)”

Stylistically, their WORLD’S END  and the more stripped-down, soul-edged PEOPLE’S PEOPLE exist in the shadow of The Band while also, still, evoking Traffic. Both albums are testaments that stand the test of time, exuding the sense that the end of the Sixties was accompanied by a grey-dawn comedown. Notwithstanding US and continental European editions of each album as well as a May 1970 session for BBC Radio’s ‘Sound Of The Seventies’ show, Andwella were soon over with. Their production company Reflection was in financial trouble, and the band called it a day by the end of 1970.

***The following is reprinted from ‘Periodical Numerical’ THE REFLECTION ISSUE 3 book published by Numero Records further provides what happened after the band flew the white flag , though hardly a band any longer, ANDWELLA provided: “…more of a framing device for Lewis’s songs. That Lewis was songwriter to take note of was  confirmed in 1971 when “Mississippi Water,” from People’s People, was recorded by US country rocker Larry McNeely. A version of the same Andwella album’s title track was released in France in 1972 by April & Ian Douglas. That year too, PEOPLE’S PEOPLE “Four Days in September” was recorded by Italy’s Ornella Vanoni. After the dissolution of Andwella, the band had an afterlife through David Lewis’s songs: and not songs from the Songs of David Lewis album, but from PEOPLE’S PEOPLE. Then, in 1973, Demis Roussos recorded Lewis’s “Happy to be on an Island in the Sun.” It could not have happened without what had happened since 1969, and without that earlier chance encounter with Rocky Shahan. On the face of it, the road between cult psychedelic band Andwella Dream and a monster international Demis Roussos hit ought to be unreachably enormous…”

Look for more coverage coming from this most impressive Chicago-based company label. Last Heard from, Dave Lewis (the legendary top-tier (Dave –as he goes by now)  songwriter, singer, and guitarist/keyboard player of ANDWELLA was the Musical House Entertainer for London’s prized exquisite hotel, THE SAVOY. FIVE STARS *****   t555m@aol.com

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