Naylor, Robert -& Friends-
Skates
Previously completely unknown second, unreleased LP by pastoral English songsmith. Recorded in 1973 at the University of Surrey Music Department where Robert was a Guitar Degree Student. A kaleidoscope of beautifully sung, intense, impressionistic, self-composed songs. Some simply backed by his stunning guitar work, others with full chamber folk-rock backing. Heavily symbolic lyrics and deceptively sweet music, much of the imagery seems to anticipate his tragic early death, in his sleep, aged 19, just weeks before he graduated. Obvious comparisons can be made to Nick Drake and even Tim Buckley, but perhaps more sharply to early Al Stewart and with a strong resonance of Village Thing artists, especially Dave Evans' two classic LPs. Timeless, sharp, wistful and eccentric. A miracle this has survived. Fully laminated sleeve, NO BARCODE, features inner with full lyrics and insert with memories from his brother, designed by the immortal Bobby Blisters. Mastered by Reynolds Mastering, the kings of reconstruction and pressed on the old EMI presses by Vinyl Factory for maximum quality. As always pressing run limited to 227.