Anthology: Part One

 Remastered edition in a deluxe linen-finish sleeve, complete with 20 page booklet

Earlier this year, Judy Dyble issued her ‘Gathering The Threads’, a 3CD anthology of all the fragments that make up her exceptional career. Disc one of this triptych is now released on Earth as ‘Anthology: Part One’ and for the first time on wax for many of these remarkable recordings.

Judy’s first musical incarnation – as Judy and The Folkmen – came about in the winter of 1964. Just 15 at the time, the fact that her voice was able to resonate with such strength and clarity is testament to her unique vocal talents. Judy finished school, The Folkmen disbanded, and from there the transition into making music with kids her own age seemed the natural thing to do. Those “kids” of course were the likes of Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings and Simon Nicol – though in the beginning they were really just experimenting, as all good musicians do. By this time, Judy and Richard were an item though it was Ashley who would eventually ask Judy to join their newly formed band – Fairport Convention. Within a few short weeks, Judy was onstage at the UFO club – the nucleus of London’s burgeoning psych scene. Though Judy would only record on Fairports’ seminal debut, her influence on the group is palpable.

Next up she joined Giles, Giles and Fripp after famously placing an ad in Melody Maker with her new beau, Ian McDonald. Again, Judy’s involvement was fleeting but even so, it was an astonishingly productive period. Her time in the band brought about some of the most influential recordings of the era and laid the foundations for what would ultimately become King Crimson.

From here Judy would then go on to form cult acid-folk band Trader Horne with ex-Them member Jackie McAuley, but that’s another story, another record…