By Beau (Trevor Midgely)
It’s been an interesting task, trying to identify just five “top” tracks from the Dandelion catalogue. Though the label only ran from 1969 ’til 1972 its output was, to put it mildly, diverse!
The songs I’ve come up with aren’t in any order of preference. They’re simply included because, to me, they’re fine examples from a time when focus groups weren’t the be-all and end-all; from a time when some in the business – in this case, John Peel – were prepared to put their money where their mouth was and, for better or worse, release music they thought deserved a hearing.
Maybe it says something about me, or the label, or possibly both but coincidentally I’ve noticed no track in this selection runs under four minutes! Not, it has to be said, ideal fare for “Wunnerful Radio One”…
So here they are – my Dandelion “Top Five”…
Kevin Coyne – “Sand All Yellow” from “Case History”…
“Case History” has to be my favourite of all the Dandelion albums. “Sand All Yellow” is largely improvised with Kevin playing two parts – both doctor and patient. In another life, Kev had been a psychiatric nurse and his experience from this time – and vocation – are embodied beautifully in “Sand All Yellow”.
Bridget St John – “Ask Me No Questions” from the album of the same name…
This is the closing song from Bridget’s debut album, “Ask Me No Questions”. Here we have just Bridget, John Martyn on second guitar and some pastoral effects. It’s a mesmerising piece, hypnotic and full of atmosphere; a perfect example of beauty in simplicity.
Medicine Head – “Fire Under Mountain” from “New Bottles Old Medicine”…
“Fire Under Mountain” is a true blues (which no doubt nowadays would be considered cultural appropriation!) Peter’s semi-overloaded harp vies against John’s fuzzed guitar, bass drum and vocals. All-in-all a great, raw, Chicagoesque sound but with a twist; unique still, I would say, to Medicine Head…
Mike Hart – “Almost Liverpool 8” from “Mike Hart Bleeds”…
With McCartneyesque-sounding vocals, Mike relates this breakup narrative with characteristic Liverpudlian wit. Interestingly, Clive Selwood sent me a pre-release reel-to-reel of “Mike Hart Bleeds” to persuade me how some “subtle enhancement” might be advantageous for my second Dandelion album. A couple of weeks later, he introduced me to The Way We Live/Tractor! Speaking of whom…
Tractor – “Make The Journey” from the band’s eponymous second album…
Clocking in at over nine minutes, “Make The Journey” is what Tractor were all about; great harmonies with marvellous guitar work from Jim, superb drumming from Steve and original production from John Brierley. The false fade followed by the Faustian outro made for a tremendous closing piece on their “Tractor” album. Truly a track for the age.
Finally…
Beau – “1917 Revolution” from “Beau”…
If lack of modesty can be forgiven, I must include this, not only as Dandelion’s first release but also as the first Dandy record to trouble chart compilers anywhere – though admittedly not in the UK! But then, as so often seems the case, “…a prophet is without honour in his own land!” We keep on truckin’!
Further information
“Bonfires of the Soul” is the upcoming 2026 album from Beau, featuring the single “Environment Knight Of The Puritan Woke”. The album is due for release on 8 May 2026, through Cherry Red Records.
Jason Barnard of The Strange Brew says “Beau turns 80 in May and marks the occasion with a new album. He has been making records like this for decades and John Peel championed him for good reason. This LP demonstrates why topical folk underpinned songwriting still has a place in 2026.”
See also:
Beau – The Strange Brew interview – part 1
Podcasts:
