Windmill
English pop rock band, active between 1966-1970. D**k Scott (lead guitar, and vocals), having gained a small following in Germany, resolved to put together a band, The D**k Scott Company, back in the UK. He advertised in the Melody Maker, and through this he succeeded in recruiting Paul French (keyboards, and vocals), and Nigel Reveler (drums, and percussion). In a 2005 interview, French recalls that also "joining the band was Dave Knowles on sax/ flute and Gavin Wilkinson, known as Chris Gavin in those days, on bass".
They toured Germany for a couple of years, before signing a management deal with Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley, who changed the band's name to Windmill. They also began to write for, and produce the act, and it was they who penned their first release, and subsequent no.1 in Belgium, 'Big Bertha'. Howard and Blaikley had successfully managed and written for The Honeycombs, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, and The Herd. However, they failed to make any further impact with their next two singles, and Scott decided to return to touring in Germany where he could "command pretty good wages". After performing at such a gig in Cologne (Köln), they all took to a Mercedes saloon and a van in order to drive overnight to Berlin, but on the way Ilsa, D**k Scott's wife, veered off the road and crashed into a tree killing herself, Scott, and the promoter's wife.
After regrouping back in the UK, the remaining four members decided to continue to write, and perform together but in a different musical direction, and under a new name. Howard and Blaikley, who were still managing them, chose Tonton Macoute.
Discography
Singles & EPs
- Big Bertha / Hey, Drummer Man (1969)
- Wilbur's Thing / Two's Company, Three's A Crowd (1970)
- Such Sweet Sorrow / I Can Fly (1970)
Miscellaneous
- Such Sweet Sorrow (Acetate, 8", S/Sided, W/Lbl) (1970)
Tonton Macoute
Founded in Newbury, UK in 1971 - Disbanded in 1982
They got their names from the Haitian dictator Papa Doc Duvallier's brutal presidential guard that was named TONTON MACOUTE. Why, I am not sure but if that name is original, so is their sole album released on rare and collectable Neon Record (also SPRING and INDIAN SUMMER). Paul French on kbs and vocals is not to be confused with the awesome Pete French singer in ATOMIC ROOSTER and CACTUS and LEAFHOUND. The rest of the band consist of Chris Gavin on bass and guitars, Dave Knowles on winds and vocals, Nigel Reveler on drums.
Their record is full of jazz-inspired prog rock with long instrumental interplay in even longer tracks. Their music oozes fun and good-natured moods and should please most everyone, even the ones wary of jazz-tinged music, as this is hardly their only inspiration. Highly recommended to the progheads that seek to deepen their knowledge of early 70's prog rock and looking for unknown gems such as this one. This got released on CD by Repertoire Records.
: : : Hugues Chantraine, BELGIUM : ::
Discography
Albums
- Tonton Macoute (1971)
Singles & EPs
- Summer Of Our Love / Greyhound Lady (1972)
- Don't Make Me Cry (CD, Mini, Promo) (210)
- Don't (CD, Mini, Single, Ltd, Promo) (2017)
V/A Compilation
- Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs Present Occasional Rain (2020)
Tonton Macoute
Studio Album, released in 1971
Songs / Tracks Listing
- 1. Just Like Stone
- 2. Don't Make Me Cry
- 3. Flying South In Winter
- 4. Dreams
- 5. You Make My Jelly Roll
- 6. Natural High (Part 1)
- 7. Natural High (Part 2)
Line-up / Musicians
- Paul French: Acoustic & Electric Pianos, Organ, Vibes, Vocals
- Dave Knowles: Alto & Tenor Saxes, Flute, Clarinet, Vocals
- Chris Gavin: Bass, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
- Nigel Reveler: Percussion
Releases information
- Artwork: Keef
- LP Neon - NE4 (1971, UK)
- LP Akarma - AK 149 (2001, Italy)
- CD Repertoire Records - REP 4467-WP (1994, Germany)
- CD Repertoire Records - REP 5197 (2010, Germany)
Source
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/1173281-Windmill-2
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/883675-Tonton-Macoute
- http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1012
- http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=5231
- https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/tonton_macoute
Official website
- https://paulfrench.webs.com/
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