G. F. Fitz-Gerald - Mouseproof LP - Rare

	£		189
	$		250

  G. F. Fitz-Gerald - Mouseproof LP - Rare! Although G.F. Fitz-Gerald has been making music since the 1960s, he's issued only one album under his own name, 1970's Mouseproof. This was an era when major labels were more apt to green-light ridiculously uncommercial albums than at any time before or since, and Mouseproof certainly holds its own in that category. While many of the elements of the early-'70s rock underground were present -- pastoral folk-rock, jazzy prog rock thrust, electronic experimentation, twisted approaches to song form and composition, and even a bit of country-rock and minimalism -- not many records combined so many such elements together, both within some of the individual tracks and throughout the record. Indeed, the LP leapfrogged among styles so hectically that it might not have sounded like the work of the same artist to many listeners. Especially considering that most of the songs weren't conventionally accessible in the structural and melodic departments as well, it's not a surprise that it's known to few outside of the psychedelic collecting world.Raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, Fitz-Gerald played in R&B groups before moving to London, where he ran an electrics business. The multi-instrumentalist continued to play music in sessions and clubs, however, and in the psychedelic group Mouseproof, as well as running a small demo studio. Though Island Records (for whom Fitz-Gerald had done much electrical work) offered Fitz-Gerald a record deal, he signed with a yet bigger company, MCA. Among the musicians accompanying him on Mouseproof were tabla player Sam Gopal, future Roxy Music bassist Rik Kenton, steel guitarist B.J. Cole (who played sessions for several British stars of the period), saxophone and flute player Geoff Leigh (later to work with Henry Cow, Gong, Kevin Ayers, and John Martyn), and original Fairport Convention female singer Judy Dyble.Unsurprisingly, Mouseproof sold little, although influential British radio DJ John Peel championed it on his show and selected it as his seventh favorite album of the year in Disc. Any prospects it held were also damaged by the failure of the record to come out in the U.S.; according to Fitz-Gerald, this was because MCA refused to put it out in America unless he changed the lyrics to "May Four" (about the 1970 shootings of students at Kent State), which he in turn refused to do. Fitz-Gerald has also said (in the liner notes to the CD reissue of the album) that a disagreement between MCA and its distributor meant that "3000 copies went missing, never to be seen again," leading to it behind impossible to find in stores. Although Fitz-Gerald has continued to perform experimental music since then, he has not released any more albums. AMG.

This copy is in great condition, I've played it and it grades a good Excellent. The sleeve is VG+ because it has a small name on the front. It comes with its lyric printed insert.



Due to eBay's stupid new postage rules I've had to increase the start price of my records - this is good for international customers because I've been able to discount your shipping but I can't reduce it if you buy more.
Three or more records will be sent Registered at no extra cost to you though.

Like many of the records I'm selling today this came from the large collection of a busy man now aged 60. Due to the size of his collection many of the LPs were only played once or twice from new - some were never played and they were all properly looked after. His musical taste was towards the avant garde/free end of the jazz spectrum. I will be selling selected records from his collection over the next few years so please add me to your favourites list! 

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