Sole solo album release (he also formed part of a folk band, Storyteller, in the early 70s) by abstract/figurative artist and poet Terry Durham (1936-2013). This record was originally released on the Deram label, with by music by composer/arranger John Coleman. Very much a product of its era, Crystal Telephone has become something of a cult item in recent years, positing Durham as "Yorkshire's answer to Serge Gainsbourg". Have a listen to the clip from BBC Radio 6 Music in the YouTube insert below for a very funny broadcast of one of the album's tracks - for anyone confused about the announcer's references to "tabs", in this context it's a Northern English colloquialism for cigarettes.
With a crack team of British session musicians and jazz artists behind him, the album features Durham reciting his poetry (and occasionally singing) over a backing that's sometimes groovy and bluesy, sometimes sweetly orchestrated, on one occasion furious free jazz (check out the end of Branwell's Corner!), and always listenable and enjoyable. Some tracks are amusing in a kind of cod-beat poetry way, others have aged better and are more affecting - Fryston Main is a poignant look at the decline of the British mining industry over a brass band playing Abide With Me, which works incredibly well. One of these sweet little obscurities that's well worth discovering.
pw: sgtg
