When I'm Dead And Gone/Lazy Afternoon - McGuinness Flint

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, some of the world’s most talented rock musicians were taking part in an elaborate game of musical chairs. Bands like John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Humble Pie, Cream, and various others contributed to a revolving door of talent, as artists collaborated with their peers to determine the quality of each lineup. On the outskirts of this circle, Tom McGuinness of Manfred Mann and Hughie Flint, former drummer for Mayall, came together in 1970 to form the short-lived group McGuinness Flint.

The band's first release was the single “When I’m Dead And Gone”, a cheery look ahead at a future that does undoubtedly move on without us. Graham Lyle’s mandolin, in one of the earliest contemporary uses of that instrument, keeps the mood light, while his vocals reassure his loved ones not to fret at his eventual passing. "When I'm Dead And Gone" brought the group mild fame, as the song peaked at #2 on the UK charts in late 1970.

Less commercial success came for the single's B-side, "Lazy Afternoon" but it presents perhaps a more accurate introduction to McGuinness Flint. Their debut sounds like the roots-rock normally associated with American South, and the better tracks from their self-titled first album would fit well alongside the likes of the Allman Brothers. The influence of The Band is plainly apparent; the album’s cover even looks like a leftover from Elliott Landy’s iconic Woodstock photo shoots. Imitation is not grounds for dismissal however, and McGuinness Flint offered original songs that file neatly within the Americana genre revitalized by The Band. Impressive work for a group made up of three Brits and two Scotsmen. <PM>