Kenneth Grant makes first ever punk single in 1976
From Lashtal.comAn email sent to an e-list dedicated to the creative works of Austin Osman Spare includes some fascinating background to the excellent "Scarlet Woman" music single familiar to many students of Crowley and Grant...
From the online 60s psych zine Sweet Floral Albion:
"PC - Tell us about the Scarlet Woman 45."
BP - By Chakra - Me and Martin, so basically Pandamonium, with Ken Grant [Kenneth Grant = Aleister Crowley's executor and spiritual heir] doing the incantation. I wrote it from his books and sung on it. Martin was on drums, me on guitar, I think Lee Abbott on bass and Rick Wakeman (I think!) on piano. There's also a couple of witches in the background. Jimmy Page bought hundreds of copies from us. It was issued on our label - Maraybo Records (that's MA-rtin, RAY and BO-b!) in 1976."
posted by Unknown | 8:23 pm
8 Comments:
Hi, I hope this link still works.
I'm writing on behalf of Bob Ponton. (I'm his ex-wife) and he is desperately trying to get hold of a copy of this single. He wrote the song Scarlet Woman and sang it, too. Ken was definitely there, as were his wife and several 'witches'. I remember the day well. Would you be prepared to either part with the record or make a CD copy of it for him?
Please let me know if you are able to, plus costs.
He is going to re-release it again, but has mislaid the master tape.
Many thanks,
Kind regards,
Sabine Muir
sabine.muir@talk21.com
Hi Sabine
No, Bob didn't write the song Scarlet Woman - I wrote the lyrics and Bob wrote the weedy music that went with it. The chant is from the Bornless One. Kenneth Grant, Jan Magee, myself and Janice Ayers, a former VII member of the Typhonian OTO were there. The record was produced by Marabo Records - I still have a contract with Marabo - neither Kenneth Grant nor me got any money out of Marabo. If the record is released again, I will sue. Steffi Grant illustrated the front cover, Jan Magee the back cover. I still have a copy of the record.
Mike Magee
Sue whom?
Marabo? Are they still going then?
I'll get on to them about buying up the rest of the stock then.
Florida here we come! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Petra - an occult publisher had a plan to re-release the record this year (2010) but Mike Magee has refused his permission and threatened the publisher with legal action if it is re-released. So it won't be happening.
For anyone who is interested:
Please note that on a link to this blog I wrote that Bob co-wrote the song. (see: http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2008/10/21/aleister-crowley-on-vinyl/)
I am very sorry that ‘anonymous’ was so upset that I accidentally omitted his name, I never meant any harm.
Jeez… I was only trying to help Bob obtain a copy of the record with a view of possible re-release.
Incidentally, no-one ever made a penny out of this record.
But who cares? It’s all about the art, It should never be about the money.
All this fuss about a B-side…..
Tsk!
an occult publisher had a plan to re-release the record this year (2010) but Mike Magee has refused his permission and threatened the publisher with legal action if it is re-released. So it won't be happening.
"Yes... in this o-so-spiritual world people are still ruled by their o-so-strong egos."
An excerpt from an unpublished manuscript:
"Bob introduced me to Kenneth Grant one day, in the Prince Albert pub on Golders Green Road, where they used to meet often. This pub was often frequented by artists, musicians and actors, like Ian Hendry, who lived around the corner. … Writer John Symonds popped in occasionally too, which provoked stimulating conversation between us all. … Ken Grant was a real gentleman, pleasant and charming, but there was much more to him. He possessed a real enigmatic quality, a mysterious sense of 'otherness'. He had a hypnotic air about him. … Bob did some lithographs for inclusion in Ken's book and he also painted his portrait. Bob read Ken's books and there were many discussions about the occult and the artist Austin Osman Spare. Ken came to our house to listen to the songs Bob had written. So one day Ken wanted to know if Bob could do something with some acetates he had of Aleister Crowley, reciting his poems The Pentagram and La Gitana. He wanted to get them transferred onto vinyl. This would become the A-side of the single. The voice of 'the master' could be heard again, decades after his death. Kenneth asked if Bob could write a song for the B-side, based on Crowley's mistress, aka the Scarlet Woman. So Bob went away and penned the lyrics and then put them to music. He arranged a session in a small studio in Hayes, Middlesex. Bob sang, and played the guitar. Kenneth Grant, Janice Ayers and Mike Magee sang the chorus, an incantation. Lee Abbott, from the band Magna Carta, played bass. On drums was Martin Curtis, who felt a bit bewildered by it all. Kenneth Grant, Janice Ayers and Mike Magee sang the chorus, an incantation. …"
I heard it in the mid 70's, a friend bought a copy from the Metaphysical Research Group on the Ridge Hastings. I Loved the recording and have been looking for it for years and today i FOUND IT! Brilliant! Well done to all those involved!
Warmest Regards Ab.
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