Maxwell Plumm - We Can Work It Out (1975)

The second album from one of the few bands that I have come across in my diggings that has much of an internet presence. This is chiefly because of the inclusion of an edited version of the track Flyin' Hi on Licorice Soul Record's compilation Working Man's Soul which I've not mentioned before having only found out about it after I started this blog. But the story of the band, as summarised on the Licorice Soul site is an interesting one. After putting out three LPs including this one on vanity stalwart Raven Records, a presumed schism led to - how can I put this - a change in the business model which saw singer Alan Humber pursue the stand-up comedy which like so many bands of this ilk, had formed part of Maxwell Plumm's schtick since the beginning. This also goes some way to explaining my initial confusion on finding this LP, having previously picked up an apparently unrelated album also under the name Maxwell Plumm that featured a freshly permed individual on the cover but which I now realise was Humber's first solo album following his split in 1979. That blip aside, his career in stand-up continues to this day, backdropping the evening alcohol shift on cruise ships, and generating rave reviews like "...very funny without having to resort to blue humour".

So, to the music. Beatles obsessives almost to a man, Maxwell Plumm bring an undoubted focus to this LP, although not without the occasional surrendering to cliche. But the standout is undoubtedly Flyin' Hi, a riot of wah-wah guitar and phased drums, incongruous both within the context of the LP and the genre, and presented here in its full 6'16" glory.

FOUR CONSECUTIVE SEASONS

Maxwell Plumm - We Can Work It Out
Raven Records KS 1007

EVOLUTION The group derived from "BUTCH" HUMBER and RAY DOHERTY as the "TOPLINERS" in July 1970. With a chnage in January 1974 to the name of "MAXWELL PLUMM" RICHARD McGOWAN joined the group in August 1971, with ALAN BROOKS coming into the band two weeks later. While working the North East in Feb. 1973 they met up with Dave Chandler who joined the band a few weeks later.
PAUL SANDERS is the latest member of the group. In Nov. 1974 PAUL was asked to do session work on this album and was immmediately recruited into the group.

ORIGIN OF NAME Comes from the restaurant in New York called the MAXWELL PLUMM RESTAURANT.

PERSONAL CHANGES None

FIRST PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE Camber Sands, Sussex, 1972

FIRST BROADCAST The New Years Eve Television Arts Ball, Capitol Radio in December 1973.

SPECIAL APPEARANCES Royal Albert Hall, December 1973. Winstons, Bournemouth, Oct/Nov, 1972, Cats Whiskers, Streatham, Dec. 1974.

SUMMER SEASONS Four consecutive seasons with Pontins at Camber Sands, Sussex.

PREVIOUS ALBUM "MAXWELL PLUMM" 1974.