01	Smoking The Day Away						08:20
	02	I Don't Know						04:50
	03	Dreaming						06:43
	04	Squeet						06:55
	05	Tomorrow May Come						04:49
	06	Fire Queen						03:27
	07	Virgin Waters						05:22
	08	For Mad Men Only						04:16
	09	Snakes And Ladders						04:42
	10	The 25th Of December 1969						03:12
	11	In Part						06:10
	12	8 Mad Grim Nits						04:33
	13	High Beech						05:02
	14	Honey Coloured Time						04:13
	15	Just Thinking						05:10

May Blitz [UK]
May Blitz (70), The Second of May (71)

One of the earliest British progressive trios, similar to High Tide, but not as good on their first one. Second Of May is supposed to be great though.

Early UK rockers with progressive touches. Self-titled first opens with great guitar jamming song, including some hot acoustic guitar jams intertwined with electric guitar. Guitar-dominated work pervades the album but the music is rather uneven throughout. Some songs are pretty good, others go lacking a little. Vocals on most songs are somewhat reminescent of Jack Bruce. Overall, nothing really spectacular.

MAY BLITZ : THREE GO SUFFERING FROM VERTIGO (Biography)


The Vertigo label, launched in 1969 by philips/Fontana Records as a generic home for the combine's more progressively-styled rock acts, rapidly became identified as source of commercially successful heavy rock bands. After BLACK SABBATH and JUCY LUCY, the first two hard rocks acts on the label, each gave it a taste of chart success, Vertigo signed up two further heavy bands early in 1970. The first was URIAH HEEP, who went on to consistent success through the 1970's , and the second was MAY BLITZ, whose entire recorded output consisted on two albums.

Comprising Tony NEWMAN on drums and vibes, James BLACK on lead guitar and lead vocals, and Reith HUDSON on bass and backup vocals , MAY BLITZ were among the inheritors of the power trio dynasty founded by CREAM and the Jimi HENDRIX experience - a torch also being carried at the time by the likes of Rory GALLAGHER's TASTE and fellow Vertigo rockers CLEAR BLUE SKY.
Instigator of the trio was NEWMAN, a scene veteran who had played through the beat boom with SOUNDS INCORPORATED, before replacing Aynsley DUNBAR in the JEFF BECK GROUP in time to drum on the guitarist's classic Beck-Ola album, then leaving in turn to form his own outfit, which became MAY BLITZ.

The new band cut their performing teeth during 1969 on the UK college circuit, quickly building a strong live reputation with their crowd-pleasing powerhouse approach. Once signed by Vertigo, their eponymous debut album was almost entirely an in-house job, the trio writing, arranging and producing every track with the assistance of studio engineer Barry AINSWORTH. In common with their stage act, the seven cuts were mostly aggressive, lengthy workouts, highlighted by BLACK's striking use of heavy guitar feedback. The shortest track, "Fire queen", clocked in at 4.18, and the longest, the opener "Smoking the day away", stretched to 8.21. This tended to mitigate against radio play , and the album sold mostly through word of mouth on the band's touring circuit of clubs and colleges . The sleeve was an eye-catcher, too, featuring a grotesque cartoon personification of "MAY BLITZ" as a sort of neanderthal female sumo wrestler. Its creator was NME cartoonist Tony BENYON, best known for his long running "Lone Groover" strip in that paper.

Sales of "MAY BLITZ", while fairly modest (like those, to be fair, of a lot of Vertigo's eclectic roster of progressives, folkies, fusioneers and metal pioneers), were clearly sufficiently encouraging for Vertigo to have the trio back into the studio again early in 1971 to cut a follow-up set - the studio this time being the prestigious AIR in London. Significantly, an outside producer, John ANTHONY, was brought in, possibly to give the band a more commercial edge second time around. However, with the group still arranging all of their 100% self-penned material (eight songs this time, all running to under six minutes),the result on "THE 2nd OF MAY" (which could well have been the recording date, though this isn't certain)was effectively the mixture as before. BENYON also resurfaced to design another cartoon gatefold sleeve, which reprised his MAY BLITZ character along with a freakish cast of cohorts.

Critical reaction to the second album was, however, muted; few felt that the set lived up to the promise of the trio's debut, and, indeed, sales were notably disappointing. The band, probably to their credit, didn't waste time to reassessing themselves, but noted the way the wind was blowing and split fairly soon after "THE 2nd OF MAY" failed to set the charts alight.

BLACK and HUDSON, perhaps surprisingly, didn't trouble rock historians much more. NEWMAN, however, mantained a high visibility for years, moving on to Paul and Adrian GURVITZ' THREE MAN ARMY, and the drumming on either a recording or touring basis later in the 1970's for the likes of Marc BOLAN, David BOWIE, Mick RONSON, Chris SPEDDING and David COVERDALE's WHITESNAK

======================

May Blitz

Personnel:
Keith Baker - Drums
Jamie Black - Guitar, Vocals
Tony Newman - Vibes, Drums
Terry Poole - Bass
Reid Hudson - Bass, Vocals

Albums:
May Blitz (Vertigo 6360 007) 1970 (reissued on Repertoire - 1994, IMS 7026)
Second of May (Vertigo 6360 037) 1971 (reissued on Repertoire - 1994, IMS 7027)

Tony Newman had previously played with Sounds Incorporated and the Jeff Beck Group. His powerhouse drumming suited this heavy rock act's loud aggressive sound, which was liberally laced with echoed feedback guitar. The first album is the best of the two; both vinyls are highly sought-after on the collector's market. The group was known for their heavy, blues-tinged, lumbering progressive rock style, typical of the era. May Blitz were also featured on the Vertigo Annual 1970 compilation, playing "I Don't Know" from their debut album. Jamie Black went on to play with F.B.I. in the late '70s.

Taken from The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Vernon Joynson
ISBN 1 899855 04 1


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The original line-up of May Blitz, formed in 1969, contained guitarist/vocalist Jamie Black and ex-Bakerloo members: bassist Terry Poole and drummer Keith Baker. However, before any recording took place, Poole left for a career in session work (Graham Bond, Vinegar Joe) and Baker accepted an offer to join Uriah Heep, appearing on their "Salisbury" LP. Reid Hudson therefore took over the bass duties whilst ex-Sounds Incorporated/Jeff Beck Group stickman Tony Newman took over the drum stool.

The trio's aggressive out'n'out hard rock style brought them to the attention of progressive label Vertigo Records who saw May Blitz as being in the same vein as Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep, both of whom were signed to the label. Their debut self-titled LP (Vertigo 6360 007) was released in mid-1970 and contained seven lengthy self-composed tracks, distinguished by the use of echoed feedback guitar playing from Black. Though not a chart success, original vinyl copies of the album complete with gatefold sleeve and Vertigo's famous 'swirl' logo, now command prices of 50 British Pounds and up on the collectors' market. Just over six months later, in early 1971, they released their second LP, "The 2nd of May" (Vertigo 6360 037) which again came in a highly collectable gatefold sleeve. However, the eight tracks, again, mostly written by all three members, failed to live up to the power and excitement of the first album and so shortly after its release they disbanded.

Tony Newman joined Three Man Army and appeared on the LPs, "Three Man Army" and "Two" before forming Boxer with Mike Patto and releasing "Below the Belt" and "Bloodletting" albums. He also worked with the likes of David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Mick Ronson, Whitesnake and Chris Spedding and has remained an in-demand session musician. As for Jamie Black and Reid Hudson, it would seem they disappeared form music altogether.

Mark Brennan
(Taken from the liner notes of the Repertoire reissue of "The 2nd of May", 1994, IMS 7027)







The MAY BLITZ Story MAY BLITZ Discography

May Blitz were formed in England during the early part of 1969. Tony Newman ex Jeff Beck Group actually formed the band recruiting James Black & Reid Hudson. Black and Hudson were Canadians from Victoria, British Columbia who pioneered Canadian West Coast music prior to moving to England. The band played extensively on the UK college circuit in 1969 before signing to Vertigo. Their debut album 'May Blitz' in 1970 was heavy and featured a grotesque cartoon cover. The first album sold moderately and a follow up 'The 2nd Of May' was recorded in 1971. Unfortunately despite being an excellent album full of heavy original numbers the album flopped. The band were dropped by Vertigo shortly after. Black and Hudson disappeared into oblivion (They actually returned to Canada after the break up of May Blitz) but Newman played with many bands throughout the 70's including Three Man Army, Marc Bolan, David Bowie & Mick Ronson, Chris Spedding and David Coverdale's Whitesnake.
Both of their albums are in high demand on the collectors market. In 1992 both of the albums were remastered onto CD. Sadly one of the UK's lost treasures. Their music lives on through collectors and fans worldwide.

Note: A friend of mine saw the band perform at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, England in 1971. He said "..they were bloody excellent. I met them also, nice guys..."


May Blitz - 1970
The 2nd Of May - 1971
May Blitz/ The 2nd Of May CD - 1992

Both of the albums were on the Vertigo label

May Blitz 1970
Smoking The Day Away
I Don't Know
Dreaming
Squeet
Tomorrow May Come
Fire Queen
Virgin Waters

The 2nd Of May 1971
For Mad Men Only
Snakes And Ladders
The 25th Of December 1969
"In Part"
Eight Mad Grim Nits
High Beech
Honey Coloured Time
Just Thinking

Killer Tracks - Smoking The Day Away, Fire Queen & For Mad Men Only

MAY BLITZ were...
James Black - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Reid Hudson - Bass & Vocals
Tony Newman - Drums & percussion

MAY BLITZ NEWS


STOP PRESS
FRANK HUDSON, REID HUDSON'S BROTHER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT


Reid Hudson recently celebrated his 50th Birthday, James Black attended the party!


Many Thanks to Frank Hudson for some of the information about May Blitz.
Simon Wilson 27th September 1998


EMAILS RECEIVED FROM REID HUDSON
"...We started to record the first album three weeks after I joined the group and so the material changed and got much tighter after the recording was finished as we then had the opportunity to play it live on the road. I often wonder what the result would have been if we had gone on the road and tightened up the material first before we recorded it. This is true of both albums..."
Reid Hudson, Vancouver 28th September 1998

NEWS OF TONY NEWMAN
"...Tony Newman's birthday is March 17. He'll be 57. He has been touring with the
Everly Brothers for the last couple of years. Lives outside of Nashville."
Reid Hudson, Vancouver 8th March 1999












May Blitz - May Blitz

Released: 1970 / 2003
Label: Akarma/Vertigo
Cat. No.:
Total Time: 39:11

Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, August 2003
My first impression of May Blitz on the opening track "Smoking The Day Away," on their self-titled LP May Blitz, was that James Black (guitar, vocals) sounded just like Jack Bruce. The song is an unforgettable blend of both acoustic and electric guitars, and the outing lasts for over eight minutes. As their music continually changes and evolves throughout the LP, many different bands from that time may come to mind. Music like this seems to bring about those feelings and memories for me all the time.

If you were to place their music into a category, they would fall somewhere in between rock, blues and progressive. Every track has something different to offer, so to say that they played progressive-blues-rock with a psychedelic edge is the best description I could possibly give.

"I Don't Know?" is an excellent blues-rock rave up with psychedelic elements that gave it a Hendrix feel with ample amounts of fuzz and wah-wah. It became apparent to me early on that they were a technically advanced trio that had no trouble displaying their many talents in every song. Tony Newman's congas, bongos, and the vibraphone certainly put their music into an entirely different space than the average rock band and Reid Hudson had to be a better than average bass player to set the pace for all of these complexities found in each individual song. James Black was an outstanding lead singer and guitar player and without question the core from which the bands persona emanated from.

Side two opens with "Squeet," a funky blues number with a long intro before the vocals kick in. Because of the long instrumental stretches found in every song, when Black's vocals would start on queue it sounded more pronounced and had more of an impact. I particularly enjoyed the long instrumental runs because each one had a variance of personality and feeling with a strong sense off purpose and meaning that propelled it.

As with many of the releases on Comet Records, this is a highly collectable piece of vinyl. The album comes in a gatefold sleeve complete with the original bizarre cartoon artwork that the band had on their albums. This is a classic recording, a real keeper for the ages. It is highly recommended for anyone that enjoys any or all of the genres I referred to in this review.

Rating: 4/5

More about May Blitz:

Track Listing: Side One: Smoking The Day Away (8:22) / I Don't Know? (4:50) / Dreaming (6:44)

Side Two: Squeet (6:56) / Tomorrow May Come (4:49) / Fire Queen (3:30) / Virgin Waters (5:20)

Musicians:
James Black - Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, Producer
Reid Hudson - Bass, Guitar (Bass), Vocals, Producer
Tony Newman - Bongos, Conga, Drums, Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Vibraphone

Contact:

Website: www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/ash/75/MAYBLITZMP.html
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Discography

May Blitz (1970/2003)