Mandrake
Paddle Steamer
Strange Walking Man
(single cover).
Mandrake
Paddle Steamer
Forgotten Jewels
(album cover).
The Psychedelia
at Abbey Road
1965-1969
CD features
Mandrake
Paddle Steamer's
Strange Walking Man.
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
(album cover).
A sketch of
Brian Engel
on the
Liverpool Echo
album cover.
The New Seekers
(line-up featuring
Brian Engel)
pictured on the
sleeve of their
Love Is A Song
single in 1979.
New Seekers
Live In Moscow
(album cover).
Recorded in 1985
after he had
left the group,
the New Seekers'
Let the Bells
Ring Out Forever
was co-written
and produced by
Brian Engel.
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| Biography |
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Prior to joining the New Seekers Brian had sung with several groups: Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Prowler, Shambles, Limey and Loudspeakers.
Along with guitarist Martin Briley, Brian was one of the founding members of Mandrake Paddle Steamer. The two met at Walthamstow Art College and started putting together a band in 1967. First of all they poached Martin Hooker, a keyboard player with a local "mod" band. Then they found Barry Nightingale, described by Brian as "a convenient drummer with a house out in the country where we could rehearse!" (quoted from The Tapestry Of Delights by Vernon Joynson). Finally, a few days before their first gig supporting Pink Floyd at Walthamstow Art College, they added Paul Riordan to the line-up. He replaced Brian on bass. As Brian told Vernon Joynson: "I was playing bass at the time but I was crap ... it was decided that I was a much better songwriter and lead vocalist, so that's what I became."
Mandrake Paddle Steamer became part of the "psychedelic" scene. They played at colleges and clubs throughout the UK and hosted a regular Sunday night at the Ascard Club (at the Angel Hotel, Stratford). As Paul Riordan describes it on his website: "The band and regular guests like Sam Apple Pie would play and everybody would get heartily stoned." The band signed a deal with EMI / Parlophone and released its only UK single, Strange Walking Man, in May 1969. A second single, which had been used in a minor Swedish film called Skottet, was released in Sweden later the same year.
Brian left Mandrake Paddle Steamer in August 1970 (or thereabouts). The band continued for a while as a foursome, with Riordan and Briley taking over on vocals and David Potts replacing Barry Nightingale on drums. They shortened their name to Mandrake but when Martin Briley also quit the band it was effectively all over.
Towards the end of 1972 Martin Briley and Brian Engel formed another band, Prowler. This new, more commercial version of Mandrake had a short life. A single, Pale Green Vauxhall Driving Man, was released in 1973 but differences of opinion between the duo and their production team meant that the album which was due to follow never materialised. The lyrics of the single proved to be controversial, partly because of their subject matter (the central character was a child-molester) but mainly because they included mention of a car brand name. The song was re-recorded with a synth sound obliterating the offending word 'Vauxhall' so that the single could be played on the radio.
Their next projects (also short-lived) went under a variety of band names, among them Liverpool Echo, Starbuck and True Adventure. As Briley told Mark A. Johnstone in an interview for the Sweet Floral Albion website: "Mandrake, Corn and Seed Merchants, Prowler, Starbuck, Liverpool Echo, True Adventure ... it was all the same thing to us." Briley then joined Greenslade while Brian tried his luck with Shambles and then with Limey ...
Brian Engel's artwork for the front cover
of the Limey album.
   
Limey was a five piece band. The other members were: Dave Bowker (bass / guitar / harmonica), Ian Kewley (keyboards / Moog), Robin Le Mesurier (guitar / Moog) and Mac McInerney (drums / percussion). The band recorded two albums for RCA - Limey and Silver Eagle - both of which had a country feel to them. In addition to writing all the songs on the Limey albums, Brian also produced the artwork for the front sleeves.
Among the trio of backing singers on their first album was Stephanie de Sykes, who had a solo hit in the Summer of '74 with Born With A Smile On My Face. De Sykes also co-wrote Eurovision hits with Stuart Slater for Co-Co (Bad Old Days) and Prima Donna (Love Enough For Two).
Guest musicians on their second album included Robin Le Mesurier from the Rod Stewart band and Jim Rodford and Robert Henrit from Argent.
Limey's second album,
Silver Eagle.
After Limey came Loudspeakers, a band which featured Brian Engel on vocals, along with Ian Gair (keyboards and vocals), Richie Rae (drums), Chris Thomas (guitar, vocals) and Brendan Walsh (bass guitar).
Then came the New Seekers. As Brian described it to Vernon Joynson: "After two albums [with Limey] I was then asked to join a very, very commercial pop band which I did." (quoted from The Tapestry Of Delights by Vernon Joynson). Brought in as Danny Finn's replacement, Brian described what it was like to join the group in an interview with Radio 2 DJ John Dunn:
"There's a set-up, an organisation and traditions that you have to accept. There's a New Seekers' syndrome, if you like to call it that, that you get into ... It was difficult when I first joined because I found that I was inadvertently impersonating Danny."
In 1980 Brian wrote and sang the lead vocal on California Nights - the New Seekers' third and last single for EMI. That same year he also wrote two songs for the Muppet Show - We're So Happy (sung by a mournful group of undertakers) and Oh Lonely Rat.
In the early 1980s, as Brian began to spend more and more of his time in Los Angeles, his place in the New Seekers was gradually filled by Mick Flinn. Brian continued to keep in touch with the group. In 1981 he set up a small record label, Megaphone, with Marty Kristian and Mick Flinn, the three of them recording a single together as The News. In 1985 he made a brief return to the line-up for some live appearances in Bangkok. He also co-wrote and co-produced a Christmas single for the New Seekers, Let The Bells Ring Out Forever.
Brian Engel
photographed when he was a member of the
New Seekers
|
On 14th June 1985 Brian married Liz Chisholm. The New Seekers attended his wedding and performed a few songs at the reception afterwards.
In 1997 Brian sang lead vocal on a CD of line dancing favourites, including Cotton-Eyed Joe (a number 1 for Rednex in 1994), Hangin' on to My Dreams, and High Flying Woman. Brian now runs a successful music copyright company.
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| Discography |
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Mandrake Paddle Steamer
Singles
Strange Walking Man / Steam
(Parlophone R 5780) May 1969
Strange Walking Man / Steam
(re-release - Bam-Caruso Records PABL 033) 1985
Strange Walking Man EP
(Bam-Caruso Records NRIC 033)
Sunlight Glide / Len
(Parlophone SD 6072) 1969
Bootleg Albums / CDs
Mandrake Paddle Steamer
(Kiffmann's Orthodoxe Schallfolien K-0S 008)
A bootleg album containing recordings by Mandrake Paddle Steamer plus tracks by Brian Engel and Martin Briley recorded under other band names.
Side 1: In My Padded Cell (The East Wing) | Senlak Lament | Pandemonium Shadow Show | Janus Suite | The Ivory Castle Of Solitaire Huske | Pale Green 'Hmmmm' Driving Man | Steam | Jaywick Cowboy
Side 2: Nobody Flies So High | Goodbye Uncle Freddy (Only The Seagulls Cry) | Pale Green Vauxhall Driving Man | Strange Walking Man
This compilation also includes the following tracks on Side 2, none of which were recorded by Mandrake Paddle Steamer or by Brian Engel and Martin Briley under other band names: Mirage | Lights Camera Action | Don't Let Me Fall | The Best Years Of Our Lives
Mandrake Paddle Steamer
(Forgotten Jewels FJ 001) 1991
Overspill
(Scanner Jots)
Strange Walking Man
(CD, Hyacinth 128)
Tracks: Strange Walking Man | Steam | Sunlight Glide | Len | Pale Green ‘Hmmmm’ Driving Man | Jaywick Cowboy | Overspill | Carmen | Senlac Lament | Coogar and Dark | Janis Suite [which should read ‘Janus Suite’] | The Ivory Castle Of Solikane Itsuk [which should be ‘The Ivory Castle of Solitaire Huske] | East Wing | Mirage | Lights Camera Action | Don't Let Me Fall | Nobody Flies So High [which should read ‘I Am The Sky (Nobody Flies No Higher than Me’)] | Only Seagulls Fligh (Goodbye Uncle Bradie) [which should read ‘Only The Seagulls Cry (Goodbye Uncle Freddy)’] | The Best Years Of Our Lives | Pale Green Vauxhall Driving Man
As with previous bootleg compilations this CD contains four tracks that were not recorded by Mandrake Paddle Steamer or by Brian Engel and Martin Briley under other band names: Mirage | Lights Camera Action | Don't Let Me Fall | The Best Years Of Our Lives.
Compilation Albums / CDs (Various Artists)
There are a number of compilations that include tracks by Mandrake Paddle Steamer.
Acid Drops, Spacedust and Flying Saucers - Psychedelic Confectionery From the UK Underground 1965-1969
(4 CD Box Set with a 16 page booklet, Mojo / EMI 5350782) 2001
Disc One: Down To Middle Earth
McGough And McGear, So Much Love | Aquarian Age, 10,000 Words In A Cardboard Box | The Nice, Flower Ring Of Flies | Rupert's People, Dream On My Mind | Shy Limbs, Reputation | Tintern Abbey, Vacuum Cleaner | The David, Light Of Your Mind | The Misunderstood, I Can Take You To The Sun | Grapefruit, Dear Delilah | Procol Harum, Shine On Brightly | Bamboo Shoot, The Fox Has Gone To Ground | The Who, Armenia City In The Sky | Focus Three, 10,000 Years Behind My Mind | Timebox, Gone Is The Sad Man | World Of Oz, Peter's Birthday | The Tickle, Subway (Smokey Pokey World) | Felius Andromeda, Meditations | Warm Sounds, Note Is A-Comin'
Disc Two: Gandalf's Garden
Kaleidoscope, Flight From Ashiya | July, The Way | Incredible String Band, Witches Hat | Donovan, Celeste | Ramases & Selket, Mind's Eye | The End, Shades Of Orange | The Virgin Sleep, Love | Barclay James Harvest, Pool Of Blue | Tales Of Justine, Monday Morning | Bully Nicholls, Girl From New York | The Accent, Red Sky At Night | Mick Softley, Am I The Red One | Orange Bicycle, Laura's Garden | Caleb, Baby Your Phrasing Is Bad | Amazing Friendly Apple, Magician | The Moles, We Are The Moles | 23rd Turnoff, Michael Angelo | Bill Fay, Screams In The Ears
Disc Three: Mushroom Soup
The Purple Gang, Granny Takes A Trip | The Smoke, My Friend Jack | The Idlerace, Imposters Of Life's Magazine | The Pretty Things, Talkin' About The Good Times | Donovan, Hurdy Gurdy Man | Spencer Davis Group, Time Seller | Denny Laine, Say You Don't Mind | The Move, I Can Hear The Grass Grow | The Kinks, See My Friends | Peter Cook & Dudley Moore, The L.S. Bumble Bee | The Yardbirds, Happenings Ten Years Time Ago | The Small Faces, Green Circles | The Hollies, King Midas In Reverse | David McWilliams, The Days Of Pearly Spencer | The Herd, From The Underworld | Eric Burdon And The Animals, Sky Pilot | Traffic, Paper Sun | Simon Dupree And The Big Sound, Kites
Disc Four: Roundhouse Ghosts
The Attack, Colour Of My Mind | Allen Pound's Get Rich, Searchin' In The Wilderness | Fire, Father's Name Is Dad | The Orange Machine, Dr. Crippen's Waiting Room | Penny Peeps, Model Village | The Fairytale, Run And Hide | Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Strange Walking Man | The Status Quo, When My Mind Is Not Live | The Poets, In Your Tower | Sands, Listen To The Sky | Syd Barrett, Octopus | The Apple, The Otherside | The Flies, I'm Not Your Stepping Stone | Herbal Mixture, Machines | Tomorrow, Revolution (phased version) | The Sorrows, You've Got What I Want | The Koobas, Royston Rose | Sam Gopal, Escalator
Hen's Teeth Volume 1
(CD, HEN01CD)
A 26 track compilation CD featuring Svensk, State of Micky & Tommy, Gibsons, Kinetic, Wheels of Time, Virgin Sleep, Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Carter & Alquist, Favourite Sons, Tangerine Peel, Tickle, Kirkbys, Alan Avon & The Toyshop.
It's Only A Passing Phase
(LP, Bam-Caruso Records USOMARX 100) 1989
A compilation LP featuring tracks by John's Children, Nirvana, Orange Seaweed, The Ghost, The Seeds, The Riot Squad, The Onyx, Esprit De Corps, The Sorrows, July, Mandrake Paddle Steamer, The Answers, The Kings of Oblivion, The Attack, The Giants
Perfumed Garden Volume 1
(LP, Psycho 06) 1984
Tracks: Factory, Try A Little Sunshine | Eyes, You're Too Much | Grounded, Syn | Nimrod, The Bird | Smoke, Sydney Gill | Birds, No Good Without You Baby | Shy Limbs, Reputation | Game, It's Shocking What They Call Me | Frame, Doctor, Doctor | Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Strange Walking Man | French Revolution, Nine Till Five | Vamp, Floatin' | Syndicates, Crawdaddy Simone | Sands, Listen To The Sky
Psychedelia at Abbey Road 1965-1969
(CD, EMI International 96912) 1999
Tracks: Donovan, Sunshine Superman | Tomorrow, My White Bicycle | The 'N Betweens, Delighted To See You | Donovan, Sunny South Kensington | The Fingers, Circus With A Female Clown | Tomorrow, Why | The Hollies, King Midas In Reverse | Focus Three, 10,000 Years Behind My Mind | Tales Of Justine, Monday Morning | The Hollies, Maker | Simon Dupree and The Big Sound, Kites | The Pretty Things, Talkin' About The Good Times | The Pretty Things, Walking Through My Dreams | Mark Wirtz, (He's Our Dear Old) Weatherman | The Aquarian Age, 10,000 Words In A Cardboard Box | The Nocturnes, Carpet Man | The Koobas, Barricades | The Moles, We Are The Moles (Part 1) | The Locomotive, Mr. Armageddon | The Gods, Hey Bulldog | Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Strange Walking Man | Syd Barrett, Golden Hair
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Mandrake Paddle Steamer
pictured on the cover of the single
Strange Walking Man
(re-release - Bam-Caruso Records PABL 033)
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