The Prisoners - Morning Star (2024)

Some things are worth waiting for… "Morning Star" is the first all-new album by The Prisoners since 1986. It features the original line-up of Allan Crockford – bass, vocals Graham Day – vocals, guitar Johnny Symons – drums James Taylor – Hammond organ, vocals After a phenomenally successful series of gigs in December 2022 marking the 40 th anniversary of their debut album 'A Taste of Pink', the band decided to make some new music. The recording was completed in two days, one of them in Studio 2 at Abbey Road. Their preference for recording quickly hasn't changed since they recorded that first album as teenagers, also in two days, in 1982. To celebrate, they play The Roundhouse in London on May 24th, their biggest headline gig Biography The Prisoners formed when they were still at school in Rochester, Kent.

Between 1982 and 1986 the band released four albums plus several singles and EPs. Inspired by the local Medway DIY music ethic, their debut 'A Taste of Pink' and 'The Last Fourfathers' appeared on their own label, Own Up Records whilst "The WiserMiserDemelza" was released on Big Beat (Ace Records) and "In From The Cold" on Countdown (Stiff Records).

They earned a reputation as an incendiary live act as they plied their trade around the UK and Europe, building up a dedicated following and unknowingly inspiring a generation of future musicians. Their unique sound, based on instantly memorable and melodic songs surfing on a seething wave of brutal guitar, attention-grabbing, up-front Hammond and head-pounding rhythms, made for an explosive evening of entertainment. It was a unique combination of the sonic assault and danger of The Who and 60's garage-punk, the soulful vocals and dynamics of the Small Faces plus the groove and danceability of Booker T & the MGs. Throw in the intensity, drive and insolence of punk rock, as well as an unabashed love for instrumental TV themes and you had a wonderfully off-kilter version of where the real cool kids were at in the early '80s…

Despite some brushes with 'success', the pressures of hard living on the road took their toll and they quit in September 1986. They left behind a legacy and a sound that was inspirational to many that followed. Not many under the radar bands of the 80's would merit chapters dedicated to them in biographies of such luminaries as Steve LeMacq and Tim Burgess as well as being name checked as Brit-Pop forefathers. Their original albums make regular appearances in 'Great Lost Albums' lists and continue in print to this day.

James Taylor subsequently went on to gain huge success as the best pure Hammond player of his generation with his jazz and funk quartet (JTQ). His playing and sound undoubtedly played a massive part in restoring the popularity of his chosen instrument.

That work started in The Prisoners.

Graham Day and Allan Crockford, both together and apart, continue to the present playing music that has ploughed a similar furrow to The Prisoners in such combos as The Prime Movers, The Solarflares, The Gaolers, The Galileo 7 and The Senior Service.

Tracklist
1 This Road Is Too Long
2 Save Me
3 If I Had Been Drinking
4 Going Back
5 My Wife
6 Morning Star
7 Something Better
8 Break This Chain
9 The Green Meteor
10 Prophet of Gloom
11 Winter in June
12 Go to Him
13 Hold Tight
14 Beauty Hides the Truth