Taragon, Dave Titley - The Singer Sings His Songs: The BirdsNest Sessions (1975) [Hi-Res]

Dave Titley was born in England, in the Midlands, and was seriously interested in music before he reached his teens. He turned professional in his mid-teens, and made his first recording at the start of the 1970s as the lead singer and guitarist in a progressive rock quartet called Salamander, who left behind one album, entitled The Ten Commandments, released on the Youngblood label. He later gravitated toward more of a lyrical, folk-rock-influenced sound, inspired by the work of Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Eagles. Titley subsequently became a songwriter and studio musician, based in Cornwall. He also played with the Celtic folk outfit Saraband, and collaborated with American singer/songwriter Colin Scott, as well as indulging in a taste for jazz and country music. Titley relocated to the Netherlands in the early '80s, where he was extremely busy as a session guitarist, and very visible on television accompanying most of the top folk and pop artists of the period. He remains active as a singer/songwriter and entertainer in the 21st century.

Taragon
Unlike most groups, Tamworth-based Taragon are not pre-occupied with getting as many live appearances as possible. “The band is more designed for recording.” Explained drummer Colin Edmonds. And, to put this belief into practice Taragon are hiring a studio to make some demonstrations tapes which they hope will bring them a lucrative recording contract. The band has been together for about 18 months now, and their contemporary sound has only been heard at gigs in Tamworth college and youth club, and at local folk clubs. All their material is written by 22-year-old guitarist and flautist Keith Smith of Brain Street, Glascote Heath, with assistance from guitarist-pianist Dave Bates (24) of 60 Neville Street, Glascote. With 21-year-old Colin, who lives at 55 Telford Road, Coton Green, on congas, bongos and glockenspiel, the group is completed by bass guitarist Robert Musgrove (18) of Sutton Avenue, Fazeley Road Estate, Tamworth. For Robert, Taragon is his first band, but the others have played in different groups. Colin was formerly with a blues band, while Keith played with Tamworth group, “Vehicle.” None of them have had any extensive musical training, and had to teach themselves their various instruments. “We are now trying to polish numbers for making a recording.” Said Colin. “The band would like to do an LP of our music – not so much for the public but more for ourselves.” Taragon’s main hope is that months of painstaking practice will pay off when they travel to London armed with their demonstration tapes.

Tracklist:
01. Taragon - The Singer And His Songs (02:52)
02. Taragon - You Can Sing With The Band (03:06)
03. Taragon - Take Me To The Mountains (04:03)
04. Taragon - On My Way To Nowhere (03:09)
05. Taragon - Ain't It Too Bad (03:01)
06. Taragon - Wrong End Of A Gun (Demo) (03:03)
07. Taragon - Take To The Sky (Demo) (03:03)
08. Taragon - Who Will Awaken (Demo) (02:43)
09. Taragon - Mirrors Of My Mind (Demo) (02:14)
10. Taragon - Call My Name (Demo) (03:26)
11. Taragon - Easy Come Easy Go (Demo) (02:42)
12. Taragon - Empty Skies (Demo) (02:53)
13. Taragon - Gentle Lady (Demo) (03:54)
14. Taragon - Living In The Country (Demo) (03:35)
15. Taragon - Beyond Beyond (Demo) (01:37)
16. Taragon - Song For A Lady (Demo) (03:05)
17. Taragon - Curlew Song (Demo) (03:33)
18. Taragon - Three Little Indian Boys (Demo) (03:08)
19. Taragon - Mine Will Be The Morning (Demo) (03:15)
20. Taragon - Land Beyond The Mountain (Demo) (03:48)
21. Taragon - Golden Eagle (Demo) (05:32)
22. Taragon - Untitled #1 (Demo) (04:02)
23. Taragon - Untitled #2 (Demo) (03:08)
24. Taragon - Untitled #3 (Demo) (02:26)