Here is a copy of the first ever UK issue of `The Going`s Easy` LP by Progressive Jazz Rockers `The Greatest Show On Earth` released on EMI`s Green Harvest label (SHVL 783) in 1970. The original has `The Gramophone Co Ltd` around the top rim of the label & `Made In GT Britain` around the bottom rim, with `No EMI boxed logo` (boxed logos started to appear on UK Harvest issues mid 1971), it came in a matt finish Textured `E.J.Day Group` Gatefold Sleeve designed by Hipgnosis. With poor sales the original is very hard to find which is why a Top mint copy sold in 2012 for £375!!
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Side 1
1. Borderline 0:00
2. Magic Woman Touch 9:16
3. Story Times & Nursery Rhymes 14:33
Side 2
1. The Leader 19:23
2. Love Magnet 25:09
3. Tell The Story 34:37
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH were originally formed in 1968 by guitarist Garth-Roy and his bass-playing brother Norman. The line-up included organist Mick Deacon, drummer Ron Prudence and three horns players, Dick Hanson, Tex Phillpotts and Ian Aitcheson. The vocalist Colin Horton-Jennings, not only a strong gravel-voiced singer but also quite adept on the guitar, bongos and flute. The group's mixture of R&B soul, jazz and prog rock brought them to the attention of EMI's progressive label Harvest Records, who signed them. Released in September 1970, the band's second album \"The Going's Easy\" failed to chart though one track from the LP, \"Magic Woman Touch\" was later released by The Hollies.
The lack of chart success contributed to the band splitting in mid-1971. Ron Prudence, Ian Aitcheson and Tex Phillpotts quit music altogether, Dick Hanson turned to session work and recorded with the likes of THE BLUES BAND, GRAHAM PARKER, DAVE EDMUNDS, KIRSTY McCOLL and SHAKIN' STEVENS. Mike Deacon joined VINEGAR JOE and then became a member of both the SUZI QUATRO BAND and DARTS. Norman Watt-Roy formed GLENCOE he then formed LOVING AWARENESS, before the band eventually evolved into THE BLOCKHEADS, the backing band for IAN DURY. Today he is a member of the WILKO JOHNSON BAND. Garth Watt-Roy joined FUZZY DUCK.
