This is intended to be a homage to very many musicians I've loved since I started listening to music. My intention is to tell what I know about them, hoping that those people who like them too, will help me fill numerous gaps, which I may have in their careers and discographies. Sorry, but there are no MP3 audio files here at all, just info (and love for the musicians).


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Friday 12 November 2010

Cal Batchelor (guitar)


BANDS:
  • Take Four
  • Forge Band
  • Quiver [1970]
  • 747 [1973]
  • Kevin Ayers Band [Apr 73-Sep 73]
  • Long John Baldry Band [1973]
  • Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance
  • Kicks [Feb 77-Jul 77]
  • Cal Batchelor Band [1995-2015]

BIOGRAPHY:

Fantastic guitarist (also a skilled keyboardist), Cal Batchelor was born Calvin Batchelor in Victoria, Canada.


TAKE FOUR / VICTORIAN SECT


This is the first band I know with Cal.

This band from Victoria (Canada) was also known as Victorian Sect. This was their personnel around 1966:

TAKE FOUR #?
?
Phil Linfield
vocals
Bernie Mueller
guitar
Cal Batchelor
bass, guitar
Bill Pick
keyboards
Yogie Stewart
drums

Other info on members of Take Four (I know up to 5 members)
Not enough info (4): Phil Linfield, Bernie Mueller, Bill Pick, Yogie Stewart


FORGE BAND


Sorry, I don´t have any info about this band.


QUIVER


He went to England in 1969, and he helped form Quiver. This was around February 1970. The band was formed in Ladbroke Grove, London. After some initial tries, Cal Batchelor joined, thus forming the first complete lineup of the band

Then, Tim Renwick teamed around 1970 with Canadian guitarist Cal Batchelor, forming the first complete lineup of the band:

QUIVER #2
1970
êCochise
Cal Batchelor
guitar, keyboards, vocals
Bruce Thomas
bass
John ´Willie´ Wilson
drums
Sutherland Brothers & Quiverê
Sutherland Brothers & Quiverê
Sutherland Brothers & Quiverê

They were the first group to play at Rainbow Theatre in London (supporting The Who).

Their first album, Quiver, was completed with help from great sax player Dick Parry. A superb album, it contains killer guitar duels (as in the great ´Killer man´), outstanding bass playing, and tight ryhthm on drums. Another great song is ´Reason for staying´. I wonder why this album is not released on CD!!

Their 2nd album is Gone in the morning, as magnificent as the 1st one. The self titled track, ´Gone in the morning´ is a masterpiece, and I also like ´I might stumble´ a lot.

Soon later, the whole band decided merging in late 1973 with Sutherland Brothers, forming Sutherland Brothers & Quiver, but Cal Batchelor decided to leave.


Other info on members of Quiver (I know up to 7 members)
Already covered (1): Tim Renwick
Old pages (2): Bruce Thomas, Peter Wood
To be covered (3): Reg Isidore, John Lodge, John ´Willie´ Wilson


747


After leaving Quiver, Cal Batchelor formed a band called 747:

747 #1
?-Sep 73
êQuiver
Cal Batchelor
guitar, vocals
Archie Legget
bass
Henry Crallan
keyboards
Freddie Smith
drums
Kevin Ayers Bandê
Kevin Ayers Bandê
Kevin Ayers Bandê
Kevin Ayers Bandê

Other info on members of 747 (I know up to 4 members)
To be covered (3): Henry Crallan, Archie Legget, Freddie Smith


KEVIN AYERS BAND


In April 73, the band 747 joined Kevin Ayers (as "Kevin Ayers & 747") until September 73, with this extended lineup:

KEVIN AYERS BAND #?
Apr 73-Sep 73
ê747
ê747
ê747
ê747
Kevin Ayers
vocals, guitar
Cal Batchelor
guitar
Gerry Fitzgerald
guitar
Archie Legget
bass
Henry Crallan
keyboards
Freddie Smith
drums
Long John Baldry Bandê
Long John Baldry Bandê

They toured promoting Kevin's previous album, Bananamour (but Cal doesn't appear there).

Cal´s recorded contribution to Kevin Ayers discography is the album The confessions of Dr. Dream and other stories, May 74, also appearing John Gustafson, Ollie Halsall, Mike Moran, John G. Perry, Mark Warner, Mike Oldfield, Mike Giles, etc . Cal plays in one song, ´Everybody´s sometime and some people´s all the time blues´, with a 4 guitar lineup: Kevin Ayers, Cal Batchelor, Mike Oldfield and Sam Mitchell, plus Henry Crallan on piano.

Other info on members of Kevin Ayers Band (I know up to 41 members)
Old pages (2): Mike Oldfield, Rick Wills
To be covered (38): Kevin Ayers, David Bedford, John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick, Pedro Colon, Lol Coxhill, Henry Crallan, Elton Dean, Lyn Dobson, Dave Dufort, Bill Evans, Nick Evans, Miguel Figuerola, Mick Fincher, Gerry Fitzgerald, Marcelo Fuentes, Zanna Gregmar, Clive Griffiths, Ollie Halsall, John Halsey, Steve Hillage, Hugh Hopper, Archie Legget, Billy Livsey, Jakob Magnusson, Charlie McCracken,... up to 38 musicians.


LONG JOHN BALDRY BAND


In 1973, Cal Batchelor joins Long John Baldry for a British tour, supporting The Faces (with Baldry's old mate, Rod Stewart, of course). A superb lineup:

LONG JOHN BALDRY BAND #?
1973
Long John Baldry
vocals
Sam Mitchell
guitar
Cal Batchelor
guitar
Archie Legget
bass
John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick
keyboards
Freddie Smith
drums
Doreen Chanter
backing vocals
Irene Chanter
backing vocals

Other info on members of Long John Baldry Band (I know up to 110 members)
Already covered (12): Aliki Ashman, Dave Ball, Denny Ball, Cliff Barton, Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Bill Eyden, Jimmy Horowitz, Felix Krish, Billy Law, Harry Reynolds, Bob Weston
Old pages (8): Ian Armit, Pete Blannin, Keith Boyce, Rod Edwards, Al Gay, Alan Murphy, Ernie O´Malley, Micky Waller
To be covered (89): Tony Ashton, Cliff Aungier, Long John Baldry, Geoff Bradford, Gary Breit, Hugh Brockie, Charity Brown, Norm Brown, Paul Brown, Tom Brown, John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick, Roger Carey, Liane Carroll, Chris Castle, Jacko Ciminello, Elaine Clark, Mick Clarke, Tom Connor, Charlie Coolie, Myra Cooper, Randall Coryell, Butch Coulter, John Dickie, Vince Dietrich, Jim Fish,... up to 89 musicians.


RONNIE LANE BAND


I haven´t been able to find info on the Ronnie Lane lineup(s) featuring Cal Batchelor, so any info would be very welcomed:

RONNIE LANE BAND #?
?
Ronnie Lane
vocals
Cal Batchelor
guitar
+ others unknown to me. Help!

Cal appears in one album by Ronnie Lane: See me, released in 1980, also with Mel Collins, Bruce Rowland, Steve Simpson, Eric Clapton, Henry McCullough. Cal plays on 3 tracks: ´One step´, ´Good ol' boys boogie´ and ´Don't tell me now´.

Other info on members of Ronnie Lane Band (I know up to 39 members)
Old pages (6): Jim Frank, Charlie Hart, Jimmy Jewell, Steve Simpson, Mick Weaver, Kevin Westlake
To be covered (28): Ray Beavis, Brian Belshaw, Big Dot, Steve Bingham, George Carless, Ray Carless, Colin Davey, Alun Davies, Benny Gallagher, Don Harvey, Brian Knight, Ronnie Lane, Glen LeFleur, Billy Livsey, Robin Lucas, Graham Lyle, Drew McCulloch, Henry McCullough, Ian McLagan, Ruan O´Lochlainn, Davey Payne, Bruce Rowland, Gordon Sellar, Ken Slaven, Chrissie Stewart,... up to 28 musicians.
Not enough info (4): Ponty Bone, Rich Brotherton, Dan Castro, Scott Gerber


KICKS


In February 1977, Cal Batchelor and Steve York joined forces in a band called Kicks, with two members of Hawkwind (Alan Powell and Paul Rudolph):

KICKS #1
Feb 77-Jul 77
Cal Batchelor
guitar, vocals
Paul Rudolph
guitar, vocals
Alan Powell
drums

They played their first gig at Rock Garden in April 1977. But after a short tour, they sadly split in July 1977.

On a side note, Cal Batchelor and Steve York recorded an album together, but it was never released.

Other info on members of Kicks (I know up to 4 members)
Already covered (1): Steve York
To be covered (2): Alan Powell, Paul Rudolph


CAL BATCHELOR BAND


In the 80s, Cal returned to Canada.

His first solo album is Live at the Rock Shop, only available on cassette.

He has been fronting his own Cal Batchelor Band since 1995, approximately. This was the lineup around 1997:

CAL BATCHELOR BAND #?
?
Cal Batchelor
guitar, vocals
Trevor Newman
bass
Robbie King
keyboards
Jimmy Ferguson
drums
+
Gene Hardie
sax, sometimes

For some gigs, they were joined by sax player Gene Hardie.

There's also a collective album called West coast blues party, vol. I, including two songs (´Someday you're gonna need me´ and ´She can't be trusted´ performed by Cal Batchelor).

His album Now playing is a masterpiece. It was nominated for a Pacific Music Industry Award for ´Best Album´ in 1998. Cal is superb singing and playing guitar, and the band is also great. Superb Hammond work, and some tracks have a guest horn section.

Cal´s next album was Roadworthy.

In 2004, he returned to England for some tours, followed by gigs in Europe.

This was the new Cal Batchelor Band around 2005:

CAL BATCHELOR BAND #?
?
Cal Batchelor
guitar, vocals
Jim Bermingham
bass
Steve Knelson
drums

And the sad news arrive when I've been notified that Cal and his lovely wife Yvonne have passed away. Cal Batchelor passed away on December 20th, 2015. You'll always be in my heart, Yvonne & Cal.

Other info on members of Cal Batchelor Band (I know up to 8 members)
To be covered (1): Robbie King
Not enough info (6): Jerry Adolphe, Jim Bermingham, Jimmy Ferguson, Gene Hardie, Steve Knelson, Trevor Newman

DISCOGRAPHY: (17 albums known to me - Status: Quite advanced)

OWN ALBUMS (3 credits)
  • Live at the Rock Shop - Cal Batchelor (1995)

    • Members: (RIP: Cal Batchelor)
    • Comments: Only available in cassette.
  • Now playing - Cal Batchelor (November 1997)

  • Roadworthy - Cal Batchelor (2003)

ALBUMS AS A BAND MEMBER (5 credits)
  • Quiver - Quiver (1971)

    • Members: Tim Renwick, Bruce Thomas, John ´Willie´ Wilson (RIP: Cal Batchelor)
    • Guests: Dick Parry
    • My opinion: Superb album.
  • Gone in the morning - Quiver (1972)

  • The Confessions of Dr Dream and other stories - Kevin Ayers (May 1974)

    • Members: Henry Crallan, Mike Oldfield, Mike Ratledge (RIP: Kevin Ayers + Cal Batchelor, Lol Coxhill, Ollie Halsall)
    • Guests: Ray Cooper, Mike Giles, Mike Moran, Steve Nye, John G Perry, Geoff Richardson, Mark Warner (RIP: Nico + John Gustafson, Rosetta Hightower, Simon Jeffes, Sam Mitchell, Doris Troy, Joanne Williams)
    • Producer: Rupert Hine
    • Technical: John Punter
    • Comments: This album was recorded with Kevin´s great friend Ollie Halsall (appearing in 1 track), some other fellow companions like Mike Oldfield (guitar, bass), Nico (vocals), Cal Batchelor (guitar), John G. Perry (bass), Mike Ratledge (keyboards), Lol Coxhill (sax), Mike Giles (drums) and session musicians: Mike Moran (keyboards), Steve Nye (keyboards), Trevor Jones (bass), John Gustafson (bass), Ray Cooper (percussion), Doris Troy, Joanne Williams & Rosetta Hightower (vocals), etc. Produced by Rupert Hine (who also plays keyboards). Some CD reissues contain 7 bonus tracks.
  • See me - Ronnie Lane (1980)

    • Members: Brian Belshaw, Charlie Hart, Henry McCullough, Steve Simpson, Chrissie Stewart (RIP: Ronnie Lane + Cal Batchelor, Bruce Rowland)
    • Guests: Eric Clapton + Mel Collins
    • Comments: This was the comeback album for good ol' Ronnie. As always, with great musicians, including many of Ronnie's former mates: Steven Simpson (fiddle, mandolin), Cal Batchelor (guitar), Alun Davies (guitar), Eric Clapton (guitar), Henry McCullough (guitar), Brian Belshaw (bass), Chrissy Stewart (bass), Charlie Hart (keyboards, violin), Billy Livsey (keyboards), Mel Collins (sax), Bruce Rowland (drums), Carol Grimes (vocals), Penny Wood (vocals). The album was also reissued under another title, One step.
  • Ain´t no one like - Ronnie Lane (November 2003)

    • Members: Brian Belshaw, Colin Davey, Alun Davies, Benny Gallagher, Charlie Hart, Jim Leverton, Billy Livsey, Graham Lyle, Henry McCullough, Steve Simpson, Chrissie Stewart, Mick Weaver (RIP: Ronnie Lane + Cal Batchelor, Steve Marriott, Ruan O´Lochlainn, Ian ´Stu´ Stewart, Kevin Westlake)
    • Guests: Eric Clapton + Hughie Flint, John Porter (RIP: Dave Hynes + Mick Green)
    • Comments: Recorded between 1973 and 1981, it also includes some live tracks.
COMPILATIONS AS A BAND MEMBER (2 credits)
  • Kuschty Rye - the singles 1973-1980 - Ronnie Lane (August 1997)

    • Members: Charlie Hart, Jimmy Jewell, Henry McCullough, Steve Simpson (RIP: Ronnie Lane + Cal Batchelor, Bruce Rowland)
    • Guests: Eric Clapton
    • Comments: The compilation Kuschty Rye - the singles 1973 - 1980 was released in 1997, and it´s collection of A&B sides, plus two bonus live tracks. Cal Batchelor plays guitar in one song, ´One step´.and Steve Simpson is featured in 7 tracks, along with Henry McCullough, Eric Clapton, Carol Grimes, Bruce Rowland, Jimmy Jewell, Benny Gallagher, Graham Lyle, Kevin Westlake, Billy Livsey, Steve Bingham, Ken Slaven, Chrissy Stewart, Alun Davies. It also contains two bonus live tracks recorded on March 1975, so I guess Steve Simpson is also featured there.
    • My opinion:
  • Didn´t feel lonely till I thought of you - The Island Records years - Kevin Ayers (2004)

    • Members: John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick, Henry Crallan, Jakob Magnusson, Mike Oldfield, Mike Ratledge, Freddie Smith, Eddie Sparrow, Robert Wyatt (RIP: Kevin Ayers + Cal Batchelor, Lol Coxhill, Ollie Halsall, Archie Legget)
    • Guests: John Cale, Brian Eno + John Altman, Bias Boshell, Harrison Calloway, Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Chilli Charles, Ray Cooper, Ronnie Eades, Mike Giles, Rupert Hine, Elton John, Steve Nye, John G Perry, Charles Rose, Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels, Liza Strike, Harvey Thompson (RIP: Nico + John Gustafson, Rosetta Hightower, Simon Jeffes, Sam Mitchell, Doris Troy, Joanne Williams)
    • Producer: (RIP: Norman Smith)
    • Technical: John Punter, John Wood
    • Comments: Compilation including the albums The confessions of Dr Dream and other stories, Sweet deceiver (with 3 bonus tracks), and June 1, 1974.
COLLECTIVE ALBUMS (1 credit)
  • West coast blues party, vol I - VVAA ( - )

    • Guests: (RIP: Cal Batchelor)
    • Comments: Sampler with tracks by Cal Batchelor (2 tracks), Incognito, Powder Blues, Kenny Wayne, Jim Byrnes, Wailin´ Walker, Oliver And The Elements, Mark Dufresne, Catherine St Germain, Hurricane And The Twisters and Linda Maze.
SESSIONS (4 credits)
  • Swallow tales - Cochise (1971)

    • Members: Stewart Brown, B J Cole, John Gilbert, Mick Grabham, Rick Wills, John ´Willie´ Wilson
    • Guests: Nigel Olsson, Caleb Quaye, Tim Renwick (RIP: Cal Batchelor, Steve Marriott)
    • Technical: Roger Wake
    • Comments: This was the 2nd album from this good band. The personnel was: John Gilbert (vocals), Mick Grabham (guitar), B.J. Cole (steel guitar), Rick Wills (bass) and Willie Wilson (drums). Other contributions in this album: Caleb Quaye, the late Steve Marriott (Small Faces, Humble Pie) and Tim Renwick.
  • Curtiss Maldoon - Curtiss Maldoon (1971)

    • Members: (RIP: Clive Maldoon)
    • Guests: Harvey Burns, Howie Casey, Roy Dyke, Steve Howe, Tom Parker, Roger Powell, Bruce Thomas, Alan Townsend, Ian Whiteman (RIP: Tony Ashton, Cal Batchelor, Jon Lee)
    • Producer: Hugh Murphy
    • Comments: Cal plays guitar on 'Man from Afghanistan', and organ on 'Long long time'.
  • Tigers will survive - Ian Matthews (1972)

    • Members: Ian Matthews + Andy Roberts, Bob Ronga, Richard Thompson
    • Guests: Timi Donald, Tim Renwick, Bruce Thomas, Ian Whiteman, John ´Willie´ Wilson (RIP: Cal Batchelor, Ray Warleigh)
    • Comments: Tigers will survive was his second album. By the time it was released, he had already formed the short-lived Plainsong, with some of the musicians featured here: Andy Roberts (guitar) and Bob Ronga (bass, keyboards). Also in the album: Ray Warleigh (sax), Ian Whiteman (keyboards), Timi Donald (drums), and the complete Quiver lineup: Tim Renwick (guitar), Cal Batchelor (guitar), Bruce Thomas (bass), and John 'Willie' Wilson (drums).
  • Orange - Al Stewart (1972)

    • Members: Al Stewart + Tim Renwick
    • Guests: Bob Andrews, Brian Odgers, Brinsley Schwarz, Bruce Thomas, Rick Wakeman, John ´Willie´ Wilson (RIP: Cal Batchelor, Roger Pope)
    • Comments: Orange includes collaborations by Brinsley Schwarz (guitar), Tim Walker (guitar), Bob Andrews (keyboards), Brian Odgers (bass), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), Roger Pope (drums), Graham Hunt (drums), and the complete Quiver lineup: Tim Renwick (guitar), Cal Batchelor (guitar), Bruce Thomas (bass), John 'Willie' Wilson (drums). Hey, it includes a song called 'The news of Spain'!
COMPILATIONS (SESSIONS) (2 credits)
  • Past loves - a history - Cochise (1992)

    • Members: Stewart Brown, B J Cole, John Gilbert, Mick Grabham, Rick Wills, John ´Willie´ Wilson (RIP: Roy O´Temro)
    • Guests: Nigel Olsson, Caleb Quaye, Tim Renwick (RIP: Cal Batchelor, Robert Kirby, Steve Marriott)
    • Producer: Dick Taylor
    • Technical: Roger Wake
  • Sepheryn - the definitive collection - Curtiss Maldoon (1999)

    • Members: (RIP: Clive Maldoon)
    • Guests: Harvey Burns, Howie Casey, Roy Dyke, Liam Genockey, Steve Howe, John McCoy, Tom Parker, Roger Powell, Bruce Thomas, Alan Townsend, Ian Whiteman (RIP: Tony Ashton, Cal Batchelor, Jon Lee)
    • Producer: Hugh Murphy

QUESTIONS:

01. Cal has played in albums by Carol Grimes and Gary Farr, but don´t know which ones. Does anybody know?

02. Were there more drummers in Quiver, such as Conrad Isidore or Timi Donald?


RELATED WEBSITE LINKS: 10


Official site(s) - tell them you saw the link here:

From the always interesting Alex's Picks (by Alex Gitlin), we have:

From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have:

Wikipedia doesn´t want to include links to this website, but I won´t do the same with them. So, from the great Wikipedia, we have:

RELATED VIDEO LINKS: 4
Disclaimer: I don´t own or upload any of the videos linked here. I just include links to live videos that are already available, in order to show the work of this musician. Anyway, if someone feels that some link shouldn't be included, please write me at the email address shown below. And if you know of more videos featuring Cal Batchelor, please, also write me with the link.
  • Cal Batchelor - Unknown Title
  • Cal Batchelor live.
    Featuring: Cal Batchelor. Rest of the band unknown to me.

  • VVAA - Jam part 1
  • Jam with several artists (part 1). (Resolution: 360)
    Featuring: Cal Batchelor, Rick Boulter, Helene Duguay, Cheryl Harry, Darren Harry, George Leach, Patti Mayo, Barry Powell, Doug Proulx, Clyde Roulette, Gary Roulette, Dale Wallace, Mike Wedge.

  • VVAA - Jam part 2
  • Jam with several artists (part 2). (Resolution: 360)
    Featuring: Cal Batchelor, Rick Boulter, Helene Duguay, Cheryl Harry, Darren Harry, George Leach, Patti Mayo, Barry Powell, Doug Proulx, Clyde Roulette, Gary Roulette, Dale Wallace, Mike Wedge.

  • VVAA - Jam part 3
  • Jam with several artists (part 3). (Resolution: 360)
    Featuring: Cal Batchelor, Rick Boulter, Helene Duguay, Cheryl Harry, Darren Harry, George Leach, Patti Mayo, Barry Powell, Doug Proulx, Clyde Roulette, Gary Roulette, Dale Wallace, Mike Wedge.


THANKS:

Very Special Thanks to:
  • Yvonne Batchelor: for her kindness, and her help (1999).
  • Steve York: for info about Cal, and much more (2000 & 2015).

  • Special Thanks to:
  • Elizabeth Perttula: for info on the Long John Baldry lineup with Cal Batchelor and the Chanter Sisters (2006).
  • Chuck Warriner: for info on the Long John Baldry lineup with Cal Batchelor and the Chanter Sisters, and for telling me about Long John´s sad demise (2003 & 2005).
  • John H Warburg: for biographical info on Cal (2011).

  • Thanks to:
  • Alex Gitlin: for giving me some of the albums I still was missing.
  • Beej: for offering help with info (2015).

  • Also thanks for writing to:
  • Deanna Hoversland (2003).

  • WHAT'S NEW:

    20/December/2015 - Page updated due to Cal´s death.
    12/November/2010 - Page added to the blog.
    17/August/1999 - Original page written by me (in the old site).

    RELATED MUSICIANS:

    Cal Batchelor mostly worked with these musicians: (name + number of credits)
    Tim Renwick (6)
    Bruce Thomas (6)
    John ´Willie´ Wilson (6)
    Eric Clapton (3)
    Charlie Hart (3)
    Ronnie Lane (3)
    Steve Marriott (3)
    Henry McCullough (3)
    Steve Simpson (3)
    Ian Whiteman (3)

    Page created by Miguel Terol on: 17/August/1999 - Last modified on: 28/January/2016. If you want to contribute with info, please write to: molympus1@gmail.com

    Please, note than you can check the indexes (musicians, bands, obituaries) at the top of this page.

    3 comments:

    1. I'll send Cal this URL. Perhaps he can help you out with some questions. Greetz, Beej.

      ReplyDelete
    2. Cal Batchelor has passed into the void on Sunday December 20, 2015.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. How sad!!! Thanks for writing me. After receiving this post, I've looked for additional info, and I've also learned that Cal's wife, lovely Yvonne, has recently passed away too. She was my contact with Cal, always kindly helping me with info. Rest in peace both, I'll miss you.

        Delete

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