Clouds

 

Artist:  Clouds 

Origin:  Edinburgh, Central Scotland

Genre:  Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Doom Metal, Rock

Original line-up:

Ian Ellis:  Bass,Vocals

Billy Ritchie:  Keyboards,Vocals

Harry Hughes:  Drums

Clouds  were a Scottish Rock Band from Edinburgh, formed in1965 by Ian Ellis Bass, Vocals Ex The Premiers, 1-2-3), Harry Hughes (Drums Ex The Premiers, 1-2-3), and Billy Ritchie (Keyboards, Vocals Ex The Premiers, 1-2-3).   After 3 members of The Premiers, decided to move in a new musical direction, and changed their name from The Premiers to 1-2-3.  1-2-3 had a very different sound from the previous band, or from almost any other band a that time.  After achieving little success in Scotland, the band moved to London.  During the time the group performed at the club during 1967, they were signed by NEMS management company and Brian Epstein of the Beatles fame.  The death of Brian Epstein, left the band in the care of Robert Stigwood, his successor.  But Stigwood had just signed The Bee Gees. with making them a success.  The brought an end to the management relationship shortly afterwards.  The band kept playing in the local London Club circuit.  The band were seen by Terry Ellis who quickly signed them to his new agency, and renamed the band Clouds.           

Title:  Once Upon A Time - The Collection (Box Set) (2025)

Genre:  Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Doom Metal, Rock

Label:  Chrysalis Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  The Clouds Scrapbook

2025 Remaster:

 1.  Introduction - Scrapbook (1:07)

 2.  The Carpenter (4:27)

 3.  The Coloours Have Run (2:57)

 4.  I'll Go Girl (3:15)

 5.  Grandad (2:12)

 6.  Ladies And Gentlemen (3:01)

 7.  Humbrum (1:08)

 8.  Union Jack (1:41)

 9.  Old Man (3:24)

10. Waiter, There's Something In My Soup (7:35)

11. Scrapbook (2:44)

12. Make No Bone Abut It (Single Version) (2:31)

13. Heritage (B-Side) (4:15)

1969 Demos:

14. Sleepless Nights  (1969 Demo) (2:33)

15. Laughtin' (1969 Demo) (2:08)

16. She's A Dish (196 Demo) (2:41)

17. Go Now Sheray (1969 Demo) (2:02)

18. Preacher Man  (1969 Demo) (1:38)

19. Old Folks Home  (1969 Demo) (1:39)

20. Smokey Old Town  (1969 Demo) (2:29)

21. You've Been Bad  (1969 Demo) (2:04)

22. Miscellaneous  (1969 Demo) (3:02)

23. Unin Jack  (1969 Demo) (1:38)

24. Ice Cream  (1969 Demo) (2:01)

25. Pawnshop  (1969 Demo) (1:37)

26. No Sign Of Being Better  (1969 Demo) (2:29)

27. The Clothes She Wore  (1969 Demo) (2:04)

28. The Camera Never Lies  (1969 Demo) (2:07

29. French Franc  (1969 Demo) (1:19)

30. J. Graham, Watchmaker Jeweller  (1969 Demo) (2:03)

31. Danger, Roadworks Straight Ahead  (1969 Demo) (1:59)

32. Theat's What Bothers Me  (1969 Demo) (1:45)

Disc 2:  Up Above Our Heads

2025 Remaster:

 1.  Imagine Me (3:20)

 2.  Sing, Sing, Sing (13:45)

 3.  Take Me To Your Leader (2:52)

 4.  Big Nise Ffom Winneetka (3:53)

 5.  In The Mine (3:55)

1970 Outtakes & Demos:

 6.  The World Is Madhouse (4:01)

 7.  Once Upon A Time (2:54)

 8. See Me I'm Home (2:33)

 9.  That Was Yesterday (3:40)

10. The Feeling (2:42)

11. R.I.P. (6:49)

Disc 3:  Watercolour Days:

2025 Remaster:

 1. Watercolour Days (5:30)

 2.  Cold Sweet (3:39)

 3.  Lighthouse (5:06)

 4.  Long Time (4:39)

 5.  Mind Of A Child (2:53)

 6.  I Know Better Than You (4:56)

 7.  Leavin' (3:27)

 8.  Get Off My Far, (3:29)

 9.  I Am The Melody (2:42)

10. Once Upon A Time (2:53)

11. Mind Of A Child (Single Version) (2:35)

1971 Outtakes:

12. Why Is There No Magic (2:43)

13. Shadows (2:40)

14. A Day In The Rain (3:43)

15. Clockwork Soldier (5:05)

Once Upon A Time - The Collection is the collection Box Set by Clouds, released on August 29, 2025 by Chrysalis Records, includes 23 previously unreleased Demos.