Riches from the rock underground

FIVE DAY RAIN

Five Day Rain, acetate-only album, 1970. £4,000.

Five Day Rain were a short-lived psychedelic-tinged progressive-pop/ rock band, sadly destined for failure. But they left behind an excellent, commercially unreleased album, which featured more than several very well thought-out songs. They were formed from the ashes of Essex based power trio Iron Prophet, and expanded to a four-piece.

It’s thought that only 20 acetate copies of the initial album were cut as promo items, making it a holy-grail artefact for prog and psych collectors. Recorded in the summer of 1970, it captures the spirit of the time, bringing to mind other keyboard-driven bands such as Brian Auger & The Trinity and Netherlands legends Earth & Fire.

Beginning with a decent rendition of Dylan’s Too Much Of Nothing, it’s with Leave It At That where things start cooking: heavy guitar, bass and organ stabs sit beneath layered vocal

‘The album is a holygrail artefact for prog and psych collectors.’

harmonies. The simplicity of the chorus has a deadpan charm: ‘Watch the sun rising – and leave it at that.’ Good Year features Mellotron and excellent vocal arrangements. Marie’s A Woman has 1970 written all over it. It’s an organ-and-guitarbased pop-rocker that could have been a hit. Rough Cut Marmalade is an epic instrumental proto-prog acid jam, showcasing their musical talent. Guitarist Rick Sharpe trades tasteful, creative licks and solos with Graham Maitland’s keyboard wizardry over the solid rhythm section of bassist Clive Burgess and drummer Kim Haworth.

Unfortunately, no record deals came their way, and Five Day Rain were over by the end of 1970.