Chapter Eight - Rock Bottom, Dr Dream, and Deja Vu (1974)

 

Robert Wyatt and Nick Mason, 1974​

By the time Robert Wyatt’s accident had occurred and Soft Machine broke up, he had already composed most of the songs that would later appear on his second solo album. He continued to work on the songs at the hospital. Six months later, he was back at work in the recording studio.

“I was just relieved that I could do something from a wheelchair. If anything, being a paraplegic helped me with the music because being in hospital left me free to dream, and to really think through the music.”

Robert Wyatt, 1991​

Rock Bottom saw the enlistment of musicians including Ivor Cutler, Hugh Hopper, Richard Sinclair, Laurie Allan, Mike Oldfield, and Fred Firth. Producing the album was Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason. The record was unlike anything Wyatt had done up to that point, being a very emotional and personal work with intense and often harrowing music, and dense and personal lyrics. It was released on July 26th, 1974 on the Virgin label, to great critical acclaim.

Kevin Ayers, Nico, John Cale, and Brian Eno, 1974​

1974 proved to be Kevin Ayers’ most prolific year, as he. He recorded and released what some would consider to be his masterwork, The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories, which features Tanglewood Tails’ and old Soft Machine bandmate Mike Ratledge on organ, Nico on co-lead vocals, and future musical partner Ollie Halsall on guitar. He also contributed with Brian Eno and Lady June on the album Lady June’s Linguistic Leprosy, headlined a heavily publicized concert at the Rainbow Theatre with Nico, John Cale, Brian Eno, Mike Oldfield, and Robert Wyatt on percussion. He also recorded another  album of re-recordings of old 60s Soft Machine songs, as well as a suite based on some of the old Whole World concert staples, the album was called Deja Vu.

“I recorded those songs again, not because I was ashamed of the originals, far from that, I did it because I just love em, you know, and wanted to give them a more contemporary spin for the times.”

Kevin Ayers, 1974​

The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories

    Front Cover                                                     Back Cover

Side A:

Day By Day (3:51) (Ayers) [1]

See You Later (0:28) (Ayers) [1]

Didn’t Feel Lonely ‘til I Thought of You (4:10) (Ayers) [1]

Everybody’s Sometime and Some People’s All the Time Blues (3:08) (Ayers) [1]

The Up Song (3:14) (Ayers) [1]

After The Show (2:34) (Ayers) [1]

Ballbearing Blues (0:54) (Ayers) [1]

Side B:

The Confessions of Doctor Dream: (a) Irreversible Neural Damage / (b) Invitation / (c) The One Chance Dance / (d) Doctor Dream Theme (18:51) (Ayers) [1]

Two Goes Into Four (1:38) (Ayers) [1]

Released: May 1974

Top position in UK charts: N/A

Top position in US charts: N/A

Track sources:

[1] - The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories, 1974 - 2009 reissue

Deja Vu

                 Front Cover                                                                              Back Cover                                   

Side A:

The Lady Rachel (6:44) (Ayers) [1]

We Know What You Mean (3:25) (Ayers) [1]

Clarence In Wonderland (2:59) (Ayers) [2]

Shooting at The Moon (5:53) (Ayers) [3]

Side B:

Why Are We Sleeping Suite: (a) We Did It Again / (b) Currant Cake / (c) Pretty Little Girl / (d) Murder In The Air / (e) It Begins With A Blessing / (f) Once I Awaken / (g) But It Ends With A Curse (19:47) (Ayers) [4]

Released: December 1974

Top position in US charts: N/A

Top position in UK charts: N/A

Track sources:

[1] - Joy of a Toy, 1969 - reissue

[2] - Odd Ditties, 1976

[3] - Shooting at the Moon, 1970

[4] - Singing The Bruises The BBC Sessions, 1996 / The Confessions of Doctor Dream and Other Stories, 1974

In late 1974, Ayers and Wyatt had met up, along with Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper, and Daevid Allen to discuss the possibility of a Soft Machine reunion concert.

“I was needing money at the time, for medical reasons of course. The guys from Pink Floyd had tried to organize a concert themselves the year before, but they were too busy with things to be able to. That’s when we had the idea of us reuniting. I obviously couldn’t drum like before, so I called up Nick to see if he was up for it. It just so happened that the whole band would be available for at least their Dark Side stuff, and possibly Echoes if they we’re up for it. Eventually, the bands that encompassed our sorta circle caught wind, and then a bit of an idea was born: a one-day festival, of about six or so bands.”

Robert Wyatt, 1997