Search - Jericho :: Jericho

Some biographical info

Philip A.Cohen | Bay Harbor Islands, Florida United States | 04/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It all started with British guitarist/vocalist Robert Huxley,a member of a British beat group "The Saxons"(where he used the name Robbie Gale)."The Saxons" were enlisted by legendary record producer Joe Meek to become "The New Tornados".Then Joe Meek died tragically.While touring the middle east with The New Tornados,Huxley met some Israeli musicians and formed the psychedelic band "Churchills",who cut one Israeli album in 1967.All but the lead singer relocated to England,where they became "Jericho Jones"(cutting the album "Monkeys,Junkies & Donkeys"),then shortening their name to "Jericho" for their self-titled second album.Both albums were originally taped for "Red Bus Productions",who licensed them to A&M.But,when he group refused to play gigs that "Red Bus" had booked in South Africa,"Red Bus" terminated the recording deal,blocking the group from recording directly for A&M.The group disbanded.The four Israelis went back to Israel,and Rob Huxley moved to Florida,where he lives happily to this day,and occasionally makes music."

This Is The Sound That Brought Down The Walls Of Jericho!

doggiedogma | Mob Town USA | 04/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This band was originally from Israel and they were known as the "Churchills". They moved to England in 1968 and released an album under the name of the "Churchills". They later re-named the band to "Jericho Jones" and released an excellent album in 1971 named "Junkies, Monkies and Donkies". For some reason they changed their name again, this time only dropping the "Jones" and going as "Jericho". This album was released in 1972 and received some FM airplay. It was very well received by the critics. Here are my ratings of the songs based out of 5 *****:

"Ethiopa" - This song got some airplay from self-respecting radio stations that were allowed to play their own setlists. This is a fast tempo, hard rocker right out of the early RUSH soundbook. The first two and a half minutes are a hardrocking instrumental that sets the tempo and melody. There is some great bass playing and guitar soloing. Rob Huxley's throaty vocals then scream in. The tempo is fast and heavy with plenty of guitar fills (a mixture of King Crimson and Led Zeppelin). A fantastic hard rock song. Rating - *****

"Don't You Let Me Down" - Acoustic guitar opens this tune, but doesn't stay long. Electric guitar, drums and vocals soon take over. Heavy bass lines and drum beat with vocals that sound like Badfinger on steroids. The tune has a strong, surging rhythm with fantastic bass work and guitar playing. A very hard rocking song. Rating - ****

"Featherbed" - The sound is reminiscent of early Alice Cooper, "Killer" era. There is some nice vocal harmonizing with a strong '60's vibe going on. The song has a few tempo changes ranging from hard and fast with blazing guitar solos, to slow and mesmerizing like Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". Extended guitar solo with psychedelic echoing and distortion. The guitars are given ample room to shine. The song then returns to its main theme and ends with Who-esque drum crashing and power chording. Another fine piece. Rating - ****

"Justin And Nova" - Synthesizer effects of a spaceship landing opens this song. Acoustic guitar and piano with some group humming, followed by drums and bass. A very psychedelic, spacey feeling envelopes this song. Orchestral strings in the background helps the mood reach the stars. There again is great bass playing and nice guitar fills throughout. The lyrics are space flight oriented (chemical or mechanical determined by the listener)! The piano and strings get alot of attention. The tempo changes throughout but the ethereal feeling remains. High pitched "AHHHHS" along with Keith Moon-like drumming and repeating guitar melody lands you back to Earth. A beautiful piece. Rating - ****

"Kill Me With Your Love" - The sound of water accompanied by acoustic guitar, clears the way for the electric guitar with echo effects. Flute playing then joins adding color and ambiance. Thunder-like effects gives one the feeling of listenig to a storm while laying in bed. The tempo and mood then makes a 180 degree turn, as the drum and bass kick in. The tempo turns fast; the drums are hard, bass heavy and guitar chugging. "Move it up and down. That's what she told me. Spin it round and round. That's what she told me." Hey! She told me the same thing! Oh, well. The lyrics are funny but the musicianship is excellent. This a very heavy, hard rocking song that KILLS! Great work. Rating - ****

This was the last album the band did, as the group split up shortly after this release and returned to Israel. Even though the band no longer exists, thankfully this music still does. This is a lost gem from the progressive/hardock era that highlights the awesome musicianship from that bygone time. The playing is topnotch and the album is as well. Buy this if you can!"

Israel's best hard rock album ever

redmax | UK | 05/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, so I can't actually think of many others, but geography be damned, this album ranks amongst the finest heavy records of the early 70s. Dropping the '...Jones' from their name, the band releashed this LP on A&M in 1972. Just five songs on offer here, including 'Justin and Nova', 'Featherbed' and 'Kill Me with your Love' - lengthy smouldering tracks that make this album a favourite among a new breed of stoner rock fans"