Galapagos Duck - Ebony Quill (1974)

(Australian 1969 - Present)
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This is the first record made by a unique band, unique because of the versatility of its members and for the brand of jazz they play. Each member of the Group plays many different instruments and to see them playing is quite an experience. They move around creating music which varies from hard-swinging jazz; to jazz/rock; to beautiful melodic sounds; to very exciting exotic percussion things; to the more contemporary avenues of creative use of electronic devices.

Every member of the Group has paid his dues, sweated his music out over the years in pubs, clubs and sessions all over the country. The original Galapagos Duck has grown out of these experiences.
The band was chosen to support the recent Nina Simone tour in Melbourne and Sydney, and to my mind I've never seen a local support act received with as much enthusiasm. This album comes very close to their live performances which can be heard at The Basement in Sydney, the finest jazz room in Australia.

For those who have heard the band in live performances, I know you will enjoy the music on this album, for those who haven't, I hope you can catch them some time [extract HORST LIEPOLT, Jazz Editor-Sound Blast/Music Maker].

Ebony Quills went on to become one of the best selling jazz records of the '70s.

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Galapagos Duck with Horst Leipolt (third from right)

Review

Galapagos Duck are one of Australia’s best known jazz groups, having recorded or toured with varying consistency since just before the 1970's, right up until much more recently, and in a variety of incarnations.

Perhaps best known for their jazz-funk soundtrack ‘The Removalists’ their debut ‘Ebony Quill’ was released around the same time and may have been overshadowed a little, but it’s a great record too – not amazing, but enjoyable without a doubt.

Opening with an atmospheric, extended percussion and reverb-heavy flute exploration, summoning visions of deep jungles, it’s a restless piece hampered a little by the short bass and wordless-vocal duet in the middle, but which is otherwise a fine if misleading opener – as the rest of ‘Ebony Quill’ is less experimental. Except for the brief, mysterious pair ‘And Then Out’ & ‘Out and Then In’ that work as interludes, the album is a little more funk and perhaps pop influenced at times, throwing in a few covers, like the partially convincing ‘The Look of Love.’ It's a shame that it sounds a little too cheesy with sax playing the vocal melody (it works better with trumpet halfway through) but the bouncing joy of ‘Tennessee Waltz’ is a great contrast. ‘Grazing in the Grass’ however, (a Hugh Masekela hit some years before) is the best-realised piece on the album. Drummer Qua throws in a playful nod to the cowbell at the beginning, before switching to the ride. Keeping the distinctive trumpet part, the band don’t try and tinker with the arrangement, instead simply stretching the song out to incorporate solos and simultaneously seeming to evoke the Australian clichés of 'chilled out' people hanging out in summer. 

Willie Qua’s flute tends to dominate a lot of Galapagos Duck’s sound, and though everyone else gets solo space somewhere in the eight pieces, the focus toward the latter half switches to the saxophone. After the fantastic version of ‘Grazing in the Grass’ the band slow things down with the dramatic but still effective ‘Rivera Mountain’ where the saxes again lead, and close the record with a clear homage to Herbie Hancock, whose ‘Head Hunters’ had been released just the year before ‘Ebony Quill.’ It's an influence that would be felt even more clearly on ‘The Removalists.’ Not to say that ‘Mr Natural’ is unpleasant, but it won’t offer up any surprises, even if the solos are energetic and the rhythm section certainly know what to do. It is a fitting end to the set.

While not as consistently enjoyable as their follow up, this is still mostly enjoyable R&B influenced jazz, with some welcome variety on the originals and a growing funk influence. [extract from jazzmusicarchives]

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The Tracks

EBONY QUILL (by WILLIE QUA)

This is a very exciting piece of music, which comes in many different forms and moods. The introduction is played on Recorder by Willie. The theme is stated by Willie playing Lead Flute and Marty Second Flute. Then it's in to the first solo, a Vocal/Flute-type affair played by Willie. Chris follows with a solo using his Bass and his Voice in unison. Next is a percussion duet between Tom and Willie. Before the theme is stated, to take it all out, Willie has another Flute solo, this time percussive and with nice echo effects. Tom is on Drums and Doug on Tambourine throughout this track.

THE LOOK OF LOVE (by BURT BACHARACH/HAL DAVID) 

A beautiful ballad which has Chris on Flugelhorn, Tom-Alto Sax, Doug-Piano, Marty-Bass, and Willie on Drums.

TENNESSEE WALTZ (by PEE WEE KING/REDD STEWART) 

Tom on Soprano Sax, Willie and Marty on Tenor Sax this track with a nice church-like (soul church of course) introduction. Then it's into the song with what I call, Bossa-Nova feel. Marty is preaching on Tenor, Doug with Chris on Bass, Willie on Drums and playing the Tom. It ends with the Horns again on the last phrase. The percussion you can hear on this track and on all the others to follow are played by the members of the Galapagos Duck.

AND THEN OUT (by WILLIE QUA)

This is a beautiful little lament played by Tom, Willie and Marty backed by Doug on Piano and Chris on Bass.

Galapagos Duck Today

(L-R: Will Sargissan, Willy Qua, John Conley, Richard Booth, Rodney Ford)

OUT AND THEN IN (by WILLIE QUA)

This is in two short sections. The first section begins with Doug on piano, followed by Chris on Bass, and then Tom on Flute. Section Two is the three Flutes bit played by Tom, Willie and Marty again, with Doug on Piano and Chris on Bass.

GRAZING IN THE GRASS (by HUGH MASEKELA)

Tom-Trumpet, Marty-Tenor Sax, Doug-Piano, Chris-Bass and Willie - Drums. Everybody solos and it's the Group's flagwaver in the fullest sense. It should delight their many fans.

RIVERA MOUNTAIN (by JOHNNY SANGSTER)

This is the famous tune by Johnny Sangster, one of the most creative and respected musicians in Australia. Tom plays Soprano Sax, Marty Tenor Sax, Doug is on Piano, Chris on Bass and the Drummer is Willie.

MR. NATURAL (by GALAPAGOS DUCK)

Tom and Marty out front on Tenor Saxes, Doug-Piano, Chris-Bass, and Willie on Drums. It's the perfect track to finish an album. It finds the Group in an easy burning Jazz/Rock groove. Marty, for his solo, changes from Tenor Sax to Clarinet and the funky Guitar you can hear is played by Chris and was overdubbed. [liner notes]

Galapagos Duck On Stage Today

This post consists of FLACs and MP3's (320kps) ripped from my newly acquired vinyl, once again found at my flee market hidden amongst some other jazz and classical records which were greatly affected by moisture damaged. Thankfully the album cover was only slightly discoloured and the vinyl in great condition.  Full album artwork for both LP and CD are provided along with label scans.
I am wrapped to think that I have stumbled across this highly sort after LP by one of the great modern jazz bands in Australia, and can make it available here. Enjoy.

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Tracklist

01 Ebony Quill 

02 The Look Of Love 

03 Tennesse Waltz 

04 And Then Out 

05 Out And Then In 

06 Grazing In The Grass 

07 Rivera Mountain 

08 Mr. Natural

Line-up/Musicians:

- Chris Qua / bass, trumpet

- Doug Robson / piano

- Marty Mooney / reeds

- Tom Hare / reeds

- Willie Qua / drums, reeds

Recorded at Earth Media Recording Company November 19 and 26, 1973

Galapagos Duck FLAC Link  (241Mb) New Link 21/12/2023

Galapagos Duck MP3 Link (82Mb)