Curtiss Maldoon
Curtiss Maldoon was a folk music duo from England, formed by Dave Curtiss and Clive Maldoon (born Clive Skinner).
Beginnings with Bodast
They first began working together in the band Bodast in 1968 which also featured Steve Howe (Yes, Asia, GTR) on guitar and Bobby Woodman Clarke on drums. They recorded one album produced by Keith West whom Howe had worked with in UK psychedelic band Tomorrow (known for their hit "My White Bicycle"), but it remained unreleased until it came out in truncated and remixed form in 1982 as The Lost Bodast Tapes.
A full re-issue featuring the original 1969 mixes came out under the title Spectral Nether Street on the RPM label in the 1990s.
Although not very active on the live circuit as they preferred to spend their time writing and rehearsing, Bodast played a legendary show called the Pop Prom in 1968 where they were on the bill with the Who and acted as Chuck Berry's back-up band for the night.
As Curtiss Maldoon
Curtiss Maldoon were on Purple Records, the label started by Deep Purple. Their connection to Deep Purple came out of Dave Curtiss short-lived involvement with an early incarnation of the band known as "Roundabout" where Curtiss was the vocalist (and Bobby Woodman Clarke was the drummer). No recordings have come to light of this line-up. Dave Curtiss (under the name "Dave Curtis and the Tremors") recorded several beat singles in the mid 60s for various labels.
Their first LP features Steve Howe on lead guitar, Tony Ashton, and musicians from Mighty Baby, including Roger Powell.
Curtiss Maldoon did some touring after the release of this album bolstered by a rhythm section. They played shows with Badfinger in the US and also did a well reviewed concert at Lincoln Center where they were on the bill with vocalist Merry Clayton.
Their 2nd LP came out under the name Maldoon as Curtiss asked that his name be removed from the project and that it be a Clive Maldoon solo album. It came out on the Purple label as well, this time distributed by Warner Brothers.
After this album, Clive Maldoon continued trying to establish himself in the music world but ran into a series of managerial and contract problems. He died in 1978 of complications from prescription medications.
Ray of Light
The work of Curtiss Maldoon came to notice as Madonna's 1998 hit "Ray of Light" used the lyrics from the duo's track "Sepheryn".
Discography
Singles
- You Make Me Happy / Amber Man (non LP track) Regal Zonophone RZ 3038. UK. July 1971
Full albums
- Curtiss Maldoon: "Curtiss Maldoon" - Purple Records TPS 3501, Oct 1971 (also issued on Capitol ST 880 in the USA)
- Man From Afghanistan
- Fly Like An Eagle
- So Nice
- Long Long Time
- Ibiza Beach Song
- Warm On The Ridge
- Sepheryn
- I'm Waiting
- You Make Me Happy (And You Make Me Sad)
- Find A Little Peace
- Maldoon: "Maldoon" - Purple TPS 3502, Nov 1973 (also issued on Warner Bros. BS2706 in the USA)
- Ballad Of Lots Road
- You Were A Friend
- It Still Feels Sore
- Clouds In My Hair
- Sit & Talk About It
- One Way Ticket
- All The Time