Stray - Fire & Glass: Pye Recordings 1975-1976

UK two CD set anthologizing all the recordings made by the legendary Stray for Pye Records and it's imprint Dawn Records between 1975 and 1976. Formed in 1966 by West London musicians Del Bromham (lead guitar, vocals), Steve Gadd (vocals), Gary Giles (bass) and Steve Crutchley (drums). Crutchley soon departed the band and was replaced by Ritchie Cole. By August 1968 and whilst aged only 15 or 16 years old, Stray had begun to make a name for themselves on the Underground music scene in London, performing at legendary venues such as The Roundhouse and Middle Earth. The band's hard-edged progressive rock earned a loyal following, which resulted in the band signing to Transatlantic Records in January 1970. Over the next four years the band would record five remarkable albums and would tour with some legendary names in rock such as Black Sabbath, The Groundhogs, Status Quo and Ten Years After. One of the hardest working bands in Britain, Stray failed to make the commercial impact they deserved, and so in 1975 they signed to the Pye Records label. During sessions for their first album for the label, Stand Up and Be Counted, Steve Gadd departed the band. Second guitarist Pete Dyer joined Stray and Del Bromham, the band's main songwriter, now handled lead vocal duties. Over the next eighteen months Stray recorded two further excellent albums for Pye, Houdini and Hearts of Fire, toured the USA and supported the likes of Kiss and Rush on British tours. Apathy from their record label and the emergence of Punk led to Stray disbanding in 1977 but their influence would be felt by a new generation of musicians such as Iron Maiden. Covering every track from the albums Stand Up and Be Counted, Houdini and Hearts of Fire, this set also includes single tracks and two studio out-takes. Fire & Glass includes an illustrated booklet with a new essay by Malcolm Dome featuring an exclusive interview with Del Bromham.