As far as I can tell, Calcutta-16 only released this one 45, but what a record it is. Ed Nadorozny has the record and provided the music and scans here. When I heard Calcutta-16’s “Ballad of the Purple Inn” I asked Ed if I could cover it on Garage Hangover and he kindly said yes
I love everything about the song: Brinnand’s insolent delivery of the lyrics, the full bass line, the excellent sounds they get out of the guitars and echo, the drumming, all of it.
The flip “One Eyed Woman” has a great break halfway through with a pounding snare drum that just gets louder, war whoops, and a solo the segues so nicely back into the song. The bassist and the sound of the group in general remind me somewhat of the Great Society.
The band were:
John Brinnand – lead vocals (spelled John Brinand on the labels)
Peter Yeti – lead guitar
Romit Bhattaharya – rhythm guitar
Devdan Sen – bass guitar
Nondon Bagchi – drums
Devdan Sen and John Brinand “wrote the lyrics and composed and arranged the music” according to the notes on the back cover.
Dubby Bhagat of the Junior Statesmen produced the record and wrote the notes, and J.P. Sen engineered it. The record was released on His Master’s Voice NE. 1003 in 1969.
Dubby’s notes on the back also thank the band’s manager Jimmy Chaudhuri and “Colonel Bose of the ‘Living Sound’ Studio and his daughters Rita and Mita, who first recorded the group. Jack Dantes who christened the group. Sumit Bhattacharya and Rangam Mitra who gave time and equipment aplenty. The Surayas for their quiet but wholehearted support. Mr. Rafiq and Mr. A.C. Sen of H.M.V., who gave the boys this chance. Desmond Doig of the Junior Statesmen who encouraged the project. And Ananda Mitter and Jonathan Mason without who the group would never have got to Dum Dum for the recording!”
Next up from Ed will be a couple tracks from a very rare early EP by the Savages, better known for their Black Scorpio LP.
sounds like this was recorded live
Wow, what an amazing surprise to see this after 45 years. I lost my copy of the record a while back so I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to Chris for doing this. I’m the rhythm guitarist living in the US since 1972 and currently have a band (Kalkutta). Met up with Devdan in the UK about 15 years ago. Nondon still plays in Kolkata. John was last seen in Australia and I’m not at all sure about Peter. Thanks again, Chris!!–Romit
John Brinnand lives in San Jose California. He still plays some music. Mostly sitar now days. I am his wife, I found your site by accident the other day. When I played Purple Inn for him he was dumbfounded. He says he had hoped to never hear this song again. Ha!! Still I think he was happy to hear that someone has pulled this record out of a hat.
Suzanne.. I had this single since years ago. Many things are still not clear for me. The quality of the band was really great. Did they record any more material? Did they played any concert on that time? I only know the drummer is a legend in India.. Still playing rock after 43 years!!! AMAZING
Hi Romit I have been trying to piece together the story. Will send you the pdf of the write-up that I have penned. I would be grateful if you could provide me with some information about your days in the band and those of devdan & peter.
My email id is rajathazra@hotmail.com
(Am a medical doctor with interest ranging from music to mythology)
Thanks in advance…
They did not record anything after this. Unfortunately the band broke up soon after they won best band in India.
I had this single since years ago. Many things are still not clear for me. The quality of the band was really great. Did you record any more material? Did played any concert on that time? I only know the drummer is a legend in India.. Still playing rock after 43 years!!! AMAZING.
http://www.bickramghoshacademy.com/faculty-nondon-bagchi.html
I wonder if there is any kind of group of that time played such a psych stuff… After that until 1972.. Do you played music in other bands in India? Thanks a lot best wishes
Hi Romit I have been trying to piece together the story. Will send you the pdf of the write-up that I have penned. I would be grateful if you could provide me with some information about your days in the band and those of devdan & peter.
My email id is rajathazra@hotmail.com
(Am a medical doctor with interest ranging from music to mythology)
Thanks in advance…
romit
can you give us some more info on the group & maybe a few more pictures ?
what a blast from the past! thanks!
where can i get to download this
The late great calcutta16,
This is love.
hey how do i get to hear both the tracks
JB and DD, as we knew them in our Xaviers college-hostel days, were an integral part of THE GREAT BEAR, arguably the finest band in the country at that time. John was always insolent on stage, great attitude, as any lead singer must possess. I remember a full-day-gig at Kala Mandir “Johnathan Livingstone Seagull”. They came from affluent backgrounds (North Point, Darjeeling and all that !), were incredibly talented, and split after college in 1972. Both studied English Honours as also Nondon, who formed HIGH and now plays Jazz in Cal, if you please !! PC (Mukherjee) was (a back-bencher) with me in Commerce and he later formed his own band SHIVA. Stood and delivered lead like none other. Went away too early. The JS did wonderful things for Cal and its youth in those swinging Seventies. Desmond, Dubby and Jug. Icons of an era and made waves, big time.
This 45 is a path-breaker !!
“Time it was.
And what a time it was…” (apologies to Simon & G.)
Trot aka Lallu Nayak, B.Com (Hons), FCA, (ACS)
Wien, Österreich, EU.