One of England's most unusual rock outfits of the 1970s, Amazing Blondel was a trio whose members played instruments dating from medieval to Elizabethan times, and songs styled to those periods. Named for Richard the Lionhearted's legendary favorite minstrel, Amazing Blondel consisted of three musicians from Scunthorpe, England: John David Gladwin (lute, oboe, cittern, double bass), Terry Wincott (pipe organ, harmonium, cittern, recorders, flute, crumhorn, tabor pipe, ocarina, guitar), and Edward Baird (guitar, guitern, percussion). Gladwin and Wincott founded the group as a duo following the breakup of the band Methuselah, of which both had been members. They'd wearied of playing shows where the instruments were so loud it was impossible to hear themselves singing, and, as their acoustic set had gone over well with audiences, the duo moved in that direction. In 1970, with help from several musicians, including legendary British guitarist Big Jim Sullivan, they recorded an album entitled Amazing Blondel. By that time, Baird had joined Gladwin and Wincott to make a trio. Their first album was a collection of soft acoustic rock numbers that included one medieval-styled song that seemed to go over better than anything else, and that was the direction they aimed for in their future releases. Soon after, they were signed to Island Records and began refining their sound, both on stage and in the studio. The trio became known for playing upwards of 40 instruments on stage, though without backup musicians -- each song was simply planned for no more than three instruments at any one time. Although Gladwin and company were the first to admit that they were no virtuosos on their chosen instruments, their work sounded credible to modern ears, and their shows were fun despite the delicacy of the array of instruments which required as much as five hours to get into tune -- and unlike most rock acts of the era, if they couldn't get them into tune, the group didn't perform. Despite their reliance on acoustic instruments, the trio wasn't adverse to composing extended suites that ran up to 25 minutes, and while some of the music had a repetitive quality, the best of it played off of achingly beautiful melodies. England, released in 1972, was the high point for the trio and got them their heaviest airplay to date in America, if only modest sales. Gladwin left soon after its release, however, and the Amazing Blondel were reduced to a duo for their follow-up, Blondel (1973). It marked the last of their "period" material. On subsequent albums, beginning withMulgrave Street, the group -- supported by various rock musicians, including Mick Ralphs, Paul Rogers, and Steve Winwood -- would aim for a harder, more contemporary sound vaguely resembling Steeleye Span. None of the records would succeed much outside of England, though they ultimately did record a live album in Japan. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide