Jump to content

Kahvas Jute

From Alfawiki
Kahvas Jute
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
FoundedJuly 1, 1970; 56 years ago (1970-07-01) in Sydney, Australia
FounderDennis Wilson, Bob Daisley, Tim Gaze, Dannie Davidson
Headquarters
Sydney
,
Australia
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances
Websitewww.kahvasjute.com

Kahvas Jute was an Australian rock group established in July 1970, fronted by Dennis Wilson who handled guitar and vocals. The original lineup featured Bob Daisley on bass alongside Tim Gaze providing lead guitar and vocal duties. Their first album, Wide Open, came out in January 1971. In October 1973, the band opened for Bo Diddley during his second tour of Australia. According to Australian rock historian Ian McFarlane, their music was characterized by a broad and fluid approach, emphasizing rhythm and melody with outstanding guitar performances. Kahvas Jute reunited for a show in 1991, followed by a CD reissue of Wide Open in 1993. They played at The Basement in Sydney in 2005; this concert was recorded and later released in 2006 as the DVD/album set Then Again: Live at the Basement.

Formation

In June 1970, Kahvas Jute was formed in Sydney as a band blending progressive rock and hard rock. The lineup included Tim Gaze (formerly of Stonehenge and Tamam Shud) on lead guitar and vocals; Dennis Wilson (previously with Riddles, Kevin Bible and the Book, Barrington Davis and the Power Pact, Mecca) also on lead guitar and vocals; Bob Daisley (ex-Dennis Williams and the Delawares, Gino Affair, Throb, Barrington Davis and the Power Pact, Mecca) on bass; and Dannie Davidson (from Strangers, Sunsets, Tamam Shud) on drums. Wilson had earlier contributed to Kevin Bible and the Book's 1966 single "Rockin' Pneumonia" and collaborated with Daisley in Barrington Davis and the Power Pact, which later became Mecca. After Mecca dissolved mid-1970 following Barrington Davis's move to England, Daisley and Wilson brought in Davidson and Gaze to create Kahvas Jute.

Wide Open (January 1971)

Kahvas Jute earned recognition through their live shows and secured a deal with Festival Records' Infinity Records label. Their debut album, Wide Open, was recorded at Festival Studios in Sydney under the production of Pat Aulton and released in January 1971. By that time, Gaze had returned to Tamam Shud, leaving Kahvas Jute as a trio. In June 1971, Davidson and Wilson traveled to the UK, temporarily enlisting Mick Smith and Scott Maxey on bass. Daisley arrived in London the following month; however, the group did not regroup there. Daisley stayed in the UK where he joined prominent bands including Chicken Shack, Mungo Jerry, Widowmaker, Rainbow, The Ozzy Osbourne Band, Uriah Heep, and The Gary Moore Band.

Chariot (May 1974–December 1977)

Following their return from the UK, Davidson and Wilson revived Kahvas Jute with bassist Scott Maxey in May 1973. That October they supported Bo Diddley on his second tour across Australia. In March 1974, Peter Roberts (formerly of Band of Light) replaced Maxey on bass; by May the band had renamed themselves Chariot. Davidson departed to join Band of Light and was succeeded by Steve Webb on drums; Roberts transitioned to guitar while John Strangio joined as bassist. Despite playing nearly 300 gigs annually, frequent lineup shifts restricted their studio output to just two singles: "I'll Keep on Loving You" (January 1976) and "Set Me Free" (December 1976). With Wilson as the only permanent member throughout, Chariot remained active until December 1977. Wilson then released his solo debut album titled Walking on Thin Ice in December 1980.

Subsequent reunions

In November 1991, the founding members of Kahvas Jute—Daisley, Davidson, Gaze, and Wilson—came together once more for a one-off performance. The album Wide Open saw a CD re-release in December 1993. Later, in 2005, the band regrouped without Davidson, with Mark Marriott stepping in on drums, performing at The Basement venue in Sydney. This concert was captured and issued as a CD/DVD package titled Then Again: Live at The Basement in September 2006.

Personnel

  • Dennis Wilson – guitar, lead and backing vocals (June 1970–July 1971, May 1973–December 1977, 1993–1994, 2005–2006; formerly of Riddles, Kevin Bible and the Book)
  • Tim Gaze – guitar, lead and backing vocals, piano (June 1970–July 1971, 1993–1994, 2005–2006; previously with Stonehenge, Tamam Shud)
  • Bob Daisley – bass guitar, backing vocals (June 1970–July 1971; ex-Dennis Williams and the Delawares, Gino Affair, Throb)
  • Scott Maxey – bass guitar (May 1973–March 1974; formerly Nutwood Rug Band)
  • Peter Roberts – bass guitar (March–May 1974; ex-the La De Da's, Band of Light, Band of Talabene), guitar (from May 1974 onwards)
  • John Strangio – bass guitar (from May 1974 onwards)
  • Dannie Davidson – drums (June 1970–July 1971, May 1973–May 1974, November 1991)
  • Steve Webb – drums (from May 1974 onwards)
  • Mark Marriott – drums (2005–2006)

Albums

Album releases with notable chart rankings
Album Title Release Information Highest Chart
Position
Australia
Wide Open
  • Issued March 1971
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Infinity Records (SINL 934030)
 27

Singles

Year Single Title Associated Album
1971 "Free" Wide Open

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Kahvas_Jute&oldid=84438"