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There has been a theory put forward from time to time that, during the Sixties, those who were into the more raw and bluesy style groups like The Stones, Animals, Them and The Pretty Things etc went on to follow the music of the likes of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and anything Jimi Hendrix did. Whereas those who were into the more melodic and harmony style groups like The Beatles, Hollies, Searchers and Beach Boys etc tended to go the ways of the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan, Loving Spoonful and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (or C, S, N & Y as they were affectionately known). Some may say this theory is a load of C, R, A & P, however in Colin's case it certainly seemed to be true.

One day whilst in Roger Bluck's flat in Fulham, Roger put on the Simon and Garfunkel album 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme'. Two tracks in particular hit Colin right between the eyes as being some of the most beautiful pieces of music he'd ever heard. They were 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle' and 'Cloudy'. Well of course there was nothing for it but to sit down at the drum kit and learn 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle'. It was at this point that Colin realised that most of the music he'd been into recently didn't require too many mighty thumps on the skins and that he would probably get more satisfaction and recognition for his singing abilities if he were to accompany himself on guitar instead.

Since the release of Donovan's 'Catch the Wind' and the general resurgence of so-called folk music, Colin had been picking up the other lads' guitars during rehearsal and had gradually learnt one or two chords. Unfortunately 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle', in order to be played properly, required a bit more than one or two chords. So, bearing in mind that The Spectrum was now down to three members (Dave Howard had been replaced by Barry Richardson) who in turn had left to form 'Bees Make Honey' and Jim Yardley had discovered that the London Streets were not paved with gold and gone back to Dunfermline), Colin decided that, whilst still keeping The Spectrum going with John and Roger, the drums had basically served their purpose and to concentrate on acoustic guitar instead.

Eventually, by the time Colin turned his 21st birthday in 1968, The Spectrum had had its day. Colin, Roger and John still kept in touch and often got together in Roger's flat to keep the harmonies in trim. Although by now there were three guitars and no drums. Colin had turned himself into a fair little finger picker on the guitar. The songs they played around with were still pretty much in the pop mode. Byrds, Bee Gees, Lovin' Spoonful etc. But Colin did find his ear increasingly more bent to the sounds of the likes of Al Stewart and a funny little unit called The Incredible String Band. Also the more known folk artistes of the day such as Joan Baez, Julie Felix and Donovan were bringing attention to unknown writers such as Tim Harding, Buffy St Marie and Phil Ochs.

One day early in 1969, Colin spotted an ad in the Melody Maker for "female folk singer requires accompanist". Feeling the need for a change, not to mention the possibility of a leg over with the female folk singer, Colin made the call. The ad had been placed by a beautiful young singer by the name of Jo Vincent and all possibilities of a leg over went straight out of the window when her husband Bill answered the phone.

At this stage Colin knew absolutely nothing about the British folk club scene, and when asked by Jo what kind of folk music he liked - Traditional or Contemporary? replied "Conditional". He knew nothing of Martin Carthy (other than that he'd got a mention on the back of a Simon and Garfunkel album) and thought a floor spot was what Mrs Everett had to clean up after a  late night session in the kitchen with his girlfriend Margaret.

But two better tutors, one could not have wished for than Bill and Jo Vincent.

Bill seemed to know everyone who was anyone on the British folk scene, and through him Colin was introduced to the late sixties talents of the likes of Carthy and Swarbrick, Ralph McTell, Noel Murphy, Johnny Silvo, Diz Dizley and so many more. He found new stamping grounds such as The Troubadour in Earls Court, Les Cousins, The Three Horseshoes in Hampstead (Where he saw one David Bowie do a folk club gig) and The Cambridge Folk Festival.

To say this new scene felt completely familiar to Colin would be a severe understatement. A sense of belonging would be closer. Colin and Jo practiced their songs, got a repertoire together and headed out into folkclubland, floor-spotting their way into the world of semi pro gigging.

On the pop-music scene, The Beatles had split, Graham Nash had left The Hollies, David Crosby had left The Byrds (two happy coincidences ??) and the Sixties had handed over to the Seventies with Rolph Harris at number one with Two Little Boys. Time to find a new direction !!!

For the next two years, pausing briefly on 21st February 1970 for Colin to attend St Saviour's Church, Hampstead in order to marry June Morris, Colin and Jo made their way around London's very healthy folk club scene, floor-spotting, gigging and building a well deserved reputation.

All this came to an abrupt end in 1971 when Jo announced to the world that Bill and she were pregnant.

To be continued one day

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