50th anniversary edition of Rochdale band Tractor’s self-titled LP released

A 50th anniversary edition of Rochdale band Tractor’s self-titled LP has been released as two-record set.

Originally known as The Way We Live, the band – which would later become ‘Tractor’ – was signed up by John Peel in 1971, with their first album ‘A Candle for Judith’ released on his Dandelion Records label in Spring of that year.

The new release is the first time the album has been issued as a two-record set, featuring same-era bonus tracks on red vinyl, a gatefold sleeve and double inner sleeve montage of rare 70s pictures of the band.

The compilation features tracks from the original 1972 self-titled album by Rochdale band Tractor – Shubunkin, Hope in Favour, Everytime It Happens, Make The Journey, Little Girl In Yellow, All Ends Up – plus Northern City, Mr Revolution Man.

 

 

The two-piece recording band consisted of guitarist and vocalist (and sometimes bass guitar) Jim Milne, and drummer (and sometimes bass guitar) Steve Clayton, joined by recording engineer John Brierley.

When Brierley left in 1973, the team was expanded to include recording engineer Alan Burgess and live sound engineer Chris Hewitt, who became the band’s manager. Burgess left around 1975, and Dave Addison was added on bass in 1976.

Demos for the original album were recorded in studios in Rochdale before recording sessions were carried out in Birmingham and London including the studio where renowned rock band Cream recorded; appropriate as Cream was often referenced in reviews of The Way We Live and Tractor albums.

 

 

The Way We Live ‘A Candle for Judith’ was met with great reviews and then John Peel chose the new name ‘Tractor’ for their next album, released in 1972.

Through the 1970s, Tractor the band and its sound engineers would set up a plethora of businesses in Rochdale and Heywood: recording studios, music shop, rehearsal rooms, PA hire and a staging company that helped shape and service the local and national music scene. Their sound engineer Chris helped found the legendary local Deeply Vale Festivals.

The album is £27 (+ £4 P&P) and can be purchased via PayPal from hawkethos@gmail.com