Baby Tuckoo. So who remembers them then? I didn’t until I accidentally found a cassette of their debut album First Born hidden away at the back of a drawer. How it got there, who knows, though that’s not important right now. I’d forgotten I had it though very pleased to have rediscovered it and a forgotten NWOBHM band from all those years ago.
The band was from my “neck of the woods” otherwise known as West Yorkshire. They got together in 1982 sort of arising from the ashes of Geddes Axe – another NWOBHM band from the area who were tipped for great things though perhaps that’s another story for another post – with ex-Axe member in the line-up. Baby Tuckoo named themselves from a phrase in the classic James Joyce book Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man – very refined – and built up a solid following in and around Bradford which would soon see a debut single in Mony Mony – a cover of the Tommy James & the Shondells song. Perhaps not a great choice.
Their debut album – First Born – appeared in 1984 through a minor record label. And that’s the old cassette I found. Can’t remember buying it and I can’t have listened to it for at least 25 years I’d guess. When I put it in to the cassette deck on my old combined turntable/CD/tape thingy (yes, still have a turntable for the much-treasured vinyl) I wasn’t even sure it’d play. But play it did and what a refreshing and surprising listen after a quarter of a century.
First Born rocks. Plain and simple. The sound quality is a bit iffy after such a long time though the power of it comes through loud and clear none the less. Crunching guitar, some seriously good vocals, inspired soloing with some fine melodic stuff inter-woven. I’d say it’s comparable to period Def Leppard and Misdemeanour style UFO. Quite remarkable really. Get one if you can manage it.
Sadly Baby Tuckoo didn’t last too much longer. They did attract the attention of a bigger label when their follow-up album entitled Force Majeure was released in 1985. The critics loved it though multi-platinum sales did not result. Within a year it was all over. The band split. End of yet another New Wave of British Heavy Metal talent which was never fully realised.
You might struggle to find First Born though Force Majeure is available on CD. If it’s anything like First Born then it should be a good ‘un. And it appears to be so based on a couple of reviews I’ve found. I’m about to order a copy. Check out the review that made my decision below. Your ears will thank you I’m sure.
Baby Tuckoo Force Majeure Review
Coming soon: Ten, Heresy and Creed. Geoff Tate, Kings & Thieves. Presto Ballet, Relic of the Modern World.
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