Roy Wood (July 20, 1973) – Boulders Album Release UK

Boulders is the debut solo album by Roy Wood, recorded from 1969 to 1971 and released on July 20, 1973 by Harvest Records. Wood began work on the album as a whimsical side‑project away from his band the Move, conceived to explore numerous instruments he had collected in the 1960s but felt unable to use in the Move.

Apart from harmonium on one song played by John Kurlander, all instruments on the album — including guitars, cello, saxophones, bouzouki, banjo and recorders — were played by Wood, who also wrote, arranged, produced the whole record, and painted the unfinished self‑portrait on the cover.

Track Listing

All songs written by Roy Wood.

Side one  

• "Songs of Praise" – 4:40

• "Wake Up" – 3:19

• "Rock Down Low" – 3:25

• "Nancy Sing Me a Song" – 3:28

• "Dear Elaine" – 4:09

Side two  

• Medley: "All the Way over the Hill" / "Irish Loafer (and His Hen)" – 4:49

• "Miss Clarke and the Computer" – 4:20

• "When Gran'ma Plays the Banjo" – 3:12

• Rock Medley: "Rockin' Shoes" / "She's Too Good for Me" / "Locomotive" – 7:31

Album Details

Released: July 20, 1973

Recorded: 1969–71

Studios: Phonogram (London, UK); Abbey Road (London, UK)

Genre: Pop, rock, psychedelia, rock and roll, art rock, folk, classical, country Length: 40:09

Labels: Harvest, United Artists

Producer: Roy Wood

Chronology: → Boulders (1973) → Mustard (1975)

Packaging

The album’s packaging features a painted self‑portrait by Roy Wood, intentionally left unfinished at the suggestion of EMI staff.

Reception

Boulders was hailed by critics for its individual sound and Wood’s extensive contributions, and is regarded as one of his strongest works. It peaked at No. 15 in the UK Albums Chart, and the single "Dear Elaine" reached the UK Top 20.

LP Catalogue Numbers

UK release: SHVL 803 / 0C 064 ◦ 05031

US release: United Artists Records – UA-LA168-F

Charts

Chart (1973–74) — Peak Position

UK Albums — 15

US Billboard 200 — 176

2007 CD Release

• "Dear Elaine" (rough mix) – 4:12

(Only one bonus track was supplied.)

Personnel (Full Track‑Specific Credits)

Roy Wood   Lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, steel guitar, piano, drums, percussion, mandolin, cittern, bouzouki, banjo, electric sitar, violin, cello, double bass, brass, saxophones, oboe, bassoon, recorders, harp, glockenspiel, harmonica, water bowl, sound effects, production, cover art.

John Kurlander   Harmonium (track 1).

Technical

Roger Wake – engineering (Phonogram sessions)

John Kurlander – engineering (Abbey Road sessions)

Nick Webb – engineering (Abbey Road sessions)

Alan Parsons – engineering (Abbey Road sessions)

Singles from Boulders

"When Gran'ma Plays the Banjo" – Released January 18, 1972

"Dear Elaine" –

Released July 27, 1973

SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

---