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Round the Edges Instrumental Sessions is the eighth volume in Seelie Court's extensive Dark Catalogue Raisonné series. It opens the archive surrounding the group's legendary 1972 private-press album, presenting alternate takes, developing arrangements and instrumental session recordings from the original studio tapes.
Dark's classic line-up consisted of Steve Giles on guitar and vocals, Martin Weaver on guitar, Ron Johnson on bass and Clive Thorneycroft on drums. Without keyboards or additional studio musicians, the group created its unusually dense sound through twin electric guitars, prominent bass and a flexible rhythm section capable of moving between tightly arranged passages and extended improvisation.
The three consecutive takes of “Darkside” reveal the musicians gradually shaping one of the original album's defining compositions. Heard without the completed vocal and overdub structure, the performances place particular emphasis on the contrasting guitar tones of Giles and Weaver, as well as the powerful interaction between Johnson and Thorneycroft.
“The Cat Takes” collects further stages in the development of another major Dark Round the Edges track, while “RC8” provides a compact instrumental showcase for the group's melodic twin-guitar approach. These recordings offer a different perspective from the carefully assembled finished album, preserving more of the spontaneous character of the sessions.
The second side opens with “Zero Time,” followed by working takes of “Maypole.” The latter composition became one of Dark's most memorable combinations of melody and heavy psychedelic guitar, and these early versions expose the underlying instrumental structure before the final vocal and lead parts were completed.
Two takes of “Live for Today” conclude the collection. Their differing details demonstrate how the band refined rhythm, dynamics and guitar interplay during the recording process, providing a rare opportunity to hear a highly prized private-press album taking shape inside the studio.
More than a collection of unfinished recordings, Round the Edges Instrumental Sessions is a valuable companion to the original album. It highlights the musicianship and arrangement work behind Dark's distinctive sound and forms an important part of the authorised Seelie Court archive series.
Track listing:
Side A
Side B
