Live at Treorchy | ||||
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Live album by Max Boyce | ||||
Released | 1974 | |||
Recorded | 23 November 1973 Treorchy, Rhondda |
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Genre | Comedy | |||
Language | English | |||
Label |
EMI OU 2033 |
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Producer | Bob Barrett | |||
Max Boyce chronology | ||||
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Live at Treorchy is a live album by Welsh comedian and singer Max Boyce, first issued in 1974. It was his third album and his first for a major label, EMI Records. The album contains a mixture of comedic songs and poems along with Boyce's interactions with the crowd at Treorchy Rugby Club. The album was an unexpected success going gold and was Boyce's break through recording helping make him a household name in Wales and beyond.
Welsh entertainer Max Boyce had produced two albums prior to the release of Live at Treorchy, both on Cambrian Records, Max Boyce in Session and Caneuon Amrywiol (both in 1971). Neither album was very successful and Boyce continued touring clubs around South Wales. In 1973 and still an unknown outside Wales, he was spotted by EMI record producer Bob Barrett, stealing the show from headliner Ken Dodd at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. Boyce signed a contract with the EMI producer while walking along a bridle path at Langland Bay, and was signed to a two-record deal overseen by Vic Lanza, head of EMI Records’ MOR music division.
It was decided that the recording would be a live take of one of his dates on a pre-arranged tour, and the venue of Treorchy Rugby Club was chosen. Despite the admission fee being only 50 pence, uptake was low and an audience was rounded up by offering free entry to people in nearby pubs. Amongst the audience were members of the Treorchy Male Voice Choir, who added volume during the sing along choruses. EMI had sent a three-man unit to record the show, including Abbey Road sound engineer Phil Hancock, who set up the mixing desks in the club changing rooms. Recorded on 23 November 1973, Boyce was supported on the day by Welsh band Triban and the concert was compered by broadcaster Alun Williams, though neither appeared on the finished album.Live at Treorchy album was completed in one take on one night, with the finishing mix completed at Abbey Road Studios.