If I ever find
What I’m looking for
I will be absorbed
And never write again
Egg, “I Will Be Absorbed”
Band Personnel:
Dave Stewart: organ, piano, tone generator
Hugo Martin Montgomery (Mont) Campbell: bass, vocals
Clive Brooks: drums
Solidly ensconced in progressive rock’s beloved “Canterbury Scene” (due to later associations), Egg was actually hatched in London as a four-piece known as Uriel, above lineup plus flash guitarist Steve Hillage. The latter quit to attend University of Kent, other three changing band name and signing with Decca’s prog-rock label, Deram. Issued quirky, punningly titled single “Seven is a Jolly Good Time” b/w “You Are All Princes” in August 1969, but not before ex-Urielite Hillage briefly returned, group making one-off psychedelic LP as “Arzachel” for a tiny fly-by-night label (members using creative assumed names and bios for contractual reasons, and all only 17 to 19 years old). The original vinyl of Arzachel has attained legendary status and today exchanges hands for a king’s ransom.
Self-titled debut Egg album recorded October 1969, blues producer/historian Neil Slaven overseeing. A power trio with singer Campbell’s Stravinsky-inspired compositions providing bulk of material, Hammond organ chops by Dave Stewart (no relation to the Eurythmics musician), and Brooks’s dextrous drumming, comparisons to Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer were hardly surprising. Egg, however, were much less flamboyant as performers, seemingly more interested in challenging audiences – and themselves – with complex arrangements and meters.
Second album, The Polite Force, continued the dark, dense vibe of the debut, with mix of short melodic pieces featuring Campbell’s erudite singing and long, faux-classical instrumentals. The multi-segmented opening cut “A Visit to Newport Hospital” dealt lyrically with an early residency on Isle of Wight and became a favorite amongst fans. Though major commercial success would remain elusive (Egg seemingly priding themselves on being enigmatic), critics held band in fairly high regard.
But lack of label support mixed with restlessness of members effectively cracked Egg after only two albums. Drummer Brooks joined The Groundhogs. Campbell became a plumber and graphic designer and studied mysticism. Stewart joined Canterbury all-star group Hatfield and the North (which later transitioned into National Health, Campbell also briefly contributing to this band in beginning). A reunion LP, The Civil Surface, appeared in 1974, comprised of tracks Campbell had composed prior to breakup. A confident effort, it nonetheless indicated band moving away from earlier intriguing prog arrangements and closer to complex electronic fusion typical of late-period Canterbury Scene.
Stewart has since achieved major success with wife Barbara Gaskin (ex-Spirogyra), their 1981 cover of Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party” hitting #1 in U.K., and has authored music books and articles. Brooks became drum technician for Pink Floyd percussionist Nick Mason, before passing away in 2017. Campbell received music degree, became expert on ethnic wind instruments, and has done film soundtracks and two solo albums as “Dirk” Campbell, supplementing music activities with political and environmental activism and work. (He was in national news in 2018 after daughter, Anna, was killed by Turkish air strike in Rojava, Syria while fighting for the Kurds.)
***
My favorite prog is the Canterbury Scene: Soft Machine, Caravan, Gong, and their multiple offshoots. I find this music mature, clever, and melodically rewarding, with occasional dollops of sly humor and without the pseudo-profundity of many other prog bands. Mont/Dirk Campbell, along with Kevin Ayers, Richard Sinclair, and Robert Wyatt, is in my view one of the Scene’s (and prog’s) most talented composers/writers. For some reason, though, Egg seemed to fall through the cracks and are deprived of the accord they richly deserve. If you aren’t put off by rock music that leans toward sophistication, or you appreciate classical-influenced groups like ELP or Renaissance, or the organ tones of early Soft Machine, I highly recommend you sample some Egg. It’s highly addictive (in a good way), and sonically nutritious.
Single:
Seven is a Jolly Good Time / You Are All Princes (1969)
Original Albums:
Arzachel (as “Arzachel,” with Steve Hillage) (1969)
Egg (1970)
The Polite Force (1971)
The Civil Surface (1974)
Compilation Albums:
Seven is a Jolly Good Time (first album plus single) (1985)
The Metronomical Society (archival live) (2007)
Arzachel Collectors Edition by Uriel (remastered Arzachel LP plus demos) (2007)
longitudes 
Hi Pete. I don’t remember ever hearing of Egg before. Prog isn’t my thing, to tell you the truth. I find much of it to be kind of lifeless. But I’m almost always impressed by the musicianship of prog bands.
Hi Neil! I can understand your statement about prog being “lifeless” (though I might use a different word.) Much of it is head music that misses the heart and crotch. Most of it comes from white, European origins (like classical) rather than American ethnic origins. That being said, and as with everything, there’s good prog and bad. I include Egg in the former. But that’s just me! 😆
Peter: Iâm really enjoying these. Thanks!Just finished a strange novel about a coup
Hey old pal, good to hear from you!! A coup, you say? We can only hope. Did you write the novel, or just read it? If you wrote it, I want an autographed copy. Glad you enjoy these little labors of love, and if you’d like to do one here, you’ve got my email.
We’re hoping to be in Spain this time next year, so let me know if you’re up for the Camino del Santiago. 🥾
Enjoyed this potted history of Egg, Pete. As you note, they are rarely mentioned these days, which is a shame. I also note that their (and associated) albums rarely pop up in the wild in any format/edition. There are a couple of gaps in my Egg carton that I would love to fill.
Yeah, my carton’s incomplete, too. Have yet to snag Civil Surface or Missing Pieces (Nat’l Health), though heard most of the songs. Would like vinyl, but so darned expensive. Thanks VC!
I popped in the other day (Actually had an omelette for dinner) and checked out your take now Im back to mouth off. Egg still pops up in my listening. I go for a ride. Good one Pete.
Thanks bud!
Thinking of Soft Machine today after the news of Ratledge’s passing. I’m another one who hasn’t heard Egg.
Yeah, heard last night. He was always more mysterious than the others. Wyatt’s the only one left but I heard he has dementia. If you like early Softs you might like Egg, as Dave Stewart’s main inspiration was Ratledge.