This UK folk quartet features Jill Johnson (vocals/guitar), Pete Berryman (guitar/vocals), Clive Palmer (b. Edmonton, London, England; guitar/vocals), and Henry Bartlett (b. Michael Bartlett; jug). Initial attention focused on Palmer, a former member of the Incredible String Band, and some of that band’s quirkiness prevailed on Sunshine Possibilities, the Famous Jug Band’s 1969 debut album. His premature departure from this fledgling venture robbed them of a pivotal member. Although a second album was completed by the remaining trio it lacked the depth of its predecessor. The Famous Jug Band briefly recruited guitarist John James (b. Wales) and then organist Tim Rice but broke up soon afterwards.
Palmer subsequently formed COB and maintained a low-key solo career, while Berryman later recorded with John James. Palmer and Berryman reunited with Johnson (now Johnson-Sharp) and Bartlett in the new millennium to work on a new Famous Jug Band album. Recorded in a village hall in Dorset with producer Pierre Tubbs, O For Summer was a timely reminder of the quartet’s often unsung musical talents.
