Almanac Music: Aussie Album Review – Harem Scarem ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’

 

 

When it comes to music, I don’t have many regrets. However, if I was to nitpick a little, one of the only regrets I do have (circa 1986) is forgoing an opportunity to attend a Harem Scarem gig. It was in the period just prior to their release of their debut album Pilgrim’s Progress, and from memory they were playing at the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda. A few mates were going, but I declined – for a reason that I can no longer recall, but utmost have been important. Back then, it was rare for me to decline anything. Naturally, the reports came back that I had missed a gig that was sweaty, brilliant, and incendiary…and that Harem Scarem were a band that was going places.

 

I bought the album when it was released in late ’86, and was immediately taken in by the unique vocal style of Christopher Marshall. What a singer! In those days, I was going through a phase when I wasn’t much into bluesy type music, but Pilgrim’s Progress re-opened the doors I had closed. His voice is guttural on tracks such as Dead of the Night, growling on Sweet Thing, and just plain rocking on Miracle Mile.

 

Apart from Marshall’s distinctive singing, all these years later what stands out is the late great Chris Wilson’s harmonica playing. To listen to his work on tracks such as Miracle Mile and Hard Rain is to hear a virtuoso at work. His passing in 2019 was a huge loss to Australian music. Guitarist Barry Palmer’s licks are a collective thing of beauty. Overall, this is a musically tight band, bluesy down to their bootstraps. They are right at home playing a style of music which, in mid 1980’s Australia, was totally at odds with what was being played on the radio or watched on MTV.

 

In different circumstances, could this version of the band have reached greater heights? We will never know. And indeed, there are thousands of bands about whom this question could be posed. The lineup underwent major changes prior to the recording of their second album, which I have always found a little sad. In his interesting essay in the liner notes to the album’s 2008 re-master, Chris Marshall explains that “All good things must pass, however, and it felt as if we had only just got it together with Pilgrim’s Progress and then started thinking about what to do next, than it started to unravel somewhat as well. There were the inevitable musical tensions, as there always are…” Chris Wilson left to pursue his own interests, and Chris Marshall left the band not long after, to be replaced on vocals by his brother Charlie. Barry Palmer would be recruited by Hunters and Collectors. It seems that Pilgrim’s Progress was the capturing of musical lightning in a bottle.

 

Wilson, of course, carved out a wonderful solo music career and is revered within the Melbourne music scene as one of its finest ever musicians. I am happy to say that I did see Chris Wilson’s Crown of Thorns live, and was not disappointed.

 

There are not too many Australian albums that were released in the mid-80’s that remain sounding as fresh and timeless as this one. If you are unfamiliar with it, take a listen. I am still rewarded when I take the occasional listen to Pilgrim’s Progress, and it – almost – helps me push aside that small lingering regret.

 

 

You can read more from Smokie HERE

 

 

To return to The Footy Almanac home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE