After The Incredible String Band and Famous Jug Band, the next project of the bustling Clive Palmer was C.O.B. aka Clive's Original Band, formed in 1971. Together with the two instrumentalists and songwriting partners Mick Bennett and John Bidwell they recorded their first album in the same year. It was released by major label CBS and produced by Ralph McTell who contributed some excellent guitar work. It captured the music and atmosphere of their hard life living on potatoes, flour and water in an old caravan miles away from the next road, but all the time making music. They played a rural English psych-folk, visionary and highly original with exotic instruments like harmonium and a dulcitar, a modified dulcimer which gives a distinctive sitar sound.
Sold poorly, it is now considered to be one of the most beautiful acid folk albums ever. Much sought-after among collectors!
