Mike Ratledge

released on Canterburied Sounds Volume 1 (Voiceprint 10/1998 CD)

Early 1963, Mike Ratledge & Robert Wyatt, private recording, London

released on Canterburied Sounds Volume 1 (Voiceprint 10/1998 CD)

3/6/1963, The Daevid Allen Trio, "Live New Departures", Marquee, London

1. Love Is (Allen)

2. My Head Is A Nightclub (Allen)

3. Capersity Travels (Four Imbalancing Constructions) (Allen)

4. The Song Of The Jazzman (Allen)

5. Little Rootie Tootie (Thelonious Monk)

6. Your Sun (Allen)

7. Carmen Mouse (Allen)

on all tracks:

Daevid Allen - guitar, voice, tapes

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Ellidge (=Robert Wyatt) - drums

plus:

Mike Ratledge - piano on 5 & 6

Mike Horovitz - voice, poem on 7

tracks 1-4 & 6 released as Live 1963 (Voiceprint 1993 CD)

Sometime in 1963/1964, Mike Ratledge & Robert Wyatt, private recording

released on Canterburied Sounds Volume 3 (Voiceprint 11/1998 CD)

Sometime in 1964, Mike Ratledge, private recording

released on Canterburied Sounds Volume 1 (Voiceprint 10/1998 CD)

196?, Mike Ratledge & Robert Wyatt, private recording

released on Canterburied Sounds Volume 2 (Voiceprint 10/1998 CD)

12/1966 and 1/1967 , Mr. Head or Soft Machine?, CBS Studios, London, sessions for "Fred the Fish"/"Feelin' reelin' squeelin'" 45"

1. Fred The Fish (Allen)

2. Feelin' Reelin' Squeelin' (Ayers)

on track one:

Daevid Allen - vocals

Mike Ratledge - piano

Kevin Ayers - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, homemade trumpet, backing vocals

no info about track two

track 1 released on Daevid Allen Trio - Live 1963 (Voiceprint 1993 CD)

Soft Machine 1967: Robert, Mike, Daevid Allen and Kevin

1/1967, Soft Machine, Advision, London, sessions for "Love Makes Sweet Music"

5/2/1967, Soft Machine, Olympic Sound, London, sessions for "Love Makes Sweet Music"/"Feelin' Reelin' Squeelin'" 45"

1. Love Makes Sweet Music (Ayers)

2. Feelin' Reelin' Squeelin' (Ayers)

on all tracks:

Kevin Ayers - bass

Mike Ratledge - organ

Daevid Allen - guitar

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

plus:

Kevin Ayers - guitar on 1, vocals on 2

Mike Ratledge - piano on 2

Daevid Allen - whistle, backing vocals on 2

released as Love Makes Sweet Music/Feelin' Reelin' Squeelin' (Polydor 17/02/1967 single) and on Triple Echo (Harvest 1977 LP) - a version of 1, probably recorded from shortwave radio with introduction by the DJ, was released on The History And Mystery Of Planet Gong (Demi-Monde 1989 LP/CD)

9/3/1967, Soft Machine, Polydor Studios, London, sessions for demos

further details unknown.

Mike Ratledge and Kevin Ayers circa 1967.

4/1967, Soft Machine, De Lane Lea, London, sessions for LP demos

1. That's How Much I Need You Now (Wyatt)

2. Save Yourself (Wyatt)

3. I Should've Known (Hugh Hopper)

4. Jet-propelled Photographs (Ayers)

5. When I Don't Want You (Hugh Hopper)

6. Memories (Hugh Hopper)

7. You Don't Remember (Wyatt/Allen)

8. She's Gone (Hugh Hopper)

9. I'd Rather Be With You (Ayers)

Daevid Allen - guitar

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ

Kevin Ayers - bass, vocals on 4

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

released as Rock Generation Volume 7/8 (BYG France 1971 LP), as At The Beginning (Charly 1977 LP) and as Jet-Propelled Photographs (Charly 1989 CD)

Spring 1967 Soft Machine sessions for "Television Dream"/"what's The Use Of Tryin'" 45" (unreleased)

further details unknown.

6/1967, Soft Machine, Sound Techniques, London, sessions for "She's Gone"/"I Should've Known" 45"

1. She's Gone (Hugh Hopper)

2. I Should've Known (Hugh Hopper)

Daevid Allen - guitar

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ

Kevin Ayers - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

track 1 released on Triple Echo (Harvest 03/1977 LP), both tracks released on Turns On Volume 1 (Voiceprint 2001 CD)

16/9/1967, Soft Machine, Middle Earth, London

1. Save Yourself

2. Lullaby Letter

3. Clarence in Wonderland

4. May I? (instr. version)

5. We Know What You Mean

6. Hope for Happiness

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ

Kevin Ayers - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

possibly released on Turns On Volume 1 (Voiceprint 2001 CD)
Soft Machine at Hoepla: Kevin, Robert in the background

Soft Machine at Hoepla: Marc Boyle, Mike, Kevin, unknown, Robert
Soft Machine at Hoepla

22/9/1967, Soft Machine, Vitus Studio, Bussum, Holland, Hoepla TV Filming

1. I Should've Known (Hugh Hopper)

2. We Know What You Mean (Ayers)

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals on 1, backing vocals on 2

Kevin Ayers - bass on 1, guitar on 2, vocals on 2

Broadcast 9/10/1967

released on Soft Machine (MPG 74033 1994) and on Turns On Volume 1 (Voiceprint 2001 CD)

Mike with hat and matching coat sometime in 1967

5/12/1967, Soft Machine, Aeolian Hall, London, BBC Top Gear recording

1. Clarence In Wonderland (Ayers)

2. We Know What You Mean (Ayers)

3. Hope For Happiness (Brian Hopper/Ayers/Ratledge)

4. A Certain Kind (Hugh Hopper)

5. Strangest Scene (?)

Mike Ratledge - organ

Kevin Ayers - vocals & guitar on 1&2, guitar, bass on 3&4

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals, piano on 5

Broadcast 17/12/1967

tracks 1-4 released on Turns On Volume 1 (Voiceprint 2001 CD)

10/11/1967, Soft Machine, Middle Earth, London, England

1. Organistics

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ

Robert Wyatt - drums

Kevin Ayers - bass

Released on Turns On Volume 2 (Voiceprint 2001 CD)

10/12/1967, Soft Machine, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

1. Moon in June

2. I should've known

3. A Certain Kind

4. Save Yourself

5. Lullaby Letter

Mike Ratledge - organ

Kevin Ayers - vocals, bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Released on Turns On Volume 2 (Voiceprint 2001 CD)

Mike portrait from first LP insert

4/1968, Soft Machine, Record Plant, NYC, sessions for "The Soft Machine" LP

1. Hope For Happiness (Brian Hopper/Ayers/Ratledge)

2. Joy Of A Toy (Ayers/Ratledge)

3. Hope For Happiness (Reprise) (Brian Hopper/Ayers/Ratledge)

4. Why Am I So Short? (Hugh Hopper/Ayers/Ratledge)

5. So Boot If At All (Ayers/Ratledge/Wyatt)

6. A Certain Kind (Hugh Hopper)

7. Save Yourself (Wyatt)

8. Priscilla (Ratledge/Ayers/Wyatt)

9. Lullabye Letter (Ayers)

10. We Did It Again (Ayers)

11. Plus Belle Qu'une Poubelle (Ayers/Ratledge/Wyatt)

12. Why Are We Sleeping? (Ayers)

13. Box 25/4 Lid (Ratledge/Hugh Hopper)

on tracks 1-12

Kevin Ayers - bass

Mike Ratledge - organ

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

plus:

Kevin Ayers - vocals on 10 & 11, backing vocals on 7 & 9, piano on 5

Mike Ratledge - piano on 13, piano strings on 5

Hugh Hopper - bass on 13

Cake - backing vocals on 12

released as The Soft Machine (Probe US 11/1968 LP - Big Beat/One Way CD)

11/8/1968, Soft Machine, Col Ballroom, Davenport, Iowa, USA

1. Lullaby Letter/Priscilla/Lullaby Letter (reprise)

2. We Did It Again

3. Why Are We Sleeping

4. Joy of a Toy

5. Hope for Happiness

6. Clarence in Wonderland

7. Moon in June

8. Esther's Nose Job

Kevin Ayers - bass, vocals

Mike Ratledge - organ

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

released on Turns On Volume 2 (Voiceprint 2001 CD)

1/1969, Soft Machine, demo-tape

released on Canterburied Sounds Volume 2 (Voiceprint 10/1998 CD)

Mike from second LP insert

2 and 3/1969, Soft Machine, Olympic Sound, sessions for "Volume Two" LP

Rivmic Melodies:

1. Pataphysical Introduction - Pt. I (Wyatt)

2. A Concise British Alphabet - Pt. I (Hopper)

3. Hibou, Anemone And Bear (Ratledge/Wyatt)

4. A Concise British Alphabet - Pt. II (Hopper)

5. Hulloder (Hopper)

6. Dada Was Here (Hopper)

7. Thank You Pierrot Lunaire (Hopper)

8. Have You Ever Bean Green? (Hopper)

9. Pataphysical Introduction - Pt. II (Hopper)

10. Out Of Tunes (Ratledge/Hopper/Wyatt)

Esther's Nose Job:

11. As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still (Ratledge/Wyatt)

12. Dedicated To You, But You Weren't Listening (Hopper)

13. Fire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging (Ratledge)

14. Pig (Ratledge)

15. Orange Skin Food (Ratledge)

16. A Door Opens And Closes (Ratledge)

17. 10:30 Returns To Bedroom (Ratledge/Hopper/Wyatt)

1-2, 4-6 & 8.

Mike Ratledge - piano

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

3.

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ, flute

Hugh Hopper - bass, alto sax

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Brian Hopper - tenor sax

7 & 11.

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

9.

Mike Ratledge - piano

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Brian Hopper - tenor sax

10.

Mike Ratledge - piano, flute

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Brian Hopper - tenor sax

12.

Mike Ratledge - harpsichord

Hugh Hopper - acoustic guitar

Robert Wyatt - vocals

13.

Mike Ratledge - organ

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

14.

Mike Ratledge - piano

Hugh Hopper - bass, alto sax

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Brian Hopper - tenor sax

15.

Mike Ratledge - organ

Hugh Hopper - bass, alto sax

Robert Wyatt - drums

Brian Hopper - tenor sax, soprano sax

16.

Mike Ratledge - organ

Hugh Hopper - bass, alto sax

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Brian Hopper - tenor sax, soprano sax

17.

Mike Ratledge - piano, organ

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

released as Volume Two (Probe 09/1969) - Big Beat/One Way CD

29/3/1969, Soft Machine, Concert, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland

1. Hulloder (Hopper)

2. Dada Was Here (Hopper)

3. Thank You, Pierrot Lunaire (Hopper)

4. Have You Ever Bean Green? (Hopper)

5. Pataphysical Introduction (Hopper)

6. As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still (Ratledge/Wyatt)

7. Hibou, Anemone And Bear (Ratledge/Wyatt)

8. Fire Engine Passing (Ratledge)

9. Pig (Ratledge)

10. Orange Skin Food (Ratledge)

11. A Door Opens (Ratledge)

12. 10:30 Returns To The Bedroom (Ratledge)

released as Live At Paradiso (Voiceprint 1996 CD)

3/5/1969, Syd Barrett, Abbey Road, sessions for "The Madcap Laughs" LP

1. No Good Trying

2. Love You

3. Clowns And Jugglers

Syd Barrett - guitar, vocals

Mike Ratledge - organ, piano on 2

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, tambourine on 3

tracks 1 & 2 released on The Madcap Laughs (Harvest 01/1970 LP - Harvest CD) and track 3 released on Opel (Harvest 10/1988 LP/CD)

Mike, London 1969

5/1969, Soft Machine, sessions for "Spaced-tapes", studio unknown

1. Spaced One (Hopper/Ratledge/Wyatt)

2. Spaced Two (Hopper/Ratledge/Wyatt)

3. Spaced Three (Hopper/Ratledge/Wyatt)

4. Spaced Four (Hopper/Ratledge/Wyatt)

5. Spaced Five (Brian Hopper/Ratledge)

6. Spaced Six (Hopper/Ratledge/Wyatt)

7. Spaced Seven (Hopper/Ratledge/Wyatt)

released as Spaced (Cuneinform 1996 CD)

10/6/1969, Soft Machine, Maida Vale, London, BBC Top Gear recording

1. Facelift-Mousetrap-Backwards-Mousetrap (Reprise) (Hopper/Ratledge)

2. Moon In June (Wyatt)

1.

Mike Ratledge - organ, elc. piano, flute

Hugh Hopper - bass, alto sax

Brian Hopper - soprano sax

Robert Wyatt - drums

2.

Mike Ratledge - organ

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Broadcast 21/06/1969

track 2 released on Triple Echo (Harvest 03/1977 LP) & Going Back a Bit (Virgin 1994 CD), tracks 1-2 released on Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit 10/1990 LP/CD)

6/8/1969, Hugh & Brian Hopper, Regent Sound, sessions for publishing demos

1. The Big Show (Brian Hopper)

2. Memories (Hugh Hopper)

3. She Loves To Hurt (Hugh Hopper)

4. Impotence (Hugh Hopper/Robert wyatt)

on all tracks:

Brian Hopper - guitar

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

plus:

Brian Hopper - soprano sax on 1

Pye Hastings - guitar on 3&4, vocals on 3

Mike Ratledge - flute on 1, organ & piano on 2

Hugh Hopper - acoustic guitar on 2

released on The Wilde Flowers (Voiceprint 1993 CD)

Summer 1969, Kevin Ayers, Abbey Road, sessions for "Joy of a toy" LP

1. Joy Of A Toy Continued

2. Town Feeling

3. The Clarietta Rag

4. Girl On A Swing

5. Song For Insane Times

6. Stop This Train (Again Doing It)

7. Eleanor's Cake (Which Ate Her)

8. Lady Rachel

9. Oleh Oleh Bandu Bandong

10. All This Crazy Gift Of Time

Kevin Ayers - vocals, guitar, bass, piano

David Bedford - piano, arrangements

Rob Tait - drums

Robert Wyatt - drums & tambourine on 1-3, 5 and 8

Mike Ratledge - organ, piano, flute

Hugh Hopper - bass

Jeff Clyne - double bass

Paul Minns - oboe

Paul Buckmaster - cello

Cyrille Ayers, Sean Murphy, Jean & Mary - backing vocals

released As Joy Of A Toy (Harvest 11/1969 - Beat Goes On CD)

10/11/1969, Soft Machine, Maida Vale, London, BBC Top Gear recording

1. Instant Pussy (Wyatt)

2. Mousetrap-Noisette-Backwards-Mousetrap (Reprise)- drumlink-Esther's Nose Job (Hopper/Ratledge)

1.

Robert Wyatt - vocal, piano, electronic bleeps

2.

Mike Ratledge - organ, elc. piano

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

Elton Dean - alto sax (?)

Nick Evans - trombone

Mark Charig - cornet

Lyn Dobson - soprano sax (?)

Broadcast 29/11/1969

track two released on Triple Echo (Harvest 03/1977 LP) and The Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit 10/1990 LP/CD)

Mike 1969 (fragment of group portrait)

4/1/1970, Soft Machine , Fairfield Hall, Croydon

tracks 1-5, 7-10 released on Noisette (Cuneiform 1/2000 CD), track 6 released on Third (CBS 6/6/1970 LP - Columbia/Beat Goes On CD)

11/1/1970, Soft Machine, Mothers Club, Birmingham

released on Third (CBS 6/6/1970 LP - Columbia/Beat Goes On CD)

10/2/1970, Kevin Ayers, Maida Vale, London, BBC Top Gear recording

1. Stop This Train

2. Clarence In Wonderland

3. Why Are We Sleeping?

4. The Oyster And The Flying Fish

5. Hat Song

1.

Kevin Ayers - vocals, guitar

David Bedford - piano

Mike Ratledge - organ

Lol Coxhill - soprano sax

Elton Dean - alto sax

Lyn Dobson - soprano sax, harmonica

Nick Evans - trombone

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

2.

Kevin Ayers - vocals, guitar

David Bedford - electric piano

Lol Coxhill - soprano sax

Robert Wyatt - piano, harmony vocals

3.

Kevin Ayers - vocals, guitar

David Bedford - piano

Mike Ratledge - organ

Lol Coxhill - soprano sax

Elton Dean - alto sax

Lyn Dobson - flute

Nick Evans - trombone

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, harmony vocals

4.

Kevin Ayers - vocals, guitar (?)

5.

Kevin Ayers - vocals, guitar

Robert Wyatt - trumpet, harmony vocals

Broadcast 28/02/1970

tracks 3&5 released on Kevin Ayers - Singing The Bruise (Band Of Joy 1996 CD)

13/2/1970, Soft Machine, Swansea or
14/2/1970, Soft Machine, London School Of Economics, London

released on Live 1970 (Voiceprint 8/1998 CD)

10/4/1970 and 6/5/1970, Soft Machine, I.B.C. Recording Studio, sessions for "Third" LP

1. Slightly All The Time (Ratledge)

Noisette (Hopper)

Backwards (Ratledge)

2. Moon In June (Wyatt)

3. Out-Bloody-Rageous (Ratledge)

1.

Mike Ratledge - organ, piano, elc. piano

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello

Nick Evans - trombone

Jimmy Hastings - flute, bass clarinet

2.

Mike Ratledge - organ (only in the last part)

Hugh Hopper - bass (only in the last part)

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals, piano, organ, bass

Rab Spall - electric violin

3.

Mike Ratledge - organ, piano, elc. piano

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello

released on Third (CBS 06/06/1970 LP - Beat Goes On/Columbia CD)

26/4/1970, Soft Machine, Fairfield Halls, Croydon

1. Slightly All The Time

2. Out-Bloody-Rageous

3. Moon in June

4. Mousetrap

5. Noisette

6. Backwards

7. Mousetrap - reprise

8. Hibou Annemone & Bear

9. Facelift

10. Eamonn Andrews

11. Esther's Nose Job

12. Pigling Bland

13. I Should've Known

14. Esther's Nose Job - reprise

Mike Ratledge - organ, piano, elc. piano

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello

released as Facelift (Voiceprint 2002 CD)

4/5/1970, Soft Machine, Maida Vale, London, BBC Top Gear recording

Slightly All The Time-Out-Bloody-Rageous-Eamonn Andrews (Ratledge)

Mike Ratledge - organ, piano, elc. piano

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello

Broadcast 16/05/1970

released on Triple Echo (Harvest 03/1977 LP) and on The Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit 10/1990 LP/CD)

21/5/1970 Soft Machine Paris Theatre, BBC In Concert recording

Facelift-Esther's Nose Job (Hopper/Ratledge)

Mike Ratledge - organ, electric piano

Elton Dean - alto sax

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals

Broadcast 31/05/1970

28/6/1970, Soft Machine, Holland Pop Festival, Kralingen Park, Rotterdam, Holland

1. Esther's Nose Job (Ratledge)

released on Kralingen Pop-Festival (bootleg CD)

13/8/1970, Soft Machine, Henry Wood Promenade Concert, Royal Albert Hall

1. Out-Bloody-Rageous (Ratledge)

2. Facelift (Hopper)

3. Esther's Nose Job:

a. Pig (Ratledge)

b. Orange Skin Food (Ratledge)

c. A Door Opens And Closes (Ratledge)

d. Pigling Bland (Ratledge)

e. 10-30 Returns To The Bedroom (Ratledge/Hopper/Wyatt)

Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals on 3

Mike Ratledge - organ

Hugh Hopper - bass

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello

released As Live At The Proms (Reckless 10/1988 LP/CD) & on Live 1970 (Voiceprint 8/1998 CD)

17/9/1970, Soft Machine, Camden Theatre, BBC Sounds Of The 70's recording

1. Out-Bloody-Rageous-Slightly All The Time-Mousetrap- Esther's Nose Job (Ratledge)

Mike Ratledge - organ, electric piano

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

Broadcast 25/09/1970 (except Esther's Nose Job 30/10/1970)

13-16/10/1970, 27-28/10/1970, 9/11/1970 and 16-18/11/1970 Soft Machine, Olympic Sound, sessions for "Fourth" LP

1. Teeth (Ratledge)

2. Kings And Queens (Hopper)

3. Fletcher's Blemish (Dean)

4. Virtually Part 1 (Hopper)

5. Virtually Part 2 (Hopper)

6. Virtually Part 3 (Hopper)

7. Virtually Part 4 (Hopper)

on all tracks:

Hugh Hopper - bass

Mike Ratledge - organ, piano

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello

Robert Wyatt - drums

plus:

1.

Roy Babbington - double bass

Nick Evans - trombone

Alan Skidmore - tenor sax

Jimmy Hastings - bass clarinet

2.

Marc Charig - cornet

Nick Evans - trombone

3.

Roy Babbington - double bass

Marc Charig - cornet

4.

Roy Babbington - double bass

Marc Charig - cornet

Nick Evans - trombone

6.

Roy Babbington - double bass

Alan Skidmore - tenor sax

Jimmy Hastings - alto flute, bass clarinet

released as Fourth (CBS 28/02/1971 LP - Columbia/One Way CD)

15/12/1970, Soft Machine, Maida Vale, London, BBC Top Gear recording

1. Virtually (Hopper)

2. Fletcher's Blemish (Dean)

Mike Ratledge - organ, elc. piano on 1, piano on 2

Elton Dean - alto sax

Hugh Hopper - bass

Robert Wyatt - drums

Broadcast 02/01/1971

Go to the Second Mike Ratledge page (1971-2000)

Or go to the Mike Ratledge index