LOBBY LOYDE: PLAYS GEORGE GUITAR

Aztec Records / Aztec Music

Audio CD
ID: AVSC106
Number of Discs: 1
Release Date: AUGUST 10, 2026
Format: Audio CD
Label: Aztec Music

Description

As the last piece in the 1970s recorded works of the late great LOBBY LOYDE (born John Baslington Lyde, 18 May 1941-21 April 2007) to be reissued on Aztec Records, his blistering 1971 album Plays with George Guitar now gets a new lease of life. It’s a timely reminder of how much the venerated guitarist gave to the Australian rock music scene.

The guitar maestro has been described as the architect of the Australian guitar rock sound. His achievements with The Purple Hearts and The Wild Cherries during the 1960s are the stuff of Aussie rock legend. Having left Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs in October 1970, Loyde set about creating his debut solo album. He formed a new band (later renamed The Wild Cherries) with expert musicians Teddy Toi (bass) and Johnny Dick (drums) who had just come out of the Fanny Adams break-up and were prepared for new adventures. Vocalist Graham Lowndes joined them in the studio.

Featuring seven incendiary tracks of loud and heavy psych rock, this is power trio heaven with Loyde’s jagged riffs and fuzzed solos pushed to overload. Fuelled by large doses of acid in the studio, the tracks were built up from exploratory jams. ‘Everybody Come Together’ is a hippie rallying cry set to a herky-jerky wah-wah riff. ‘George’ consists of aggressive guitar and Lobby’s shouted vocals offering horny lyrics. “Calling the album George Guitar was a send up of B.B. King calling his guitar Lucille,” Lobby explained. ‘Dream’ starts out relatively sweet, with chiming guitars before ratchetting up the belligerence with a put down of societal constraints. ‘Evolution’ is awash with studio trickery and spacey vocal effects, but the payoff comes with Loyde’s barrage of wigged-out guitar soloing over the rhythm section’s relentless drive. Dig the early 1970s Aussie guitar rock vibe with this wild and heavy masterpiece.

Highlights

Lobby’s legendary 1971 album given a new lease of life.

Featuring the Australian rock guitar maestro backed by expert musicians Teddy Toi, Johnny Dick and Graham Lowndes.

Loud psych rock and blues, power trio heaven with Lobby’s jagged riffs and fuzzed solos pushed to overload. With two Bonus Tracks by The Wild Cherries.

Digitally Remastered by Gil Matthews

Booklet includes rare photos and liner notes by Ian McFarlane