Formed at The Duke pub in Deptford (south London) in 1979, the Electric Bluebirds featured members of The Realists and The Fabulous Poodles and moved in the same circle as Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze.
Their first and only album, Back On The Train, was released in 1986 with Richard Thompson and Rod Argent guesting on some tracks on the LP. Production duties were courtesy of Will Birch of The Records.
Once a month they played at the Dublin Castle with a set ranging from Western swing, cowboy songs, Neville Brothers soul and Cajun hollerin’. Accordionist Alan Dunne, who later played with Van Morrison, is credited with introducing Cajun music to the British pub scene.
Sadly, their repertoire was so eclectic that they were never able to secure a major label deal and the band never made it beyond cult status.
Back On The Train was reissued on CD in 1996 with lots of bonus tracks.
Paul Astles
Vocals, guitar Bobby Valentino
Violin, vocals Alan Dunn
Accordion, melodian, vocals Richie Robertson
Bass, vocals Keith W. Gotheridge
Drums
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