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song: The City
artist: Mark–Almond
album: The Best of Mark-Almond
released: 1971length: 10:17
7.4
(3326)
Well, I slept last night in the open
Down by a redwood tree
Yes, I slept last night in the open
Just to let, just to let, just to let my soul free
I don't want to know, I don't want to go,
I don't want to go back into the city.
It's just a long long long lonely taxi ride
Going nowhere.
Well, I slept last night in the open
(It gets so hot in the city)
Down by a redwood tree
(It gets so hot in the city)
Yes, I slept last night in the open
Just to let, just to let, just to let my soul free.
I don't want to know, I don't want to go,
I don't want to go back into the city.
It's just a long long long lonely taxi ride
Going nowhere.
Mark–Almond

Mark–Almond was a jazz-influenced English pop group of the 1970s and early 1980s, sometimes also called The Mark-Almond Band. The core members were Jon Mark, who sang lead and played guitar, percussion, and harmonica and Johnny Almond who played saxophone, flute and bass flute and sang back-up. Various other musicians recorded and toured with the duo at various times, notably including drummer Dannie Richmond, a long-time associate of jazz bassist Charles Mingus.

Artist Website
(more from Wikipedia)
Creative Commons BY-SA license
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Comments ( 381 )
Posted 5 years ago by flyingfish:
Back in my college days I went to see Mark-Almond play in a club in Denver. I had just turned 18 and my girlfriend who was 17 had a fake ID. We got to the club a little late. Arrived at the club a little nervous about the fake ID but at the door we were asked if we were the people from CBS... I guess I nodded in my jeans, slippers and Lahaina Yacht Club t-shirt. We were escorted to the front row, offered free drinks and saw an incredible show. Thanks for the song and bringing back the fond memories.
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Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn:
The piano and sax here are invasive to gray matter that is usually out of reach, and that earnest, honest, humble but subtly rumbling bass kicks all kinds of ass. I endlessly dig the way that the exquisite vocal arrangements trade expression so well with all the other instruments — the strings and drums kick butt, too! Wild, groovy ending! One of the best and most righteously casual Jazz tunes ever!
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Posted 7 years ago by LAwolf8:
I had this on a small system a block from the beach in late 70s, along with Joni it was a cool Sunday morning with coffee and reading the paper.  Friend showed me the used record stores on Melrose in LA. Wasn't making much money at the time but life was great.
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Posted 4 years ago by Montreal_Mort:
Gawd - haven’t heard this in soooo long. Always loved it. Wore out the vinyl. More pls BillG!
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Posted 19 years ago by nuggler:
schmoooz wrote:
Don't know much about biology nor Mark Almond, but I dig the 70's Jazz Fusion sound. Thanks RP.
Its not one bloke. Its John Mark & Johnny Almond from the John Mayall stable. Listen to John Mayall's 'Turning Point' for that collaboration. Yes RP...how about some John Mayall ?
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Posted 6 years ago by Canadese:
xnavy wrote:
I saw the band play this song. Gee I'm old
 
I'd say more lucky than old.
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Posted 7 years ago by RParadise:
God, I just love that false ending and slinky return.  It gets me every time.
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Posted 9 years ago by jamescwolf:
Wow....have not heard this in a looooong time.   Love it though....sounds great!
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Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739:
 flyingfish wrote:

Back in my college days I went to see Mark-Almond play in a club in Denver. I had just turned 18 and my girlfriend who was 17 had a fake ID. We got to the club a little late. Arrived at the club a little nervous about the fake ID but at the door we were asked if we were the people from CBS... I guess I nodded in my jeans, slippers and Lahaina Yacht Club t-shirt. We were escorted to the front row, offered free drinks and saw an incredible show. Thanks for the song and bringing back the fond memories.



What a great story! Thanks!
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Posted 2 years ago by markthecarp:
A big favorite of mine.  I've been wanting to hear this since your play of John Mayall and the Blues Breakers the other day brought it to mind.  I always play this when I make a late night half hour bolt to the mountains from the busy coast to sleep under stars in fresh air.  I'd do that now but dawn's too close to make the most of it.  I love that comeback at the end.  It gives me a 15 mph push. 
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Posted 3 years ago by Ditch999:
Quite a change from his Soft Cell days!
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Posted 6 years ago by GypsyD:
So, for 50- years, I thought Mark Almond was one guy. Thanks to RP for the Wiki. We live and we learn, no matter how late. Thanks, Bill! 
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Posted 1 year ago by valex:
 Ditch999 wrote:

Quite a change from his Soft Cell days!



That's Marc Almond, the singer. This is Mark-Almond, the band, whose name was composed from the last names of its members 😁
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Posted 2 years ago by Philipirata:
 tonyinnj wrote:





This has nothing to do with this excellent track but when I was a child we had some RCA 78s and I was fascinated by the dog  on the label bending an ear to the megaphone.  It was before I could read but my mother told me the dog was hearing his master's voice. Sadly I  concluded  his master had died.  Not true according to a Wikipedia article on Francis Barraud , the original artist.
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Posted 2 years ago by rhiangalthie:
What a wonderful song!  I had not heard this in years.
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Posted 3 years ago by willjay:
thanks Bill. Haven't heard Mark Almond in a long time. New York State of Mind is a favorite too. 
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Posted 4 years ago by stevesaw:
k1j2cat wrote:
I have this on vinyl from 1971. I played it  over and over for a long time. Still very satisfying listening.
 
There are a few songs that make me want to spin up the turntable - this is one. Why? I don't know, maybe it's just that it's such a sonic treat. Clean and simple, but yet....
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Posted 4 years ago by k1j2cat:
I have this on vinyl from 1971. I played it  over and over for a long time. Still very satisfying listening.
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Posted 5 years ago by DanFHiggins:
Ahhhhh,

Seems like the definition of cool/cruising slow down the road/top down breeze blowing/sun and neon lightning the way/no glasses needed cuz no ones looking

awesome song
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Posted 6 years ago by ExploitingChaos:
lil chill tune kicked my ass!
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listen:
The Main Mix