Andwella were a Northern Irish psychedelic rock band formed in 1968, originally named The Method and later renamed Andwellas Dream. The trio were fronted by Dave Lewis (guitar/keyboard/vocals), with Nigel Smith (bass/vocals) and Gordon Barton (drums).
Hold on to your mind! Led by Belfast-born phenom David Lewis, Andwella made three LPs circa 1970 for London’s Reflection label, redolent with Cream-y rock workouts, soaring post-Sgt. Pepper psych experimentation, and earthbound laments The Band might’ve dreamt up at Big Pink. Barely heard back then, they now conjure a popular rock fantasia to challenge the most expertly composed and orchestrated songs of the era.
This deluxe set includes meticulous reproductions of the band’s 3-LP discography, plus an ephemera-packed booklet detailing Lewis’s brief moment as a downbeat song writing visionary at the height of his power.
Their first album, as Andwellas Dream, “Love and Poetry”, was recorded in London in 1968, and released in August 1969. It featured jazz musician Bob Downes on saxophone and flute, and Wilgar Campbell on drums on the track “Felix”. The album failed to sell, and Lewis then recorded a solo album, privately pressed, on the Ax label in 1970; which included new versions of some of the Andwella’s Dream .
Then in 1970 David Lewis wrote the music for and produced poet David Baxter’s “Goodbye Dave” album, for which he was backed by Andwella.
With the addition of Dave McDougall on guitar and vocals, the band was renamed Andwella. This line-up issued “World’s End” in August 1970, before Dave Struthers replaced Nigel Smith on bass and Jack McCulloch joined as drummer. This line-up recorded the bands’ last album, “People’s People” (released late in 1970), after which the band broke up in 1971.
The Fat Angel Sings 