Luther Grosvenor - Under open skies

Guitarist Luther Grovenor (aka Ariel Bender) is a guy who defines the term "journey man musician". Over the last four decades he's recorded music spanning all types of genres, enjoying massive commercial popularity with some of the world's most commercially successful bands. In spite of that success, he's all but unknown to most people. Here's a little bit of biographical information on the man. Grovesnor was born in Evesham, England. Interested in music from a young age, by the time he was a teenager he'd been in a number of local bands including Wavelength and Deep Feeling. The latter included lifelong friend/drummer Jim Capaldi, Gordon Jackson, Dave Mason, Dave Meredith and John Palmer. In early 1967 Capaldi and Mason left to join Steve Winwood in Traffic. Grosvenor subsequently joined the VIPs. Grosvenor's VIP stint was brief. After two singles, 1968 saw the band fell apart with keyboardist Keith Emerson joining The Nice, while Grovsenor, Mike Harrison, Mike Kellie and Greg Ridley regrouped as Art. Art lasted long enough to complete one LP, before adding singer/guitarist Gary Wright to the line up and metamorphosing into Spooky Tooth. Between 1968 and 1970, Spooky Tooth churned out a series of four LPs. Following the release of 1970's "The Last Puff", the band collapsed. Against this backdrop Island Records owner Chris Blackwell offered Grosvenor a solo deal. Recognizing most solo efforts simply suck, 1972's "Under Open Skies" is one of those rare exceptions. Co-produced by Grosveor and Tony Platt, the LP was written and recorded over a three month period in Blackwell's Spanish villa. The LP certainly sported one of the year's more impressive supporting casts, including The Moves' Trevor Burton, longtime buddy Capaldi, former Spooky Tooth alumnus Mike Kellie, Fairport Convention drummer Trevor Lucas and Mott the Hopple guitarist Mick Ralphs. In terms of performances most folks won't be shocked to hear that Grosvenor was a competent, if under whelming singer. That said, on tracks like "When I Met You" and "Waiting" his fragile voice occasionally recalled Steve Winwood. Certainly a bigger surprise, anyone expecting to hear an album of power guitar was probably somewhat disappointed. "When I Met You" and "Rocket" found Grosvenor aptly displaying his cops, but the overall feel was quite pastoral and reflective. "Under Open Skies" track listing: 1.) Ride On (Luther Grovesnor) - 2.) Here Comes the Queen (Luther Grovesnor - Githa Grosvenor) - 3.) When I Met You (Luther Grovesnor) - 4.) Love the Way (Luther Grovesnor - Githa Grosvenor) - 5.) Waiting (Luther Grovesnor) - 6.) Rocket (Luther Grovesnor) - 7.) Under Open Skies (Luther Grovesnor - Githa Grosvenor) - With the album vanishing without a trace, plans for a supporting tour and a follow-up LP with buddy Capaldi never saw the light of day. Opting not to participate in a 1972 Spooky Tooth reunion, Grosvenor instead replaced Gerry Rafferty in a late-inning version of Stealers Wheel. The following year he replaced Mick Ralphs in Mott the Hoople (under the name Ariel Bender). 1976 saw Grosvenor forming the short-lived Widowmaker. The late 80s saw him rejoin Spooky Tooth.

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