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The very first H&F album came about as a result of a stage production, and this in turn started H&F's interest in musical theatre and would eventually result in the formation of Whizz Theatre Company. The production of Alice Through the Looking Glass was very well received as was the music, which was released as an LP shortly after. As well as the music from the show itself, H&F wrote new tracks, still based on the Lewis Carroll book, for inclusion in the album.

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Alice Through the Looking Glass 1969

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Hear the Music

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H&F dip their toes into the world of film, with variable results. It must be remembered that this was film on a very small scale, 8mm to be precise, but it did cement some important friendships which endured throughout the H&F period and beyond. It would be wrong to say that reviews for the film were mixed, because they were all in total agreement, but the music lingers on. Some period gems lurk in amongst less successful tracks.

H&F come back to their roots in this album; a mix of good song writing and innovative recording techniques. It is also the best example of Howell and Ferdinando collaboration. John Ferdinando pens five of the tracks, and paves the way for his solo writing venture "A Game for All who Know', whist Peter Howell keeps the folk content alive in his tracks, an influence that will develop further in his later album 'Fragile'. The album retains a strong flavour of the time in which it was created.

John Ferdinando composed words and music for the whole of this album. H&F had always had a somewhat tongue in cheek admiration for The Moody Blues, and that feel was a strong influence during the production. So more use of the string-like Hohner organ and a preponderance of cosmic lyrics go to make this the most coherent concept album in the H&F catalogue. John Ferdinando needed a bigger sound for these songs, which gave Peter Howell a chance to refine his studio recording techniques.

In a way, this LP is the exception. It was never released, other than at test pressing stage. There were plans to press a limited run, but Peter Howell's new job in the BBC made such demands on his time, that the idea was shelved. Despite that, the LP has attracted a lot of attention on the collectors' market. He is joined on vocals by Ruth Cubbin, a colleague from the BBC, with whom he performed in folk clubs. The tracks represent the last songs written especially for an album. Subsequent material was either written for Whizz Theatre Company's shows or for the BBC.

Tomorrow Come Someday 1969

Fly Away / Agincourt 1970

A Game for All Who Know / Ithaca

Fragile / Friends

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friends

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Tomorrow Come Someday

Fly Away / Agincourt

Ithaca / A Game For All Who Know

Friends / Fragile

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The Five Albums

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