An independent label from the mid '70s, run by Andrew Titcombe. Keswick's first release was a single in praise of Carlisle United football club, 'Looking Good' b/w 'Going On', by Tim Barker and the Carlisle United Singers (KES-001; 1974). According to Andrew more than 7,000 copies were pressed but the farmer on whose premises they were stored threw a substantial number of them into a skip without telling him, which may account for there not being too many around nowadays. Subsequent issues had yellow-and-white (2) or white labels (3) rather than blue-and-white ones. 1,000 copies of 'In Dreams' b/w 'Gotta Travel On' by Trevor Keys & Rainbow C.S. were pressed, and, thanks in part to the band appearing on 'Opportunity Knocks, most were sold. Keswick handled its own distribution, and it released just four records over the four year course of its existence. Numbering was in a KES-000 series; manufacture was by Linguaphone. The company operated out of 28, Elfort Rd, London, N5 1AZ but also had a base in Cumbria. Thanks to Andrew Titcombe for information supplied, and to Robert Bowes for the second scan.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.