National Health is one of the most intricate and jazzy Canterbury Scene bands, strictly linked to Hatfield And The North, keyboardist Dave Stewart's band from 1973 to 1975 after his previous experiences with Egg and Khan, but also drummer Pip Pyle's and guitarist Phil Miller's ex band. For their 1978 album "Of Queues And Cures", National Health also included multi-instrumentalist John Greaves of Henry Cow fame. The two parts of The Bryden 2-Step (for Amphibians) respectively open and close this record and are two splendid specimens of Canterbury sound, mixing up melodies, jazz-rock passages and folk-rock elements in a warm, diversified and intricate structure.
A real cabinet of curiosities...
The two sections are rather different in mood (the first one being more up-tempo and jazz oriented than the second one), but there is a strong consistency between them, reinforced by the recurring main theme and the presence of the same guest musicians: Phil Minton (trumpets), Paul Nieman (trombones) and Georgie Born (cello), whose instruments give a wider sonic landscape to this split suite. A special mention goes to the main theme, one of the most charming Canterbury-branded compositions ever and to the constant search for originality throughout these overall 13 minutes of unpredictable music.
