Café Jacques

Café Jacques are a progressive rock band originally formed in Edinburgh, Scotland and most active in the 1970s. An early version of Café Jacques numbered seven musicians, but the most successful line-up was a trio, consisting of Chris Thomson, Peter Veitch, and Mike Ogletree. They released two albums and a single on Epic Records, produced by Rupert Hine, before disbanding in 1978. Café Jacques reformed in 2010, led by original member Chris Thomson.

Recording sessions

The band recorded both albums at Trident Studios, London, and the trio was augmented by Geoff Richardson, and John G. Perry. Phil Collins played percussion on four tracks of the first album.

Live TV performance

Café Jacques performed live on The Old Grey Whistle Test on 6 December 1977; hosted by Bob Harris.

Discography

1977 - Round the Back
1978 - International
1978 - "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" b/w "None of Your Business" - 7" single
2011 - ''Lifer''

Original members

Band

Chris Thomson - guitar, lead vocals
Peter Veitch - keyboards, violin, accordion, background vocals
Mike Ogletree - drums, lead vocals on Man in the Meadow, background vocals

Guests

Geoff Richardson - viola, flute, clarinet
John G. Perry - Wal bass
Phil Collins - percussion

Critical reception

Billboard described Café Jacques as having "a subtle ethereal feel, very progressive in content, both musically and lyrically." John Swenson in The new Rolling Stone record guide referred to them as an "excellent British studio band whose dense rhythmic mix and melodic keyboard textures recall Traffic's lyricism and Little Feat's syncopation."

Recent history

Peter Veitch died in 1990. Mike Ogletree has lived and worked in Brooklyn, New York since 2006. He continues to work as a musician and his band Anacoustic Mind has released two albums:The Kilmarnock Edition and New Gold Dream . He regularly performs live with his band in and around the New York area.