Other important members included Valerie Etienne, who participated in the recording of all their albums, along with other musicians such as Mick Talbot on keyboards, Crispin Taylor on drums, Ernie McKone on bass guitar, Mark Vandergucht on guitar, and Steve Ameedee, otherwise known as Uncle Big Man (dancer). Ski Oakenfull replaced Mick Talbot on keyboards in 1994. The band split in November 1997 after musical differences over the direction of travel, with Crispin Taylor starting a Cliff Richard cover band. The band announced a return in 2023, including a new album and several live gigs.
Career
The group's first single, a reworking of Curtis Mayfield's Freddie's Dead called Frederick Lies Still, was released in June 1988. It was also the first release on the Acid Jazz label. Their second release was on Let the Good Times Roll by The Quiet Boys in 1989. The Quiet Boys was an alias used by acid jazz pioneer Chris Bangs who then went on to produce Galliano.
Galliano's first album release was In Pursuit of the 13th Note in 1991, which was produced by Bangs. Their second album A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator was released in 1992. Galliano achieved the peak of its success in 1994 with The Plot Thickens, which peaked at number eight in the UK Albums Chart. Two UK top 40 singles were released from the album: Long Time Gone (a cover of a David Crosby song from the self-titled first album by Crosby, Stills & Nash) and Twyford Down. The latter was a comment on the road building protests taking place at the time and the protest at Twyford Down in particular, and they were joined onstage by anti-roads protestors to make appeals to the audience. The album was well-received, making the NME's list of top 50 albums of the year. Following its release, Galliano performed on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1994 and returned to play the NME Stage in 1995. Galliano's fourth and final studio album :4 was released in 1996. This included the track, Slack Hands, which was used in the title sequence of Kevin Reynolds' 1997 film, One Eight Seven, starring Samuel L. Jackson. Galliano broke up in 1997. Gallagher together with Etienne formed Two Banks of Four. Gallagher also performs solo using the names Earl Zinger, William Anderson and together with Alex Patchwork as The Diabolical Liberties.
In the spring of 2023, Galliano announced a return, including a new album and a few live gigs in the summer that year. The band played twice at Gilles Peterson's "We Out Here" festival in August 2023, playing covers of Harvest for the World and Uptown Top Ranking alongside their original material.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galliano_(band)
Discography
In Pursuit of the 13th Note (1991)
A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator (1992)
The Plot Thickens (1994)
:4 (1996)
Jus' Reach
Galliano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a feeling right
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
This ain't going right
Can't see the wood for the trees
Can't feel the wind for the breeze
Militant screaming on me leaning
In the middle lose the meaning
So many dons say they're wise
So many bloods telling lies
Can't see the wood for the trees
Can't feel the wind for the breeze
Reaching for the right vibe
Learn about the vibe from the scribe
And then running firm with the tribe
The harder they come the harder they fall
The vibe myust conquer overall
Reachin' to make sense of the time
Reasoning up the thoughts in rhyme
Can't see the world for the trees
Can't feel the wind for the breeze
Hey now
Reaching for the right vibe
If I had the chance to make one decision
I would let each man walk the earth
Under equal condition
If I had the chance to make one decision
I would try to floy through the isms and the schisms
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO
The song "Jus' Reach" by Galliano explores themes of feeling lost and disconnected in a world filled with contradictions and hypocrisy. The opening lines, "NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA, I got a feeling right, NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA, This ain't going right," set the tone for the whole song. The singer is struggling to find meaning and direction in a confusing world, and the repetition of the "NA NA"s emphasizes the feeling of being lost and unsure.
The second verse further explores this theme of confusion, with lines like "Can't see the wood for the trees, Can't feel the wind for the breeze." The singer is overwhelmed by the noise and chaos around them, and can't find a clear path forward. However, they also express a desire to "reach for the right vibe," to find a way to connect with something deeper and more authentic. This is echoed in the final verse, where the singer expresses a desire for equality and unity ("If I had the chance to make one decision/I would let each man walk the earth/Under equal condition").
Overall, "Jus' Reach" is a powerful meditation on the challenges of finding meaning and purpose in a complex world. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's own values and beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming confusion and contradiction.
Line by Line Meaning
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Expressing a feeling of anticipation and excitement.
I got a feeling right
I am feeling excited and enthusiastic about something.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Expressing a sense of disappointment and failure.
This ain't going right
Things are not going as planned and are not successful.
Can't see the wood for the trees
Unable to gain perspective due to being too focused on details.
Can't feel the wind for the breeze
Unable to appreciate the big picture due to being distracted by insignificant things.
Militant screaming on me leaning
Feeling pressure and influence from strong and forceful attitudes and opinions.
To the left, to the right
Indecisiveness and confusion due to being pulled in different directions.
In the middle lose the meaning
Feeling lost and unclear about the purpose and direction in a situation.
So many dons say they're wise
Many people claim to be knowledgeable and wise.
So many bloods telling lies
Many people are dishonest and deceitful.
Reaching for the right vibe
Searching for a positive and authentic energy or atmosphere.
Learn about the vibe from the scribe
Gaining knowledge and understanding about the desired energy or atmosphere from a trusted source.
And then running firm with the tribe
Embracing and participating in a community that embodies the desired energy or atmosphere.
The harder they come the harder they fall
Those who are overly confident and aggressive will eventually fail or struggle.
The vibe myust conquer overall
The desired energy or atmosphere must prevail and overcome all negativity.
Reachin' to make sense of the time
Trying to understand and find meaning in the current circumstances and situation.
Reasoning up the thoughts in rhyme
Processing and organizing thoughts and ideas in a coherent and structured way.
Hey now
An expression of acknowledgment or greeting.
If I had the chance to make one decision
Hypothetically considering the possibility of making a significant choice.
I would let each man walk the earth
Advocating for equality and fairness for all individuals.
Under equal condition
Ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities and resources.
I would try to floy through the isms and the schisms
Striving to overcome societal divisions and prejudices.
DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO
Repeating a simple and catchy melody.
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-tp3cm5kz3k
ravensbourne college student bar 1995. Sooo bloody good. Banging tune. ❤
@JayeJayeBinks
One of the best albums ever made!! I loved it.
@benmalone6139
You are so right loved it
@benmalone6139
You got that right. Brilliant
@alexandrezowko2645
2.40 "If I had the chance to make one decision,
I would let each man walk this earth under equal condition"👌
@stephenjames3561
Have always loved this tune, what a message and voice.
@benmalone6139
This is the best ever. Great tune..... nanananana
@alexandrezowko2645
So great !
2.40 best part...
@PeterAGunn
great track, great album, so smooth!
@Freddykaza
amazing groove...what a great pleasure in listen to it really loud!!