Biography
Little is known for certain about the Nightshift beyond their brand of rock music laced with blues and the release of two singles, "Corrine, Corrina" b/w "Lavender Tree" and "Stormy Monday Blues" b/w "That's My Story." British rock historian David Wells observes that the group began with strong prospects, supported by a founding member of the Rolling Stones and containing a future star in its lineup, yet failed to capitalize because its devotion to traditional blues blocked any wider following or the ability to sustain early gains. The band performed across London in 1964-1965, as did numerous other committed blues acts. Pianist Ian Stewart provided initial help by securing the loan of instruments, and at one stage Jeff Beck, later celebrated with the Yardbirds, played alongside them. Beck is thought to have appeared on the single "Stormy Monday Blues" b/w "That's My Story," whose B-side marks the first composition by Tim Rice to reach record, issued on the Piccadilly imprint of Pye Records, with his later visibility arising through work with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elton John. Beck left before that 1965 disc was cut, his flamboyant technique clashing with the group's purist stance on blues. The outcome of those stylistic debates is clear from the fact that both sides later appeared on anthologies focused on Beck's pre-fame session recordings, although he was already attracting major attention with the Yardbirds by then.
Albums
