This album is dedicated to the Early Session Years of the late, great David Byron (the original lead vocalist with Uriah Heep).  With such a versatile vocal range, David was an ideal session singer and joined the monthly Avenue Record sessions along with Peter Lee Stirling who had been the voice of many earlier Avenue Records releases.   There is much speculation as to the songs David recorded in the late 60s.  Although he took over most of the work for Avenue from Peter Lee Stirling (a.k.a. Daniel Boone), who was by then making a solo career in his own right.  David also recorded on a more limited scale for other U.K. budget labels, but that is another story.......   We hope you enjoy these re-mastered analogue recordings that have been carefully stored for more than 40 years.  Most of these tracks appeared on 7inch six-track vinyl records and were recorded at various studios including City of London Recording Studios and the latter tracks at Pye Recording Studios, London.   Although Avenue Recordings Ltd., was one of the smaller independent labels, they continued in existence until early 1974 when the long-standing Musical Director Alan Caddy ceased arranging Avenue’s product.  Some of the early recordings on this album were produced by Gordon C.N. Melville a.k.a. Mel Gordon whom I have had the pleasure of knowing since 1967.  Gordon and I have been in recent correspondence throughout 2010/11 and I hope this release brings back some fond memories for him of those years from the swinging 60s.  All of the tracks on this album are from the original quarter-inch tapes recorded in 1968/69/70.  No vinyl records have been dubbed in the making of this collection.   As true fans of David Byron will know, many people believe that any recording found on an old Avenue vinyl disc is David Byron - when it clearly is not.  Therefore, we have included one track on this disc (track 19) that is not David Byron on lead vocal, but his good friend Peter Lee Stirling who worked with him on many sessions.  It has been included to let you hear how easily mistaken even an ardent fan can be as to the true identity of the vocalist.  Many of these early recordings are ably assisted by Peter Lee Stirling on vocals, harmony and chorus.  Latter recordings sometimes included Reg Dwight (Elton John) and the very popular Dana Gillespie who can be heard on this disc singing duet with David on Melting Pot and Good Morning Freedom.   It has been a pleasure to compile these 20 tracks and I look forward to putting together more of David’s early session work in the future. So now it’s time to sit back and listen to these vintage recordings of one of the greatest vocalists of all time who was sadly taken from us at the age of 38. This album was released on CD on 29th January 2012 to coincide with what would have been David’s 65th birthday. Now available for download, April 2014.                                                                       Colin R. Richardson – Artistry Recordings, London