The Prisoners 10 Best Tunes

The Prisoners are without a doubt my favorite 80's bands, and one of my favorite bands in general! I was hipped to them back in 1984 by a British pen pal named Debbie Jones who was absolutely besotted with the lead singer Graham Day. I promptly went out and found this American only compilation LP called "Revenge Of The Prisoners" (as did my friend and at the time co-fanzine editor Rudie) that was an interesting mix of Big Beat era material from their second LP "Thewisemiserdemelza" , various 7" tracks and even an unreleased track ("Love Changes") and an alternate version of "Coming Home". After that nothing could stop us as we consumed all things Prisoners. Rudie somehow wound up corresponding with Jamie (James) Taylor through our mate Chris Flip, who's British Mom was best friends with Jamie's Mom. Jamie kindly mailed Rudie two copies of their excellent new LP "The Last Foufathers" (one of which he shared with me) and two copies of the Dentists "Some People Are On The Pitch.." LP and a few Dentists badges (I stupidly sold the LP and used the $ to buy a Skinhead reggae 45, but still have the badge)!  Chris and his Mom were in the process of setting up a U.S. Prisoners fan club but unfortunately the band broke up a few months later (I later managed to purchase their stock of Prisoners t-shirts and badges which In started out selling but I think In eventually just gave them all away to friends). Rudie sadly left this mortal coil by his own hand in August of '86 shortly after we both purchased their final LP "In From The Cold" so I was left alone to spread the gospel of these four guys. If you knew me in the 80's chances are you were the recipient of a Prisoners mix tape!! Fast forward to 1988 and Tim Warren brought the Mighty Caesars over to NYC for a gig which allowed me to meet Graham Day who kindly consented to a mail in interview (which I have reproduced here) and the whole thing came full circle when I got my ass over to England to witness two of their three reunion gigs at Herne Bay a few months back (here) which BLEW MY MIND. With all that said and done I decided that in my grand tradition of doing "Top 10's" here it was time I chose ten by the Prisoners. It wasn't an easy task. I could have easily just chosen ten songs from "The Last Fourfathers", but I tried not to deliberately pick anything from a certain era . But enough babble...here tis:

1. "Reaching My Head" from Various Artists 7" "Trash On The Tube" E.P. Big Beat U.K. SW 98 1984

This track featured on the British TV show "The Tube" (hosted by Jools Holland) where the band were seen miming it in "Star Trek" shirts (you can view the episode here). It's brilliance lies in the well oiled rhythm section of Allan Crockford's thunderous bass and Johnny Symons drumming while guitarist/vocalist Graham Day strums a tough but hypnotic lick and sings of "icy warm lakes in my head" and "a slimy cold rock in my mind". It's underpinned by Jamie Taylor's combo organ (a Jennings transistor organ, similar to a Vox combo organ, thanks Allan!) which is influenced by the groove of Deep Purple's interpretation of "Hush" (a technique that would serve the band well and be the leading inspiration behind 90's acts like The Charlatans and The Inspiral Carpets). Check out this incredibly tight live version from 1984 here. 

https://youtu.be/EEIzCTmc_WI?si=FggEUoBJWDUaCT5r

2. "There's A Time" France single Sky Dog SKI 6103 1983

Back in 1984 when I first discovered The Prisoners, record stores in the New Jersey and New York were a wash with copies of this 45 thanks to the excellent distribution of Midnight Records (run by a French gent named J.D. Martignon)!! When I met him in '88 Graham Day said the band hadn't even received copies of it and later described the label in liner notes to "Rare And Unissued" as "being run by some dodgy Frenchman".  "There's A Time" is, in my estimation, one of the band's most frantic tracks, kicking off with Jamie's combo organ, it's propelled by Graham's gravelly vocals and an absolutely over the top guitar solo that reminds more of a raunchier Dave Davie's solo on '64-'65 Kinks single! It's probably one of the most melodic tracks by them as well (dig the melody on the chorus and the absolute rave up when the guitar solo starts to wind down). 

https://youtu.be/20AzzSMbHhc?si=MW96hSbMMiUEHdFF

3. "Thinking Of You (Broken Pieces)" LP track "The Last Fourfathers" U.K. Own Up OWN UP-3 1985

Easily my favorite Prisoners track of all time on my favorite Prisoners album, "Thinking Of You..."  with it's positively down trodden lyrics is literally a throat punch every time:

"Remember the nightmares took us over, we'll walk barefoot on dreams no more, and strangled by waking hands of insight our world in love has gone to war" 

There's a dirge like quality to Jamie's organ trills (played on his recently acquired Hammond M 100 organ) and the "ba ba ba..." chorus is completely catchy! I was nearly moved to tears when the entire audience sang along when they performed it at Herne Bay a few months back (which they dedicated to yours truly) which you can watch here. 

"Well we had it all but we lost it baby and there's nothing gonna take it's place, we're building our love on the broken Pieces of a heart that only sees your face..."

https://youtu.be/4GZisWB949Q?si=0KVxwL8JNmL1USg9

4. "Melanie" from the U.K. E.P. "Electric Fit" Big Beat SW 98 1984

One of the band's most popular numbers, "Melanie" is The Prisoners at their most garage band with it's catchy chord progression and groovy organ trills. The production by Milkshake Russell Wilkins (also responsible for twiddling the knobs on their "Last Fourfathers") is fantastic and Graham unleashes another edgy Dave Davies '65 guitar solo. Check out the band playing it live on European TV in '85 with Jamie on his new Hammond and Johnny beating seven bells out of his kit here. Back in the 80's when I was on my fervent religious quest to bring The Prisoners to the masses this was an obligatory addition to any Prisoners mix tape I did. 

https://youtu.be/wlrEF9TeMHo?si=TmDbaf2GiJlfXiE4

5. "Nobody Wants Your Love" LP track "The Last Fourfathers" U.K. Own Up OWN UP-3 1985

The lead off track of the band's third (and my favorite) LP "The Last Fourfathers" , "Nobody Wants Your Love" was penned by Graham Day and Milkshake Billy Childish. Starting off with someone retching the number has an incredible groove with Graham's chunky Hendrix meets the Troggs licks perfectly meshing with Jamie's soulful organ trills on his newly acquired Hammond M-100. The lyrics, like most on the LP are cynical and a total put down about an unfaithful partner. The number features a moody clarinet solo by Graham (he's pictured holding one on Thee Mighty Caesars debut 1985 LP "Beware The Ides of March") which adds to the odd feel to it. 

https://youtu.be/LOPxInjEN1A?si=vcBuZASkVMn8wjM2

6. "Better In Black" LP track "A Taste Of Pink" U.K. Own Up Own Up -2 1982

It's hard to believe that the same year The Jam released their final LP this quartet from Medway were in the studio recording and releasing (self financed no less!) their debut LP! It equally boggles my mind that Jamie Taylor was using a Casio set to "organ" and run through a large amp on this LP because the keys sound so powerful! Lyrically it picks up the theme of the Pretties "Midnight To Six Man" singing about the joys of nocturnal living backed by rapid fire guitar chord and a catchy chorus ("dead and lonely, dark and peaceful I hope you're having fun like we do...") all served up with an amphetamine 101 mph drive.

https://youtu.be/Q5c0mDBtFjg?si=5-RMmp6vqKuxiG-G

7. "Tonight" LP track "Thewisermiserdemelza" U.K. LP Big Beat WIK 19 1983

This tune is one of the band's darker numbers from an LP that is full of some pretty dark tunes. Despite being about suicide ("tonight it would be easy to throw my life away, tonight tomorrow's an ugly game I play..tonight when people are dead they cannot cry") it's absolutely beautiful. Graham's voice and Jamie's Chopin-esque piano playing are highlighted by some regal trumpet that strangely works well with Graham's slashing guitar and mournful lyrics ("I've heard about true everlasting love and I know when it's cold outside you need somewhere to hide..."). 

https://youtu.be/LFLi1iomWKY?si=wgREGSVblBUctx4K

8. "Mourn My Heath" LP track U.K. "In From The Cold" Countdown DOWN 2 1986

Some might say this is the album that broke up The Prisoners. In a case very similar to The Pretty Things "Emotions" LP, the band were not happy with the finished product, especially the horns that were added after (I have always wanted to hear a remix of the LP as the band wanted it). In an even stranger twist the band refused to promote the LP (and in an even more stranger twist they performed it live for the very first time with a horn section this past February!). At the time of it's release I honestly don't recall being too put off by the horns (I found an old fanzine review I did and I seemed to expect it with their being signed to Countdown) and over the years I think I have let the band's feelings influence me on the matter resulting in my paying less attention it it!! All that out of the way there are some VERY good tracks on it. "Mourn My Health" is a frightening ode to alcoholism, the band were legendary in their day for alcohol consumption (Graham Day especially). Graham was 22 at the time!! Delivered with sparse musical accompaniment , "Mourn My Health" is backed by bass, drums and a swampy Hammond organ as Graham croons woefully (and quite soulfully I might add): "as I stumble to the darkened pub I know I'm alone, I know I'm alone, with my last round, with my last pound they'll neglect me...so I'm all alone yes I'm all alone, they've left me here to mourn my health", and the strangely, there's a violin solo which REALLY works with the track. 

https://youtu.be/5WX4CU0yIL0?si=U1h2by8AvWmHingi

Demo version:

https://youtu.be/StbnfYC_ewY?si=jNu3DPLi0bz_Rkk_

9. "A Dream Is Gone" LP track "Thewisermiserdemelza" U.K. LP Big Beat WIK 19 1983

"Thewisermisterdemelza" album is often dismissed by the band who considered the production by the late Phil Chevron as "slick" and "overproduced" but I still love it. The album in general has a sinister feel to it, both musically and lyrically and this number has both. It's like they ate a lot of acid and binge watched a bunch of 70's Satanic exploitation and early 70's Hammer films and then started writing. Starting with some positively ominous descending organ scales (with incredible oscillation on them) and Graham's absolutely sinister yet soulful vocals he sings "See a red sky, see your broken heart weeping cross the land..." (and much later "See a green rock, see your mildew mild, man it's hard to be sane...") before the tempo picks for the bridge with Graham's vocals changing from a plaintive forlorn tone to a venomous yet soulful Steve Marriott style snarl and these indifferent "la la la la" s . 

https://youtu.be/VWMPk1PAwrg?si=aV6p-BZknAUPrUPQ

10. "Something Better" LP track "Morning Star" U.K. LP Own Up Own Up U-6 2024

I don't, as a rule like band reunions, and I seriously dislike reunion albums, and this one was no exception at first. It took hearing this track performed live at the Herne Bay reunion gigs a few months back for me to really grow to enjoy this track (and other bits of the LP). It has everything you need from an incredible Prisoners tune: Graham's incredible vocals (unlike lots of other artists from the 80's Graham has always sung the tracks within his range as he grew older) and his punchy guitar licks, Jamie's/Jame's swirling organ, and of course the engine that is rhythm section of Alan and Johnny bringing it all up. There's an almost Inspiral Carpets/Charlatans feel to it which shows the band coming full circle, musically.

https://youtu.be/8PrTU5g4fk0?si=flxbDJLwNYhojoXF

More U.K. Obscurities: Chris Farlowe "Paint It Black"

 

CHRIS FARLOWE-Paint It Black/What Have I Been Doing U.S. Immediate ZS7 5002 1968

Poor Chris Farlowe, he hit the #1 spot in England in June 1966 with a cover of the Stone's "Out Of Time" (after previously having a halfway decent go at their "Think" on U.K. Immediate IM 023 in January 1966). Some genius at Immediate records decided that they'd try again with other Stones numbers and he released covers of "Ride On Baby" (UK Immediate IM 038 in October '66), "Yesterday's Papers" (U.K. Immediate IM 049 May 1967) and "Paint It Black" (U.K. Immediate IM 071 July 1968). But sadly he never had another hit and all of them were flops (he also cut "I'm Free" on his debut U.K. Immediate LP "The Art Of Chris Farlowe" IMLP 006 1966). 

His American Immediate output was quite slim actually, just three singles and an LP (in the U.K. with Immediate he managed 3 LP's, 2 E.P's and a staggering 13 singles). "Out Of Time" was actually issued here on MGM (K 13567 August 1966 ) alongside a single by his Immediate label mates Twice As Much (who actually had two U.S. Immediate singles on MGM). Curiously "Paint It Black" was his first U.S. release on Immediate (ZS 7 5002) in November 1967 with  Twice As Much's "You're So Good To Me" on the flip. After a failure with a stab at "Handbags And Gladrags" here on Immediate (ZS7 5005 in February 1968) they released today's release, which would be his last here on Immediate. 

Farlowe's reading of "Paint It Black" never did much for me. Art Greenslade's strings add an odd "Fiddler On The Roof" vibe to it that's just too schmaltzy for these ears and let's be honest folks you don't fuck with the classics, unless of course you're Otis Redding, which Chris Farlowe was not. His vocals, like quite a few of his Immediate releases are out of his range causing some cringe worthy portions. Next....

The flip side, "What Have I Been Doing" was originally issued in England as the flip to his incredible raga meets soul reading of "Moanin" (Immediate IM 056 June 1967)."What Have I Been Doing" is a fairly mundane ballad with some nifty little sitars and acoustic guitar in the back ground that make it interesting and brings Donovan's "Ferris Wheel" to mind or something off the first Humble Pie album. I will have to say it's grown on me quite recently!

Both sides are available on Farlowe's CD set "Out Of Time:The Immediate Anthology" and on streaming.

Hear "Paint It Black":

https://youtu.be/poJtbMq6XpM?si=9vmqbLSjxtgd_0tA

Hear "What Have I Been Doing":

https://youtu.be/j2Yj4fZFwZc?si=rnzsriXLVMc5Za8H

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The Gates Of Eden

 

GATES OF EDEN-Mini Skirts/Girls, Girls, Girls U.S. Jubilee 45-5562 1967

British 60's quintet the Gates Of Eden cut just three singles in their home country from 1966-1967, strangely this was their only U.S. release and neither tracks on this release were ever issued in the U.K!

Australia issued both sides and France and Germany released "Mini Skirts" with different flip sides.

"Mini Skirts" is an infectious little number with a whistling intro (that continues throughout the number) and fuzz guitar, call and response falsetto backing vocals and liberal use of lots of "la la la's" along with some Nicky Hopkins style piano tinkling. The lyrics are predictably about the then fashion craze of short skirts. To my ears it's easily their most powerful track and it boggles my mind that it wasn't issued in Britain!

The flip side, "Girls Girls Girls" is equally catchy, with some VERY Beach Boys style multi layered harmony backing vocals and a decent musical backing.

Both sides are available on streaming via a Gates of Eden collection that compiles all of their 60's material titled "Too Much On My Mind: The Pye Singles As & Bs". 

Hear: "Mini Skirts":

https://youtu.be/CXLjlWvd4_4?si=P9HqVSsKhUlW9ZTC

Hear "Girls Girls Girls":

https://youtu.be/5aTQvyCcH4U?si=Dy-2QTMM5K-KYsZU

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: A New Generation

 

A New Generation-Smokey Blue's Away/She's A Soldier Boy

                                                                U.S. Imperial 66317 1968

U.K.quartet The New Generation (re-titled "A New Generation" here and on some European releases) had three singles back home for the tiny Spark label. Today's specimen was their third in Britain (Spark SRL 1007 May 1968) and their only American release, which was launched to no avail in August 1968. Imperial released a handful of odd U.K. releases during this period (The Bonzo Dog Band, Spice, The Eggy etc) which always made me curious about their motivation. 

My introduction to them came back in the early 90's when my pal and musical guru Ron Rimsite put their track "Sadie And Her Magic Mr. Galahad" on a cassette mix tape. A year or so later their "She's A Soldier Boy" popped up on a Rubble collection CD that I bought and so began my interest in the band.

"Smokey Blue's Away" I will admit is probably not one of my favorites by them. It's absolutely dead boring orchestrated MOR pop. Next...

"She's A Soldier Boy" has a grammatically confusing title (and the lyrics are pretty vague too!). Regardless it's a mellow track with a minimal musical backing with just bass,guitar, drums and organ. It has some cool harmonies, a catchy melody and this interesting part where a sped up flanged piano precedes the chorus. I like it because the melody is pretty catchy and sticks in my brain frequently. 

"Smokey Blue's Away" is on the Spark records compilation "Hello Everyone: Popsike Sparks From Denmark Street 1968-1970" on Grapefruit and available through streaming as well. "She's A Soldier Boy" is on a streaming compilation "Spark Singles Vol.2" as well as the Rubble LP "A Trip In A Painted World" (Rubble 17) and the earlier mentioned Rubble CD comp. 

Hear "Smokey Blue's Away":

https://youtu.be/MslHSYD-Gdw?si=8S4xZ2-v8EAoRmjR

Hear "She's a Soldier Boy":

https://youtu.be/hGoOcxYX4m8?si=4aSWq8hafFBuXvrc

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Tony Jackson And The Vibrations "Stage Door"

 

TONY JACKSON AND THE VIBRATIONS-Stage Door/That's What I Want U.S. Red Bird RB-10-038 1965

We profiled Liverpudlian singer/bassist (and ex-Searchers member) Tony Jackson's first (and previous) American 45 in an earlier post here.

"Stage Door" was Tony's fourth and final U.K. single for the Pye label (7N 15876 July 1965) before moving to CBS for four more singles. It was his second and final American single, launched in September 1965.

"Stage Door" (to my surprise) was a Goffin/King composition (check out Carole's demo) and rates heavy with me in the "beat/ballad" genre. It was also released in July 1965 on Reprise in the U.S and U.K. by a guy named Peter James (and produced by none other than Andrew Loog Oldham). But forget about that, the Tony Jackson one is leagues above.....I think what grabs me is the arrangement and production, not to mention Tony's delivery. The lyrics are incredible "Your dreams of fame have all come true and now I'm just a no one next to you" and the SEARING "to your your friend's I'm your chauffeur to the world I'm just a loafer living off a star..". The subtle backing of bass, drums and keyboards (piano and organ) add a rather simplistic feel that leaves it uncluttered.

The flip side, "That's What I Want" was penned by the Brit songwriting duo of John Carter and Ken Lewis. The number had previously been released by The Limeys, The Liverpool Five and The Marauders but this version to my ears is THE definitive version.  Again it's a beat ballad delivered mid tempo, very moody, very subtle and wonderfully executed. It's easily one of Tony's best releases. 

Both sides have been collected in a number of places: two different Tony Jackson retrospective CD's "Just Like Me" (Bam Caruso) and "Watch Your Step" (Castle) as well as appearing on a few different Searchers compilations and both tracks are available via streaming.

Hear "Stage Door":

https://youtu.be/ZR349NT2foE?si=KLbQdg9UI_m6ZFuK

Hear "That's What I Want":

https://youtu.be/DIWzNvjaE-0?si=CTAZbHl5VmP8eVht

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera

 

ELMER GANTRY'S VELVET OPERA-Flames/What's The Point Of Leaving U.S. Epic 5-10419 1968

U.K. psychedelic rock band Elmer Gentry's Velvet Opera released six singles and an album in the U.K. with just two singles (the first of which seems more than likely not to actually exist). Today's subject was their second issued here in November of 1968 containing two tracks from their untitled album (released here as Epic BN-26415). It differs from it's British release (Direction 58-3083) as the U.K. single features "Salisbury Plain" as the B-side.

"Flames" is an interesting track that's actually quite frantic and not as remotely trippy as one would expect. It reminds me a lot of the Open Mind  but faster with it's throbbing bass and slashing guitars. There's an obligatory blistering but brief guitar solo that breaks things up a bit. The production always struck me as sounding like something from the 70's, especially the vocals. 

On the flip "What's The Point Of Leaving" sounds like a completely different band sounding like early Badfinger meets late era Idle Race, with some subtle Mellotron.  Its not unlistenable but there's nothing compelling me to play to it again either.

As mentioned earlier both tracks are available on their untitled album which has been reissued in several formats (and was even released here in America as mentioned above) and is available on streaming via Spotify. 

Hear "Flames":

 https://youtu.be/oius7z69zRU?si=PPPEIhnUbiBJaPhL

Hear "What's The Point Of Leaving":

https://youtu.be/1V6126M05tI?si=iZq4g4rfO19vPOLx

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: On U.S. Labels: Jon

 

JON-Is It Love/So Much For Mary U.S.Epic 5-10242 1967

U.K. psych act Jon (actually a quartet not a solo artist) cut just two singles, "So Much For Mary" b/w "Polly Sunday (Parlophone R 5604 June 1967) and "Is It Love" b/w "Sing Out" (Parlophone R 8249 August 1967). In typical U.S. release fashion of British 60's singles Epic records placed "Is It Love" with "So Much For Mary" on the flip as their sole American release which it the streets in October 1967. 

"Is It Love" was first introduced to me via a delightful bootleg psych/Freakbeat CD-R "Jagged Time Lapse Volume One" in the early 2000's before gaining a proper release on the excellent CD "Insane Times: 25 British Psychedelic Artyfacts From The EMI Vaults" . It's a fairly mellow song highlighted by some high pitched backing vocals, xylophone and tack piano that gives it that "Fairy tale psych" element. The high backing vocals mesh with some slick guitar licks and the whole thing has a laid back (ie "stoned") vibe to it all. The lead singer really reminds me of someone from the 70's, only I can't decide if he's more like Gerry Rafferty or Al Stewart.

The flip side "So Much For Mary" (penned by Chris Andrews) sounds like a completely different band. It's uptempo and contains this driving beat with hand claps, Penny whistle and a poppy/happy go lucky feel not unlike The Tremeloes at their sappiest. And the melody at times sounds not dissimilar to "Hang On Sloopy". 

As mentioned above "Is It Love" is available on the CD "Insane Times..." and streaming as well. "So Much For Mary" does not appear to have been released anywhere else. The band later morphed into Still Life  who made one incredible orchestrated psych pop double sided for Columbia in 1968 "What Did We Miss"/"My Kingdom Cannot Lose" (an incredible two slider that must be heard!). 

 Hear "Is It Love":

https://youtu.be/2X5W5mN94bM?si=muVDgbkB7Eo3-c-Y

Hear "So Much For Mary":

https://youtu.be/GzVqFDbm4kY?si=2WYZj70L_6wF2xhA