More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The V.I.P's

 

THE VIPPS-Mercy Mercy/That's My Woman US Phillips 40387 1966

The V.I.P's were a five piece British r&b band who by the release of this single in July 1966 comprised of Mike Harrison (lead vocals), Jimmy Henshaw (guitar), Luther Grosvenor (guitar), Greg Ridley (bass), and Mike Kellie (drums). The band's first release was 1964's "Don't Keep Shouting at Me" (UK RCA Victor 1427) but they curiously had far more releases outside of the U.K. in France with 4 E.P's and a single. There were also solitary 45 releases in Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S.

Today's specimen was only released in the U.S. and was credited to "The Vipps" (a name used on their January '66 British single "Wintertime", CBS 202031). The A-side was a cover of Don Covay's 1964 single (best known by the Rolling Stones who covered it on their 1965 LP "Out Of Our Heads"). The flip, "That's My Woman" was later covered by The Nashville Teens in early '67.

"Mercy Mercy" is a fairly tame note for note cover and not remotely as rocking as the Stone's version and it's held up purely on the soulful voice of lead singer Mike Harrison. It's a decent version but just doesn't offer much to my ears outside of the vocals.

The flip side "That's My Woman" is where it's at for me. Kicked off my some ultra raw fuzz guitar it's a gritty little groover again showcasing the stellar piper of Mike Harrison and has a raving 1966 mod/r&b sound to it. The later Nashville Teens version pretty much follows this as a template, though it's not remotely as rocking.

Both sides were collected for Repertoire's comprehensive double CD "The Complete V.I.P's". 

The band mutated into Art who in 1967 released a 45 featuring a cover of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and an "Supernatural Fairytales" before adding Gary Wright and becoming Spooky Tooth. 

Hear "Mercy, Mercy":

https://youtu.be/rCAYmuqSqWM

Hear "That's My Woman":

https://youtu.be/JdiYZgnQOeY

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Nirvana (U.K. Sort)

 

NIRVANA-Girl In The Park/You Are Just The One US Bell 730 1968

U.K. pop psych due Nirvana (not to be confused with those filthy hippie grunge bastards from the 90's) comprised of Patrick Campbell Lyons and Alex Spyropoluos, were behind a slew of baroque pop psych classics back home on Chris Blackwell's Island label. "Girl In The Park" was the band's fourth U.K. single (Island WIP 6038 August 1968). It was simultaneously released here in the U.S. where it was their second single (their first being "Pentecost Hotel").

"Girl In The Park" benefits from the deft hand of arranger Syd Dale who slathered it all the prerequisite trappings of a U.K. 60's pop psych single: harpsichord, regal trumpets, somber strings etc that make it sound akin to one of it's contemporary cousins on Decca or Deram. On top of this the band shine through with harmonies that make them sound like Britain's answer to The Turtles and the sunshine pop kicks in during the fade out with the band singing infectious "ba ba ba ba's" providing the listener with an ear worm they are not likely to forget! Production was handled by Steve Winwood's older brother Muff.

The U.S. pressing has a different B-side than it's U.K. counterpart. The British pressing features a tune called "C Side In Ocho Rios" credited to "The Nirvana Orchestra" (it's a funky organ based easy listening piece). Here in the States we got "You Are Just The One" (previously issued on their debut LP "The Story Of Simon Simopath).  "You Are Just The One" is fairly pedestrian, reminding me of a less than stellar Cat Stevens Deram LP track, it's not horrible just a mundane exercise in sunshine pop grooves filler. Unlike the A-side Chris Blackwell twiddled the knobs on this one.

Both tracks are available on a 2018 double CD "Rainbow Chaser: The 60's Recordings (The Island Years)". 

Hear "Girl In The Park":

https://youtu.be/uAL4WvE7bUA

Hear "You Are Just The One":

https://youtu.be/4ZVdY1aK8fc

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Life N' Soul

 

LIFE N' SOUL-Here Comes Yesterday Again/Dear Paul US Mainstream 705 1968

My introduction to the British band Life N' Soul came in 1987 when I purchased the Bam Caruso compilation LP "The Clouds Have Groovy Faces" (Rubble Volume 6) and it included a track of theirs called "Peacefully Asleep", which I all but ignored for decades, literally. It wasn't until my music tastes grew more wide ranging and I came to appreciate poppy late 60's British sounds that I became interested in the track. To my ears it reminded me a lot of the brand of late 60's pop-psych (heavier on the pop, lighter on the psych) that was being cut on the Decca/Deram labels (quite often with help from Tony Waddington, Wayne Bickerton or Mike Vickers). I eventually discovered that the band's second British single (their first was an ill advised cover of "Ode To Billy Joe" with "Peacefully Asleep" on the flip, Decca F 12659 September 1967) "Here Comes Yesterday Again" (U/K/ Decca F 12851 November 1968) was issued here in the U.S. on an obscure label called Mainstream in April 1969 (also home the the U.S. Amboy Dukes and Big Brother and the Holding Company). Curiously it was issued by Mainstream twice , once with a Double A side and again with a different flip (both bearing the same catalog number).

"Here Comes Yesterday" is an archetype late 60's British pop psych opus with horns and strings akin to the likes of Toby Twirl or The World Of Oz. The vocals have a hint of soulfulness to them backed by sweeping strings and heavily produced horns that mesh perfectly with the orchestra. 

"Dear Paul" has a similar formula but the impassioned style on the vocals remind me a lot of the Bee Gees (especially "I've Got To Get A Message To You" especially the phrasing on the verses). Nothing to shout about, but not unlistenable either.

Unfortunately subsequent pop psych comps over the years have chosen to ignore both sides of this record, which in the case of side a is an injustice. 

Hear "Here Comes Yesterday Again":

  https://youtu.be/cBOaKsusD8g

Hear "Dear Paul":

https://youtu.be/YAJqBqn1A-M

February's U.S. Soul/R&B/Jazz/Blues 45's.....

1. BOBBY JONES AND THE PARA-MONTS-"Beware A Stranger" U.S. U.S.A. 864 1967

Kicking off with some horns borrowed from "Dancing In The Street" this uptempo groover is backed by female backing vocals and a frantic music backing. As expected it's another impossible one to snag owing to it's popularity among pensioners across the ocean...

https://youtu.be/CU8vMf5OZmw

2. THE CHECK MATES-"Hey Mrs. Jones" U.S. Arvee A 5030 1961

Made famous by Jimmy Witherspoon, this tale of adulterous behavior was covered shortly after by The Check Mates. It has a Latin back beat and double tracked male/female lead vocals that give it an interesting feel considering the lyrics. The arrangement with congas, bongos and brass give it an excellent Latin meets uptown soul feel.

https://youtu.be/iS0DpqlxkFI

3. OBIE PLENTY-"Beef Stew" US Verve VK 10516 1967

This groovy little organ driven go-go groover is punctuated by the annoying high pitched voice of "Ma" (reminding me of Flip Wilson's "Geraldine") and a lead singer doing a hip speak/rap about having beef stew for breakfast, lunch and dinner 24/7. Regardless it's quite a funky little tune with a solid groove to it.

https://youtu.be/5rIa-Ek7G_U

4. LEE MOSES-"Reach Out, I'll Be There" U.S. Musicor  MU 1227 1967

Speaking of instrumentals, this ragged instrumental take on the Four Tops hit is a pure gas! Gritty guitar, vibes, combo organ and a drummer intent on beating the living shit out of his kit propel this one forward and make it sound like a bargain basement/frat rock Booker T and The MG's, but don't let the lo-fi production fool you, these cats are cookin'. 

https://youtu.be/P1CRm8Z02H0

5. SYLVIA ROBBINS-"Don't Let Your Eyes Get Bigger Than Your Heart" U.S. Sue 805 1964

This brilliant Sue 45 is backed by organ and has a great "girl group" sound that's not as soulful as one would expect for Sue, but the wailing organ solo and nifty brass backing make it worth checking out even if the vocals aren't the track's strong suit!

https://youtu.be/Yr_a0EF8Ifk

6. THE VIBRATIONS-"Gonna Get Along Without You Now" U.S. Okeh 47-7249 1966

The Vibrations cut a host of amazing 45's when they switched to Okeh from Checker. This was their eighth single for the label, delivered at 100 mph with brass and vibes it's an uptempo stormer, and of course huge in that genre we hate naming....

https://youtu.be/3Is1UA94rlA

7. NINA SIMONE-"Do I Move You?" U.S. RCA Victor 47-9120 1967 

This smoking bluesy number is found on the flip of Nina's "Day And Night" 45. She smoothly belts it out over a dirty, dirgy blues beat with subtle harp blowing and boisterous male backing vocals and barroom piano, bass, drums and twangy guitar giving it an almost "live" feel. 

https://youtu.be/31bD7QCiV1Q

8. JIMMY BAILEY-"Keep On Running" U.S. Columbia 4-43530 1966

I could do an entire post of version's of this Jackie Edwards penned tune (made famous by the Spencer Davis Group) but this one is one of the handful of U.S. soul covers of the track (along with Billy Prince's which followed this a month later). This take is more uptempo than most that you'll hear but it's interesting because it's primary musical backing is a piano with added horns and the obligatory fuzz guitar. 

https://youtu.be/dzVI4CdQJP8

9. PRINCE AND PRINCESS-"Stick Together" U.S. Bell 637 1966

Any one have any clue who this duo were? Both sides of this 45 were written and produced by Larry Fallon and Jimmy Miller and it was originally released in the U.K. the previous year (on the primarily ska/reggae imprint Aladdin as WI 609) leading me to suspect that maybe they're British?! Either way it's an uptempo male/female soul duet with some hand claps and it's a 101 mph octane dance party (which explains why there's a copy on Discogs right now for $271)!1

https://youtu.be/DdkN8ln8rz8

10. JIMMY LIPSCOMB-"Pow Pow Pow (Mas Que Mada)" U.S. Monique 150 1966

Here's a funky little elevator jazz reading of "Mas Que Nada" with a vocalist giving it the full on Mel Torme meets Sinatra feel. Musically it's a cross between full on supper club and more commercial jazz. I've no idea who Jimmy Lipscomb, any takers?

https://youtu.be/7kiF3dn8APA

All scans courtesy of the amazing website https://www.45cat.com/

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The Alan Bown

 

THE ALAN BOWN-Story Book/Little Lesley US Music Factory MU 406 1968

The Alan Bown Set were a seven piece British soul/r&b group who cut five singles in that vein for the Pye label in the U.K. before switching labels (moving to MGM), names ("The Alan Bown") and genres (pop/psychedelia), in that order. Their debut of these three was in October of 1967 when MGM in the U.K. issued "Toyland" (MGM 1355). It's follow up, "Story Book" (MGM 1387) was issued in March 1968 and simultaneously released here in the U.S.

"Story Book" differs slightly from the version released on the band's LP "The Alan Bown" (US Music Factory MSF 12,000). The single starts with a demented laugh (with trippy affects) that is phased into the intro of horns that resembles The Graham Bond Organization meets Near Eastern sounds. There's Hammond, Mellotron, high harmony backing vocals, guitar with vibrato/echo and lead singer Jess Roden's soulful voice singing about nursery rhymes, whimsy and true "Pop psych"/"toy town psych" lyrics. The whole thing works because somehow the r&b horns and the voice of a fine blue eyed soul vocalist lend themselves quite well to the psychedelic nursery rhyme whimsy and Arabian nights put to music!

Trade advert c/o 45cat.com

The flip side, "Little Lesley" stays firmly in the "Toy town" pop psych genre with regal sounding horns and a jaunty feel to it that sounds indistinguishable from any number of less than stellar pop-psych tracks on Deram or Decca in '68. Unfortunately for me it falls flat, like an unmemorable Manfred Mann from the same era that isn't unlistenable but doesn't merit further replays either.

Both sides appear on the earlier mentioned 1968 long player "The Alan Bown" (issued as "Outward Bown" in the U.K. ).

Hear "Story Book":

https://youtu.be/t2khuOjHT00

Hear "Little Lesley":

https://youtu.be/cPyJfRFZg4E

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Sounds Incorporated

 

SOUNDS, INCORPORATED-In The Hall Of The Mountain King/Time For You US Liberty 55789 1965

U.K. instrumental band Sounds Incorporated are relatively obscure to  Americans, most will know them for their brass work on The Beatle's "Good Morning,Good Morning" on the "Sgt. Pepper.." LP or perhaps from the fact that they opened for The Beatles at Shea Stadium in August of '65. 

 Those trivia bits aside, Sounds Incorporated (or Sounds Inc. as they were sometimes known) were a six piece British instrumental combo who had been recording records since 1961. They were also known for being musos in that they backed several visiting American performers (their debut British single was actually backing Gene Vincent) and were frequently called upon to back British musicians as well. They were also recognized for having an extremely tight horn section and featured the drumming talents of future in demand session man Tony Newman. 

Today's subject was their third American single (and their eighth in Britain excluding the earlier mentioned Gene Vincent 45, issued there as Columbia DB 7545 in April 1965). It was simultaneously released on both sides of the Atlantic. It was issued with "Time For You" as the A-side but I have chosen to "flip" it here because I prefer the B-side, "In The Hall Of The Mountain King". 

"In The Hall Of The Mountain King" of course dates from the 1800's when it was written by Edvard Grieg for the play "Peer Gynt". Sounds Incorporated use their full horn sound of tenor/baritone sax to an amazing effect weaving an insane path through the twists and turns and increasing speed of the number as it progresses to an almost break neck speed. 

"Time For You" is a slow instrumental number that could have been another mundane Shadows tune if it wasn't for the waltzy sax solo and the almost trippy jangling 12 string guitar licks that resemble The Byrds (guitarist John St. John played a one of a kind Gretsch "George Harrison model" 12 string gifted to him by the man himself).  Add that 12 string action meshing it with some mildly disguised flute and you have a pretty trippy sound for 1965! Interestingly it reminds me at time's of The Graham Bond Organization when the saxes come in, totally mesmerizing stuff!

John St. John's "George Harrison" model
Gretsch 12 string guitar.

Hear "Hall Of the Mountain King":

https://youtu.be/6XK_ZtqJP1E

Hear "Time For You":

https://youtu.be/I_1kFRuqM2E

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Lionel Bart Goes Pop-Sike

 

LIONEL BART-May A Man Be Merry?/Isn't This Where We Came In? US Deram 45-85046 1969

American's will always associate British performer Lionel Bart with his highly successful musical "Oliver". Though I knew he dabbled in a music career it was not until I stumbled upon this track on one of the "Piccadilly Sunshine" psych-pop compilations that I realized he recorded things outside the "showbiz" realm.

"May A Man Be Merry?" is a kitschy track that would not sound at all out of place on a Mike D'Abo era Manfred's record. It's heavy on the brass (arranged by the amazing John Cameron) which perfectly punctuates things with a nice full sound as some intricate ivory tinkling joins in and gives it a jaunty feel bringing to mind label mate Cat Steven's "good time" Deram tunes.

Lionel does the town with Julie Driscoll, 1967

"Isn't This Where We Came In?" is a trippy little baroque pop piece with strings, interesting key changes and weird effects that seem to anticipate Matt Berry! The heavy Cockney accent brings to mind first LP Bowie and the orchestration screams Scott Walker, what a truly strange kettle of fish!

Both tracks are available on Bart's 1969 Deram LP "Isn't This Where We Came In?"  which was released here in the States. These two tracks are probably the most formed "songs" on the album. I say that because the LP is a weird mix of singing, music, spoken words etc that isn't exactly terribly listenable to my ears.

Hear "May A Man Be Merry?":

https://youtu.be/pmePyChhYtg

Hear "Isn't This Where We Came In?":

https://youtu.be/onhWRwuu9J8

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Joe Brown Enlists In Sgt. Pepper's Army

 

JOE BROWN-With A Little Help From My Friends/Wontcha Show Me Around US Warner Brothers 7055 1967

Joe Brown is a name most Americans won't be familiar with. He started recording back in the U.K. way back in 1959 and became known for his Cockney charm and spikey blonde hair. He had several records released here (nine prior to this release to be exact) and suffered the indignity of having Herman's Hermits note for note cover of his 1961 B-side "I'm Henery The Eighth I Am" shoot to #1 in June of 1965. Also famous for his celebrity pals (Steve Marriott and George Harrison among them, playing on several of George's solo albums as well as George being his best man in 2000) it still came as a shock to hear him record "With A Little Help From My Friends" (issued in the U.K. the day after "Sgt Pepper" was released, June 2, 1967 as Pye 7N 17339 and issued simultaneously here).

Regardless of it's impact his reading of "With A Little Help From My Friends" is utterly charming. It pretty much sticks to the Beatles arrangement though it has more emphasis on a string section which makes it all the more interesting and I may incur the wrath of some of you but I will have to say his voice is far better than Ringo's. 

Dutch 45 c/o 45cat.com

The flip, "Wont'cha Show Me Around" (titled "Show Me Around" on all the other releases around the world) is an uptempo track that would not sound at all out of place on a mid 60's Charlie Rich album when he was making poppy yet soulful records or an upbeat '65 single by Ian and the Zodiacs. It's catchy and bears repeated plays!

Hear "With A Little Help From My Friends":

https://youtu.be/QewNDDxJqyI

Hear "Show Me Around":

https://youtu.be/gcWYRgGbr_Y

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Barclay James Harvest

 

BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST-Early Morning/Mr. Sunshine US Sire 45-4105 1969

Seymour Stein's Sire label brought us Yanks a host of non American band's in the late 70's and early 80's, among them my personal faves like Secret Affair, The Undertones, Madness and The (English) Beat to name a few. But Sire had been around since the 60's and in their embryonic stages gave us loads of obscure releases from around the globe, like the untitled debut LP by Britain's psychedelic mavericks Tomorrow, and a host of odd ball singles like Sweden's Jackpots. It's debut release of a British artist however came in the form of being the American issue of Barclay James Harvest's first single "Early Morning" b/w "Mr. Sunshine" (originally issued in the U.K. as Parlophone R 5693). Stein managed a coup of sorts getting the single released in the U.S. a month BEFORE it's British release. This made little difference because no one noticed and indeed the band is not a household name in the United States. 

"Early Morning" starts with some beautiful Mellotron that evokes The Stones "Santanic Majesties..." ot The Zombies "Odyssey And Oracle". It starts a bit uninspiring when the vocals come in but eventually it settles into a groove not unlike a Moody Blues '67-'68 album track. Not at all unlistenable!

The flip, "Mr. Sunshine" is far more mellow and sounds like a different band with sparse tabla and acoustic guitars with vocal harmonies on the top. A flash of cymbals and and a recorder solo and it reminds me of something U.K. folk psych on Island. At a first listen it's not that remarkable but eventually I found it's melody creeping into my brain!

Hear "Early Morning":

https://youtu.be/QLxHzhnEUYU

Hear "Mr. Sunshine":

https://youtu.be/NWTHrmTKi8E

January's U.S. Soul/R&B/Jazz/Blues 45's.....

1. GATE WESLEY AND THE BAND-"(Zap! Pow!) Do The Batman" Atlantic 45-2319 1966

I first heard this number back in the 90's when it was the crown jewel of the indispensable CD comp "Pow City! FABulous Shakers Soul Party". For the uninitiated it's a funky soul instrumental punctuated by some hysterical impromptu lines like "Come on Robin get the Batmobile rollin'" and my favorite "Hey baby is cape on right?". Zap! Pow!

https://youtu.be/wsZ0YVpHEXs

2. KENNY DINO-"Show Me" Columbia 4-43062 1964

A big shout out to long time reader and pal Joe Hedio for hipping me to this one. It's a raving  stormer with a musical backing that sounds like it could be the Dave Clark Five (dig that beat and the sax!) with a frantic/frenetic groove that's 100 mph pure dance octane. 

https://youtu.be/0FFrhzqpRAk

3. THE FIVE SPLENDORS-"Your Dog Hate Me" Stroll 106 1960

This tongue and cheek early 60's r&b groover reminds me of the Coasters but with hints of doo-wop but a gritty sax solo and faster paced tempo keep it from straying into that genre. And dig the groovy looking label it's on!

https://youtu.be/64OyFsdEMQk

4. THE BLAZERS FEATURING DAVE "BABY" CORTEZ ON ORGAN-"Skins And Sounds" Winley 262 1962

This funky little obscure instrumental is an interesting number with the interspersing of Dave "Baby" Cortez's Hammond and some conga drums which makes for a different bag, but one that totally works! Incidentally it was released after Cortez's brief sojourn into the upper reaches of the charts with 1960's "The Happy Organ" and I suspect it was possibly recorded earlier?

https://youtu.be/6x4p7jKVzzc

5. CLARK TERRY AND CHICO O'FARRILL-"Spanish Rice" Impulse! 45-252 1966

Cuban born Latin band leader Chico O'Farrill and jazz horn legend Clark Terry cut this smoldering jazz instrumental with a talk over discussing the recipe for Spanish rice on top of an infectious Latin jazz groove! Smokin'! Anybody got a copy?

https://youtu.be/Yd4Y6ajvIKM

6. JO ANN SMITH-"Give A Man A Tree" Columbia 4-43330 1965

On top of a smooth groove laid down by organ, horns and chorus the breathy/husky Jo Ann Smith sings with some biting lyrics "Give a man a tree, he wants a forest, give a man a stream, he wants a river, give a man a hill, he wants a mountain, he cannot be denied, a man is never satisfied". Brilliant!

https://youtu.be/GTVmUj6rrLE

7. JOE DUKES-"Moohah The DJ" PRESTIGE 45-322 1964

This Jack McDuff penned instrumental number is credited to drummer Joe Dukes who played on this along McDuff on organ, Red Holloway on sax and Geo Benson on drums. Musically it reminds of something that The Graham Bond Organzation would have gotten up to across the pond, though far heavier on the accent on the horns than the Hammond.

https://youtu.be/PfwpWg76X4o

8. THORNTON SISTERS-"I Keep Forgettin'" Cuppy C-102 1965

This obscure cover of the Chuck Jackson number from '62 is worth checking out. It's far more upbeat than the original and the soulful female voices come across as gritty and intriguing. Some jack ass has a copy for sale on Discogs for $3,767.12. I kid you not. It's amazing but....

9. CASH MCCALL-"You Ain't Too Cool" Thomas 307 1966

The flip of Cash's Motown inspired ballad "When You Wake Up" is this nifty instrumental track led by a sax with organ/guitar interplay that comes off like an upbeat Booker T. type groove with King Curtis style funky horns.

https://youtu.be/B8npsVWhff4

10. ARTHUR PRYSOCK-"I Must Be Doing Something Right" Verve VK 10620 1968

There's always a running gag about every type of performer having their "Northern Soul" number and allegedly  this is Arthur Prysock's. I'm not sure how you get down to this baritone voiced track with loads of tempo changes but there's a cool groove punctuated by horns and atmospheric flute.

https://youtu.be/LpHD_C-frh8

U.K Hit, U.S. Miss: Chris Andrews

 

CHRIS ANDREWS-Yesterday Man/Too Bad You Don't Want Me US Atco 45-6385 1965

Chris Andrews, a virtual unknown in the U.S. was best known in the U.K. as a song writer behind several hits, especially for Sandie Shaw who made the Top Ten in Britain with his tunes "Girl Don't Come", "I'll Stop At Nothing", "Message Understood" and "Long Live Love". 

"Yesterday Man" was his solo debut (of sorts, he previously cut a 45 for Decca in '63 as "Chris Ravel and The Ravers" and received double billing with Adam Faith (another artist who recorded his material) with backing by our heroes The Roulettes. It was issued in the U.K. as Decca F 12236 in September of '65 where it went to # 3, released here two months later it did absolutely nothing.

"Yesterday Man", written by Andrews,  is a mid tempo number backed by some brass that has an almost cod ska feel to it and musically reminds me of a Sandie Shaw record (I swear I can hear her caterwauling on the backing vocals). It's infectious and quite an ear worm, for me anyway, and in a good way.

Speaking of Sandie...on the flip we have "Too Bad You Don't Want Me", which she recorded for her second long player "Me" in 1965. Like the A-side it's another Andrews composition and like Sandie's version it's almost beyond the singer's range creating quite a vocal strain that makes for an almost unlistenable feel. Mores the pity because the musical backing is catchy as hell!

Hear "Yesterday Man":

https://youtu.be/W6N3o4TDYsI

Hear "Too Bad You Don't Want Me":

https://youtu.be/q-eisJt8Ouo

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Fearn's Foundry

 

FEARNS FOUNDRY-Now I Taste the Tears/Love Sink And Drown US Parrot 45-40033 1968

Fearns Foundry (or Fearn's Brass Foundry as they were called back home in the U.K. on their two singles they released on Decca) were a seven piece blue eyed soul band from Leicestershire. This release was their second and final U.K. single issued as Decca F 12835 in September 1968. It was released here in November.

"Now I Taste the Tears" (originally cut by a U.S. group called The Smiths) is a somber tale of heartbreak and woe that's completely dark, but compels you to listen. The strings sound straight off a Scott Walker record adding to the bleak feel of the track and lead singer is totally soulful. The lyrics are completely black:

"Try to watch the TV reception ain't so clear, walk into the kitchen, I guess I'll have a beer, then I find the letter, now I taste the tears....lady says she's sorry for the wrong she's done, lady said forgive her but what is done is done, walk into the bedroom then I find my gun....". 

The strings (with subtle horn work) carries the number out after that disturbing verse. Wow, that is some HEAVY shit, but what a track! 

The flip, "Love, Sink And Drown" is equally depressing lyrically, but no on dies in this one...I think? It's backed by some heavy brass and is a slow ballad akin to "Temptation Bout To Get Me" by The Knight Brothers. The shimmering strings and brilliant horns make it sound musically like a U.S. 60's r&b ballad! 

"Now I Taste The Tears" was comped on Psychic Circle's "New Directions 4: Hide And Seek" CD and both tracks are available on Spotify. 

Hear "Now I Taste The Tears":

https://youtu.be/V3pnr0noi7k

Hear "Love, Sink And Drown":

https://youtu.be/Pd9AlBj6qUk

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Warm Sounds

WARM SOUNDS-Birds And Bees/Doo Dah US Deram 45-DEM-85007 1967

Warm Sounds were one of many duos in the pop psych genre in the mid/late 60's U.K. that included Twice As Much, The Young Idea and The Truth. Warm Sounds were two English gents named Barry Younghusband and Denver Gerrard. Signed to Deram records in early 1967 the label launched their debut in the U.K. in April as Deram DM 120, our subject here was issued in the United States the following month. 

"Birds And Bees" is a cheeky pop psych bit of choral pop that sounds like Spanky & Our Gang meets The New Vaudeville Band (the later because of the camp "English" lead vocal delivery). It's wrapped in vibes, strings and lushly orchestrated/produced with great harmonies, a quintessential slice of Deram pop-sike and was  produced by Mike Hurst.

The flip side, "Doo Dah" is a slow, mundane track with precise harmonies but offers absolutely nothing redeeming to this man's ears! The band went on to cut one more 45 for Deram, the total freakout "Nite Is A Comin" (issued in the US and the UK and probably the first song to ever name check The Grateful Dead!!) which was released after a brief foray on Immediate records with "Sticks And Stones".

"Doo Dah" appeared on the excellent late 80's Decal records compilation "Deram Daze", and "Birds And Bees" was issued on the CD compilation "Pop In Volume One". 

Hear "Birds And Bees":

https://youtu.be/SE2YQMndU6g

Hear "Doo Dah":

https://youtu.be/HZo5TfCEtBI