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The Montanas were one of those British bands who never came remotely close to having a hit in the United States but U.S. labels doggedly continued to release their 45's (often differing from British releases). With three singles issued on Warner Brothers and five on the Independence label and one on Decca one could say they were almost excessive. For me the Montanas straddle the aisle between saccharine overproduced pop and freaky pop psych.
Today's subject was their third U.S. 45 and their first for the obscure Independence label (along with label mates Bonnie Bramlett and Marlene Dietrich). It was their fourth single in the U.K. launched on Pye (7N 17338) in June of 1967, this release came later in September. "Take My Hand" (written by the Addrissi brothers who gave them their brilliant '65 single "That's When Happiness Began") is a fairly innocuous pop tune with harmonies and a full on Tony Hatch production (he handled most of their records). It's not awful but it's nothing I want to play repeatedly coming off like The Hollies in their post Nash cabaret period (I can actually imagine Allan Clarke singing this). For me the money is on the flip, an unreleased Bee Gee's track called "Top Hat" penned by Barry Gibb (it was also covered by Aussie singer Ronnie Burns on his debut LP along with four other Brothers Gibb gems). It's a kitschy/cheeky little number that's bouncy with some great hooks, tight harmonies and is punchy enough, musically to sound like The Move. Lyrically it's a clever number about a man seeking a change in his mundane existence who believes that purchasing a new top hat will change his perspective.
Both sides were comped on the comprehensive CD collection of their output "You've Got To Be Loved: Singles A's & B's".
Hear "Take My Hand":
Hear "Top Hat":
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