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| THE SEARCHERS-Umbrella Man/Over The Weekend U.K. Liberty LBF 15159 1968 |
After a four year stint with Pye records in England that netted fifteen singles (nine of which were in the Top 20) , nine E.P.'s and five LP's the band were unceremoniously dropped. They were duly picked up by Liberty and exactly one year after their last U.K. single ("Secondhand Dealer" Pye 7N 17424, November 1967) they returned with "Umbrella Man".
"Umbrella Man" was penned by their new producer Kenny Young (who would produce AND compose their two U.K. Liberty singles as the Searchers as well as one made under the moniker of "Pasha", which as legend has it was the name of Kenny's dog). It's an interesting track driven by incessant hand claps, sweeping strings, gentle guitar strumming and the band's archetype harmonies. For me it's the perfect sunshine pop and the unexpected horns after the first chorus remind me of the Mirror's pop sike ditty "The Gingerbread Man".
The flip side is an original penned by bassist Frank Allen titled "Over The Weekend" is a fairly innocuous little number that reminds me of Simon & Garfunkel (especially the "la la la's") with some very Hollie's influenced guitar flourishes (think "Tell Me To My Face"). It's nothing amazing but not unlistenable either.
"Umbrella Man" was issued in Germany (warranting what stands as possible the last Searchers TV appearance of the 60's in existence) France and Portugal as well. There are claims that it was issued in the US on World Pacific but despite the fake posted on Discogs no one has ever actually seen a copy!
"Umbrella Man" has sadly not officially surfaced anywhere compilation wise outside of two bootleg various artists CD's "Waiting For A Break In The Clouds" and Psychic Circle's "Fairytales Can Come True Volume 1". "Over The Weekend" remains unreissued.
Watch The Searchers mime "Umbrella Man" on German TV's "Beat Club":
Hear "Over The Weekend":
