More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The End " I Can't Get Any Joy"

 

THE END-I Can't Get Any Joy/Hey Little Girl U.S. Phillips 40323 1965

The End were one of the first band's Bill Wyman took under his wing in the 60's when he decided to branch into production as part of his fledgling Freeway Music enterprise (which also later included Moon's Train, John  Lee's Groundhogs, Hamilton and The Movement etc) . Wyman met the band when they were opening for the Stones backing Andrew Loog Oldham's flavor of the week Charles Dickens.

Their debut release, "I Can't Any Joy" was issued in the U.K. as Phillips BF 1444 in October 1965 with Wyman at the controls (and as I have written previously here I have always wondered what The Stones would have sounded like with Bill in the producer's chair). It was simultaneously released in the U.S. It was penned by band members David Brown (bass) and Colin Giffin (Lead guitar/vocals). 

"I Can't Get Any Joy" is not, in my estimation the strongest track by The End, but over the years I have grown to like it. The subtle sax by member John Horton brings it along and helps it from becoming just another nondescript mid 60's beat number. 

Unfortunately for me the flip "Hey Little Girl" is utterly forgettable. It's not something I would revisit any time soon. 

The single failed to cause any impact in the U.K. and the band eventually relocated to Spain where they cut and released five incredible singles. They would not release any other records in the United States until three years later when their incredible second British single, "Shades Of Orange" was released here. 

Both sides are available on a host of End compilations, most recently the double album "From Beginning To End" that nicely scoops up ALL of the recorded efforts (including their Spanish only 45's). Both tracks are also available on streaming platforms. 

Hear "I Can't Get Any Joy":

https://youtu.be/tud3c3osXNg?si=g_2i9T-vVxd2PEtx

Hear "Hey Little Girl":

https://youtu.be/L1IhQutC2-8?si=oCJSDi8dbhAievN8