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