More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: Jeff Beck's Debut With The Fitz & Startz

 

THE FITZ & STARTZ-I'm Not Running Away/So Sweet U.S. Capitol 5356 1965

This one off 45 by the obscure Manchester U.K. beat quartet The Fitz & Startz goes down in the annals of history as being the earliest known commercial recording of Jeff Beck, who though not a band member, contributed lead guitar on the A-side as a 20 year old session guitarist. Originally released in the U.K. as Parlophone R 5216 in December 1964 it was issued the following month in the United States. It made nary a ripple on either side of the Atlantic.  

"I'm Not Running Away" is catchy in no small part due to Beck's hypnotic, melodic guitar licks (with an interesting effect that sounds similar to something Joe Meek would have concocted) and the distinct high backing vocals that stick in your brain . Those same high backing vocals remind me of The Honeycombs and the lead vocalist brings to mind The Applejacks.

Photo c/o manchesterbeat.com

"So Sweet" is a mid tempo disposable beat ballad. It has a slight country/Everly's feel to the double tracked lead harmony vocals and sounds like your typical '64 beat ballad (not unlike an Escorts or Merseybeats flip side). 

"I'm Not Running Away" featured on a 2003 Jeff Beck CD collection "Shapes Of Things: 60's Groups And Sessions", the flip side has not been reissued to my recollection.  

Hear both  "I'm Not Running Away" and "So Sweet":

https://youtu.be/qbuK5C-G-c4?si=-E9INiUatOOy2aTZ

Jeff Beck Flies Solo

JEFF BECK-Hi Ho Silver Lining/Beck's Bollero U.K. Columbia DB 8151 1967

I find it interesting that upon leaving The Yardbirds in November 1966 (after a brief period where the band was graced with both Beck AND Jimmy Page) Jeff Beck was scooped up as a solo performer by Micky Most who sought to groom him as a pop star. It is somewhat ironic that he would soon attempt the same on the Yardbirds flagging U.K. career less than a year later.

In March 1967 the U.K. was treated to the debut "solo" single by Jeff Beck "Hi Ho Silver Lining" (simultaneously a version by The Attack was issued on Decca F.12578).  It's an interesting departure because, well it's a pop song with orchestration, not something you'd expect from an Elmore James disciple!!  It works, not because of Beck's semi flat vocals but from the orchestration and his nifty little trademark distorted solo.  The flip is the stuff of legends.  Recorded while Beck was still a Yardbird it's an adaptation of Ravel's classical piece "Bolero" with Jimmy page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass, Nicky Hopkins on piano and Keith Moon on drums.  While it was no secret that Moon was on drums his presence was kept under wraps as he was under contractual obligations to Robert Stigwood's Reaction label as a member of The Who at the time.  The number is one of those crystalized moments of Sixtie's brilliance where what starts off as just a few players having a laugh in the studio becomes legendary when the product is delivered.  Everyone involved gets their chance to shine and Moon goes absolutely batsh*t during the "rave up". "Hi Ho Silver Lining" gave Beck his first Top Ten "solo" hit and the flip was a precursor to many more "superstar" arrangements, namely The Jeff Beck Group, formed less than a year later.

Jeff Beck, scooterboy?

Both sides were collected on his CD collection "Shape of Things: 60's Groups & Sessions".