The Spencer Davis Group "Keep On Running"

 

THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP-Keep On Running/High Time Baby U.S. Atco 45-6400 1966

Unlike most British 60's bands America was slow to pick up on the Spencer Davis Group. Their first American single ("I Can't Stand It") slid out on Fontana in late 1964 and wouldn't be until January of '66 before their second U.S. 45, today's subject hit the streets. "Keep On Running" had been their fifth U.K. single issued in November 1965 where it sky rocketed tom the coveted #1 spot. It failed to do so here with zero chart action.

"Keep On Running" was penned by Jamaican singer Wilfred "Jackie" Edwards (he also penned the band's next U.K. smash "Somebody Help Me") who had been brought to the U.K. by Island records head Chris Blackwell. With it's distinct throbbing bass and fuzz guitar intro "Keep on Running" is easily recognizable. Propelled by Steve Winwood's soulful vocals (then all of just 17 years old!) and a pulsating groove accented by hand claps, bluesy guitar and a driving beat it remains one of the band's most popular and strongest tunes. It is of course also famous for taking away the #1 slot in Britain from The Beatles ("We Can Work It Out"). 

The B-side, "High Time Baby" is a group original penned by Winwood, his older brother Muff and Spencer Davis. Utilizing a similar fuzz tone guitar sound it's almost as powerful as the A-side, almost. Again it's a showcase for the strong pipes that teenage "Little Stevie" Winwood possessed and and features a rollicking little piano solo.

Both sides are available on the indispensable "Eight Gigs A Week: The Steve Winwood Years" CD collection of material the band recorded '64-'66.    

Hear "Keep On Running":

https://youtu.be/YrxHcSZBU38

Hear "High Time Baby":

https://youtu.be/_LNILfGj2EI

More U.K. Obscurities On U.S. Labels: The Spencer Davis Group Mk. II Part II

THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP-Time Seller/Don't Want You No More U.S. United Artists UA 50202 1967

As discussed in an earlier entry here the 2nd line up of the Spencer Davis Group had a dual life as a pop psych band and an r&b act. Here we have another example that follows suit.

"Time Seller" was the new look S.D.G. line up's (discussed in our earlier entry) U.S. debut 45 hitting the streets in August 1967 (it's U.K. counterpart on Fontana TF 854 was released a month earlier). It's an amazing little pop psych number that starts with some VERY '67 sounds: sawing cellos, harpsichords and soulful vocals and an amazing melody (with some typically silly lyrics courtesy of band members Spencer Davis, Eddie Hardin and Phil Sawyer). This is the stuff that dreams are made of, especially in the "Summer of love" (god what an awful phrase, I hear it and I have to picture Monkey boots,  #2 crops and  Desmond Dekker until it goes away).

"Don't Want You No More" is typical pedestrian white boy '67 blues (when everyone and their brother wanted to be John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers).  Yawn.  The only treat is the cool organ solo, sadly offset by twangy blues licks and it's back to sleep.....

Both tracks can be found on their U.S. LP "With Their New Face On...".

Hear "Don't Want You No More":

http://youtu.be/j4bxZukeOuw

 Cool 1967 promo film for "Time Seller":