Zuider Zee - Zuider Zee (1975)

Of all the Paul McCartney sounding singers I've heard, and I've heard quite a few,  Zuider Zee's Richard Orange wins hands down.  Even Emitt Rhodes didn't sound this close.

Hailing from Memphis and managed/produced by Leland Russell ex member of popsikers Gordian Knot (and writer of their finest tune, "Carraway Stream"), Zuider Zee put out just one albums worth of high energy power pop, funky rockers and gentle Macca style ballads.  An array of guitar tones, sound effects and some of the best use of the Moog in a pop record (check the solo in "Magic Fingers") keep each and every song on the record interesting.  There is definitely no filler on here. Overall, sounding like the missing link between Wings' "Band On The Run" and 10CC's "Deceptive Bends".

The album was released in 1975 to positive critical response but poor sales, maybe due to the fact that record label Columbia had decided not to release a single off the record despite there being more than its fair share of stand out tracks.  Had the album came out a couple of years later when the Power Pop scene was in full swing, I'm sure that the band would have been huge.

Not long after the albums release, bassist John Bonar was stabbed while fighting off thieves from stealing the band's van after a gig.  The band split shortly after the incident and Richard Orange continued writing songs, though now for other artists, his biggest hit being "Hole In My Heart" for Cyndi Lauper in 1988.  Orange eventually released his debut solo album "Big Orange Sun" in 2005.

For more info and mp3's on Zuider Zee and Richard Orange check out richardorange.info.