Brotherhood - Jump Out The Window Cream - Doing That Scrapyard Thing FMOTNYRE - Monkey Jungle America - Mad Dog Alan Bown - Strange Little Friend Alan Merrill - Tranquility Mike D'Abo - Miss Me In The Morning Sapphire Thinkers - Get Along Boy Neil Harrison - Eyes In The Back Of My Head Snow - Catapillar Ginger Valley - Country Life Joe Griffifths - Whippersnapper Strut Caravan - Golf Girl Rodney Bewes - Meter Maid Fanny - Knock On My Door
When the Bonzo Dog Band split in January 1970, songwriter Neil Innes had his sights set on commercial success, something that the Bonzo's had briefly come by with their only hit, the Innes penned and Paul McCartney produced, "I'm The Urban Spaceman". Innes had already written some "proper" songs, in particular, one tucked away on the Keynsham album, "I Want To Be With You" in which Innes pulls off an attempt into mainstream pop/rock, sounding a lot like Badfinger in the process.
Neil Innes enlisted former Bonzo, Dennis Cowan (bass, guitar, vocals) and Ian Wallace (drums, vocals) and Roger McKew (lead guitar) to form The World. Their sole album, "Lucky Planet" was recorded at Trident Studios in August 1970, written and produced by Innes. The music on the album is a fine example of 1970's Beatles influenced proto-power pop which is highlighted in "Not The First Time" and "Sail Away", both of which could be passed off as Pete Ham penned Badfinger out-takes. By the time of the album's release in late 1970, The World had already split, but Innes hadn't given up on the idea of writing Beatles infected songs and what followed is a story which deserves it own blog entry.
Here's what the liner notes for Lucky Planet had to say about The World...
Neil Innes - 25 years old, born in Essex and spent his childhood in Germany; studies classical piano for seven years until the emergence of rock 'n' roll. Fine arts degree from Goldsmith College, London University. Neil was one of the founder members of the Bonzo Dog Band and was responsible for many of the Bonzo's compositions including the very famous "I'm The Urban Spaceman". Neil formed The World when the Bonzo's split up, and writes and produces all the material for the world. Dennis Cowan - 23 years old. Born in London. Took up the bass and leas guitar while still at school. Teeny Bobber Heart-Throb until joining the Bonzo Dog Band in 1967. Ian Wallace - 23 years old. Libra (Virgin ascending). Born in Bury, Lancashire. Started his career at the age of 17 backing Little Richard. Ian has played all over Europe and Scandinavia and 1968 turned session work. He first met Neil Innes and Dennis Cowan in Spring of 1970. Roger McKew - 27 years old. Born in London, studied piano for seven years and the cello for three years and later switched to the guitar because all his friends had one. Roger was a member of the Quiet Five and turned to session work in 1966. Like Ian Wallace, Roger first met Neil and Dennis in the spring of 1970.
As there doesn’t appear to be any other place where you can listen to them (surprisingly, still uncomped), I’ve decided to upload the Billy Kinsley solo songs that I mentioned a few weeks back in the Liverpool Express post.
Here’s the beautifully Beatlesque “Annabella” and the totally 10cc-ish, “Make My Bed”. Enjoy...
Here's a killer, double sider 45 from ex Blue Bus members, originally from Corpus Christi before relocating to Houston, Texas in search of a record deal. Ginger Valley only put out one single, on the International Artists records (13th Floor Elevators, Bubbly Puppy) and this appears to be the last thing that the label would release, on green vinyl too (why not orange?). I'd describe this simply as pure pop with a slight country twang. A bit like Clarence White era Byrds.
Ginger Valley were named as a compromise of two separate ideas "Peace Valley" and "Ginger". Through their short lifespan, the band's line up consisted of the following members; David Garing (guitar), Richard Mauch (rhythm guitar), Edward Clifton (bass), Bobby Donahoe (drums), John Kenney (vocals), John Mitchell (bass), Jeff Burke (guitar) and Stanley Moore (drums).
Ginger Valley (1970) - Blink and you'll miss them
"Country Life" was written by Mauch and Kenney and came backed with "Ginger", written by Clifton and Kenney with production duties handled by label boss Fred Carroll. The band were signed to IA on a five year contract, but the label was going through some serious money problems at the time and would soon fold. Ginger Valley never did get to record their album and sadly only leave behind this great single which shows massive potential on the song writing front. The band split and moved back to Corpus Christi to get regular jobs. What a shame!
Thanks to everyone who follows, leaves comments and reads this blog. Just like last year, here's a mix, compiling all of the featured songs from the last twelve months. A 100 minute collection of forgotten pop gems. I hope you like.
After the breakup of Rockin' Horse in 1972, Billy Kinsley spent a couple of years making his money recording soundalikes for the Top Of The Pops budget compilation albums (as heard on Bite It Deep Mix Vol.5). He attempted a solo career, releasing two singles on the Epic record label, Annabella b/w Blue Movies in 1973 and You Make My Day b/w Make My Bed in 1974. Both were outstanding but failed to chart. Kinsley needed to get another band together.
In 1974, Kinsley started playing five-a-side soccer as a means of keeping fit. It was on the pitch that he met Roger Craig, keyboard player in a local band called Paper Chase along with Tony Coats (guitar) and Derek Cashin (drums). Craig was a fan of the Annabella single and asked Kinsley if he would like to join Paper Chase, to which he agreed.
Kinsley rechristened his new band Rockin' Horse, knowing that they would get more gigs with a familiar name. He also hoped that original Rockin' Horse, Jimmy Campbell would join him, but Campbell returned to his engineering job. Rockin' Horse Mark II was getting plenty of bookings on the club scene but their crowd pleasing set list comprised of cover versions. After six months of gigging, Kinsley had learned how to play the piano via Craig and armed with a Mellotron each, the pair started to write songs together. The band was renamed Liverpool Express by their manager, Hal Carter. Their first gig under this name was at the Huyton Labour Club in June 1975. Shortly after, Carter had landed the band a recording contract with Warner Btothers.
Liverpool Express (Coats, Craig, Kinsley & Cashin)
Their first single, the Pilot-alike "Smile (My Smiler's) Smile" came backed with the reggae-lite "Lae Mei"and failed to dent the charts. It was after the release of their second single in May 1976 that the Liverpool Express started moving. "You Are My Love" a McCartney-esque ballad (Macca is apparently a fan of this song), backed with the equally Wings-by-numbers, "Never The Same Boy" cracked the UK pop charts peaking at number 11 and would go on to be a hit in many countries around the world.
An album called "Tracks", recorded at both Zodiac and DJM Studios in London and produced by Hal Carter and Peter Swettenham was released in June 1976 following the success of "You Are My Love" and included the hit and the previous single, now shortened to "Smile". Three more songs from the album were punted as singles; "Hold Tight" in September 1976, "Every Man Must Have A Dream" in December 1976 and "Doing It All Again" in March 1977. The overall sound of the album is 10cc meets Wings, harmony pop with a very typical 1976 'over production' which might put some people off, but the strength and quality of the songs helps you overcome the cheese factor. Also included on the album is a remake of the old Rockin' Horse classic, now titled "(I Remember) Julian The Hooligan" where Kinsley sings "Julian, plugging your smokes again, telling dirty jokes again, trouble for his folks again!".
Tracks is a great album which can be found for cheap and although it's not as raw or power poppy as the Rockin' Horse album, it is crammed with pure pop class. If you're still not convinced you better listen to this....enjoy....
Intro - Hello Dave Edmunds - Information Hilly Michaels - Calling All Girls Player - Am I A Dreamer? The Rubinoos - Faded Dream New England - Searchin' Menudo - Like A Cannonball The Shoes - Curiosity Fantastic Something - Garden City The Korgis - Contraband Klaatu - Mrs. Toads Cookies Kelly Groucutt - You Don't Need To Hold Me Tight Electric Light Orchestra - Heaven Only Knows Freiheit - Keeping The Dream Alive
