Monocled Alchemist

Here are some of my random thoughts and words about obscure and in-demand 1960s garage and psychedelic singles over the years. 

Wild Silk – ”(Vision In A) Plaster Sky” / ”Toymaker” (Columbia DB 8534) January 1969

Flower Pop Singles Psychedelic Ballads: Here’s a throwback to those flower pop singles from mid 1967.

There’s dual male/female vocal harmonies. ”(Vision In A) Plaster Sky” sounds like a UK Mamas & the Papas.

It has a surprisingly delicate production from Shel Talmy, best known for his work with English freakbeat groups.

For some reason the record was released in America under the group name of Basil.

Compiled on ”Rubble 3” – Nightmares In Wonderland.

I’ve read several online sources and even within ”Fuzz, Acid & Flowers” that the flip ”Toymaker” with songwriting credit going to (Davies) is indeed a long lost and forgotten about song written by Ray Davies.

This is however, incorrect.  

Blonde On Blonde – ”Castles In The Sky” / ”Circles” (Ember EMBS-279) 1970

The release for this fabulous single is sometime during the early months of 1970.

The music however, sounds like it’s a long lost child from late 1967. 

”Castles In The Sky” is a wonderful Moody Blues styled psychedelic ballad.

The other side ”Circles” is also fabulous but has been edited compared to the album version.

”Castles In The Sky” was also recorded by Simon Dupree & the Big Sound but was not released.

”Come with me to my castle in the sky, in the sky
Please say you’ll come to my castle in the sky
and we’ll stay there and we’ll play there
way up high.”

Great Uncle Fred – ”I’m In Love With An Ex Beauty Queen” (Strike JH-324) January 1967

The oddly named and obscure group Great Uncle Fred are believed to have their origins in Great Yarmouth and the small East Anglian beat scene.

At that particular period they were calling themselves The Millionaires.

Sometime in 1966 a decision was made to turn professional.

They relocated to London for a shot at the big time.

Sadly, all that came from their endeavours was this lone single on Strike. It’s gotta be said that the Strike label design is one of mod beauty.

In London they changed their name to Great Uncle Fred and recorded a Harvey Freed pop art number ”I’m In Love With An Ex Beauty Queen”.

This, by all accounts almost made the Top 40 in the Disc & Music Echo Chart during February 1967.

”I’m In Love With An Ex Beauty Queen” is an odd little number combining a mod beat with a Russian style sound. Very Cossack au go go. It sounded different and unique enough to be a hit. Shame then that this one shot at stardom was Great Uncle Fred’s last.

The single was compiled in the 90s on the vinyl only compilation ”Incredible Sound Show Stories – Volume 14” also known as ”Candy Coloured Dreams.”

The B-Side is an instrumental of the same song but with a slightly different mix, some echo and a louder guitar part.

Line-up:
Terry Mansi (vocals)
Dennis Ward (vocals)
Brian Roberts (guitar)
Tony Collier (bass)
Terry Rouse (drums)

Davie Jones & the King Bees – ”Liza Jane” / ”Louie, Louie Go Home” (Decca F13807) June 1964

Last week I as as shocked as anyone to hear the news that David Bowie had died. I’ve never bought any Bowie records post 1965 so he’s not had much impact on my life but I can appreciate the fact that he’s influenced thousands of musicians and vocalists over the years.

My way of tribute is this tremendous R&B pounder from Davie Jones & the King Bees released June 1964. My copy is a 70s limited reissue and still very collectable.

It was originally released on Vocalion and if you’re lucky enough to have a copy of that one you’ve got a record valued at around £1,250 according to the Record Collector Price Guide.

If you’re only familiar with the famous Bowie records check this one out for something completely different but GREAT.

Flower Pop Singles Psychedelic Ballads

The Shakespears – ”Burning My Fingers” / ”Something To Believe In” (RCA Victor 1695) May 1968

I’ve been wanting to add this disc to my collection for many years and I finally scored a copy last week, quite cheap too at £30 for something that looked virtually unplayed. There’s hardly a mark on the labels either.

According to an in depth Shakespeares online article they hailed from Rhodesia and started off as a beat group called The Dynamics but made their way to Europe during 1965 for gigs, settling in Belgium.

It was in Belgium that they signed to the Ronnex label and changed their name to The Shakespeares, perhaps for a more British sounding moniker.

”Burning My Fingers” was released in Belgium in June 1967 housed in a psychedelically charged cartoon picture sleeve. The music contained within certainly does it justice. ”Burning My Fingers” is a stunning fuzztoned ’mod goes psych’ sounding nugget and is simply superb.

It took some time for the single to make it’s way to Britain eventually finding a release on RCA Victor almost a year later. The UK version is much more difficult to find than the European counterpart.

The Riot Squad – ”Freaking Out” (Record Collector LP006) 2013

Long time British magazine ’Record Collector’ started releasing rare and obscure recordings on their own label a few years back using heavyweight vinyl pressings, lavish covers and as you would expect from such a professional and well established magazine each release comes with plenty of accurate information.

This Riot Squad release was rescued from a well worn acetate. The group had laid down some recordings at Advision Studios, London on two occasions during October 1967. Those recordings had some post production work done on them but nothing was ever released.

I highly recommend this album if you ever find a copy, it had a limited run of 750 copies only. My pick is their version of ”Steppin’ Out” which was first recorded by Memphis Slim but most record collectors will no doubt be more familiar with the John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers version that appeared on their ”Beano” album with Eric Clapton. Indeed the latter took it with him to Cream where they’d play it at gigs.

The Riot Squad’s version was titled ”Freaking Out” on the acetate for some reason. It’s a really strong take showcasing the guitar skills of Rod Davis.

line-up:
’Croak’ Prebble (vocals)
Bob Evans (sax/flute)
Del Roll (drums)
Butch Davis (organ)
Rod Davis (guitar) 
Pete Allen (bass)

The Slaves – ”Never Free” (Philips 339415 PF) 1966

Fans of European rhythm ’n beat have longed for an official Slaves document for decades and ”Ralph Apple” was very close to securing the rights to release a Slaves retrospective including all sides of the rare Charles Ryders Corporation tracks (including the ones from the movie) but this bootleg of German origin appeared recently. So it’s now very doubtful if there will ever be an official Slaves collection.

Although ”Shut Up!” is a bootleg it actually sounds great, the packaging is also very good and the back cover liners are decent and informative. So, I’m very happy to have this in my collection which comprises all six sides of their three singles released on Philips during 1966.

My taster from the set is the Don Everly penned ”Never Free” the B-Side of ”Shut Up” I researched this Everly Brothers song and drew a blank that was until Mike Stax informed me via Facebook that The Everly’s original version was titled ”Nancy’s Minuet” released as a single February 1963. The other side was “So It Always Will Be”

Thor’s Hammer – ”If You Knew” (Ugly Pop UPO46) 2013

This is an enjoyable compilation album to spin for top Thor’s Hammer tunes from 1965 – 1967.

For those who don’t know they were Iceland’s premier and maybe only beat group. I don’t know for sure if they were the only one but I doubt if Iceland had any beat scene going on in the mid 60s.

Thor’s Hammer made their way to England and signed a deal with Parlophone and released a few records that were brimming with quality but went nowhere fast.

Their aggressive fuzz crunchers ”I Don’t Care” and ”My Life” get a lot of attention and quite rightly so, but my pick is The Searchers influenced jangle beat gem ”If You Knew” from 1966. Absolutely their best song in my opinion.

Flower Pop Singles Psychedelic Ballads

Denny Laine – ”Too Much In Love” / ”Catherine’s Wheel” (Deram DM 171) January 1968

Post Moody Blues and pre Wings solo baroque psych 45 by Denny Laine released on the 12th January 1968. It’s taken me decades to find a copy of this, not that I’ve been particularly looking for it but for some weird reason I searched for it on eBay two weeks ago. It was late 80s when I discovered the song via the compilation ”Deram Dayze”

Denny’s unique vocals are a highlight on ”Catherine’s Wheel” as is the memorable production work of Moody Blues, Procol Harum and Move Producer Denny Cordell. He just adds that certain element that makes songs charged.

Denny Laine could have been a contender back in 1967/68 but released just two singles on Deram despite the promise of an album. The latter never materialized but other songs were recorded for BBC radio sessions.

misc notes: I found out last Friday that my first proper girlfriend, she was called Catherine, had died suddenly aged 47. We were together during our teenage years of 17/18/19 and drifted in and out of the relationship until we eventually stopped seeing each other.

Last time I saw her was sometime in 1985 but we did speak on the phone in 1994. And after that chat on the phone there was no further contact.

She died 23rd September, I bought this record four days later on the 27th September and found out about her death on my birthday 2nd October….. so was she sending out subliminal messages? Why would I buy ”Catherine’s Wheel” a few days after she had died? Why did I find out the news of her death nine days later on my birthday?   

Anyway, enough of the strangeness. Catherine was cremated this afternoon. I dedicate this record in your memory. R.I.P.

Tintern Abbey – ”Do What You Must” EP (private release by Tintern Abbey)

Tintern Abbey were a 60s English psychedelic group that need no introduction.

Their fame was written in tablets of lysergic stone with their fabulous 1967 twin spin ”Vacuum Cleaner” b/w ”Beeside”.

Drummer John Dalton and lead guitarist Paul Brett recently found a couple of acetates of songs that they recorded back in the day for a proposed album that never materialized.  They were recorded at Tony Pike’s Studio in Putney. Those four songs make up this self released EP which comes housed in an attractive sleeve.

The Paul Brett penned ”Do What You Must” is the stand out song. It had potential single written all over it, maybe not commercial enough for the top side but it was easily B-Side worthy.

The Spectres – ”The Facts Of Life” (taken from ’Purple Heart Surgery #1’)

Still on my ”Purple Heart Surgery” trip. This time Volume 1 released in the mid/late 90s. Check out The Spectres ravin’ R&B number ”The Facts Of Life” from a surviving acetate. It was never released back in the mid 60s.

According to the liners they think the group were from Ulster, probably based on the acetate label which was Ulster Electronic Development.

***Unknown Group*** – ”Leave Me Alone” (taken from ’Purple Heart Surgery #3’)

Today I’m still checkin’ out my ”Purple Heart Surgery” albums of rare 60s beat and psychedelic acetates. Last track on side 2 marked ”Unknown” is a wild hard driving beat number. ”Leave Me Alone” is a fab ’fuck off’ statement too…. Outsider beat!

According to the liners, the compilers had in their possession many acetates with just a song title. Some didn’t even have a title, they were completely blank on an Emidisc or Regent Sound white label.

Hi Friend: This track is performed by ”Unforgettable Amnesiacs”, included in ”Diggin For Gold Vol. 2”.Great song.Grettings from Spain. Jose.

Thanks Jose… I have ”Diggin’ For Gold #2” and have just read the liners for this song. To be honest I reckon the compilers have made up the name and story.

Sonic Invasion – ”Go Out And Get Her” (taken from ’Purple Heart Surgery #2)

Checking out my ”Purple Heart Surgery” compilations featuring beat and psychedelic acetates 1965 – 1968 including this incredible ravin’ beat number by Sonic Invasion.

Pilled-up on black bombers but nowhere to go except on a one of a kind acetate and left to languish unheard for 30 odd years until it was compiled on this mid 90s album.

”Go Out And Get Her” b/w ”Tribute To Theodorakis” (Emidisc acetate) probably dating from mid 1966. According to the liners of the compilation the flip is a sprightly organ-based instrumental.

Flower Pop Singles Psychedelic Ballads

Rick Minas – ”Toys” (taken from Rave With The Amphetamine Generation on Dig The Fuzz)

”Rave With The Amphetamine Generation” is a must have compilation for anyone interested in unknown and very obscure 60s beat from Britain. Most of the tracks here are culled from one of a kind acetates.

My focus will be on Rick Minas, who remains a little known artist, recording a handful of acetate demos in 1966.

Of which ”Another Time” and ”Think About Me” were published by Filmusic and released on Polydor. Rick Minas also released a 1967 single on Decca a.k.a. Sasha Caro ”Little Maid’s Song” b/w ”Grade 3 Section 2”

”Toys” is a superb hard driving beat number reminding me of The Truth’s freakbeat version of ”Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness).” Any 45 collector will tell you that ”Toys” would have destroyed on a mono single.

Rick Minas wrote several other songs with Mike Banwell which were recorded by groups including The Graham Bond Organisation, Hamilton & the Hamilton Movement, The Transatlantics and The Chantelles.

The Classmates – ”Go Away” / ”Pay Day” (Decca F.12047) December 1964

If hard driving beat music is your bag then look no further than an obscure B-Side by The Classmates with their killer ”Pay Day” Decca missed out big style by not having it as the single side and the disc sank to no-where’s-ville.

Too bad, as ”Pay Day” is a winner with a ravin’ guitar break… Listen and let your heart and head BEAT with ACTion.

The Kytes – ”Frosted Panes” / I’ll Give You Better Love” (Pye 7N 17179) September 1966

I couldn’t resist recently buying this white label promo by The Kytes even though the label is badly damaged by ink or water, quite possibly at the record plant in the 60s.

Someone has even scribbled the release date of 9/66 under the big bold ”A”

The label may have some damage but the vinyl itself looks pristine and the sound is superb so I’m very happy indeed.

The Eddie King composed ”Frosted Panes” was compiled on Rubble #10 ”Professor Jordan Magic Sound Show”.

It’s a baroque tinged psych pop tune with harmonies and sounds like folk-rockers turning their minds towards a much more experimental style.

This experimentation would continue up to their 1968 release ”Running In The Water.”

As far as I know The Kytes hailed from Bristol and consisted of: 

Eddie King (guitar) 
Freddie Allen (guitar) 
Dave Gillis (organ)
Julian Bailey (drums)

It is also thought that some members acted as the backing band for pop duo Peter & Gordon.

The Cryin’ Shames – ”Please Stay” / ”What’s News Pussycat” (Decca F 12340) February 1966

Liverpool group The Cryin’ Shames have appeared on many compilations over the years.

Their harmonica driven R&B wailer can be found on the other side of ”Please Stay”.

This number incidentally is a love ballad with a Tornados style backbeat.

I much prefer ”What’s News Pussycat” a 64/65 throwback, produced by Joe Meek.

Check out the grainy vintage video of The Cryin’ Shames lip-synching ”Pussycat” presumably for a TV Show which can be found on YouTube.

It’s rumoured that an albums worth of unreleased Cryin’ Shames recordings exist. Maybe one day those will be located and released.

The Fourmost – ”Baby I Need Your Loving” / ”That’s Only What They Say” (Parlophone R 5194) November 1964

Beat group The Fourmost followed their small hit ”How Can I Tell Her” with a version of ”Baby I Need Your Loving”, the soul hit from earlier in 1964 by The Four Tops

Over the years this Motown song has been recorded by many groups and singers including The Supremes, Sandie Shaw and Johnny Rivers.

The Fourmost version reached #24 in the British Charts.

And an appearance of them performing the tune on ”Ready Steady Go” is available to view on YouTube.

The Fourmost – ”A Little Loving” / ”Waitin’ For You” (Parlophone R 5128) April 1964

I created and am sole administrator of a 60s ”British beat” group on Facebook, setting it up to explore the British beat movement circa 1960 – 1965.

It’s quite refreshing to listen to, buy and spend some time with a genre that hasn’t had much of a look in with me since the eighties.

Now for the 45 under my spotlight because it’s not very often I post merseybeat style ballads.

But here’s one called ”Waitin’ For You” by The Fourmost.

This was the B-Side of their huge hit single ”A Little Loving”, a vintage colour video exists on YouTube showing The Fourmost performing the latter song which incidentally reached #6 in the UK Charts.

”Waitin’ For You” is slow paced acoustic beat with harmonies, similar in style to those love songs Paul McCartney would compose during this period. It was written by The Fourmost’s lead guitarist Brian O’Hara.

The Fourmost – ”Hello Little Girl” / ”Just In Case” (Parlophone R 5056) August 1963

”Hello Little Girl” is a jolly little beat number performed by Liverpool group The Fourmost and written by John Lennon when he was a teenager in the late 1950s. 

The Beatles also recorded ”Hello Little Girl” but it remained a demo and was never released by them at the time but it has since surfaced on the ”Anthology” set of CDs from the 90s. This single went Top 10 in the charts by the way and was also recorded by Gerry & the Pacemakers.

The B-Side is also good, this time their merseybeat is tinged with latin rhythms. Quite a unique sound going on for 1963. The Fourmost more than likely heard The Everly Brothers performing the song. They cut a version in 1962, check it out on their EP ”It’s Everly Time”

Flower Pop Singles Psychedelic Ballads

The Twilights – ”9:50” / ”What’s Wrong With The Way I Live” (Columbia DO-4764) February 1967

The Twilights have featured on my blog once before when I highlighted their psychedelic single ”Time and Motion Study Man”.

So I thought it about time to write about them again.

They hailed from a small Town in Australia called Elizabeth, which is not too far away from Adelaide.

They also had a very talented songwriter in Terry Britten.

In 1966 The Twilights won a music competition ”The Hoadley’s Battle Of The Sounds”, the first prize being a trip to England.

They set off in September 1966, checked out Carnaby Street for mod clobber and the sights and sounds of London. Also working a residency for a week at The Cavern in Liverpool.

The highlight of their visit to England however, was recording some songs at Abbey Road Studios with Beatles engineer Norman Smith.

And if you didn’t already know he also produced Pink Floyd’s ”Piper At The Gates Of Dawn” and The Pretty Things ”S.F. Sorrow” among many other psych classics.

”9:50” is a sensational psychedelic rocker with a pounding riff, harmonies and a gritty guitar sound.

It’s been said that Vanda and Young used the song as an inspiration for their big hit ”Friday On My Mind” with The Easybeats.

The other side is a wonderful cover version of The Hollies tune ”What’s Wrong With The Way I Live.”

During the mid 80s Terry Britten co-wrote ”What’s Love Got To Do With It” and ”We Don’t Need Another Hero” for Tina Turner. But the only songs of his I want to hear are those he wrote for The Twilights.

Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas – ”We’re Doing Fine” / ”Forgive Me” (Parlophone R 5408) February 1966

Great two sided gem from mid sixties period Billy J Kramer, recorded late 1965 and released a few months later. ”Forgive Me” has a tough vocal attack backed up by an edgy driving beat from The Dakotas.

The Dakotas now have guitarist Mick Green in their ranks. He joined from Johnny Kidd & the Pirates in 1965. ”Forgive Me” is one of his compositions co-written with bass guitarist Robin MacDonald. File under one of those B-Side killers that hardly anyone knows about.

Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas – ”Neon City” / ”I’ll Be Doggone” (Parlophone R 5362) November 1965

Choice cover version by Billy J Kramer & the Dakotas of the Marvin Gaye hit. His recording went Top 10 in USA after it’s release during February 1965. Paul Revere & the Raiders also recorded a version, check it out on their January 1966 album ”Just Like Us”

I doubt few people would have been aware of it’s coolness though as it was the B-Side of ”Neon City” which failed to sell in any quantity to get the record chart bound.

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