The Oscar Bicycle - On A Quiet Night

The Oscar Bicycle - On A Quiet Night (P.F. Sloan) CBS 3237 A - 1968

Force West era un sólido grupo de Bristol que publicó más de media docena de singles entre 1965 y 1969. Incluso daban la nota al ser uno de los poquísimos grupos británicos de la época, si no los únicos, que utilizaba una avioneta propia para muchos de sus desplazamientos, ya que su manager era también piloto y poseía una Piper de seis plazas.

Además también fueron, muy probablemente, el primer grupo del mundo en versionear a Los Brincos: Al año siguiente de su edición original, "Mejor" fué convertida en "All The Children Sleep" para el cuarto single de la banda en 1967. Aunque, por alguna oscura razón editorial, venía firmada por el productor del disco, Clive Westlake.

El caso es que en 1968, año mágico, se decidió hacer un experimento con el pop psicodélico, como era casi de obligación, y alejarse un poco de su sonido habitual de pop convencional, cercano a The Fortunes, por ejemplo. A tal efecto, grabaron un curioso y atractivo single. La cara B, "The Room Revolves Around Me" ha aparecido en alguna que otra recopilación de psico-oscuridades. No así la cara A del single en cuestión, "On A Quiet Night", una preciosidad firmada por el inefable P.F. Sloan, que a buen seguro debieron encontrar medio camuflada en el tercer LP de The Association, "Insight Out", transmutando la soleada limpieza californiana del original en una deliciosa y continental semilisergia nocturna. Para redondear el asunto, se buscó un nombre adecuado a la intención, y el single fué publicado finalmente bajo el nombre de The Oscar Bicycle.

Por cierto, no me habría importado en absoluto que el final de la canción se prolongara durante unos minutillos más...



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Force West was a solid band from Bristol who released more than half a dozen singles between 1965 and 1969. They could even claim to be one of the very few british groups of the times, if not the only one, who were using a private aeroplane for many of their trips. Their manager was also a pilot and owned a six-seater Piper.

Also, most probably, they were the first group in the world to cover an original song by spanish band Los Brincos: One year after its original release, "Mejor" was changed into "All The Children Sleep" for the fourth single of the band in 1967. Although, because of some dark publishing reason, it was credited to the record producer instead, Clive Westlake.

Anyway in 1968, magical year, it was decided to make an experiment with psych pop, as it was almost mandatory, and step a bit beyond their usual conventional pop sound, in the vein of say The Fortunes. To this effect, they recorded a curious and attractive single. The B side, "The Room Revolves Around Me" has already appeared in some of the well known psych-obscurities comps. Not so the A side of the single, "On A Quiet Night", a beauty written by the unutterable P.F. Sloan, which quite surelly was found half lost on The Association third LP, "Insight Out", transmutating the sunny californian neatness of the original into a delicious and nocturnal continental semilysergy. To round things up, a proper name according to the intentions was selected, and the single was finally released under the moniker of The Oscar Bicycle.

By the way, I wouldn't have minded at all if the ending of the song would have lingered on for a few little minutes more...




http://rapidshare.com/files/394598193/The_Oscar_Bicycle_-_On_A_Quiet_Night.mp3




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The Game - When Love Begins To Look Like You

The Game - When Love Begins To Look Like You (Alan Gordon) Commonwealth United C 3009 - 1969

Todo queda dicho en menos de dos minutos. Breve, como la mayor parte de las buenas cosas. Una oxigenante canción para una primavera otoñal, que podría ser un buen ejemplo de cómo sonaría Nueva York si estuviera en California.

A finales de los 60, y tras haber publicado un par de singles con su grupo The Proctor Amusement Co., con base en Fort Lauderdale, en Florida, un tal Chuck Kirkpatrick era uno de los técnicos de sonido de los famosos estudios Criteria de Miami, en donde le daba a los botones en las grabaciones de Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers y muchas otras lumbreras del momento. No se resignaba a quedarse en la trastienda del asunto, y tras algunos cambios de formación, su grupo se convirtió en The Game. Un contrato con un pequeño sello neoyorkino resultó en este single que nos ocupa.

"When Love Begins To Look Like You" fué escrita por Alan Gordon, ex-batería de The Magicians y co-autor de éxitos tan sonados como "Happy Together" y varias otras de The Turtles, "Celebrate" de Three Dog Night, y un montón más para The Lovin' Spoonful, The Righteous Brothers, Harper's Bizarre, The Critters y cien más. Alan murió a finales de 2008, todavía en activo. Tuve el honor de ser su último colaborador, escribiendo las letras para dos canciones que él llevaba últimamente entre manos, y que parece ser quedarán para siempre en el limbo.

Con respecto a The Game, después de trabajar con Alan Gordon, llegaron a editar un par de LPs con sus propias canciones. Incluso a finales de los 70, el persistente Chuck publicó un LP con Capitol, con el nombre de Chuch Crane. Burbújas en el mar.



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Everything is said in less than two minutes. Short, as most good things. An oxygenating song for an autumnal spring, it could be a good example of how New York would sound if it was in California.

In the late 60s, and after having released a couple of singles with his Fort Lauderdale, Florida based band The Proctor Amusement Co., a certain Chuck Kirkpatrick was a sound engineer at the famous Criteria studios in Miami, were he handled the knobs in recordings by Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, and many other big names of the moment. He would not resign at keeping in the backroom and, after some line-up changes, his band mutated into The Game. A contract with a small newyorker label had the single we're having here as a result.

"When Love Begins To Look Like You" was written by Alan Gordon, ex-drummer with The Magicians and co-writer of such big hits as "Happy Together" and several others by The Turtles, "Celebrate" by Three Dog Night, and a bunch more for The Lovin' Spoonful, The Righteous Brothers, Harper's Bizarre, The Critters and a hundred more. Alan died in late 2008, still active. I had the honour of being his latest collaborator, writing the lyrics for two songs he was lately working on, and which will most probably remain forever in limbo.

Regarding The Game, after working with Alan Gordon, they managed to release a couple of LPs with their own songs. Even in the late 70s, the persistent Chuck released an LP with Capitol, under the name of Chuck Crane. Bubbles in the sea.




http://rapidshare.com/files/381540229/The_Game_-_When_Love_Begins.mp3




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David Kershenbaum - White Velvet Cat

David Kershenbaum - White Velvet Cat (Bobby Lile) Capitol P 2191 - 1968

Una de esas canciones con apariencia discreta y que, a pesar de todo, se hacen de notar rápidamente y permanecen. Nocturna y elegante, y vestida con un seductor arreglo, fué escrita por Bobby Lile, un experimentado artista con al menos una docena de singles a sus espaldas, editados desde mediados de los 50 por varios sellos diferentes.

Como Bobby, David Kershenbaum no tuvo mucho éxito con sus discos. Aunque, con el tiempo, sí pudo ver su nombre estampado en literalmente millones de ellos. Tras introducirse en la tenebrosa parte ejecutiva de la industria discográfica, encontaría finalmente el éxito, la reputación, la fama y el dinero, con sus producciones para Richie Havens, Cat Stevens, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker, Tracy Chapman y cien más. Nunca se sabe.



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One of those songs with a discreet appearance and which, in spite of all, grabs attention and lingers on. Nocturnal and elegant, and dressed with a seducing arrangement, it was written by Bobby Lile, an experienced artist himself with at least a dozen singles on his back, released since the mid 50s by several different labels.

Like Bobby, David Kershenbaum didn't have that much success with his records. Although, some time later, he could see his name printed in literally millions of them. After entering the gloomy executive side of the recording industry, he'd finally find success, reputation, fame and money, producing Richie Havens, Cat Stevens, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker, Tracy Chapman and a hundred more. You never know.




http://rapidshare.com/files/371867104/David_Kershenbaum_-_White_Velvet_Cat.mp3




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Clouds - Ladies And Gentlemen

Clouds - Ladies And Gentlemen (Ian Ellis/Billy Ritchie/Harry Hughes) del LP "Scrapbook", Island ILPS 9100 - 1969

Esta canción no estaba incluida en ninguno de los tres singles que Clouds editaron. Cerraba la cara uno de su primer LP. Y ya a los pocos segundos, se anuncia una de esas canciones especiales que tocan la fibra - no me preguntes cual. Elegante, bien provista de melodía, y con una orquestación al punto, ensancha el espiritu y dibuja una pequeña sonrisa escondida.

Clouds era un trío de Edinburgo - sin guitarra!, que además de los tres mencionados singles, editaron otros tantos LPs. "Scrapbook" es variopinto y con temas muy adecuados al pop como la mortalidad y las ambiciones fallidas. Un segundo álbum, "Up Above Our Heads", fué editado únicamente en USA. Tras "Watercolour Days", un LP con toques progresivos como mandaba la época, Clouds se disiparon en el aire. El organista, Billy Ritchie, parece ser que desapareció de la escena musical. Sus dos compañeros, el bajista Ian Ellis y el batería Harry hughes, lo intentaron un poco más. Tocaron con David Bowie en las maquetas para "Hunky Dory"... pero no fueron utilizadas. La vida es una tómbola.

Como reza la portada de "Scrapbook", "Riquezas en busca de un lugar al que pertenecer. Eso son los recuerdos, eso son las canciones."



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This song wasn't included on any of the three singles released by Clouds. It was closing side one of their first LP. And already after a few seconds, one of those very special songs is announced. Elegant, well provided with melody, and with an orchestration in the right measure, it broadens the spirit and draws a little hidden smile.

Clouds were a trio from Edinburgh - without a guitar!, which besides those already mentioned three singles, released as many LPs. "Scrapbook" is a diverse album, dealing with topics quite well related to pop as mortality and failed ambitions. A second one, "Up Above Our Heads", was released only in the U.S.A. After "Watercolour Days", an LP with progressive touches as times commanded, Clouds dissipated in the sky. It seems that organist Billy Ritchie quit the music scene for good. His two mates, bassist Ian Ellis and drumer Harry hughes, tried a little further on. They played with David Bowie on the "Hunky Dory" demo sessions... but they finally were not used. Life is a lottery.

As said on the "Scrapbook" cover, "Riches in search of a place to belong. Such are memories, such are songs."




http://rapidshare.com/files/359033045/Clouds_-_Ladies_And_Gentlemen.mp3

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Paul Revere & The Raiders - Your Love (Is The Only Love)

Paul Revere & The Raiders - Your Love (Is The Only Love) (Dennis Lambert / Brian Potter) Columbia 3-10126 - 1975

Cuando su último single oficial fué publicado, hacía casi unos diez años ya que Paul Revere & The Raiders habían dejado atrás su época dorada. La cara A del single en cuestión era una aguerrida versión del "Good Times" de The Easybeats, debídamente setentizada. En la cara B, casi a modo de despedida, aparecía esta sorpresa: Una multicolor canción que parece sacada del repertorio de algún grupo de northern soul de los 70. No en balde está compuesta por Dennis Lambert y Brian Potter, que ya habían escrito algunos grandes éxitos para The Four Tops, además de para The Grass Roots, Glen Campbell y muchos otros.

Pero, el público del Sonido Philadelphia no solía seguir a grupos de rock que andaban ya cuesta abajo. Los fans de The Raiders se habían hecho mayores y estaban por otros menesteres y, los pocos que quedaban, no se identificaban demasiado con los sonidos del soul de guante blanco. Además y después de todo, esto era tan sólo una cara B. Total, anonimato garantizado.

Probablemente, otro gallo habría cantado si la canción hubiera sido un single de The O'Jays o de The Spinners. Ya ves, también en la música, la apariencia, el nombre y el envoltorio parecen ser decisivos. Un gran canto del cisne.


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When their last official single was released, it was already about ten years ago that Paul Revere & The Raiders had left behind their peak and golden times. The A side of the single was a hard and duly seventized cover of "Good Times" by The Easybeats. On the B side, almost as some kind of goodbye, there was this suprise: A multicoloured song which seems more taken from the set list of some 70s northern soul group. Indeed, it was written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, who had already penned some great hits for The Four Tops, and also The Grass Roots, Glen Campbell and many others.

But, the Philadelphia Sound audience didn't use to follow rock bands on their way downhill. The old fans from the Raiders were already grown up and with their 9 to 5 lives and, those few left, wouldn't get too indentified with these white eyed soul sounds. Also and after all, this was only a B side. So, anonimity guaranteed.

Probably, it would have been a quite different thing if the song had been a single by The O'Jays or The Spinners. You see, also in music, appearance, name and envelope seem to be a decisive point. A great swan song.



http://rapidshare.com/files/354921888/Paul_Revere___The_Raiders_-_Your_Love.mp3

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Tir Na Nog - Two White Horses

Tir Na Nog - Two White Horses (Sonny Condell) Chrysalis LP CHR 1006 - 1972

En 1969, Sonny Condell y Leo O'Kelly se unieron en Dublin bajo el nombre de Tir Na Nog ("Tierra De La Eterna Juventud" en gaélico). Su primer LP se publicaba en 1971 y, tras dos discos más, la eterna juventud se transmutó en algo diferente y el duo pasó a dicen que mejor vida.

"Two White Horses" es la canción que cierra su segundo álbum, "A Tear And A Smile". Grande y pequeña al mismo tiempo. Seria y sonriente. Agridulce como la vida misma. Misteriosamente, ha permanecido intacta en mi memoria.



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In 1969, Sonny Condell and Leo O'Kelly got together in Dublin under the name Tir Na Nog ("Land Of Eternal Youth" in gaelic). Their first LP was released in 1971 and, after two more records, the eternal youth transmutated into something else and the duo passed into what they call a better life.

"Two White Horses" is the song closing their second album, "A Tear And A Smile". Big and small at the same time. Serious and smiling. Bittersweet as life itself. Misteriously, it has lingered untouched in my memory.



http://rapidshare.com/files/343803738/Tir_Na_Nog_-_Two_White_Horses.mp3

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The George Martin Orchestra - All Quiet On The Mersey Front / Chris Lamb & The Universals - Mysterious Land

The George Martin Orchestra - All Quiet On The Mersey Front (George Martin) Parlophone R 5222 - 1965

Chris Lamb & The Universals - Mysterious Land (Chris Lamb) Decca F 12176 - 1965

Las brumas de otra década se disipan estoicas, y bailan al son de melodías nocturnas y antiguas. Los extremos se tocan, como siempre, y como siempre nos dicen ténuemente que el viejo espejismo sigue candente, y olvidado por lo presente. Algunos reunen fuerzas para lanzar deseos al viento. Deseos de tierras misteriosas en el ropero y en la salita de estar.

Tranquilo, camarada extraño. Todo está tranquilo en el frente de nuestras viejas guerras, y otras paces humeantes se acercan suaves e insolentes. Salud y gloria a los corredores de fondo y a los degustadores secretos de canciones escondidas.



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The mists of another decade are stoically dissipating, and dance to the sounds of nocturnal ancient melodies. Extremes are touching each other, as usual, and as usual they're faintly telling us that the old mirage keeps on burning, and forgotten for being present. Some gather strengths to cast desires into the winds. Desires of mysterious lands in the wardrobe and in the living room.

Be calm, strange comrade. All is quiet on our old wars front, and some other smokey peaces are approaching smooth and insolent. Glory and greetings to the long race runners and to the secret tasters of hidden songs.




http://rapidshare.com/files/328475484/George_Martin_Orch_-_All_Quiet_On_The_Mersey_Front.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/328476547/Chris_Lamb_-_Mysterious_Land.mp3

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