Thursday, April 24, 2008

Billy Nicholls - Would You Believe (1967)


Ένα από τα ψυχεδελικά Βρετανικά αριστουργήματα αποτελεί η δουλειά του Billy Nicholls που είναι ευκαιρία να ακούσουν όσοι δεν έτυχε ως τώρα. Κάπου στο αγγλικό κείμενο αναφέρεται το όνομα του Andrew Loog Oldham, το οποίο θα θυμίσω ότι υπάρχει πίσω από τα πρώτα χρόνια των Rolling Stones. Είναι συνεπώς προφανές ότι όπου ανακατευόταν ο Andrew, εξυπακούεται ότι θα το χαρακτηρίζει η ποιότητα.

ALBUM:
1 WOULD YOU BELIEVE (Immediate IMCP 009) 1967 R3
45s:
1 Would You Believe/Daytime Girl (Immediate IM 063) 1968
2 Forever's No Time At All/This Song Is Green (Track 2094 109) 1973
NB: (2) with Pete Townshend.

The Would You Believe album is now an ultra-rarity. His first 45 was produced by Ronnie Lane and Stevie Marriott of The Small Faces.
His album was Andrew Loog Oldham's attempt to concoct the UK's answer to The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, only a few copies appear to have leaked out. He was signed by Oldham straight from school.
Nicholls went on to contribute to Townshend's early seventies solo album, which explains Townshend's involvement on his 1973 45 for Track.
Compilation appearances have included: Portobello Road on Justavibration (LP) and Justafixation (CD); London Social Degree on Maximum '65 (LP); Would You Believe on Immediate Alternative (LP); Would You Believe and Daytime Girl on Immediate Alternative (CD); Daytime Girl on Immediate Single Collection, Vol. 5 (CD).

Προφανώς ξεχωρίζω το It Brings Me Down

I wander through the night time
There's no one I can call mine
It brings me downIt brings me down
There's no one looking at me
Because there's nothing to see
It brings me down
It brings me down
Because I think far too much
And there's no one as such
who believes in the dreams I have to dream
It brings me down
I wander through the night time
There's no one
I can call mine
It brings me down
It brings me down
There's no one looking at me
because there's nothing to see
It brings me down
It brings me down
Because I think far too much
And there's no one as such
Who believes in the dreams
I have to dream
It brings me down

Tracks:

1. Would You Believe? (Paul) - 2:41
2. Come Again (Nicholls) - 2:34
3. Life Is Short (Nicholls) - 3:07
4. Feeling Easy (Nicholls) - 3:12
5. Daytime Girl (Nicholls) - 2:14
6. Daytime Girl (Coda) (Nicholls) - 1:36
7. London Social Degree (Nicholls) - 2:20
8. Portobello Road (Nicholls) - 2:05
9. Question Mark (Nicholls) - 2:26
10. Being Happy (Nicholls) - 2:28
11. Girl From New York (Nicholls) - 3:16
12. It Brings Me Down (Nicholls) - 4:39Bonus Tracks
13. Would You Believe? [Mono Single Version] (Paul) - 2:38
14. Daytime Girl [Mono Single Version] (Nicholls) - 2:14

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi ,congratulations you have a great blog, I'm looking for an English band called team dokus, tales from the underworld.


Thanks.

Psych-Spaniolos said...

Sorry i dont have it.
Some info for you anyway

ALBUMS:
1 TALES FROM THE UNDERWORLD (Tenth Planet TP 007) 1994


NB: (1) Limited edition of 500 numbered copies.

The members of this band are presently unknown but the above reissue is from a 1969 acetate, of which only one copy is known to exist. Essentially a concept album based on the theme of nuclear destruction it relates the tale of World War 3 and life after a nuclear holocaust. The music is lightish progressive rock with the opener, Fifty Million Megaton Sunset, the highlight musically and lyrically:-

'In the distance an orange sun burning through your eyes
The blisters burst on your body as the mushrooms rise!'
(from Fifty Million Megaton Sunset)
This cut had previously been included on Psychedelic Salvage Co. Vol. 2 (LP & CD) and both Psychedelia, Vol. 3 (LP) and Hen's Teeth, Vol. 3 (CD) include the un-abbreviated version. Side one closes with another gem, the doom-laden, gently flowing and melancholic On The Way Down.

Side two opens with Visions, a pretty standard progressive rock offering, but Tomorrow May Not Come, which had previously got an airing on Psychedelic Salvage Co. Vol. 1 (LP & CD), has some good extended instrumental pieces and Big Red Beast featured some promising guitar and vocals, but the other real gem was Feel Your Fire, a very effective blend of vocals, catchy drumming, guitar and keyboards which previews the finale, a reprise of Fifty Million Megaton Sunset. Recommended.