Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 28 November 15

Discover the stories behind The Rolling Stones, Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Four Seasons...

Little Angel - The Four Seasons (1964)

As you rightly point out, ‘Little Angel’ written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio and was also included on their 1964 album, ‘The Four Seasons Entertain You.’ The song had shades of ‘Silence Is Golden’ that would later become another of the group’s ‘B’ sides that gave The Tremeloes a number one hit that they found on the flip of ‘Rag Doll.’

Little Things - Dave Berry (1965)

Continuing our ‘British Beat Season’ this week we focus on Sheffield and the cover of the American hit song ‘Little Things’ by Dave Berry that was first recorded by its composer, Bobby Godsboro. Strange but true, Dave achieved three top ten hits in the sixties, ‘The Crying Game’, ‘Mama’ and this one, all of which peaked at number five on our charts. ‘Little Things’ featured twelve string guitar work by Jimmy Page who by this time was one of the hottest session men around. In 2010, ‘Little Things’ was used in a British TV advertising campaign for a well known brand of bathroom paper. There’ll be another act from Sheffield on side two.

Step Inside Love - Cilla Black (1968)

Although credited to John Lennon and Paul McCartney as composers, it was the work of Paul who wrote the song as the theme to Cilla’s TV series called ‘Cilla’ that first hit our screens in 1968 the same year that McCartney recorded his own version during the making of The Beatles’ ‘White Album’ with the group breaking into a song called ‘Los Paranoias’ which was adlibbed by all four members of the group. The track wasn’t included on the final running order and remained in the vaults until 1996 when it was issued as a track on their ‘Anthology 3’ CD.

Gonna Make A Woman Of You - A Band Of Angels (1964)

A Band Of Angels were formed whilst the group members were still attending Harrow School and managed to secure their own comic strip in the UK pop magazine sponsored by Radio Luxembourg, Fab 208. They were given their first important break in 1964 when they made a guest appearance singing ‘Hide ‘N’ Seek’ in the movie ‘Just For Fun’ that led to recording contract with Ember who leased the John Barry produced tracks to United Artists but their total output consisted of two singles, the second of which was ‘Gonna Make A Woman Of You’ written by lead guitarist John Edward Baker and vocalist, Mike D’Abo who successfully went on to become lead singer with Manfred Mann when he replaced Paul Jones in 1966. A Band of Angels also recorded two further singles in 1965 and 1966 for Piccadilly.

Not Fade Away -The Rolling Stones (1964)

After two reasonable sized hits with their first two singles, ‘Come On’ and ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, The Stones finally broke through into the top ten with their third release. Originally recorded by Buddy Holly & The Crickets for the ‘B’ side of their 1957 hit, ‘Oh Boy’. It has been documented that at this time, The Stones weren't talking to each other so Gene Pitney, who knew the group, claimed it was his birthday and asked them all to drink a water glass full of cognac to celebrate, resulting in the making of this memorable cover.

Life Is Complicated - David Wigg (1966)

Many believed that at the height of the ‘swinging sixties’ as long as you looked the part and had the right connections, it was relatively easy to get a record released and hopefully end up in the charts. Pop music reporter and contributor to Radio 1’s ‘Scene and Heard’ programme, David Wigg had such a thought and persuaded Chris Andrews to write him a song, Des Champ to arrange it, Irving Martin to produce it and CBS to release the record. What could have been simpler? Unfortunately it became void of both airplay and sales and David then continued interviewing the stars and is probably best remembered for conducting a series of conversations with The Beatles as the group were splitting that appeared on the 1976 double album The Beatles Tapes that the band tried, unsuccessfully, to have banned.

Suite:Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)

In 1969 former Byrd, David Crosby, Buffalo Springfield’s Stephen Stills and former member of The Hollies, Graham Nash formed a partnership creating a fantastic harmonic convergence of vocal chemistry. First released in 1969, their eponymous album is still considered one of pop music’s most impressive debuts. The opening track on side one was the almost seven and a half minute ‘Suite: Judy Blue Eyes’ written by Stephen Stills.

GOT MY MOJO WORKING - The Sheffields (1964)

Our second act this week from Sheffield in our ‘British Beat Season’ were aptly named The Sheffields who were managed for a short time by Peter Stringfellow. Formed in 1963 they signed to Pye Records where they released three singles, the best remembered being their cover of the classic R&B song, ‘Got My Mojo Working’ released as their second record in 1964. Possibly their biggest claim to fame was acting as backing band to Memphis Slim on his 1964 tour of the UK.

Stay Awhile - Dusty Springfield (1964)

The follow up to Dusty Springfield’s first solo hit ‘I Only Want To Be With You’ that came from the pens of the same composers, Mike Hawker and music director, Ivor Raymonde, this is the short but sweet, ‘Stay Awhile.’

I Need Your Love So Bad - Georgie Fame (1969)

Over recent weeks there appears to have been a wealth of Georgie Fame re-issues hitting the market place with the latest being a thirty-seven track double CD from BGO Records with disc one supporting his 1969 album, ‘Georgie Does His Thing With Strings and his four track ‘Knock On Wood’ EP Disc two is made up of all the ‘A’ and ‘B’ sides he recorded for CBS between 1967 and 1970 but we’ve selected the closing track from his ‘string’ album, his superb treatment of Little Willie John’s ‘I Need Your Love So Bad.’