In 1994, Universal/Fontana released a comprehensive 20 track collection of Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders and I remember thinking at the time, "That's about 16 tracks too many." I noticed while perusing through one of my hard drives, that I still had it, so I decided to give it a spin. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't 16 tracks too many.
As a matter of fact, this set knocked me out.
Most British beat groups of the 60's put out mediocre albums that featured two hits and a bunch of throwaways, like tired covers of standards and folk tunes. But this collection features a lot of single only tracks, as well as their b-sides, including a few Wayne Fontana tracks without the Mindbenders. The further into the collection, the better it played. These guys had come along way from 1965's "Game Of Love" and "A Groovy Kind Of Love." Check out these tracks.
The psychedelic "My New Day And Age" was written by Eric Stewart and both "Schoolgirl" and "Uncle Joe & The Ice Cream Man" were written by Graham Gouldman. That's 5cc, right there.
Even the earlier singles have a quality to them that I just didn't hear on a Gerry & The Pacemakers record.
9 comments:
"That's 5cc right there." Funny!
Good piece, I want to hear something, but the but the first three tracks posted are from the Irma Thomas/Galactic album, which is great, and the fourth is Ken Boothe.
Disregard my previous comment! I refreshed the page, and the Mindbenders songs are there.
"I want to hear something, but the but the first three tracks posted are from the Irma Thomas/Galactic album and the fourth is Ken Boothe."
"What is the lost Rod Serling pilot about Sal Nunziato, Alex?"
Ha! Now sit by the window and do over the top freaking out for 10 minutes!
"Off and Running" is great too. Also nicely covered by Lesley Gore and the Skeletons/Morrells.
Bob in IL
There are days I think graham Gouldman is my absolute fave Brit Invasion songwriter.😍
5cc - hahaha!!!! Good stuff!
Excellent! That was a treat, I've never heard anything else from them before, aside from the two hits.
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