Everlasting Love Affair

 

I knew the single, of course. We all know it. But I had never heard the entire record before yesterday. 1968's "Everlasting Love Affair" by The Love Affair is great fun, It's mostly covers, but all of them are convincing, even if the band can't decide who they want to be. Sometimes it's the Small Faces. Sometimes it's Deep Purple. Sometimes it's The Action. But it all works.

They cover Joe South's "Hush," or actually, they cover Deep Purple's cover of Joe South's "Hush," as well as a few other songs you probably think you don't need to hear covered anymore, like "Tobacco Road" or "Handbags & Gladrags." Except, there is something going on here and it's hard to nail down. But it's really good.

Steve Ellis's vocals are exceptional. The arrangements veer from a Tamla/Motown type pop to a psychedelic, occasionally mod feel. The version of "Tobacco Road" takes its time and that's fine with me. It gives you time to bask in its heaviosity.

I mean, rather than just continuing to toss off names and silly descriptions, listen to some of these tracks. Maybe you'll hear what I hear.