The Townsmen ‎– "We're Doing Fine" The Anthology

Started as the Darnells in the early '60s by vocalist Frank Morrison, guitarist Dave Milliken and bassist Wayne Leslie, the Townsmen were formed when drummer Paul Huot and guitarist Andre Legault were added to the lineup. Based in Ontario, the band released their first single, "I'm Such a Dreamer," in 1966. Later that year, Legault left and was replaced by pianist Buddy Stanton and guitarist John Bocho. Though the Townsmen broke up the following year, they were back together by 1968, releasing several singles that year.

Biography:

The Townsmen came together in a twist of happenstance following the break-up of Ottawa's Esquires. Dave Milliken of burgeoning Ottawa dance hall act The Darnels received a call from The Esquires' drummer Paul Huot wondering if he, or other members of the Darnels, would care to join Huot and Esquires guitarist Andy Legault in a new band. Darnels' guitarist Milliken, bassist Wayne Leslie and vocalist Frank Morrison jumped at the chance , and The Townsmen were born.

The group went into seclusion and rehearsed for 3 months solid - taking a 5-night a week gig at The Coral Reef Club until emerging with manager Sandy Gardner (The Esquires, The Staccatos) and a record deal with Regency Records.

Gardner searched for repertoire that the band could record -- mainly picking British records that had not made the charts in Canada. He also tapped Les Emmerson and Vern Craig (The Staccatos, Five Man Electrical Band) to write exclusive material for Frank Morrison and Andy Legault's voices.

To that end, the duo wrote the band's first single "I'm Such A Dreamer" while the B-side ("Take A Heart") was taken from a 1965 single by The Sorrows.

Their first gig was opening for The Staccatos and M.G. And The Escorts at the Ottawa Coliseum before 3,000 people. The band's first single, "I'm A Dreamer" (1966), was on its way to No. 18 on the national chart at the time.

A national tour followed opening for many of America's top acts at the time -- The McCoys, Gary Lewis And The Playboys and The Young Rascals. By the end of 1966,Gary Comeau of the Esquires had joined the band in early 1966 he only stayed for a year. The band made a line-up change after Gary left with the addition of John Bacho and Buddy Stanton and the band released more singles.

The band had a succession of moderately received singles from 1967 thru 1969 before the band finally packed it in.

A brief reunion of the band occurred in 1987 for a one-off Ottawa charity. Most of the members went on to careers outside of music. Legault unfortunately, passed away.

Mouse Hole Music in Ottawa released a comprehensive 2-CD set of all the band's recordings in 2006 called 'We're Doing Fine'.

"We're Doing Fine" The Anthology

CD 1

01. The Townsmen - The Lion Sleeps Tonight 

02. The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine 

03. The Townsmen - He's In Town 

04. The Townsmen - Back Yards 

05. The Townsmen - Pineland Stomp 

06. The Townsmen - Take A Heart 

07. The Townsmen - I'm Such A Dreamer 

08. The Townsmen - Funny How Love Can Be 

09. The Townsmen - Heaven In The Middle Of Town 

10. The Townsmen - He's In Town 

11. The Townsmen - Back Yards 

12. The Townsmen - Rocking Chair 

13. The Townsmen - The Jar 

14. Harold - Come On Up 

15. Harold - Afternoon Magic 

16. Harold - Ode To Linoleum 

17. Harold - Oh Mayonnaise 

18. The Townsmen - The Wind Is Blowing Diamonds Tonight 

19. The Townsmen - I Can't Find My Way Home Without You 

20. The Darnels - Every Other Guy 

21. The Darnels - Day After Lonely Day 

22. The Continentals - I Want A Dream 

23. The Jades - Are You Angry With Me Patty 

24. Lori & Diane - Mr. Keymaker 

25. Lori & Diane - It Bothers Me 

26. Lori & Diane - Billy Brown 

27. Lori & Diane - Be 

CD 2

28. The Townsmen - Back Yards 

29. The Townsmen - He's In Town 

30. The Townsmen - Medley You Were On My Mind  I Can't Let Go 

31. The Townsmen - Medley Good Thing  Kicks  Hungry  The Great Airplane Strike 

32. The Townsmen - The Lion Sleeps Tonight 

33. The Townsmen - With A Girl Like You 

34. The Townsmen - Medley Devil With A Blue Dress  Good Golly Miss Molly 

35. The Townsmen - For What It's Worth 

36. The Townsmen - Hang On Sloopy 

37. The Townsmen - Gimme Some Lovin' 

38. The Townsmen - I'm Such A Dreamer 

39. The Townsmen - Funny How Love Can Be 

40. The Townsmen - Memphis 

41. The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine 

42. The Townsmen - He's In Town 

43. The Townsmen - The Kids Are Alright 

44. The Townsmen - San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) 

45. The Townsmen - The Lion Sleeps Tonight 

46 (Bonus Track). The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine