VA - My First Day Without You (New Rubble Volume 1)

As Nick Saloman rightfully points out in his liner notes, compilations of rare 1960s British rock tend to focus on raw R&B bands, psychedelia, and the hybrid of mod, R&B, and psychedelia known as freakbeat. In comparison, the more straightforward variety of British pop/rock has been only lightly represented. This compilation of 20 songs from scarce singles is one step toward correcting that imbalance, introducing the "cleanbeat" genre, to quote a term used on the back cover. As you might expect, the songs are shaded with Merseybeat and light Beatles influences, though not exclusively so. It's not great music; if you want really good non-Beatles mid-'60s British pop/rock, you're much better off with best-ofs for the Searchers, the Dave Clark Five, the Hollies, and the like. Still, it's usually pleasant at the least, and sometimes better than that, even if some of the material's rather forgettably generic. Take the best half of this and you've have a pretty good compilation, including the constantly key-changing "Anytime" by the Llan; the peppy, moody Merseybeat of "Lies" by Johnny Sandon, who fronted the Searchers before they split to go on their own; the brooding, organ-toned "Jacqueline" by Bryan & the Brunelles; the Hi-Fi's' quality cover of Chuck Jackson's "I Keep Forgettin'"; the West Five's cover of Rod Argent's "If It Don't Work Out"; the Blue Rondos' Joe Meek-produced "I Don't Want Your Lovin' No More"; and the Mockingbirds' Beach Boys-influenced soul-pop ballad "I Can Feel We're Parting," co-written by bandmember and future 10cc guy Graham Gouldman.~ Review by Richie Unterberger

  01.The Little Darlings - Easy To Cry (02:04)

02.Tommy Bruce & The Bruisers - Boom Boom (02:43)

03.The Blue Chips - Some Kind Of Lovin' (03:08)

04.Freddie Ryder - Slow Down (02:49)

05.Bobby Dean - St. James Infirmary (03:39)

06.The Laurie Jay Combo - Teenage Idol (02:05)

07.The Troggery Five - It's So Easy (03:02)

08.Bobbie Jameson - Please Mr. Mailman (02:01)

09.Dave Davani & The D-Men - Midnight Special (02:25)

10.The Boston Crabs - As Long As I Have You (02:52)

11.The Blackwells - Why Don't You Love Me (02:20)

12.Hamilton King - Ain't It Time (02:43)

13.Michael Leslie - Make Up Or Break Up (02:21)

14.The Huskies - Matchbox (02:26)

15.Danny King - Tossin' And Turnin' (02:25)

16.Peter London - Baby I Like The Look Of You (02:01)

17.Tony Colton - Lose My Mind (01:57)

18.Steve Francis - Watch Your Step (02:16)

19.The Falling Leaves - She Loves To Be Love (02:07)

20.Ray Singer - What's Done Has Been Done (03:04)

***