The Shevells - Singles 1964-68

https://www.discogs.com/artist/1316261-The-Shevells

Biography 45cat.com

The Shevells 

The Shevells were formed in London in 1964 by four Welsh and one local musicians:

Mike Stevens vcl

Brian Davies bs

Ray 'Steamer' Stock dr(?)

Eddie Lace gtr

Andy  Trevor organ

later members:

Mac McCarthy bs

Dennis Elliott dr (ex The Tea Set [60s])

Brian Davies subsequently went to The Riot Squad, Dennis Elliott went to Ferris Wheel, IF and Foreigner

Not Meic Stevens Welsh poet and folk singer different person.This Mike Stevens later teamed up with Tom Jones orignal backing group The Squires in 1969. Big City Lights & The Coffee song feature Ray Smith (Poet & One Man Band fame) as a guest guitarist.

One of the biggest changes in the pop world in 1964 was the increasing number

of artistes who produced their own - and others' - discs independently in a studio

(sometimes costing as little as £5-an-hour) and then leased the tapes to a major

recording company. One tape could become worth several thousand pounds if the

resultant disc was a hit.

Singer Don Charles was one of the first to record privately - though he pays

an average of £150 per session.

One of his discoveries were the Shevells. Or, to be more precise, they

discovered him! The group were looking for a recording manager, and noticed that

one of their favourite records had been produced by Don Charles. They invited Don

and colleague Alan Caddy to visit them at the Flamingo Club, London, on one of the

nights they were playing there. The result was a recording contract which in turn

resulted in "I Could Conquer the World" (United Artists UP 1059), released both in

Britain and America in July, 1964.

Though this was the group's first record for EMI, they have previously been

on disc. The record in question was "Oo-poo-pah-do" which flopped in Britain, but

made the American Hot Hundred - a great feat.

The Shevells were formed in March, 1963 by Trevor Lewis, pianist, and Mike

Stevens, lead guitar and vocals. After a short while they managed to find a bassist

and vocalist, Geoff McCarthy, and later got Roy Stock on drums.

The group was formed in Cardiff and all but Londoner Roy Stock come from Wales.

In the early days they made the rounds of the Welsh ballrooms gaining the experience

which helped them win a competition for the best group in Wales. Upon gaining this

honour they decided to turn pro and came to London.

On arrival here they were almost immediately booked for a 10-month residency

at the Flamingo Club, during which time they also did a series of one-nighters and

American Forces Bases. Their talent as a group was soon recognised and they were

booked to back Bo Diddley and Sonny Boy Williamson.

The Shevells have conquered, if not the world, at least the London beat scene.

The Shevells 

 1. The Shevells - Big City Lights 1967  (2:44)

 2. The Shevells - The Coffee Song 1967  (3:24)

 3. The Shevelles - I Could Conquer The World 1964  (2:10)

 4. The Shevells - How Would You Like Me To Love You 1964  (2:23)

 5. The Shevelles - Oo Poo Pa Doo 1964  (2:06)

 6. The Shevelles - Like I Love You 1964  (1:53)

 7. The Shevelles - Watermelon Man 1965  (2:49)

 8. The Shevells - Taking Over Your Love 1965  (2:17)

 9. The Shevells - Walking On (The Edge Of The World) 1965  (2:35)

 10. The Shevells - Not So Close 1965  (2:18)

 11. The Shevells - Come On Home 1966  (2:35)

 12. The Shevells - I Gotta Travel All Over 1966  (2:03)

Mike Stevens  & The Shevelles

 13. Mike Stevens & the Shevells - Go-Go Train 1967  (3:24)

 14. Mike Stevens And The Shevelles - Hog Tied 1968  (3:04)

 15. Mike Stevens & The Shevelles - Guaranteed To Drive You Wild 1968  (2:32)

Biography by Eugene Chadbourne  allmusic.com

In the mid- and late '60s, this British artist was in the recording studios regularly, usually backed by the Welsh group the Shevells. Although the history of their collaboration is nowhere near as difficult to follow as the Welsh language, a certain amount of confusion was created by the fact that the group sometimes recorded under just its own name, featuring Stevens on guitar and vocals; sometimes under its own name without Stevens; and sometimes presented itself logically as Mike Stevens & the Shevells. Credited the latter way, the performers recorded a cover version of "Cathy's Clown" with the badly derailed "Go-Go Train" on the flipside for Pye in 1966, then waited several years before given another chance by Polydor. The opportunity excited Stevens and companions to the point where they recorded ditties entitled "Guaranteed to Drive You Wild" and "Hog-Tied." The Shevells also cut several singles under their own name, while Stevens was also active as a member of the Squires.

The Shevells backed several American blues artists on their United Kingdom tours. Upon switching to United Artists, a funkier direction took hold with a cover of "Watermelon Man," the Herbie Hancock tune that another British act, Manfred Mann, had also recorded in order to demonstrate growing jazz choppers. The best record made by Stevens and company is often said to be a cover of obscure soul artist Jackie Edwards' invitation to "Come on Home." The band also performed under the name of the Welsh Conquerors, as if things weren't confusing enough.

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WANTED !!!  : 

Mike Stevens&The Shevelles - Cathy's Clown 1967

https://www.discogs.com/master/1228326-Mike-Stevens-6-And-The-Shevelles-Cathys-Clown-Go-Go-Train

The Shevells - With The Second Time 1968 (Emidisc UK)

https://www.45cat.com/record/nc278005uk

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