Various Artists - Unearthed Merseybeat Volume 1 (@320)

 

Various Artists - Unearthed Merseybeat Volume 1

After “unearthing” a bunch of more contemporary shoulda-been-classics on the previous two volumes of the Unearthed series, it was about time for the Viper label to dig out some of the “ancient” reasons why we bother to explore the sounds from the Merseyside for all these years after all.

Telling the story “from the birth of Merseybeat to Psychedelia 1957 – 1968”, would’ve actually made more sense in case of a chronological order, but you can choose your own way through. For me, it’s about three distinctive phases: pre, THE & post Merseybeat.

The first one is, of course, of the greatest historical, though not really musical, importance, gathering some of the earliest and rawest recordings of what was to secure Liverpool’s place in the r’n’r history, by the likes of Johnny Guitar & Paul Murphy and King Size Taylor & The Dominoes, covering Little Richard tunes, or the very first Gerry & The Pacemakers effort in trying to re-capture the Cavern atmosphere on a tape, as well as The Remo Four’s first instrumentals, before becoming an in-demand backing band on the scene.

THE Merseybeat essence is featured through Danny Seyton & The Sabres’ r’n’beatster House Of Bamboo, The Merseybeats’ The Things I Want To Hear (Pretty Words) which could’ve easily pass, since it’s author’s unknown, as another Lennon/McCartney giveaway track and there’s also the pre-Paddy, Klaus & Gibson band, The Eyes (not the London mods!).

Verging on the edge of (post)Merseybeat is The Newtowns’ appropriately titled Tomorrow, announcing the aftermath of the mid’60s’. A special place belongs to an unsung Liverpudlian hero, Jimmy Campbell, featured with The Kirkbys, showing his rare Byrdsy folk side (Don’t You Want Me No More) as well as his pop perfection (Dreaming), before coming up with the Britsike classic Michael Angelo with 23rd Turnoff (not included) and he also provides one of the album highlights, the popsychedelic Keep Me Warm (‘Til The Sun Shines), done, surprisingly, by The Swinging Blue Jeans.

The well chosen opener is an alternate, brass-less version of The Merseys’ Sorrow, Billy Furray’s brother and former Joe Meek protégée, Jason Eddie, is featured with Mr.Busdriver, sounding not unlike a great Del Shannon cover, and the closer Rumble On Mersey Square South by Wimple Winch (also present is the pre-WW band, The Four Just Men with the Meek-y, spaceish Instrumental), is a harmony drenched, freakbeat-en piece, showing that what caused the initial British invasion, was still alive and well in the late sixties … and long after that.

Tracklist:

1. The Merseys -‘ Sorrow’: Heavy alternate version featuring Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones. 1966.

2. Johnny Guitar/ Paul Murphy – ‘Shes Got It’: Liverpool’s oldest rock ‘n’ roll recording. 1957.

3. Denny Seyton and The Sabres – ‘House of Bamboo’: Taped gongs at the start featured Big Ben. 1964.

 4. The Kirkbys – ‘ Don’t You Want Me No More’: Influenced by The Byrds. Circa 1965/66

5. The Bo-Weevils – ‘I’m a Lover, not a fighter’: Little is known about this band but a great recording. 1965

6. King Size Taylor and The Dominoes – ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’: Energetic home recorded version/Great voice. 1958.

7. The Remo Four – ‘Trambone’ : Instrumental featuring the guitarist Colin Manley, much admired by George Harrison and Paul Mc Cartney.( Recorded in the Iron Door club ) 1961.

8. Gerry and The Pacemakers ‘ What’d I Say’ : Amazing cover of this Ray Charles song. 1961.

9. The Merseybeats – ‘The Things I Want to Hear ( Pretty Words )’ : Merseybeat masterpiece. Circa 1964.

10. The Four Just Men – Instrumental : Sounds like whats happening in L’pool now. 1964.

11. The Dennisons – ‘Tutti Frutti’: Almost ‘Ska’-like version. 1962.

12. The Newtowns- ‘Tomorrow’: The band took it’s name from the TV programme ‘Z-Cars’. Circa 1966.

13. Denny Seyton and The Sabres – ‘I’m Gonna Love You Too’ : The Stones released their version of ‘Not Fade Away’. This is why this Buddy Holly cover was never released. 1963/64.

14. The Eyes – ‘She’ : Featuring Klaus Voormann ( Session bass player + friend of The Beatles ). 1965.

15. Jason Eddie – ‘Mr Busdriver’: Jason Eddie was infact Billy Furys’ brother Albie Wycherley. 1968

16. The Remo Four -‘ Walk Don’t Run’ : Great cover of The Ventures hit. 1961.

17. The Kirkbys – ‘Dreaming’ : Jimmy Campbell, the writer of this song was a major talent who unfortunately never achieved the heights of success he so deserved. Circa 1965/66.

18. King Size Taylor and The Dominoes – ‘Fortune Teller’: A song made familiar by The Rolling Stones. 1963.

19. The Swinging Blue Jeans – ‘Keep Me Warm ( ’til the Sun Shines )’:Keeping up with the Beatles with this wonderful piece of psychedelia. Another song written by Jimmy Campbell. 1966.

20. Wimple Winch – ‘Rumble on Mersey Square South’: This masterpiece ushers in a new era. 1967

 ‘This Liverpool version of Nuggets does an excellent job of reclaiming a vital and lost pop age’ Jon Savage , MOJO, Aug 2003

‘Fascinating sampler of Liverpool’s secret musical history -Highly recommended to beat aficionados’ Peter Doggett, Record Collector, Aug 2003

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