VA - Fab Gear: The British Beat Explosion And Its Aftershocks 1963-1967 6 CD's @320

 

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Huge boxset of rare Beat music treasures from the 1960s, with big names like the Kinks, Searchers and the Tremeloes rubbing shoulders with genuine rarities like the meddyEVILS, Angelina and the Doc Thomas Group. 185 tracks in all of Beat goodness…  Ian Canty shakes and shimmies in a white polo-neck pullover, vainly trying to dig the scene…..

Fab Gear was a phrase introduced to the nation by the Beatles, part of their unique lexicon which helped to drive a generation gap between the young and old and kick the “swinging 60s” off. Setting aside the actual music for a moment, theirs was an all-pervading effect on most of the youth of Britain in the 1960s. They talked differently and the look was a neater step away from the leather clad Rockers. In fact the uniformity of the Fabs’ image made it difficult to tell them apart. Older folk struggled to make sense of it all.

Back to the music. Although they initially took their cues from 1950’s music like Rock & Roll and Blues, they melded it into something that seemed new and fresh, more in time with the rapid changes of the new decade. The Beatles musical set-up with an in-built songwriting team might not seem it now, but was revolutionary at the time. Before then, you had Cliff being backed by the Shadows, who were great but very much in the background. The song words generally still came from outside writers operating in Denmark Street, London’s Tin Pan Alley. This change had immense impact, as all over the country kids felt emboldened to set their own feelings to music.

The Fabs phenomenal success even had those who never saw themselves as previously as “musical” throwing themselves into the “Beat” craze, as it became known. Beat being the new mix the Beatles came up with (originally Merseybeat in a tribute to their hometown, but as the fad spread nationwide it became truncated), honed in the hard slog of their sojourns in Hamburg. The seat of your pants DIY spirit of Skiffle had started them off, then they added the tenderness of Folk. All of this was underpinned by their smoother version of the raw US Rock & Roll of the 50s and their ever-jaunty demeanour.

As time went on Beat became a catch-all term used to describe to any new Pop Music that emerged in the UK – it is this moment that Fab Gear seeks to capture, tracking the original Beat merchants and their descendents as the various other waves like the Blues Boom, US Soul, Psych and Garage washed in to take things in a different direction. In its purest form Beat had an energetic and driving backbeat, wild guitar breaks (which germinated gradually into the guitar overload of Freakbeat), harmonic vocals and an overall irrepressible upbeat attitude. The handle finally went out of fashion towards the end of the 60s and when it got superseded by Mod and Psychedelia as the buzzwords. By that time, only an old fuddy duddy would have used the phrase.

Though a pivotal time in the development of the UK pop scene, the music of Beat has mostly been undervalued in deference to what happened later on. Fab Gear looks to set the record straight, building on a previous series entitled Beat Beat Beat released over a decade ago. Things didn’t stay still for long in the 60s and Fab Gear reflects these constant changes. As such, it has a broad brief – acts that were never really Psychedelic, Blues Boomers or even “Freakbeat”, but contained elements of some or all feature, along with more than a few that would have not really considered themselves as “Beat groups” in the more narrow definition of today at all, but existed in the timeframe making spirited Pop Music. ~ (https://louderthanwar.com/various-artists-fab-gear-the-british-beat-explosion-and-its-aftershocks-1963-1967-album-review/)

CD1

1. Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde - "Yesterday's Gone"

2. Carter-lewis & The Southerners - "Somebody To My Girl"

3. The Nomads - "My Whole Life Through"

4. Billie Davis - "That Boy John"

5. Marilyn Powell - "All My Loving"

6. The Regents - "Bye Bye Johnny"

7. A Band Of Angels - "Me"

8. Ray Singer - "Tell Me Now"

9. Mickey Finn & The Blue Men - "Reelin' & A'Rocking"

10. Le Group 5 - "Baby What You Want Me To Do"

11. The Bo Street Runners - "Bo Street Runner"

12. Mike Sarne & The Leroys - "Love Me Please"

13. The Moody Blues - "Lose Your Money (But Don't Loose Your Mind)"

14. The Mike Cotton Sound - "Round & Round"

15. The Others - "I'm Taking Her Home"

16. The Artwoods - "If I Ever Get My Hands On You"

17. Mal Ryder & The Spirits - "Your Friends"

18. Jimmy Royal & The Hawks - "I'm Leaving You"

19. The Wild Oats - "You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover"

20. Four + One - "Don't Lie To Me"

21. Tommy Bruce & The Bruisers - "Boom Boom"

22. Grant Tracy - "Never Let It Be Said"

23. Angelina - "Wishing My Life Away"

24. Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers - "What's Easy For Two Is Hard For One"

25. Migil 5 - "Seven Lonely Days"

26. The Wackers - "You're Forgetting"

27. Twinkle - "Ain't Nobdy Home But Me"

28. The Clique - "She Ain't No Good"

29. The Hi-fi's - "Baby's In Black"

30. The Sheffields - "Plenty Of Love"

31. Just Four Men - "Don't Come Any Closer"

32. Robb Storme & The Whispers - "Love Is Strange"

 

CD2

1. Tony Jackson With The Vibrations - "Love Potion No 9"

2. The Midnights - "Only Two Can Play"

3. Bobby Rio & The Revelles - "Don't Break My Heart & Run Away"

4. The Beatmen - "Please Believe"

5. The Blue Aces Showband - "You Don't Care"

6. The Chapters - "Dance Little Lady"

7. The First Impressions - "Looking For Her"

8. The Kinks - "Who'll Be The Next In Line"

9. The Limeys - "Don't Cry (My Love)"

10. The Pros & Cons - "Whirlybird" (part One)

11. Carl Wayne & The Vikings - "This Is Love"

12. The Epics - "My Little Girl"

13. The Lemmings - "My Little Girl"

14. The Monotones - "Something's Hurtin' Me"

15. The Rockin' Berries - "Follow Me"

16. The Couriers - "Take Away"

17. Dickie Rock, Miami & Strings - "Rock & Roll Music"

18. The Buckinghams - "She Lied"

19. The Eccentrics - "Fe Fi Fo Fum"

20. The Riot Squad - "Not A Great Talker"

21. Buddy Britten & The Regents - "She's About A Mover"

22. Charles Dickens - "In The City"

23. The Cops 'n Robbers - "Just Keep Right On"

24. The Untamed - "I'll Go Crazy"

25. The Quiet Five - "Honeysuckle Rose"

26. Felders Orioles - "Down Home Girl"

27. Paddy Klaus & Gibson - "I Wanna Know"

28. The Legends - "I've Found Her"

29. The Searchers - "He's Got No Love"

30. Mike Hurst - "Show Me Around"

31. Major Rowely - "Do It The Right Way"

32. Kenny Bernard & The Wranglers - "You Gotta Give"

33. Mal 7 The Primitives - "Pretty Little Face"

 

CD3

1. The Sorrows - "Take A Heart"

2. The Imp-Acts - "If I Were The Only One"

3. The Alan Price Set - "Any Day Now"

4. The Washington DC's - "Have You Seen My Baby?"

5. New Faces - "Never Gonna Love Again"

6. Ronnie Jones - "I'm So Clean"

7. Russ Loader With The Ladybirds - "Count The Stars"

8. The In Crowd - "You're On Your Own"

9. The Syndicats - "On The Horizon"

10. The Alan Bown Set - "I'm The One"

11. The Chosen Few - "Today, Tonight & Tomorrow"

12. The Hellions - "Think It Over"

13. The Lancastrians - "I Can't Stand The Pain"

14. The Nightshift - "That's My Story"

15. The Truth - "Come On Home"

16. The Tornados - "Stingray"

17. The Action - "Land Of One Thousand Dances"

18. The Chantelles - "Gonna Give Him Some Love"

19. Brian Diamond & The Cutters - "Done Idol"

20. The Carnaby - "My Love Will Stay"

21. The MeddyEVILS - "Find Somebody To Love"

22. The Slade Brothers - "Don't Be Gone Too Long"

23. The Ugly's - "A Friend"

24. David & Johathan - "Laughing Fit To Cry"

25. The Kirkbys - "She'll Get No Lovin' That Way"

26. The Tomcats - "Pena, Penita, Pena"

27. Shades Of Blue - "Where Did All The Good Go"

28. Earl Preston's Realms - "Nobody But You"

29. Michael Allen - "I Can't Stand It"

30. The Richmond Group - "That's Alright"

 

CD4

 

1. David Bowie With The Lower Third - "& I Say To Myself"

2. The Undertakers - "Throw Your Love Away Girl"

3. Arthur Brown With The Diamonds - "You Don't Know"

4. Episode Six - "That's All I Want"

5. The Time - "Take A Bit Of Notice"

6. Tony Rivers & The Castways - "Girl Don't Tell Me"

7. The Boomerangs - "Upgraded"

8. The Rocking Vickers - "Stay By Me"

9. The Deputies - "Given Half The Chance"

10. The Clockwork Oranges - "After Tonight"

11. Tony Colton - "Have You Lost Your Mind"

12. Luvin' Kind - "It's A Cruel World"

13. The Bats - "People Like You"

14. The People - "I'm With You"

15. Philip Goodhand-tait & The Stormsville Shakers - "I'm Gonna Put Some Hurt On You"

16. The Bluechips - "I Know A Boy"

17. The Moonlighters - "We'll See It Through"

18. The Spartans - "Lise"

19. The Fingers - "I Go To Sleep"

20. Chris Curtis - "Aggravation"

21. The Ivy League - "One Day"

22. The Cymbaline - "Top Girl"

23. The Jeeps - "The Music Goes Round"

24. Paul Troubles - "You'll Find Out"

25. The Bystanders - "Have I Offended The Girl"

26. The Chevlons - "It's My Problem"

27. The Debonaires - "A Love Of Our Own"

28. The Majority - "Simplified"

29. The Minstry Of Sound - "Back Seat Driver"

30. The Appalachians - "Look Away"

31. Hays & Wadey - "What Does She Want"

 

CD5

 

1. The Tremloes - "Good Day Sunshine"

2. Tuesday's Children - "High & Drifting"

3. The Rogers - "Little Girl"

4. The Marmalade - "It's All Leading Up To Saturday Night"

5. Mick & Malcom - "Little Venice"

6. The Kytes - "I'll Give You Better Love"

7. Hat & Tie - "California Jazz Club USA"

8. The Renegades - "Walking Down The Stree"

9. The Thoughts - "All Night Stand"

10. Gates Of Eden - "Too Much On My Mind"

11. Sounds Around - "Sad Subject"

12. The Knack - "Take You Love"

13. The Montanas - "That's When Happiness Began"

14. Gnomes Of Zurich - "Please Mr Sun"

15. The Attraction - "Party Line"

16. Five's Company - "Session Man"

17. The Doc Thomas Group - "Just Can't Go To Sleep"

18. The Specters - "Hurdy Gurdy Man"

19. Steve Hammond - "The World Is Wrapped Around My Neck"

20. The Factotums - "I Can't Give You Anyhing But Love"

21. The Symbols - "Canadian Sunset"

22. The Secrets - "Such A Pity"

23. Marcus Trio - "We Can Make It, Baby"

24. The Atenians - "Steppin' Out"

25. The Peenuts - "The World's Been Good To Me Tonight"

26. The Exceptions - "Girl Trouble"

27. The Spectrum - "Saturday's Child"

28. Bobby Johnson & The Atoms - "Do It Again A Little Bit Slower"

29. Katch 22 - "Makin' My Mind Up"

 

CD6

 

1. Five's A Crowd - "I'm Not Ready For You Yet"

2. The Cherokess - "Poison Ivy"

3. The Wed - "I'll Try"

4. The Changing Times - "Louie Louie"

5. The Second Thoughts - "Help Me"

6. Count Down & The Zeros - "Always On My Mind"

7. The Baskervillers - "Love Potion No 9"

8. The Might Atoms - "Wanderin' Eye"

9. Five Steps Beyond - "Hearbreak Love Or Paradise"

10. The Silence - "Down Down"

11. Herbie's People - "So Fine"

12. The Connoisseurs - "Make Up Your Mind"

13. The Gremlins - "One More Chance"

14. Barney J Barnes & The Intro - "It Must Be Love"

15. Glenda Collins - "Run To Me"

16. The Uprooted - "You're Not There"

17. The Fadin' Colours - "You're No Use"

18. The Brood - "You're Just Another Girl"

19. The Files - "Just Wont Do"

20. The Trendbender - "I Can't Stand The Pain"

21. Jeff Curtis & The Flames - "Everybody Loves A Lover"

22. Earl Preston & The TTs - "Betty Jean"

23. The Mike Stuart Span - "Follow Me"

24. Outer Limits - "Anyday Now"

25. The Cordes - "Clarabella"

26. The Newtowns - "Tomorrow"

27. The Bo-weevils - "I'm A Lover Not A Fighter"

28. The Xit - "Time Will Tell On You"

29. Mike Forde & The Fortuness - "Sweet Little Rhythm & Blue"

30. Rory Storm & The Hurricanes - "Lead Me Your Comb"

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