Fantastic West Coast styled pop on both sides here, from future Orange Bicycle members
Label: Columbia
Year of Release: 1966
I've bypassed this particular single in the racks on a number of occasions in the past, suspecting it to be little more than an unimaginative, carbon copy of a track off "Pet Sounds". Cover versions - who really needs them, eh?
This is further evidence, if you really needed it, that when it comes to record buying I can be something of a prat. The version of "Here Today" on the A-side is respectful and arguably unadventurous, but propels and kicks the track along determinedly, upping the tempo slightly to suit the English climate it now finds itself in. The chorus in particular clatters along urgently. It's a win-win situation - Beach Boys fans won't feel alienated by it, but listeners after something slightly new will find enough to enjoy.
It's the flip that's the biggest surprise, though. "But Cry" is a melting pot of styles, from the West Coast jingle-jangle of its guitar melodies and vocal arrangements to the propulsive, driving mod beats. If it's summer and your woman or man has let you down, and you're wearing paisley and beads and just want to sulk in a city park, this shall be your soundtrack.
While The Robb Storme Group sound like the name of a working man's club band who specialise in rock and roll covers, they had their roots in a band called Robb Storme and The Whispers, a Crouch End (North London) combo who released a number of beat singles on a variety of labels in the early sixties. This was their final effort before they morphed into the Orange Bicycle, who will be a much more familiar group to collectors of psychedelic pop. By this point, you could argue that their metamorphosis was almost complete - the sounds on offer here really aren't wildly different from their later work.
Their line-up was apparently a bit shaky by this point, but it seems to be generally agreed that they consisted of Wilson Malone on drums, Riff Marlowe on lead guitar, Robb Scales aka Robb Storme on vocals, Norman Shapiro on guitar, Chuck Hardy on yet another guitar (this sounds wrong, somehow, but that's what it says in the reference book in front of me...), Gary Hooper on bass, and Jim St Pier on saxophone.
12 comments:
Much better than Beach Boys version in my opinion. Used to see the group regularly at Cafe des Artistes in London and they had a fantastic range of material. Guitarist on this one is Tony Ollard. Btw Rob sadly died earlier this year.
I'm really sorry to hear that - I had no idea. His performance here is excellent.
And yes, there are a few people online who argue that this version of "Here Today" is superior to the original - I don't necessarily agree, but I do think it gives the song a more frantic edge. Surprised it wasn't a hit, really.
Great David
Thank you so much for this single
Greetings Albert
As a member of the band at the time, I can confirm that Tony Ollard was the guitarist, Gary Hooper, Bass, Wilson Malone,drums and me on Saxophone and Keys. The single actually reached no.51 so didn't really get enough airtime. I was at Robbs funeral. The other names mentioned were all ex-members. Jim St Pier.
Thanks very much for clarifying that, Jim. Lovely to hear from you. Frustrating that the single didn't get the success it deserved.
An update on tony ollard guitarist who passed away on 10 August 2018 at home in Como, italy, from his sister bonny.
I'm very sorry to hear that, Bonny - but thank you for letting us know.
I was a huge fan of Robb Storme and the Whispers who performed weekly in my home town on a year's contract in the 60s' and I got to know them quite well. Robb was an extremely talented performer and the band were so good. I was very fond of Robb, Tony, Jim and Pete (Wil Malone) and the other guys who came in and out of the band like Chuck,Gary and Lewis. They deserved success and it was sad they didn't get the breaks. Some of their recordings (I still have them all) were outstanding. RIP Robb and Tony, I feel privileged to have known you.
Some of those records are pretty scarce now, so please do hang on to them! But I agree with you. An incredible set of performers.
Thank you. It is so good to see Jim has commented also - all good wishes to Jim and Pat whom I last saw on Paddington Station many years ago! And bravo to Pete (Wil Malone) who is such a respected arranger/composer. Yes, I will always keep my vinyl collection - they mean a great deal.
Sorry to say that Chuck Hardy passed away today after a long illness. A great guitarist and dear friend.
I'm very sorry for your loss Jim, and thanks so much for letting us know.
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