British sunshine folk pop goodness
Label: Polydor
Year of Release: 1967
Yet another one to chalk up on the long list of "bloody obscure sixties Polydor singles which seemed to sell in the dozens rather than the thousands". Prior to having more significant success with The Bee Gees and Slade, the German label really did seem to limp along in the UK initially, releasing flop after flop.
Little is known about The Sun Set here, but this is a lovely single, with its top side being full to the brim with harmonies and sunshine. It's not a million miles away from something the Mamas and the Papas might have attempted at around the same time, with a tranquil, laidback and lovelorn feel. Slide on those harmonies towards the coast with a new love at your side, and you'll be as happy as Larry's even more optimistic and wealthier younger brother.
The B-side "You Can Ride My Rainbow", on the other hand, gets much closer to what I can only assume are the group's origins. This is pure folk with some devilishly accomplished guitar finger picking, and the only thing that makes it feel slightly iffy is the slight Rod, Jane and Freddyness of it all. To be fair to The Sun Set, though, Rod Jane and Freddy hadn't been invented as a children's folk combo yet, and if anything we can only really blame them for perhaps being ahead of their time in that respect.
