Favorite Era of The Searchers?

[goodiesguy]

What is your favorite era of The Searchers?

My Favorite is the early stuff with Tony Jackson. After he left i think the group went downhill, though Bumble Bee is a favorite of mine

[JeffZ]

Their best records were made from 1963-67, but there were some gems after that. "Umbrella Man", "Desdemona", and the two Sire albums are all good and deserved to do better than they did. Live performances have been consistently strong throughout the group's history.

[ozmag]

What is your favorite era of The Searchers?

My Favorite is the early stuff with Tony Jackson. After he left i think the group went downhill, though Bumble Bee is a favorite of mine

Hi, its an interesting question and thought provoking. Given that for many years they are really a live band and indeed, one of the hardest working live bands that for my money have constantly improved their show over the years. Especially since Spencer joined with his musicianship (there will always be an argument over who is the better or preferred lead singer which I don't want to comment on) and John who has much improved his lead playing (always a terrific rhythm player) and his singing contribution. That, along with the use of lighting effects and Frank's frontman skills which have also improved to a high level, I think visually the shows has more drama and excitment.

Whether they went downhill after Tony left is a point of view countered I think by the quality of some of the post Jackson recordings of the 60's era such as:
Walk in the room (my absolute all time fav)
Goodbye my Love
Take it or leave it
Love Potion No 9 (biggest stateside hit)
What have they done to the rain
Take me for what Im worth (very popular at shows)

Then into the Sire era of 79/81 where I really believed they had some classic recordings, my favorites being:
Hearts in her eyes
Loves Melody
Another Night (written by John)
I don't want to be the one (my fav)

And then lastly albeit unfortunately, the release of Hungry Hearts with the likes of:
Forever in Love
Somebody told me
Every little tear
No other love
Fooled my self once again

So its a hard choice to make because growing up with them if you liked the 60's sound then (certainly in my case) you could well like the sounds of all the changed era's but best of all is the live shows. But for how long is the key question! Luckily I've been able to see many of them across a number of countries.

A long post to say, I really cant pick beyond recognising some changing musical periods that have always been highlighted with that wonderfully distinctive Searchers sound of Guitar, Harmonies and well chosen songs.
Cheers

[dbailey62]

Then into the Sire era of 79/81 where I really believed they had some classic recordings, my favorites being:
Hearts in her eyes
Loves Melody
Another Night (written by John)
I don't want to be the one (my fav)

Of course, I Don't Want To Be The One falls just outside the Sire era in 1982 when the group was briefly on PRT (formerly Pye) but who's counting.

I found this tonight. I hadn't realized that pub rockers Ducks DeLuxe were the originators of Love's Melody. I knew it was written by Andy McMasters but had figured it was from The Motors.



... and now I've found this quality version of "Hearts In Her Eyes" by the wonderful singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter .... and fittingly she is playing a Rick. The quality of her performance is obvious. Sadly, the poor camera work is equally obvious.

[chriscurtisfan]

This is easy for me -- the era when Chris Curtis was present -- 1960 - 1966. I will listen to and enjoy anything that Chris is a part. For me he was a huge talent, and an incredible loss to Frank, John and Mike line-up. There are certain other songs from all the Era's, that strike me as being outstanding. However, the absence of Chris' presence makes me sad. Still, I am so very glad the other guys are out and about, keeping the music going, and long live all of the survivors! RIP to the ones who are gone, but never forgotten.

[royclough]

Whether they went downhill after Tony left is a point of view countered I think by the quality of some of the post Jackson recordings of the 60's era such as:
Walk in the room (my absolute all time fav)
Goodbye my Love
Take it or leave it
Love Potion No 9 (biggest stateside hit)
What have they done to the rain
Take me for what Im worth (very popular at shows)

One error there I'm afraid, Love Potion Number Nine featured Tony Jackson on lead vocal

[royclough]

Ilike a lot of Mary Chapin Carpenter stuff, don't think she recorded Hearts but thanks for clip.

As an asdied I sent John McNally some years back her song He Thinks He'll Keep Her as I felt it was right for them, he liked it but they didn't do it.

Then a few years later Mike Pender put it in his act, I have a version of it.

[sowhat]

Year 1965, when they recorded "Take me for what i'm worth", their best album imho. I mean, this record sounded as if they were going somewhere, as if they've "seized on" some new direction that could have led them to a wonderful place they haven't been to before, where they could establish as a band not only with nice sound and good taste but also with an idea (or whatever it should be called). Well, unfortunately it didn't happen, but still.

[chriscurtisfan]

Ilike a lot of Mary Chapin Carpenter stuff, don't think she recorded Hearts but thanks for clip.

As an asdied I sent John McNally some years back her song He Thinks He'll Keep Her as I felt it was right for them, he liked it but they didn't do it.

Then a few years later Mike Pender put it in his act, I have a version of it.

Oh good Lord, is it possible to share it with us?? I love that song (and Mary CC), and I would LOVE to hear Mikey P sing it!!
Thanks, Roy!!

[JeffZ]

Yeah, I agree with Sheena. "Take Me For What I'm Worth" both a great single and a great album as well. I've often wondered if they hadn't gone on the Australian tour and lost Chris after this LP came out if they wouldn't have entered a new phase musically. We can only guess, but I think it's quite possible they would have.

[its-sylviab]

Ilike a lot of Mary Chapin Carpenter stuff, don't think she recorded Hearts but thanks for clip.

As an asdied I sent John McNally some years back her song He Thinks He'll Keep Her as I felt it was right for them, he liked it but they didn't do it.

Then a few years later Mike Pender put it in his act, I have a version of it.

Oh good Lord, is it possible to share it with us?? I love that song (and Mary CC), and I would LOVE to hear Mikey P sing it!!
Thanks, Roy!!

Me too please Roy... like Cheri, I would also love to hear Mike sing this song!

I've only just seen this topic but my favourite Searchers' era has to be the 60s and Chris was my favourite out of all their drummers but my absolute favourite line-up was when I first saw them in my very first live pop concert as a young schoolgirl... with Mike, Tony, Chris and John and I saw them again not long afterwards, which was a couple of months after Frank had joined, when I really missed Tony, but Frank seemed to fit in very well, but sadly he didn't have Tony's voice for their songs and I think the same about Spencer, compared to Mike... I liked Mike, Chris and Tony best on vocals!

[chriscurtisfan]

Ilike a lot of Mary Chapin Carpenter stuff, don't think she recorded Hearts but thanks for clip.

As an asdied I sent John McNally some years back her song He Thinks He'll Keep Her as I felt it was right for them, he liked it but they didn't do it.

Then a few years later Mike Pender put it in his act, I have a version of it.

Oh good Lord, is it possible to share it with us?? I love that song (and Mary CC), and I would LOVE to hear Mikey P sing it!!
Thanks, Roy!!

Me too please Roy... like Cheri, I would also love to hear Mike sing this song!

I've only just seen this topic but my favourite Searchers' era has to be the 60s and Chris was my favourite out of all their drummers but my absolute favourite line-up was when I first saw them in my very first live pop concert as a young schoolgirl... with Mike, Tony, Chris and John and I saw them again not long afterwards, which was a couple of months after Frank had joined, when I really missed Tony, but Frank seemed to fit in very well, but sadly he didn't have Tony's voice for their songs and I think the same about Spencer, compared to Mike... I liked Mike, Chris and Tony best on vocals!

Sylvia, I would KILL to have seen the original four -- your thoughts on the voices and drummers mirror mine. I dearly love Frank, and he was as cute as a button --- no doubt a great bass guitar player (I am not a judge of bass guitarists; no ear) -- but his voice was not a good replacement for Tony. Chris brought Frank into the band, and for that I will always adore my Frank. Still, having said that, I have found, that once I get accustomed to hearing Frank's voice, he does a good job on the precious few he has done. He is the driving force behind the current line of his Searchers and hooray for that!!

But Mikey P and MY Chris (sorry everybody, I need to 'own' Chris ) made the most HEAVENLY harmony. The examples are to long to cite. Just my own never to be humble opinion!

I would love to see Mikey and his Searchers. For me, he was THE main voice of the Searchers. Nobody could sing with so sincerely as Mike Pender. And he and his family were good to my Chris. He has brought good drumming very much into his Searchers, and, I believe it is his son still doing drums? Correct me if I'm wrong, everybody!

Sylvia, you will enjoy Mikey singing "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" -- thank you, Roy, again, for sending it on.

Searchers Forever -- and long live all of them. RIP to those who are gone. You are sorely missed by your loving fans.

[royclough]

Cheri

To clarify one thing John McNally is the driving force of the current line up and if and when he decides to call it a day, the group will cease.

[chriscurtisfan]

Cheri

To clarify one thing John McNally is the driving force of the current line up and if and when he decides to call it a day, the group will cease.

I stand corrected. I guess I thought that with Frank having written the book, he took the most interest. My bad!! Let's hope he doesn't decide to call it a day!

[sowhat]

Don't like Frank Allen's voice either (sounds kinda irritating to me), but on the other hand, imho, his lead on "Be my baby" is one of the best Searchers vocal performances ever.