The Liberty recordings

[chriscurtisfan]

Thanks, Roy. When I hear the cowbell, tambourine and high harmony throughout, makes me think "Chris" was present or influenced, even if the song was released after he left. No matter who, it's a beautiful song!

[JeffZ]

They may have intended initially to cut this for Liberty. If I remember right they split with Liberty in late '69, so they may simply have re-cut it for RCA when they moved there in 1971. It rocks along and is also quite catchy so it might have made a nice single.

I also have the "Second Take" CD. I think "Desdemona" is the best of the RCA singles; it even cracked the American Hot 100 (though just barely, 2 weeks peaking at #93). I wouldn't mind hearing a live version of it if such a tape exists...

[chriscurtisfan]

Well, it turns out "Don't Shut Me Out" was written by David Gates for Bread!! My friend, Gary Twitchett/Searchers Fanatic, told me. He's a David Gates expert. And here's a link to their version. It doesn't sound smooth; too much stop/start. I'm a David Gates/Bread fan. Yet I much prefer The Searchers harmony, and the way the song moves along nicely as Jeff said! But isn't that always the way -- for me....if the Searchers sing it, it will always sound better. Agree, it should have been a single! Would be perfect for Mike Pender's Searchers!! I love it when Mikey does their 'oldies' -- I have that CD with half MP's Searchers/half Gerry & the PM's and I just love it. Haven't heard the Gerry portion -- figures.

[dbailey62]

No this was allegedly recorded while at Liberty but turned up on RCA Second Take CD, so I ahve to assume it was recorded during the RCA years, asked John once but he either didn't want or couldn't remember.

I do recall however Frank Allen introducing it as their new single back in 69 at some dingly club they were playing.

It never surfaced I'll ask Frank again as there are 1 or 2 tracks on the CD which are strange.

I liked this one a lot immediately upon hearing it when I got the Second Take CD. A good, sharp and strident intro is always good. It's a good record no doubt about it and one of the better tracks of their RCA years, even if it didn't get released.

[dbailey62]

"Umbrella Man" is a much under-rated single and "Shoot 'Em Up Baby" is quite good as well = both well up to The Searchers' standard. "Kinky Kathy Abernathy" and (the 'PASHA' single) "Somebody Shot The Lollipop Man"/"Pussy Willow Dragon" are what I would call 'novelty' tracks - designed for the late 60s. In my view 'Lollipop Man' is in the same vein as Keith West's "Excerpt From A Teenage Opera" )with its 'Grocer Jack' line). "Over The Weekend" and "Suzanna" are self-penned B-sides which The Searchers did throughout their recording career from the PYE days. All the LIBERTY tracks were on a REPERTOIRE label CD of (about) 10 years back.

I'm a big fan of "Umbrella Man". It had a nice groove happening. "Shoot 'Em Up Baby" is ok although I'm not a fan of the session musician's lead guitar on that one. As for the rest of the Liberty period, ya Tim, novelty.