What Was It About The Searchers' Music?

[admin]

I would be interested in hearing just what you thinking it was about The Searchers' music that had them pushing The Beatles out of the number one spot in the UK, if only briefly. Was this a bit of good luck or is there more to the story?

[sowhat]

The sound. That magic sound of rock-drill rhythm guitar, long before there were things like punk, thrash metal and all. Vocal harmonies. Overall mood — positive and inspiring. The ability to make other people's songs their own, add a little touch of their approach, but not too much to ruin the song (sense of proportion or whatever they call it). Moderation and modesty (like, "they're just like us mere mortals"), lots of fun and youthful energy. Maybe something else as well. And a bit of good luck, of course. That's something that's always there when such things happen.

[JeffZ]

Exceptional care in picking the songs they covered as singles, and as Sheena has said the overall sound. Chris Curtis was also a very good point man on stage.

[DoubleThink]

Solid musicians with tight vocals and a beat completely in keeping with the vibe (up to '65-ish). Their take on "Take Me For What I'm Worth" still gives me shivers.

[DoubleThink]

If you'd like to see The Searchers playing 'in studio' about 1964-65, have a look at this link to And The World Listened.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=82620

This film is great. A review of the Liverpool scene, it includes film of the Cavern ... in colour! Also, a couple of unidentified Mersey groups and The Spinners (a Mersey folk group). The Searchers, performing Sugar & Spice, appear just over halfway through the film. Of course, The Beatles are included.

Enjoy. It's a beautiful trip.

[chriscurtisfan]

Speaking from across the pond -- it was all about the high harmony and the drums on Needles & Pins. Then we got Don't Throw -- unbelievable high harmony and -- I think Frank called it the "Twiddly Guitar" -- I would wake up from sleep when CKLW broadcast them in the wee hours....my ears were waiting to hear 'The Searchers' every night -- finally I got a chance to SEE them perform on Ed Sullivan in April, 1964 and Chris Curtis perched on high on those drums, his smile took my breath away. On top of the sound, they were clean-cut and handsome! I have never heard or seen anything that could measure up to The Searchers. ***Sigh***

[winston]

It's good to see you are posting here again Cheri. Don't be a stranger.