Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Quote from Frank Allen's newsletter:
------------------
We`ve been listening to some very interesting CDs while driving to and from gigs of late. Roy Clough, a long time Searchers fan who has over the years become a very good friend, put together compilations of original or alternate versions of Searchers recordings and boy do you get a shock to hear how many of these started out in life.
They range from excellent (Ain`t Gonna Kiss Ya by the Ribbons and the Drifters' version of Sweets For My Sweet) to absolutely abysmal (Each Time by the Bon Bons and Farmer John by the Premieres) to interestingly different options (Goodbye My Love from Jimmy Hughes and Somebody Told Me as performed by the Allies). It took Roy an eternity to get them all together. When I get time I`ll let you have a list and you can search them out yourselves. That should keep you busy for a few years!
--------------
Geez... Roy, how many items are there?! and how much time did it take you to make it (if it isn't a question of 'personal kind', of course)?!
Truly amazed,
SC

Thanks Sheena I put together 2 CD's and working on a third. I do, from time to time, send John new songs I think could be right for them though normally don't publicise the fact, In This Life, Every River, Rock This Land and to a certain degree Seven Nights To Rock were just some.

Some songs they do try but can't get it right to John's satisfaction so never make it to the act, plus adding new songs is difficult, essentially people go to see them to hear the old hits.

These compilations, Frank mentioned, came about due to a chance remark I made to Frank, he asked me to send him a couple of tracks but rather than waste a CD I put quite a bit on, they all enjoyed it apparently guessing who made the version or in some case were hearing the version for the first time, even though they recorded the songs and songs were associated with them. I was surprised when they asked if I could do a volume 2.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find Frank mentioned it publicly.

Hmm... i was not surprised he mentioned it, it seems quite natural to me. The only thing that keeps surprising me is that you still don't work for them officially (or do you?)... that is my personal opinion.
PS: bet another case when my Ruglish caused a bit of misunderstanding - i actually wanted to ask how many songs were there on these CDs?
PPS: the fact revealed - now everybody will know who the mystic "Spencer-the-finder" really is! That's great.

...i mean, if somebody does that much for a band he becomes a part of it sooner or later, at least that's how it happens here where i live, and that's what i'm wishing, sorry if i touched a personal matter here, i just really want it to come true, better sooner than later, and in any case i wish all the best and continue the great job you do. And of course Long Live the Searchers!