Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

There were many acts that showed promised at the peak of the British Invasion that would seem to fizzle out for one reason or another.

One of these acts, at least to my way of thinking was The Fortunes, who had great harmonies and unique material.

I believe that the group would only have two other hits in the 1960s after "You've Got Your Troubles." They would also return briefly in the early 1970s in the UK. Also, I am not sure if (Here Comes) That Rainy Day Feeling Again charted in the UK.

Did they lack material or were there other factors in play? Perhaps Roy Clough could offer his insight.

Peter, The Fortunes had these two good hits. I always thought that they sounded overly studio produced with heavy echo and horn & string arrangements, which could have masked any identity, musically or otherwise. They didn’t play solos, riffs or instruments that remind us of them musically. Did they write their own songs? I would say ‘no’ but I am guessing. Listening to those songs now remind me of those generic 60s US studio sessions made up of ample singers and inventive producers & engineers that could turn a hit out of an idea. It was hard to identify with the profile of The Fortunes, musically and personally.

The Honeycombs
The Silkie

The Charlatans
Moby Grape
The Left Banke

Oops, not British. Okay, how about the Move?

Mark: I am with you in your nomination of the Move. I quite like what limited selections I have heard of their music. Unheard of in Canada and the US, they were in the top of the charts on a fair number of occasions in the UK. Again, perhaps Roy can find a track or two for us.

For 1967 and 1968 I have found the following:

2 Move - Night Of Fear Jan 1967
5 Move - I Can Hear The Grass Grow Apr 1967
2 Move - Flowers In The Rain Sep 1967
3 Move - Fire Brigade Feb 1968
1 Move - Blackberry Way Dec 1968

Quite respectable, I would say.

I recall Roy posting "Blackberry Way" a while ago.

The Easybeats were very innovative.

The Pretty Things, The Merseys, The Mojos...

Okay, I'm out.

Yes, just exactly, Blackberry Way was a great number.

The Easybeats were Australian, weren't they?

Yep! I think 'Friday On My Mind' was the only single that charted outside Australia.

Of course I could be wrong! Often am.......

The Creation

I second the Moby Grape! A fantastic band that took a screwing from the get go.

I second the Creation.

Blackberry Way is reminiscent of Penny Lane in some respects. You can also hear an ELO vibe as well.

Blackberry way
Absolutely pouring down with rain
It's a terrible day
Up with the lark
Silly girl I don't know what to say
She was running away
So now I'm standing on the corner
Lost in the things that I said
What am I supposed to do now

Goodbye blackberry way
I can't see you, I don't need you
Goodbye blackberry way
Sure to want me back another day

Down to the park
Overgrowing but the trees are bare
There's a memory there
Boats on the lake
Unattended now for love to drown
I'm incredibly down
Just like myself they are neglected
Turn with my eyes to the wall
What an I supposed to do now

Goodbye Blackberry Way
I can't see you, I dont need you
Goodbye Blackberry Way
Sure to want me back another day

Run for the train
Look behind ya for she may be there
Said a thing in the air
Blackberry Way
See the battlefields of careless sins
Cast to the wind
So full of emptiness without her
Lost in the words that I said
What am I supposed to do now

Goodbye Blackberry Way
I can't see you, I dont need you
Goodbye Blackberry Way
Sure to want me back another day

Goodbye Blackberry Way
I can't see you, I dont need you
Goodbye Blackberry Way
Sure to want me back another day

Goodbye Blackberry Way
I can't see you, I dont need you
Goodbye Blackberry Way
Sure to want me back another day