Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

In 81/82 Searchers recorded a number of tracks about 5 produced by a guy called John Verity, these were for a proposed new album, which sadly did not happen most of the tracks recorded have appeared at some point or another on compilations, however this track remains unissued.

Roy: An interesting mix of the old with the new, at least at the time of its recording. Perhaps the Searchers' "Stayin' Alive." Great energy and it is a pity that it was buried.

Rarity: OK. Tasteability (if such a word): No!

But I liked Bee Gees best before their disco days too. On their Two Years On LP, there's a track called Portrait of Louise. In a track by track review, the Gibbs mentioned The Searchers as an inspiration, this song being a sort of tribute.

Maybe someone who masters this kind of things can let us hear it? THAT's a nice piece of music!

royclough wrote:In 81/82 Searchers recorded a number of tracks about 5 produced by a guy called John Verity, these were for a proposed new album, which sadly did not happen most of the tracks recorded have appeared at some point or another on compilations, however this track remains unissued.

Thanks Roy. I have to admit that I like this one better than the other tracks from these sessions that I've heard.

I'm thinking that if this album had come out, the boys would have had to tour with a keyboard player as all those recording were very keyboard oriented. In later days Spencer could have covered those parts with his synth guitar but in the MIke days .....

I know they appeared on television at least once with a keyboard player or two for show as they were lip synching to a keyboard heavy track but do you think that for touring they would have added either a fifth member or a permanent session man such as the Hollies did with Pete Wingfield?

einar wrote:Rarity: OK. Tasteability (if such a word): No!

But I liked Bee Gees best before their disco days too. On their Two Years On LP, there's a track called Portrait of Louise. In a track by track review, the Gibbs mentioned The Searchers as an inspiration, this song being a sort of tribute.

Maybe someone who masters this kind of things can let us hear it? THAT's a nice piece of music!

This is the best I could do Einar. This fellow doesn't sound like Barry, Robin or Maurice but his octophone (.... or is it a bouzouki) is very tasty IMO.

Listened to the Bee Gees track Einar mentions, didn't see the connection if I am honest.

But influenced, perhaps, judging by this

David

Never seen them with a keyboard player, live or on TV,do not think they would have added a keyboard player, to promote album even if it had materialised.

Thanks both of you, David and Ray! Didn't know the young Gibb brothers had covered Sweets for my sweet. Charming!
And yes, I still think "Louise" would have been a better direction for The Searchers, than "Heat of the night". "Louise" treated in a guitar/drums arrangement of course.
I've mentioned before that REM's "What's the frequency, Kenneth" is the ultimate Searchers sound of the nineties. IMO.

God jul, everybody!

royclough wrote:David

Never seen them with a keyboard player, live or on TV,do not think they would have added a keyboard player, to promote album even if it had materialised.

Ya, it was a lip sync video appearance and they had two keyboard players wearing yellow t-shirts. It looked kind of odd and awkward to be honest. I don't recall whether it was "I Don't Want To Be The One" but that would have made sense as it was a very keyboard oriented single.

I have it on a low quality compilation vhs tape that I can't find.

I'll have to do some digging.

If that PRT album had actually had happened, I don't know how they would have been able to promote such a keyboard heavy LP without a keyboard. It's all moot obviously.

Merry Christmas Roy.

db