Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Like the avids, The Searchers themselves are not getting any younger. It would seem that if the group is ever to release another CD that the window of opportunity is closing rather quickly.

I realize that the "Live CDs" offer the next best thing, however, it would be nice to hear something of better quality and slightly different from their stage performances.

With the vocal and recording resources of Spencer James, it is a bit surprising that The Searchers have not come up with a CD. Surely, if it is going to happen the time would be now.

In practical terms, it comes down to time, money and material. I suppose as long as these are in short supply the possibility of a new CD is out of the question. It is fun, nonetheless to speculate whether such a CD is possible. I realize that retirement is on the horizon for this group, but I am not counting them out yet.

I just hope there is no LIve 4. I personally doubt that there will ever be another commercial release. As for the SJ connection, it dows make you wonder but I suppose it is down to them having the time or inclination to travel to SJ's studio. John McNally is about 3 hours travelling time away and Frank Allen is about 2 hours away.

Roy Clough wrote

John McNally is about 3 hours travelling time away and Frank Allen is about 2 hours away

Roy, this would be a short distance to travel for a hit record.

In Canada and USA I appreciate it seems a insignificant amount of time but 3 hours on UK motorways/roads can be a nightmare.

It would also Peter not be a hit record regretfully, the cold commercial fact is that they would be little chance of sales other than at gigs or perhaps mail order if The Searchers Official site provided that facility, surprised it doesn't to be honest.

Peter,

While SJ's stdio might save on production costs, there are still two (almost) insurmountable problems for a new Searchers' CD: distribution and airplay. If they set up a distribution deal with a record company, they will have to pay for not only the cost of making the CD, but for sleeve design, artwork, and packaging. They would probably have to guarantee a certain number of product units to get a deal. Then there's the advertising, etc. EVEN if they get that far, they need airtime, and I doubt they'd get any, a problem that afflicts "Oldies" acts on both sides of the pond (Dion comes to mind). Right now, their "Live" CDs are a pretty much "Mom and Pop" operation. What you're proposing, while interesting is not really feasible.

You might all be right, although there might be some ways out of artwork/packaging trouble. For example, they can start a "sleeve design" contest among fans (the winner is offered a CD, of course , which would be at the same time funny, attractive for fans, and also money-saving. Distribution might be a bit of a problem, although hard for me to understand (some of my friends make recordings and give one-half of the stock to friends, the other half is sold at shows and "non-official" rock music shops for about $3-4 apiece). As for paying for making CDs etc., i know it's impolite, counting money in someone else's pockets, but i'm quite sure they can afford it!..
To me, the main problem is the material. What would be on it? The same old covers?! Uh.
PS: Roy, why do you hope there'd be no Live 4?!

The Live CD's have been overdone Sheena how many live versions of needles and pins etc can one take, I would support a "Not The Hits Again" type CD, they could do enough songs now that you would not associate with the band'S "HIT" Years.. The Live CD's are purely collector's type stuff, I doubt anyone plays them more than once.

While I realize that not every group is gifted with respect to song writing, it is evident to me that Spencer James has such a gift. I have to think that the subject of Spencer writing a tune or two for The Searchers has surfaced at least once.

I agree that a Live CD is not the answer. A studio recording in which the group produces its own music should be the standard.

I have no inside track, but have to think that if Spencer is doing his recording on his own, apart from The Searchers, then his status with the group is perhaps different from that of John and Frank.

From the outside looking in, if all members had equal status and the positive spin offs were the same for all, a CD would have surely materialized by now.

My comments are purely speculative, but then again, this is a forum designed to generate respectful controversy and enthusiasm for the music of The Searchers.

Just in passing, I am reminded that the Fortunes have a new CD in the works so it is a feat that is attainable.

You are all right of course, time and not money is the problem. And the issue of airplay and distibution. Perhaps there might be merit in allowing small volumes of cds to be sent to trustworthy people in various parts of the globe to sell the cds at markets etc. A lot of local musicians here (Australia) do this (mostly they are there to perform live also) and it is successful. If the songs were good and just a sprinkling of the old well know ones, Needles & Pins/When You Walk In The Room it could be a money spinner. Of course the exchange rate would have to be considered and the person selling them on their behalf would have to get a little something as well. Might work ???? I for one would be willing to give it a try. Between that and sales at the gigs could be worth it.