Will the Searchers Record A New Studio CD?

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Aug 26, 2001 12:22 am

It is becoming more likely as time passes on that The Searchers are unlikely to record anything new in the studio. While the "Live" CD's are a compromise, they do lack the quality of a studio recording by a long shot. It would seem that we may have now seen the end of their recording career. They now make their living through performing and to afford time in the studio away from this income may not be practical. Also it is a matter of getting a recording contract which may also not be in the cards. It would be interesting to hear how others feel about a new CD.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sun Aug 26, 2001 1:56 am

I have to agree Peter, that the possibilty of a new release is remote, it is now 12 years since the release of Hungry Hearts and whilst interest has been shown, nothing has come to fruition.

If the band were to record a album of new wmaterial themselves, the sale of such a album would be limited to being sold at Gigs like the "Live" Albums, unless they could secure some distribution deal.
The question then arises would the majority of people who go to their concerts etc be interested in an album of songs they could not associate with, without sounding cynical a lot of fans who "rave" about them today, simply stopped buying their recordings in the sixties and seventies and really rediscovered the band with the advent of the Solid Gold Sixties tours that evolved in the eighties.

I personally wold love to see at least one final album of new recordings before they call it a day, but unless the y are willing to finance any venture themselves it is beginning to look unlikely.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Aug 26, 2001 2:29 am

Roy: I too would love to see a fresh new album of songs that reflects the current interests of The Searchers. While The Seachers continue to play many songs from the 1960s in their current performances, their sound really has changed over the years with the introduction of additional performers, most notably the voice and guitar work of Spencer James. Eddie Rothe has also added vocals and a different drumming style. They are a very different group in many ways. From the outside looking in, it would almost seem as if there is a group within a group. By this I mean Spencer's fine work and his own promotion of his music. He continues to record but does so in what spare time he has and without the assistance of John and Frank in his recordings. It seems self-evident to me that if he can arrange for recording of his material that John and Frank could easily do the same.

I am, perhaps, way out on the limb and I confess to pure speculation here, however, there does not seem to be a concerted effort by all group members in the direction of new recording. It would seem that there must be philosophical differences, at least between Spencer and McNally-Allen, that do not allow this. I have no evidence to back up this statement but major band decisions would seem to be taken by those who have been there from the early days, namely McNally and Allen.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sun Aug 26, 2001 7:33 am

Very well put Peter,but I would add that I believe that when Spencer joined the band he had an influence on the introduction of some new songs to the act, Young Girl, The Rose - as these were tracks he had recorded, although unreleased at the time. If someone was to offer the band a new deal, I am sure they would take it,but if it means financing a release themselves, I doubt it will happen for reasons already stated. John has since the early eighties in my view had the say on what songs go in the act. Frank by his own admission in a recent interview was not always into the music side.
They are also limited to how many new numbers they can put in the act, the vast majority of their audience want to relive memories and nothing wrong with that

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Aug 26, 2001 11:10 am

Good point Roy and something I failed to mention. I am sure that John and Frank must have been very pleased when Spencer agreed to join them. Not only does he do a great job on the older material but, as you say, he brought along his own songs that have added a new dimension to the group. The Searchers provide a great nostalgia act, however, they have evolved and developed a newer sound over the years and as such I would love to see the recording of some original material as well.

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 12:54 pm

Would I like to see a new studioCD? Yes, indeed. Do I think it's likely? No. Here's why.

As you guys have already noted, the band makes its bread at concerts. And never lose sight of how important that is to them. Their schedule is way too hectic now for them to take the time (a la Rockfield)to select, rehearse, and record really good material.

In line with that, "Hungry Hearts"(which I confess I'm not fond of) was done on the fly. Short trips to Germany between gigs to do the odd vocal, instrumental, etc. That's not what I'd want done on a new CD.

Third, what material? All new stuff? Re-makes of non-Searchers oldies? What about the sound? One thing I've noticed on the live CDs is a lot of synthesizer. That is not the Searchers "Sound". Will Spencer ever learn 12 string? Or do they go in a completely new direction. One thing I've sensed in the band is a reluctance to stray from their comfort level. They're comfortable doing what they're doing, and I don't see them recording again, especially if someone doesn't serve it up to them on a silver plate.

marie · Post by **marie** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 7:14 pm

AT LAST,SPENCER JAMES GETS A MENTION, ALTHOUGH PEOPLE GO ON ABOUT THE "OLD SEARCHERS" SPENCER HAS BEEN WITH THEM LONGER THAN CHRIS CURTIS AND TONY JACKSON COMBINED, I TRULY BELIEVE WITHOUT HIM THEIR FUTURE MAY NOT HAVE TURNED OUT SO POSITIVE AS IT HAS, HIS MUSICAL/RECORDING KNOWLEDGE IS MUCH UNDERATED, THE TWO LIVE CD'S ARE BOTH REMIXED AT THE SJO STUDIOS, AND THE MIXTURE OF OLD AND NEW MATERIAL IS A BOOST TO ME IN BETWEEN THE REAL MACOY.ALSO HIS VOICE, ESPECIALLY ON THE BALLADS(IN THIS LIFE, THE ROSE, DOES IT HURT?) WORKS PERFECTLY ALONGSIDE THE OLDER ESTABLISHED FAVOURITES, ALONG WITH THE HARMONIES FROM THE REST OF THE GROUP, HE ALSO PERFORMS THE ROLE OF THE STRAIGHT MAN ,ALONGSIDE JOHN MCNALLY FOR FRANKS IN BETWEEN NUMBERS CHATS WITH GREAT APLOMB. I THINK 1985 COULD HAVE BEEN THE BEGINING OF THE END HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MCNALLY/ALLEN ALONG WITH THE LUCK OF FINDING THE NEW BOY(AS SOME STILL CALL HIM TODAY) AS FOR THE FUTURE, I THINK THE GROUP DO A MARVELLOUS JOB,I DON'T THINK MANY MODERN GROUPS COULD SURVIVE THE SEARCHERS' PUNISHING SCHEDULE, ENABLING THEM TO BE SEEN SO REGULALY,BOTH HERE AND ABROAD, WHATS MORE THEY APPEAR TO ENJOY IT! I WONDER HOW MANY OF US COULD KEEP SAY THAT AT 57/60(ALMOST)

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 2:47 am

You are right Marie. The talents of Spencer James are overlooked. He has been with The Searchers for 16 years! In defense of those who do not sing his praises and who are unable to see him perform live, there is very little fan information about him. I have asked questions of him, through official channels, that he has chosen not to answer. While he is a busy performer and entitled to a life of his own, it is difficult to get to know him on these terms. You can't deny, however, that he has a great voice and his guitar work has added to the group in many ways. Let's hope his recording projects rub off on the rest of the group.

mygeneration · Post by **mygeneration** » Sun Sep 02, 2001 10:50 am

Just a couple of points which haven't been mentioned in this thread -
In the 1990's the Searchers Appreciation Society had a poll of The Searchers' best songs, and Somebody Told Me You Were Crying from Hungry Hearts won over all the old material. Whilst this is a small section of the overall Searchers fanbase, it does suggest that newer material could be accepted generally by the fans.
Secondly, and following the mention of Spencer's solo recordings, I personally feel his Tides Of Time album was superb especially as he co-wrote all of the songs. He has given me a pre-release copy of his new album - It may be released by now for all I know - but it maintains the standard set on T.O.T. It's an album of cover versions, and there are one or two surprises on it (well, they surprised me!)

marie · Post by **marie** » Mon Sep 03, 2001 8:30 am

FROM WHAT I CAN SEE THE TIDES OF TIME CD APPEARS TO BE A SOLO EFFORT ON HIS BEHALF, NO TRACK IS SUNG FROM IT DURING THEIR FULL SHOWS(ALTHOUGH THEY STILL PLUG "BEACH BABY",ALSO THE CD IS NOT FOR SALE AFTER THE SHOW, IN FACT WERE IT NOT FOR A MENTION ON THE WEB SITE MANY WOULD NOT KNOW OF IT'S EXISTENCE AT ALL!DOES ANYONE KNOW IF ANY OF THE REST OF THE SEARCHERS HAD ANY INPUT(MUSICALLY OR LYRICALLY?)ON ANY OF THE TRACKS?OR DID SPENCER CONSCIOUSLY DECIDE TO GO IT ALONE?

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Sep 03, 2001 8:57 am

Marie: Spencer's CD is indeed a solo effort, along with friends, and none of the other Searchers have performed on it, either instrumentally or vocally. I have come to learn that he did most, if not all, of the mixing for Tides of Time and also, unless I am mistaken, mixed the recordings for the Searchers' Live 1 and 2 CDs.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Tue Sep 04, 2001 9:27 am

Don't want to appear pedantic, but the fact that "Somebody Told Me" won a poll of Searchers favorite songs has to seen in context, I am of the opinion that the vast majority of Searchers Fans who are members of the society today actually only became members after MP left and full credit to Spencer James.

In fact a lot of fans who follow the group now, probably only know the James, McNally, Allen, Adamson and now Rothe lineup. I do agree though that the song did receive 20% of the actual votes cast albeit a small number.

The whole idea of this forum is to bring fans together to express their views and long may it continue, I don't share Gary's enthusiasim for the TOT CD overall although there are a couple of excellent tracks. I do appauld Spencer though for at least putting something new out and in fairness he is not trying to capture the Searchers sound but is clearly doing what HE wants.

The thread of this debate centres on whether the band will ever do a new studio based CD and if someone is prepared to finance it then the answer would, I am sure be yes, however the band are Business men to a certain degree and know that a self finaced recording would really only be available for sale at Gigs or through the official website, if Gary, who I know is the technical side of the site, was able to provide that facility.

Whilst those in the appreciation society(Great job TV 16 years and going strong) would doubtless buy such a CD, would the ordinary public buy such a CD at gigs, nobody bought the RCA recordings or the Sire recordings in sufficient numbers to regain former glories, as good as the recordings were. So financially it may not be viable.

I certainly hope that before they call it a day we have one last album to saviour and believe me do not discount it.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Sep 04, 2001 3:40 pm

Roy: While I don't share your optimism that The Searchers' will record another studio release, I am heartened by the hope that you hold out.

I concur, that Spencer James deserves much credit and it would seem, in the balance, that it has been his enthusiasm and initiative that has in large part been responsible for the Searchers' live CDs. He has an outstanding voice that certainly brings shivers to my spine.

Unfortunately, I just can't see a major record company giving The Searchers' a contract at this point based on their track record and relative lack of interest in recording and writing original material over the past couple decades. I suppose it is an outside chance that Spencer may create an awareness with his solo CDs that wins the favour of a producer.

I will keep my fingers crossed but won't hold my breath. I agree that the groups' business sense is likely to outweigh the heart needed to go back to the studio. Thanks for your comments. They have been thought provoking for me.

einar · Post by **einar** » Tue Sep 04, 2001 10:12 pm

Here's a Searchers source I haven't seen mentioned before: The 40+ pages interview with John McNally in Michael Ober's "Then Play On" book (1992).
John defends the Hungry Hearts record, and says it's got strong songs and good playing on it. But he confesses it was a "take it or leave it" enterprice, over which the Searchers didn't have too much control. He says the synth-sound accords to a modern taste. Further, he says he's eager to do "one more" record, guitars-oriented, with a mix of Spencer's modern style and his own traditional playing. He thinks the Searchers still have something to prove in that direction. -But now, this is said almost 10 years ago. Tide of times!

I'm impressed by the overall sincereness found in this forum. All that is uttered is done with care, with respect for other peoples' opinions. My own thoughts about Spencer James/Hungry Hearts: I agree with John R's statement: I am not fond of HH, knock on my door and I'll gladly give it away. But I respect other people liking it. This is not the "Searchers sound" that I'm fond of, and Spencer's voice is not a "Searchers" voice in that tradition. I remember Gary Pucket(t?) and his Union Gap doing "Young Girl" and "Lady Willpower" in the sixties. I heard YG on the radio, then Searcers' "Western Union". I disliked the first (the overall sound) as much as I liked Mike's voice and the Searchers sound. My opinion is that Spencer brought the "Union Gap sound" into the Searchers. He has influenced the group's direction (new material) not to my liking. But I know a lot of recent Searchers fans love his contribution, so this is a matter of taste, not quality. I agree Spencer has a strong, real "leadsinger's" voice.
What direction (new material) would I have liked Searchers to choose for today? I always thought REM's "What's the frequency Kenneth?" was a splendid Searchers' song of the 1990's!
Einar.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Sep 04, 2001 10:44 pm

Most interesting comments from John McNally and yourself, Einar. The PYE days had the greatest influence on me. I felt that Chris Curtis was quite a talent and the blend of voices with he and the others was well done and a classic sound. I have been communicating with Mike Ober to try to get a copy of his out of print book for some time now. I sure hope it arrives soon, particlarly after your comments.

The Searchers' have evolved over the course of time. I quite agree with you that the "new" sound is as not as appealing as the older material. Nonetheless, when you consider the alternative, I am still very pleased that the Searchers' have continued in their present form. They put on a fine performance, with a more contemporary style. Spencer has been a big boost for the group and he is a fine vocalist and musician. Just very different from Mike Pender.

I often wonder if I would look at their music differently had they changed their name entirely. Not that they should have, but the name Searchers immediately sends me back to an earlier time.