PETER COLLINS FIRST ALBUM W/HAROLD McNAIR DECCA NOVA 70
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Description
PETER COLLINS
PETER COLLINS FIRST ALBUM
Decca Nova (SDN21)
Sleeve - excellent Disc - near mint
Peter Collins with First Album on Decca Nova SDN21.
Cover EXCELLENT, record is NEAR MINT
PETER COLLINS-PETER COLLINS FIRST ALBUM LP (UK Decca Nova-1970 SDN21)Born in London on January 15, 1951, he started playing guitar in his teens. An uncle manager fanned his interest in the music business. Developing into a singer/songwriter,Collins' uncle got him a deal with Decca Records where he released one album.
Around 1970, Collins' uncle got him an entry job at a recording studio then at a music publishing firm. Starting his own jingle-writing firm, Collins was mentored by jingle writer/producer Roger Greenaway (Coca Cola's "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing").
According to UK Psych webzine, SWEET FLORAL ALBION (March 2004)....
"Now then, this is a real treasure trove. Its difficult, nigh impossible, to not sound silly when praising this LP.
It really is so good that one is reduced to wheeling out superlatives to convey just how good it is.
A summery blend of folk, pop psych and orchestrated pop, performed by some of the (then) best in the business:
Harold McNair (flute), Big Jim Sullivan ("American sitar"), Ike Isaacs (steel acoustic guitar), Hugo Dalton (mandolin), Alan Parker (electric guitar), Lesley Duncan and Lynne Cornell (vocal backing), Brian Brocklehurst (double bass), Paul Wilson (mandolin playing & arrangements, and vocal backing) and Harvey Bard (drums). Arranged & produced by Phil Cennys.
Produced to perfection by Mel Collins. The above list could give the impression that 'First Album' is boring jazzo-muso stuff. Well, it certainly ain't.
It is a masterpiece of English wit and whimsy, and one of the very best albums of its kind.
Collins was an acoustic folky performer who's work, like that of Nick Garrie, suited small intimate venues, and was transformed in the studio from bare simplicity to elaborate baroque splendour.
This may have displeased these artists but it delighted fans of sparkling Orch-Pop. Peter Collins (circa 1969/1970) is a close cousin to Nick Garrie, Philamore Lincoln, David McWilliams, Piccadilly Line or Donovan.
In many ways he is also similar to Nick Drake, but without all the martyr songs.
Nick Drake with a smile and a bit of "get up and go!" 'The Sad Story Of Bad Red Rory' is magnificent flutey, shuffly orchestrated pop, with hints of Toby Twirl's 'Movin' In'.
It has to be said that fey Peter Collins does not make a very convincing villain.
Still, has crime ever sounded sweeter?);
'Promenade' is mandolin-lead lite psych whimsy;
'Etchings' is a gentle ballad with cheeky lyrics;
'Mr. Smith's Dilemma', in some parts soft, in others slightly beefier, is Donovanesque and again rather rude in parts!);
'Get In A Boat' and 'Girl By The Sea' were 2 sides of a single, both are lilting, gentle and folky, as is 'My Cat And I' and the album's beautiful closing track (With Harold McNair, 'The Wishing Well'. 'The Party' is wonderful, racing pop, splendidly augmented by Big Jim's Coral sitar; 'Jinx Sphinx Blues' has quite odd time changes and hints of Mexicana. 'The Little Birdie Song' is Drake-like whimsy (but this time it's the ebullient Charlie Drake and not the morose Nick), with hints of Big TC's '1812 Overture' (funny how birds - of the feathered kind - seemed to talk to many musicians back then - Cardboard Orchestra, Macca, Bee Gees, etc. What was it they were putting in their Bovril?), and 'The Amazing Channel Crossing' is in ragtime/pre-war style with an echo of the Bonzos. I'd even say that 'The Sad Story Of Bad Red Rory', 'Mr. Smith's Dilemma' and in particular 'The Party' really ought to be placed on a comp of pop/psych goodies"
Peter Collins is accompanied by
Harold McNair - Flute
Big Jim Sullivan - American Sitar
Ike Isaacs - Steel Acoustic Guitar
Hugo Dalton - Mandolin
Alan Parker - Electric Guitar
Leslie Duncan - Backing Vocal
Lynne Cornell - Backing Vocal
Ryan Brocklehurst - Double Bass On 'Mr Smith's Dilemma'
Paul Wilson - Mandolin Arrangements Backing Vocal On 'The Amazing Channel Crossing'/'Promenade'
Harvey Bard - Drums On 'Get In A Boat'
The liner notes were written by Mel Collins who also produced the album.
A1 The Sad Story Of Bad Red Rory
A2 Promenade
A3 Etchings
A4 Mr Smith's Dilemma
A5 Get In A Boat
A6 Girl By The Sea
B1 The Party
B2 My Cat & I
B3 Jinx Sphinx Blues
B4 The Little Birdie Song
B5 The Amazing Channel Crossing
B6 The Wishing Well
Orchestra Arranged and Conducted By Phil Denys
Engineered By Martin Smith
Produced By Mel Collins
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