Had that EP Rosalyn/Don’t Bring Me Down in the house in my formative years; I think it came with my parents Dansette. Then saw the Pretty’s at the Marquee about 77 And then again at Dingwalls a year or so later. Finally at Tanworth in Arden’s Fuse Festival in 2016. Got to briefly speak with him. Affable dude.
In the world of popular music, there are numerous factors that can result in “No Sale.”
High on that list has to be “airbrushed artwork.”
Airbrushed artwork = no sale. Simple.
Off the top of my head, I can think of no exception to the rule.
Just played Parachute, 50 years old and a cherished item, the point (possibly) where The Pretty Things discovered tunes, as opposed to 12-bar variants, and it’s stuffed full of the best of what the Abbey Road staff could muster in terms of production values. EMI quite obviously were giving them a push and they were on the new-fangled Harvest imprint. Should have been a hit album but, hey-ho, it’s still there to be discovered and I do urge you to do so.
I agree – a delight for anyone who loves the sound, harmonies, production of the Beatles ‘Abbey Road’. It seems strange to me, though, that (a) the sleeve is so nondescript/off-putting and (b) the killer side is Side B. It’s as if they were trying to sabotage themselves.
daff says
The first band I ever saw live – Cornwall Coliseum 1964(?) I certainly feel old now!
Bargepole says
Another sad day in sad times….
John Walters says
Saw them play the whole of SF Sorrow at the Royals Festival Hall in the early 2000’s.
A wonderful and memorable evening.
retropath2 says
Had that EP Rosalyn/Don’t Bring Me Down in the house in my formative years; I think it came with my parents Dansette. Then saw the Pretty’s at the Marquee about 77 And then again at Dingwalls a year or so later. Finally at Tanworth in Arden’s Fuse Festival in 2016. Got to briefly speak with him. Affable dude.
Junior Wells says
What was the silk torpedo in reference to?
Nick L says
Staggeringly awful sleeve (of its time I’m guessing, what year was it?) but a nice piece of music.
deramdaze says
In the world of popular music, there are numerous factors that can result in “No Sale.”
High on that list has to be “airbrushed artwork.”
Airbrushed artwork = no sale. Simple.
Off the top of my head, I can think of no exception to the rule.
Declan says
Just played Parachute, 50 years old and a cherished item, the point (possibly) where The Pretty Things discovered tunes, as opposed to 12-bar variants, and it’s stuffed full of the best of what the Abbey Road staff could muster in terms of production values. EMI quite obviously were giving them a push and they were on the new-fangled Harvest imprint. Should have been a hit album but, hey-ho, it’s still there to be discovered and I do urge you to do so.
See ya, Phil.
Colin H says
I agree – a delight for anyone who loves the sound, harmonies, production of the Beatles ‘Abbey Road’. It seems strange to me, though, that (a) the sleeve is so nondescript/off-putting and (b) the killer side is Side B. It’s as if they were trying to sabotage themselves.
Mrbellows says
Isn’t it just the case that their songs weren’t that good? See also, Big Star.