Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Ducks Deluxe
Company: RCA Victor
Catalog: LPL1-5008
Year: 1974
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5492
Price: $25.00
Here's a group that should have enjoyed far more commercial success than they did - which in the States meant they were complete unknowns.
One of the earliest and best of the mid-1970s pub rockers, Ducks Deluxe came together in 1972. The original line up consisted of ex-Brinsley Schwarz roadie/lead guitarist Martin Belmont, drummer Tim Roper, multi-instrumentalist Sean Tyla, and former Help Yourself bass player Ken Whaley. Whaley's tour of duty was brief as he was quickly replaced by Nick Garvey.
left to right:
Nick Garvey - Martin Belmont - Sean Tyla (kneeling) - Tm Roper
Signed by RCA Victor, the group made their debut with the 1973 single 'Coast To Coast' b/w 'Bring Back That Packard Car' (RCA catalog number 2438). A reflection of their touring experiences the single wasn't a hit, but attracted considerable media attention, including the BBC' John Peel who became an early champion. Encouraged by the critical reception RCA financed an LP - 1974's cleverly-titled "Ducks Deluxe". Produced by Dave Bloxham the album was quite different from popular audience tastes that at the time ran towards glam, metal, and progressive genres. Having absolutely no interest in those genres, tracks like 'Don't Mind Rockin' Tonite', 'Coast To Coast' and '' found The Ducks unleashed a blazing set of roots rock on an unsuspecting audience. With much of the album clearly showing their affection for late-1950s/early 1960s American acts like Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochrane, anyone interested in musical sophistication or cutting edge originality was knocking at the wrong door. Not that they were trapped in the 1950s. With Tyla handling lead vocals, 'West Texas Trucking Board' bore more than a passing resemblance to Bob Dylan, while 'Fireball' proved the band could do a credible Lou Reed imitation. The band also showed a knack for penning catchy pop material. 'Hearts On the Sleeve'' and 'Please, Please, Please' could easily have been top-40 hits. That surprising versatility was due in part to the fact all four members wrote material and the band was also blessed with three decent singers - each exhibiting a different style and set of strengths. Garvey had the most commercial and likeable voice. Tyla's rough hewn voice fell in the middle, with Belmont having the least range. In the UK RCA tapped the LP for two more singles:
- 'Please, Please, Please' b/w 'Please, Please, Please' (RCA catalog number DJH0-0297)
- 'Fireball' b/w 'Saratoga Suzie' (RCA catalog number LPBO 5019)
In spite of positive reviews from music critics and an opening slot on a Lou Reed tour the LP didn't sell.
"Ducks
Deluxe" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Don't Mind Rockin' Tonite
(Martin Belmont - Nick Garvey) - 2:40
3.) Daddy Put The Bomp (Sean Tyla - Ducks) - 4:21
3.)
Hearts On The Sleeve (Martin Belmont) - 2:50
4.) West Texas Trucking Board (Sean Tyla - Ducks) - 3:40
5.) Fireball (Sean Tyla - Ducks) - 3:45
6.) Please, Please, Please
(Nick Garvey) - 3:50
(side
2)
1.) Coast To Coast
(Nick Garvey) - 3:10
2.) It's All Over Now (Bobby Womack) - 3:05
3.)
Nervous Breakdown (Roccuzzo)
- 2:55
5.) Falling for That Woman (Sean Tyla) - 5:26
6.) Too Hot To Handle (Sean
Tyla) - 3:48
