Gerne: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Golden Mile
Company: CBS
Catalog: 81622
Country/State: UK
Year: 1976
Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG
Comments: ring, corner and edge wear; promo stamp on back; UK import
Available: 1
GEMM Catalog ID:
Price: $20.00
One of England's finest mid-'70s pub rock outfits (to our ears they put Ace and Ducks Deluxe to shame),
every time we listen to these guys we have to scratch our heads and wonder how they managed to escape popular recognition; to say nothing of massive sales.
Drummer Will Birch, bassist Richie Bull and singer Paul Shuttleworth first came together in the early-'70s as members of Surly Bird. Following a name change to The Kursaal Flyers (the name came from
an English train), the band spent several years working the local Southend club circuit. Their efforts were rewarded in 1974 with Jonathan King signing them to his newly formed UK label.
Ending their relationship with King and UK Records, 1976's "Golden
Mile" found the band signed to CBS. Produced by Mike Batt, the LP marked a major change in direction, the band largely abandoning their earlier country-rock moves ("Ready To Die" was one of the few holdovers). Described by numerous critics as a concept piece (the set was favorably compared to The Turtles' "Battle of the Bands" album), musically the set found the band effortlessly wandering through a variety of musical genres. Among the highlights, the English top-20 hit "Little Does She Know" b/w "Drinking Socially", "One Arm Bandit" and the ska-flavored "Street of the Music". Sadly, the set never saw an American release (our offering is an English press).
"Golden Mile" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Little Does She Know (Will Birch - Graeme Douglas - Paul Shuttleworth) -
2.) One Arm Bandit (Will Birch - Graeme Douglas - Paul Shuttleworth) -
3.) Drinking Socially (Paul Shuttleworth - Vic Collins) -
4.) Two Left Feet (Will Birch - Graeme Douglas) -
5.) Modern Lovers (Will Birch - Graeme Douglas) -
(side 2)
1.) Street of the Music
(Paul Shuttleworth - Vic Collins) -
2.) Radio Romance (Will Birch - Paul Shuttleworth - Vic Collins) -
3.) When the Band's On the Stand (Will Birch - Richie Bull - Paul Shuttleworth - Vic Collins) -
4.) Detroit Tin (Paul Shuttleworth - Vic Collins) -
5.) Third Finger Left Hand (Will Birch - Graeme Douglas) -
6.) Ready To Die (Will Birch - Richie Bull) -
Birch and late inning replacement John Wicks reappeared as charter members of The Records, while Douglas hooked up with Eddie and the Hot Rods (see separate entries).