Mouse


Band members               Related acts

- Al Clare -- vocals, keyboards

- Al Rushton -- drums, percussion

- Ray Russell -- vocals, guitar

- Jeff Watts -- bass

 

 

 

- Chopyn (Ray Russell)

- The Running Man (Ray Russell)

- Steel Mill (Jeff Watts)

 

 


 

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Lady Killer

Company: Sovereign

Catalog: SVNA 7262

Year: 1973

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve; original UK pressing

Available: SOLD

GEMM catalog ID: 4622

Price: SOLD

Cost: $66.00

 

Like many collectors, I've become extremely skeptical of anything that's hyped.and given the praise heaped on this one my expectations were pretty low (what's the old saying? hope for the best, expect the worst ... ).  Well, I'm happy to say this is one of those cases where the hype is justified. 

 

As Mouse singer/keyboardist Al Clare, drummer Al Rushton, singer/guitarist Ray Russell and bassist Jeff Watts only released a handful of material (one album and two UK singles), but today those sides are eagerly sought after by collectors. 

 

Co-produced by the band and John Acock, 1973's "Lady Killer" is a stunning debut.  With all four members contributing to the writing chores (the lone exception being a cover of Medicine Head's 'All the Fallen Teen Angels'), this album has it all.  Propelled by Russell's sneering voice and screeching guitar, tracks such as 'Going Out Tonight' and 'We Can Make It' will appeal to rock fans, while material such as 'Ashen Besher' and 'East of the Sun' (sounding like something out of a sci-fi film soundtrack) has enough of a progressive edge to appeal to folks looking for more challenging structures.  Interestingly, two of the best efforts come in the form of pretty ballads - 'You Don't Know' has a gorgeous melody, while 'Just Came Back' effectively melds blues and ballad moves.  Elsewhere two singles were pulled from the LP:

 

- '1973's We Can Make It' b/w 'It's Happening To Me and You' (Sovereign catalog number SOV-122) 

- 1974's 'All the Fallen Teen Angels' b/w 'Just Came Back' (Sovereign catalog number SOV 127)

 

"Lady Killer" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Going Out Tonight   (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

2.) You Don't Know   (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

3.) Electric Lady   (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

4.) All the Fallen Teen Angels   (J. Fidler - P. Hope-Evans) - 

5.) Ashen Besher   (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

 

(side 2)

1.) We Can Make It    (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

2.) East of the Sun (instrumental)    (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

3.) It's Happening To Me and You   (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

4.) Sunday   (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 

5.) Just Came Back   (Al Clare - Al Rushton - Ray Russell - Jeff Watts) - 


Watts briefly reappeared as a member of Steel Mill.

 

 

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