line up 1: (-71)

- Brian Connolly (RIP) -- vocals

- Steve Priest -- bass, cello, backing vocals

- Frank Torpey -- vocals, lead guitar

- Mick Tucker (RIP) -- drums, percussion, backing vocals

  line up 2: (1971-)

- Brian Connolly (RIP) -- vocals

- Steve Priest -- bass, cello, backing vocals 

- Andy Scott -- vocals, lead guitar (replaced Frank Torpey)

- Mick Tucker (RIP) -- drums, percussion, backing vocals

- 

Genre: rock

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  The Sweet

Company: Bell

Catalog: 1125

Year: 1973

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor ring and edge wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5

Price: $10.00

After several years with little to show for their efforts in the US market, the band finally scored a top-10 hit with 1972's 'Little Willy' b/w 'Man from Mecca' (Bell catalog number 45251).  More than willing to take advantage of the band's unexpected commercial breakthrough, Bell Records hastily cobbled together a ten track compilation pulling together the hit plus earlier English 'A' and 'B' side singles.  Produced by Phil Wainman, the cleverly titled "The Sweet" wasn't exactly a major creative statement, but it served as a nice introduction to the band's highly commercial blend of pop and glam moves.  It also served to showcase the differing dynamics between the band's own compositions and the material being fed to them by writer/producers Nick Chinn and Michael Chapman.  

"The Sweet" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Little Willy   (Nick Chinn - Michael Chapman) - 3:13

2.) New York Connection   (Brian Connolly - Andy Scott - Mick Tucker - Steve Priest) - 3:35

3.) Wig-Wam Bam   (Nick Chinn - Michael Chapman) - 3:03

4.) Done Me Wrong Alright   (Brian Connolly - Andy Scott - Mick Tucker - Steve Priest - 2:58

5.) Hell Raiser   (Nick Chinn - Michael Chapman) - 3:15

(side 2)
1.) Blockbuster   (Nick Chinn - Michael Chapman) - 3:12

2.) Need a Lot of Lovin'   (Brian Connolly - Andy Scott - Mick Tucker - Steve Priest - 3:00

3.) Man from Mecca   (Brian Connolly - Andy Scott - Mick Tucker - Steve Priest - 2:45

4.) Spotlight   (Brian Connolly - Andy Scott - Mick Tucker - Steve Priest - 2:47

5.) You're Not Wrong for Loving Me   (Brian Connolly - Andy Scott - Mick Tucker - Steve Priest - 2:58 

In some ways, the Sweet epitomized all the tacky hubris and garish silliness of the early '70s. Fusing bubblegum melodies with crunching, fuzzy guitars, the band looked a heavy metal band, but were as tame as any pop group. It was a dichotomy that served them well, as they racked up a number of hits in both the U.K. and the U.S. Most of those hits were written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, a pair of British songwriters that had a way with silly, simple, and catchy hooks. Chinn/Chapman and Sweet were smart enough to latch on to the British glam rock fad, building a safer, radio-friendly and teen-oriented version of Queen, T. Rex, and Gary Glitter. By the end of the '70s, the group's time at the top of the charts had expired but their hit singles lived on not only as cultural artifacts, but also as the predecessors for the pop-metal of the '80s.

Originally, the Sweet were called the Sweetshop and consisted of Brian Connolly (vocals), Mick Tucker (vocals, drums), Frank Torpey (guitar), and Steve Priest (bass). In 1970, the group truncated their name to Sweet and signed a record contract with Fontana/EMI, releasing four unsuccessful singles. Following the failure of the four singles, Torpey left the group and was replaced by Andy Scott. The new lineup of Sweet signed to RCA Records in 1971, where they were placed under the direction of songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Chinn and Chapman wrote a number of light bubblegum pop songs for the group, the first of which, "Funny Funny," reached number 13 on the U.K. charts. Following "Funny Funny," the duo wrote five more Top 40 hits for the group — including "Little Willy" and "Wig-Wam Bam" — which were all lightweight bubblegum numbers loaded with double entendres. During this time, Sweet were writing their own B-sides and album tracks. All of the group's compositions were harder than Chinn and Chapman's songs, featuring crunching hard rock guitars. Consequently, the duo decided to write tougher songs for the group. "Blockbuster," the first result of Chinn and Chapman's neo-glam rock approach, was the biggest hit Sweet ever had in the U.K., reaching number one on the charts in early 1973 and eventually going platinum. For the next two years, Sweet continued to chart with Chinn and Chapman compositions, including the Top Ten hits "Hell Raiser," "Ballroom Blitz," "Teenage Rampage," and "The Six Teens."

By the summer of 1974, the members of Sweet had grown tired of the control Chinn and Chapman exerted over their career and decided to record without the duo. The resulting album, Sweet Fanny Adams, reached number 27 in the U.K., but it yielded no hits. In the spring of 1975, Sweet had their first self-penned hit with "Fox on the Run," which reached the Top Ten in both the U.K. and the U.S. "Fox on the Run" appeared on the collection Desolation Boulevard; in America, it's release helped "Ballroom Blitz" reach the Top Ten in the summer of 1975. Strung Up, released in the fall of 1975, continued the group's move toward album-oriented rock. For the rest of the decade, the group continued to churn out albums, which were all less successful than their predecessor. Sweet bounced back into the charts in 1978 with "Love Is Like Oxygen," but the single proved to be their last gasp; they never reached the Top Ten again, neither in the U.S. or the U.K.

Connolly left the band after "Love Is Like Oxygen" and the group replaced him with keyboardist Gary Moberley. The group carried on for three more years, releasing three more albums that all achieved little success. After several years of little success or attention, Sweet broke up in 1982. In the decade following their breakup, Sweet reunited on various occasions. In 1985, a dance club medley of their hits called "It's the Sweet Mix" became a British Top 50 hit and, following the single's success, the group re-formed for a tour that proved to be less anticipated than expected. Later in the decade, Scott toured as part of the group Paddy Goes to Holyhead. In 1989, Scott and Tucker re-formed Sweet to record a live album at London's Marquee Club.

One of the original glam rock bands, Sweet released a number of successful singles in England between 1970 and 1973 before making a breakthrough in North America. In 1973, the band finally hit it big with the single "Little Willy," which hit number three on the U.S. pop charts. With the success of that single, management at the band's U.S. label, Bell Records, felt it was time to treat the market to an LP, so they gathered together some earlier U.K. chart successes (along with some B-sides) and rush-released the ten-track album simply titled Sweet.

http://www.algonet.se/~sweetfa/

Genre: rock

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  Give Us a Wink

Company:Capitol

Catalog: ST-11496

Year: 1976

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gimmick sleeve; original inner sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $15.00

I have clear memories of discovering Sweet while listening to Radio Caroline in the mid-'70s. While my friends were championing the likes of Bachman Turner Overdrive and Journey (both bands that I like), I was nevertheless trying to sell them on the pleasures of Sweet (rather unsuccessfully I would add).  Compared to the rather staid Armed Forces Network, Radio Caroline was my go-to radio station for their weird mix of sugary pop, counter-culture vibes and ever eclectic play lists.  Anyhow, this was another album where I went to my local military Post Exchange only to discover they didn't have the album.  In fact PX didn't have any Sweet albums.  Off to a local record store where I bought a copy, though it cost me more than the usual $5.50.

The massive successes of "Desolation Boulevard" open up an opportunity for the band to breakaway from the oversight imposed by the Nicky Chinn-Mike Chapman songwriting and management team.  Accordingly, 1976's "Give Us a Wink" found Sweet desperately trying to shake their longstanding "pop" image, stepping out in their "big boy" pants with a much tougher rock sound.  Previously dependent on outside material; mostly furnished by Chinn and Chapman, this time around the self-produced  album featured a collection of all-original material.  Eight of the nine tracks were group collaborations; the only exception being the previously-released Andy Scott penned ballad 'Lady Starlight.'  Exemplified by material like 'The Lies in Your Eyes', 'White Mice' and 'Yesterday's Rain' the album did sport a rougher rock sound.  At the same time the patented Sweet ingredients remained firmly in place; notably Brian Connolly's blistering vocals, Andy Scott's melodic lead guitar, and the powerhouse Steve Priest and Mick Tucker rhythm section.  If anything, Tucker seemed to be playing even louder on songs like 'Cockroach'.  Yeah, they liked it rough, but not without strong, commercial melodies. Given I've always been a fan of their Chinn-Chapman catalog, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed their newly discovered sense of freedom.  It may not have been the most original hard rock album I bought in 1976, but the whole LP brought a sense of joy to a then 16 year old who needed an outlet for his sense of isolation and uncertainty. I'm in my mid-'60s now and the sense of isolation and uncertain are long gone, but I still enjoy the album and song-for-song I'd argue it's probably their most consistent performance.

Gawd only knows why, but Capitol marketing decided to modify the album for the domestic market.  The main change was to flip the album sides, adding a modified version of the previously released 'Lady Starlight.' 

By the way, I've always loved Joe Petagno designed gimmick cover.  The die-cut sleeve made the "eye" blink when the inner sleeve was pulled out.

"Give Us a Wink" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Action ( Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) - 3:44 rating: **** stars

Yes, even though it was released well in advance of the parent album, 'Action' was the domineering single.  In spite of the surprisingly complex melody and song structure I can remember hearing it all over l the radio (including on AFN).  The opening cellos gave the song a momentary ELO-like flavor, while another segment of the song recalled Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.  Yes, 'Action' was released well in advance of the Queen song and Sweet reportedly felt Queen had blatantly "borrowed" from the song.  Still, the moment Brian Connolly's voice kicked in, followed by the chorus ...  yes this was a classic slice of Sweet.  Always wondered if this was meant as a dig at their former management company.  Anyhow, it's one of those songs that transports me back to a certain place and time - 1976; Brussels, Belgium where I was a high school Junior.   Here's a link to the accompanying promotional video - note nobody is plugged in.  Sweet - Action - Promo Clip (OFFICIAL) (youtube.com) 

- 1975's 'Action' b/w 'Medussa' (Capitol catalog number 4220) # 20 US Billboard charts

2.) Yesterday's Rain ( Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) - 5:16 rating: *** stars

Well, 'Yesterday's Rain' may not have been the album's strongest composition, but at least we learned that the newly independent Sweet were capable of handling a blues-rocker.  Great example of Conolly's sneering voice and their high-pitched harmony vocals. With a first-rate solo, the track  also showcased Scott's frequently overlooked guitar chops (check out his playing at the 3:40 mark). No idea when, or where it was recorded and the sound and video quality are poor, but YouTube has a live performance of the song: The Sweet -Yesterday´s Rain - Live 1976 (youtube.com)

3.) White Mice ( Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) - 4:57  rating: *** stars

Hearing the speed-of-light rocker 'White Mice' I always wonder if the tape was mistakenly sped up, or they were simply amped up on amphetamines ...

4.) Healer ( Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) -7:16  rating: **** stars

The combination of Scott's cheesy, burping Moog touches, Priest's growling bass lines and the slowed down, blues-rock structure made 'Healer' my favorite performance.  Yeah, everyone got a crack at the spotlight this time out.  C'mon, cure me ...

(side 2)
1.) The Lies in Your Eyes (Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) - 3:44   rating: **** stars

'The Lies in Your Eyes' offered up a slice of hard rock for people who don't like hard rock ...  Once again Tucker's thundering drums powered the track with Connolly turning in one of his best sneering vocals.  The falsetto backing vocals still make me smile after five decades. This one was released as a single pretty much throughout the world with the exception of the United States.

- 1976's 'The Lies in Your Eyes' b/w 'Cockroach' (RCA catalog number RCA 2641)   YouTube has a copy of the promotional video for the tune: Sweet - The Lies In Your Eyes - Promo Clip (OFFICIAL) - YouTube

2.) Cockroach (Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) - 4:49   rating: **** stars

Powered by Tucker's mammoth drum sound (check out the killer opening), the blazing 'Cockroach' was not the pop/glam rock band you knew from 'Ballroom Blitz'.  Anyone who doubted they could actually handle a hard rock tune need go no further than checking this one out.  The track also appeared as the "B" side to their 'The Lies in Your Eyes' single.

3.) Lady Starlight (Andy Scott) - 3:10 rating: *** stars

Written and sung by Scott, the pretty ballad 'Lady Starlight' had previously appeared on their "Desolation Boulevard" album and been released as the "B" side of Scott's 1975 single 'Where D'ya Go'..  The track was not included on the European version of the "Give Us a Wink" but was  Included on the American release, though with a slightly different arrangement featuring additional synthesizers.  YouTube has a promotional clip of Scott lip-synching the song: Sweet (Andy Scott) - Lady Starlight - Promo Clip (OFFICIAL) (youtube.com)

4.) Keep It In ( Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) - 4:57  rating: **** stars

'Keep It In' was one of the tracks proving these guys were more than Chinn-Chapman puppets.  It may not be Led Zeppelin heavy, but it was definitely a hard rock performance and as good as Scott's lead guitar moves were, the real star was Tucker's take-no-prisoners drumming.  Neither the video, or sound quality are great, but the following YouTube clip shows they could replicate the studio sound in a live setting: The Sweet - Keep it in - Live 1976 (youtube.com) 

5.) 4th of July ( Andy Scott - Steve Priest - Brian Connolly - Mick Tucker) - 4:22 rating: **** stars

I haven't played the entire album since I was in college (early-'80s). By some odd coincidence I'm writing this on July 4th and I have to admit this is one rocking tune. '4th of July' had everything going for it; great melody; pounding Tucker drums; awesome Scott guitar work; sweet harmony vocals and a nice electric piano solo from guest Trevor Griffin.  The song was tapped as an Australian single.  Should have been released everywhere.

- 1976's '4th of July' b/w 'Restless' (RCA Victor catalog number 102802)

© Scott R. Blackerby July, 2024