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Disc
Two : [mp3 audio clips in brackets]
Track
By Track Guide by Tim Joseph Tracks
Reviewed by David Browne
CD2
is divided into various sub categories, and is something of
a bonus disc if you consider CD1 as the main feature. The sound
quality varies from pristine studio to lo-fi radio recordings.
The music is often a test of the variety of pop and rock which
the listener can cope with, but I found it a rewarding listen
with plenty to investigate and enjoy again and again.
My personal stats for both discs are that I'm happy with at
least 45 of the 51 tracks, which is some average for any cd
in my collection! The best dozen or so would simply have made
a classic album.
DEMOS
& REHEARSALS
NOBODY LOVES ME LIKE YOU DO........[mp3
audio clip]
•
Another track
from their first demo session, on 26th May 1964 (see CD1 track
1). Again, Harvey and Sheila are on vocals. Glover is on bass
but Gillan was still busy with The Javelins. Of the other tracks
from this session, "My Babe" can be found on Sequel's "The Roots
Of Deep Purple" (NEX CD 156).
Very
good sound quality. Basic musically, but attractive in the same
vain as their first B-side 'That's All I Want', a track which
I've always enjoyed. Another track from Roger's first ever recording
session.
LET THE FOUR WINDS BLOW
•
From the
same 1964 session as "Got My Mojo Working" on CD1, Sheila takes
lead.
Pure
early sixties r'n'b, with a hint of Beatles in the performance.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THERE
•
One of the
earliest-known Roger Glover compositions, this home demo / practice
session was taped in early 1966 with Ian Gillan on vocals (he's
on the rest of the tracks on CD 2). An earlier demo sung by
Roger himself can be found on the Purple Records CD "Pre Purple
People" (PUR 325).
Ian
Gillan sounds a little tentative, but the group's backing harmonies
are (as ever) very strong, giving the track an energetic Beach
Boys Party feel.
SUNSHINE GIRL
•
A Roger Glover
composition, we think this is a pre June 1967 practice session,
prior to the band recording it for the b-side of their single
"Morning Dew".
The
single version is a hesitant performance with Roger on lead
vocals. This scores extra points for its live atmosphere; you
can easily imagine the group stood in a circle running through
the song.
LUCKY SUNDAY
•
Tony Lander
spent hours in his home "studio" preparing the vocal parts for
"Lucky Sunday", the band's eighth single. This rehearsal shows
them practicing the track in August 1968.
I've
never warmed to the single, so this version never stood much
chance. The song is a bit wet and poppy, about a bored kid ogling
a girl in church. The version on this cd is pleasingly raw instrumentally,
but Ian's vocal sounds a bit too weak for my liking. Purple
Records' aim was to illustrate him trying to get the feel of
a new song, a charming enough concept, but the reality is the
first duffer on the entire collection.
GENTLEMEN OF THE PARK
•
The band
still argue about who did or did not take part in this session
done just before March 1969 for the "Les Bicyclettes De Belsize"
soundtrack. However, it seems that they were only used in a
vocal capacity.
This
track was the major absence from Sequel's 1991 "Complete
Episode Six" release, so I'm pleased that it has made it
onto this collection. The sound quality is excellent as expected,
and it's an attractive piece of music. The song appears in the
film as assorted snappers busily photograph a fashion model
in Belsize Park. Pure sixties kitsch.
UNISSUED SINGLES:
•
THE WAY YOU
LOOK TONIGHT
A demo done in 1965 (see "Mohair Sam" on CD1), this features
a lovely vocal from Ian accompanied by the whole band. Episode
Six re-recorded this Jerome Kern standard in 1967 for another
possible single, but it remained unreleased until the Sequel
CD in 1991.
An
attractive vocal harmony ballad, very similar to the version
on the Sequel cd. There's some hiss and click left from the
acetate, but, swings and roundabouts, we also get to enjoy the
clarity and richness of the singing.
•
LOVE IS A
SWINGING THING
A faithful cover of one of The Shirelles better-known tracks.
This demo was for another possible single in 1965 which fell
by the wayside, despite a fine performance from Sheila and the
boys.
Attractive
enough, but very restrained compared to the powerful music often
recorded for the BBC, on which the band would frequently really
cut loose and hit the heights.
•
STEAL YOUR
HEART AWAY
Demo'd as a possible b-side for the above track, "Steal Your
Heart Away" is best known here as The Moody Blues' debut single,
although that band gave the song a minor-key arrangement compared
to the basic blues version here.
The
sound quality remains high for this uptempo blues from 1965.
It's an enjoyable, and catchy track with Harvey Shield
and Sheila Carter on vocals. (The sleeve notes say that Ian
Gillan sings lead, but Harvey has told us otherwise!)
SHEILA
CARTER & EPISODE SIX
•
YOU CAN HAVE
HIM
This is a faithful version (well, without the brass!) of Dionne
Warwick's minor hit. Recorded for the BBC, April 8. 1968.
A
big drop in sound quality for a tuneless and grating BBC session
track, recorded on the same day as Deep Purple's first ever
show.
•
I WILL WARM
YOUR HEART 'stage one'........[mp3
audio clip]
While Sheila was preparing to record her solo single, she had
one of her early pre-orchestral demos cut to acetate, which
we feel is better than the single itself. This dates from early
November 1966.
In
complete contrast, an absolutely beautiful, stripped back performance.
Crystal clear sound quality, and what a lovely voice.
•
INCENSE
Originally the b-side of Sheila's 1966 solo single, this was
taped live for the BBC on June 1.1968.
I've
always found the b-side version a tuneless racket (my internal
soul music receptor obviously doesn't work very well!) and this
take, even with the edge of being performed live, sounds little
better to me. Pass.
•
STAY WITH
ME BABY
Recorded for the BBC in either December 1968 or January 1969,
along with "Temptation" on CD1. "Stay With Me Baby" was another
of Sheila's showcase tracks, Ian Gillan handled keyboard duties
while Sheila was thus occupied.
Everyone
seems to have had a go at this one, most recently David Coverdale
on Restless Heart. The song itself is ok, and doesn't make much
impact.
LIVE IN EUROPE:
•
I HEAR TRUMPETS BLOW
•
MORNING DEW
These two versions of the band's fifth and second singles were
taped for a German TV appearance in September 1967.
This
particular TV show has become infamous for their barely under
control audio recordings. Episode Six got off lightly, and their
two songs sound sharp and fun.
EARLY SONGWRITING:
•
MONSTER IN PARADISE *
Another group original, performed live for the BBC Radio One
Club on March 3. 1969. A solo version by Ian appeared as part
of his Cher Kazoo project.
A
great tune, with great lyrics, sung as a quirky duet between
Ian and Roger. At this point I'd like to say that I'm stunned
by the sheer volume of national radio work carried out by Episode
Six. It seems that anyone listening to BBC Radio One at any
time of day in 1968/69 would have been regularly exposed to
Episode Six in all of their various guises. The fact that the
likes of 'Monster In Paradise' could be performed live to a
huge daytime audience, only to sink into instant obscurity is
plain bizarre. Surely fame was only an album away.
•
I AM A CLOUD *
This is the powerful live performance they did when called up
to deputise for an errant Pink Floyd on the BBC Radio One Club
in April 1969. Another original which clearly shows the heavy
direction the band were moving in at this late stage in their
career. A different version on the track appears on the "Pre
Purple Purple" CD.
Pretty
tuneless, especially on the guitar front, but with a pleasing
heaviness towards the end (when the music becomes more cohesive)
seemingly inspired by Led Zeppelin's first album. It sounds
as if the soundman was caught completely on the hop by the song's
sudden punk aggression!
ON AIR: THE ULTIMATE COVERS BAND
•
LIGHT MY FIRE *........[mp3
audio clip]
A unique interpretation of The Doors' classic which was often
extended into a mini-theatrical piece during regular live shows.
Here, for the BBC Radio 1 Club, Dec 31.1968, they keep it short.
Neat
cover which veers closer to pop rather than rock despite Mick
Underwood's powerful drumming and Sheila's Pink Floyd organ
solo. The band really manage to give the song a strong British
feel. A grower.
•
THE CASTLE
Recorded for the BBC Radio One Club on June 1st 1968, this was
a good stab at another Love number.
The
vocals are muffled, but the guitar and bass pick away clearly
throughout. Tremendous music, makes me want to go out and buy
Love albums!
•
SPANISH CARAVAN*
Another virtuoso performance of a Doors track, done for the
BBC Radio 1 Club on April 3. 1969. The vocalist here appears
to be guitarist Tony Lander.
Carried
by the sharp guitar work and by Sheila's shadowing keyboards.
The vocals fit the track nicely, Lander could do a fair Jim
Morrison impression!
•
SAY YOU DON'T MIND
Sheila takes lead on this version of Denny Laine's first single
on leaving The Moody Blues. Taken from a BBC session, Jan 30.1968.
Sheila
shows her incredible versatility once again, hitting the notes
in this unusual track with wonderful ease.
•
ISLAND IN THE SUN
A cover of a Harry Belafonte number, Ian's masterly and tender
vocal ensures that this version stands on its own merits. Taken
from a BBC session, Jan 30.1968.
Errr....no
thanks.
•
HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE
Another song for the BBC on April 8. 1968 was this two-year-old
single a-side. One of Paul McCartney's best ballads, and Ian
does it justice here.
Quite
a pretty version, but I much prefer the single. Here Ian stays
too far in the background, possibly because of an unsympathetic
mix.
•
RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH
Another BBC session, from August 13th 1968. Coincidentally,
Deep Purple were also recording this for their second studio
album around the same time.
Disappointingly
from a Deep Purple fan's point of view we don't get to hear
Ian tackling the vocals. Instead it's Sheila, though as usual
she does an exemplary job. For me, the end result is stronger
than mk1's performance of the track.
•
JESSE JAMES
Another number from a BBC appearance on 22nd August 1968, giving
Roger lead vocal, although the whole band contribute. While
it is easy to see why this went down well live, it translates
less well without the visuals.
I
suppose it illustrates another aspect of Episode Six in concert,
though I think I'll skip past it in future. It's a joke western
song (full of whoops and yee-harrs), with a music hall Rule
Britannia thrown in. Maybe it provided the inspiration to chuck
a few bars of Land Of Hope & Glory into Under The Gun in
1984, but I hope not.
•
SLOW DOWN
A live session from January 1969. This Larry Williams hit
(covered by The Beatles on their "Long Tall Sally" EP), thunders
along not unlike the rockšn roll encores Deep Purple would be
doing a few months down the line, and makes a fitting conclusion
to the disc.
Faster
than the boring Beatles version, but still a bit too good mannered
to get the blood pumping.
*
Some tracks have previously been released on the Episode Six
'Radio One Club' cd in 1997. They have been remastered for inclusion
on 'Cornflakes & Crazyfoam'.
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