"BALLROOM BEAT" Vol. 2 - TRY ME OUT: 20 Previously Uncomped Slices Of Prime British Beat 1964-1966

Nick Saloman of the Bevis Frond and his fellow obsessive record collectors at Psychic Circle Records have dug deep and found another 20 rare sides from British beat groups of the classic era (1964 through 1966) that have previously eluded the folks who compile such things. Thankfully, unlike many labels Psychic Circle understands that obscurity in itself isn't a guarantee of quality, and most of the stuff on Try Me Out actually merits rediscovery. The disc includes not one but two bands that featured future members of King Crimson (Trendsetters Ltd., with Mike Giles, and the League of Gentlemen, which included Gordon Haskell and Robert Fripp, who clearly liked the name), as well as one of Brian Epstein's rare unsuccessful discoveries (the Rustiks) and some early drum work from Jimi Hendrix timekeeper Mitch Mitchell backing actor Chris Sandford. Elsewhere, Try Me Out features plenty of solid if well-scrubbed British rock & roll, including stellar sides from the Epics, the New York Public Library, the Addicts, the Peeps, and the Pathfinders, and the mastering makes the best of the vinyl source materials while the liner notes are witty and well-researched. Folks who realize not every worthwhile British band invaded America during the '60s will enjoy this look at some of the folks who were on the scene back in the day without hitting the charts. (Mark Deming, Allmusic)Beat Fans rejoice, I can only find 4 tracks here that were previously comped and they're on long gone, deleted vinyl. As compiler Nic Saloman writes in his exemplary sleeve notes 'Resistance will be futile.' and Nick you're so right 'cos I'm not a huge fan of Beat but 'Ballroom Beat Vol 2' gets better with each listen. I may have to re-assess Vol 1. A few mentions then. Marshall Scott & The Deputies' 'How It Ought To Be' is so down beat it's certifiably cool. Coronation Street actor Chris Sanford was another graduate of the Tony Newley School of styling. Backed here by The Coronets who included Mitch Mitchell on drums, 'Don't Leave Me Now' is a contender for best track, helped of course by some stinging guitar. The Addicts, though from Lancashire, twang like pub rockers from Deptford. Dorset's The Trendsetters included the Giles half of King Crimson. Let's not forget the oddly named Gidian, a fridge salesman from Scotland, who provides the comp's weird turn - if he were from California methinks he'd have been Pebbled. I must admit I've never quite got it - why a band from the West Midlands would name themselves The Tenneseans or a band from Leeds The New York Public Library except of course The New York Public Library is located in Leeds, USA. Knowing that still doesn't explain...anyway it's all great stuff! (Amazon)

trax:
1. Good Times - Bern Elliott & The Klan 2. Too Late Now - The Echo Sounds 3. Rejected - The New York Public Library 4. How Do They Know - The League Of Gentlemen 5. Can't You See - The Rustiks 6. How It Ought To Be - Marshall Scott, Etc. 7. Love Love Love - Bobby Shafto 8. Mr. Heartbreak's Here Instead - Dean Ford & The Gaylords 9. My Little Girl - The Epics 10. Got Plenty Of Love - The Peeps 11. Don't Leave Me Now - Chris Sandford & The Coronets 12. Now & Again - The Gobbledegooks 13. That's My Girl - The Addicts 14. We're Through - Sammy King & The Voltairs 15. Move On Over - Trendsetters Ltd. 16. Try Me Out - Gidian 17. Long Way From Love - Ricky Ford & The Tennesseans 18. She's Mine - Don Charles 19. Don't Say Goodbye - The Showtimers 20. I Love You Caroline - The Pathfinders
...served by Gyro1966...