"Flight Recorder" From Pinkerton’s Assorted Colours to The Flying Machine

In the 60's, the Beatles ruled everything. They made classics in popularity. The Velvet Underground went and made classics in obscurity. The Flying Machine made a classic that is simply forgotten...…That isn't to say the group would / could / should have changed the course of 60's music, but they were good at what they did. First of all, the same group had two incarnations: the first was Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, which scored a Top 10 hit with their first song, "Mirror Mirror" (written by founding group member Tony Newman). Sadly, the group never reclaimed any chart ground, and dwindeled in obscurity. The last song that was released as a single was a cover of Neil Diamond's "Kentucky Woman." Then, a flourishing new studio session endowed new confidence on the band and label Pye Records, so they got a new name and released "Smile A Little Smile For Me", about as much a Beatles-sound-alike song as ever was made, and it made it to #5 on the Billboard chart (rubbing up with two Beatles songs, the 5th Dimension, and Stevie Wonder). The group had little chart success after that, and eventually released their final single, "Yes I Understand" in 1971, disbanding shortly afterwards.

What's amazing about the 2-disc compilation is just HOW GOOD the music is. Some of the early Pinkerton's singles blend into anonymous psychadelic slush, but some of the songs, B-sides in particular, are quite good. Most notably include the catchy-as-hell "Duke's Jetty" and what may be a precursor to disco - "Behind the Mirror". Take the riff from "The Flying Machine", re-record it, and you have an instant Modern Rock radio hit! Lyrically, "Pages of Your Life" and "Hanging on the Edge of Sadness" are actually quite good.

The second disc, which includes all the tracks of the Machine's only album, Down to Earth, is astonishingly well produced and fresh sounding. Nearly every song is a highlight. Then, aside from the 3 demo versions of Pinkerton songs (which all are superior to the originals), the unreleased material is nothing but highlights, topping with a drum & guitar cover of "Fools Rush In", which is nothing short of incredible.

It's sad that a group like this is now relegated to "60's Gold" compilations, because they could have been the top of their game. While you may recognize one (or maybe two) songs overall, this is still an excellent compilation if not just to show off to friends but also to enjoy - 60's classics that you've never heard before. (Shindig)

trax disc 1:

Pinkerton’s Assorted Colours:

01 Mirror Mirror 02 She Don't Care 03 Don't Stop Loving Me Baby 04 Will Ya? 05 Magic Rocking Horse 06 It Ain't Right 07 Mum And Dad 08 On A Street Car 09 There's Nobody I'd Sooner Love 10 Duke's Jetty 11 Kentucky Woman 12 Behind The Mirror

The Flying Machine:

13 Smile A Little Smile For Me 14 Maybe We've Been Loving Too Long 15 Send My Baby Home Again (Stereo) 16 Look At Me,Look At Me 17 Baby Make It Soon (Stereo) 18 There She Goes (Stereo) 19 Hanging On The Edge Of Sadness 20 The Flying Machine 21 The Devil Has Possession Of Your Soul 22 Hey Little Girl (Stereo) 23 Yes I Understand 24 Pages Of Your Life

trax disc 2:

The Flying Machine:

01 Smile A Little Smile For Me (Stereo) 02 My Baby's Coming Home (Stereo) 03 A Thing Called Love (Stereo) 04 Marie Take A Chance (Stereo) 05 Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere (Stereo) 06 That Same Old Feeling (Stereo) 07 Broken-hearted Me, Evil-hearted You 08 Memories Of Melinda (Stereo) 09 Mirror Mirror 10 Don't Stop Loving Me Baby 11 Magic Rocking Horse 12 Shine A Little Light On Me (Stereo) 13 St.Louis Child (Stereo) 14 Strawberry Fool 15 Angel(She Was Born Out Of Love) 16 People Say 17 One Man Band 18 The Lies In Your Eyes 19 Me Without You 20 Can't Break The Habit 21 Shadows On A Foggy Day 22 If I Were True 23 4 O'clock In New York 24 Hard,Hard Year 25 Fools Rush In (Stereo) 26 The Flying Machine (Stereo)

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