The Archetypal Freakbeat Sound!
Written: Dec 29 '03 (Updated Dec 29 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Superb example of "Freakbeat", essential listening.
Cons: Original album is rare and difficult to get hold of.
The Bottom Line: Any lover of beat, mod or freakbeat music absolutely needs to listen to this. Not for the weak-hearted, for 1965 this album rawks!
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| roygrif's Full Review: Take A Heart - The Sorrows Movies |
Personnel:
Don Maughn (Fardon) - vocals
Philip (Phil) Packham - bass
Wez Price - rhythm guitar
Philip (Pip) Witcher - lead guitar & vocals
Bruce Finley - Drums
Take a Heart was released in 1965 on the Piccadilly label which was a subsidiary of the now defunct "Pye" records.
This album by The Sorrows is such a departure from what their contemporaries were writing and performing at the time. The agression level and exuberance of this recording makes 65' era Rolling Stones sound like easy listening.
The record was at the time described as raw R&B, however, the term "Freakbeat" seems to fit better in this day and age. The musicianship is excellent for the era, the lead guitar breaks by Pip Witcher are lightning fast and raw. The drumming of Bruce Finley is frantic and heavy yet still tight. The pounding, booming vocals by Don Maughn literally take your breath away.
Formed in 1963, they were from the gloomy industrial city of Coventry, which is close to Birmingham and not all that far from where Ozzy Osbourne grew up, although by their sound, you could easily mistake them for being from NYC or Detroit. I was lucky enough to grow up listening to The Sorrows as a youngster as my Dad had purchased the album when it was originally released. It now something of a rarity and can occasionly be found on ebay for around $100. Fortunately, there is now a CD compilation featuring this album and virtually every released recording they ever made which I highly recommend.
Track Listing:
'Take A Heart' - (Pye NPL 38023)- 1965
1. Baby
2. No No No No*
3. Take A Heart*
4. She's Got The Action*
5. How Love Used To Be*
6. Teenage Letter
7. I Don't Wanna Be Free*
8. Don't Sing No Sad Songs For Me
9. Cara-lin*
10. We Should Get Along Fine
11. Come With Me*
12. Let Me In*
- * indicates standout songs
"No, no, no, no", is simply a genuine example of quality freakbeat. It has a proto-punk vibe to it, complete with partially distorted guitars and Pip Whitcher actually carries the lead vocal on this song. His voice while not as commanding and deep as Don Maughn's is just as exuberant and vital.
"Take a Heart", a tribal sounding slow-burner that reaches fever pitch by the end. Atmospheric, moody and downright weird for 1965. Must have baffled listeners at the time of release. Don Maughn sings lead.
"She's got the action", finally a sound that was more typical of the time. This song has a mid 60's "Pretty Things" or early "Kinks" type sound. Definetly a high-energy blues based romp. Whilst a great song, not as unique as some of the others.
"How love used to be", this is what a ballad should be! It starts with a gentle, moody melancholy verse that builds into a slow driving guitar riff of a chorus that really is quite excellent and definitely not wimpy. Lovely tremelo effect on the guitar.
"Don't wanna be free", similar to "No, no, no ,no" in composition and equally as invigorating and exciting. Fast, furious and full of venom! Rawk!
"Cara-lin", fast, tribalesque drum-driven song. Bruce Finley puts in a quite breathtaking performance on the skins here. Virtuosity in mid 60's rock music is typically unheard of but this boy could play!
"Come with me", definitely a white go-go boot toe tapper, this one. Mid-paced, groove based catchy tune. Unmistakably mid 60's in it's sound. One might describe it as a "Mod" anthem.
"Let me in", a brutal yet building finale. "So I call up the doctor, take me away. But you gotta realize he ain't gonna make mistakes" An angst filled rocking end to a wonderful record.
Sounds Like:
Nobody, repeat NOBODY, sounds like The Sorrows. However their closest contemporaries would be bands like The Pretty Things, The Kinks, The Birds, The Downliners Sect and perhaps on the US side would be Question Mark and the Mysterians or The Electric Prunes.
Other Stuff:
The Sorrows' second album "Pink, Purple, Yellow and Red" is nowhere near the quality of "Take a Heart" and doesn't feature Don Maughn's powerful voice. Instead Pip Witcher handles all vocal duties. Not a strong contender in my opinon.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
roygrif
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Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
Musician by night, Engineer by day.
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