One of the earliest and publicly most unknown rock/pop operas. The plot provides snapshots from the life of Fred The Pixie, from mother's pregnancy - "Darling I've Got Something To Tell You" - to death - "Time To Pop Off". Written and performed by a gang who first met at a London college mid sixties and early got a contract with Pye, for which they released three unsuccessful singles up to 1967. Although only three names are mentioned on back cover there are clearly more participating, whereof at least one female vocalist. The most reputed official member was Bob Brunning (Fleetwood Mac, Savoy Brown, Brunning Sunflower Band). As I understand the recording was made 1968, somwhere inbetween his Fleetwood Mac sessions and Sunflower Band. Later Brunning has distanced himself from the album and I can't find any mention of it on his home page. I've seen it described and sold as prog or psych, but that's not what I hear. Most is British pop style and songwriting sometimes reminding of Kinks or the perkier McCartney compositions. There's even a reply to "When I'm 64", called "Now I'm 64". Recording sounds amateuristic - almost unproduced with some off beat drumming and false notes, but also very catchy and charming. The material and ideas are fine and if handeled by a more caring label it could have been a hit. One might say the compositions were worth a better treatment by Saga, but at least they gave it a chance when nobody else did. Surprisingly fine audio for a Saga issue. I get the impression of early direct takes with few overdubs, making it a good garage pop album with lots of connection. Issued in UK only. 2008 Remastered CD on Retro Disc International (RDI 33023). First UK had label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl, laminated flip/back cover and "Saga" inner. (FÄV*)(SÄGÖ*) (RÖKÖ*)
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