THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN/ HOLLYWOOD DREAM 2406 003 (-70) UK

Band existing between 1969-71 as a project instigated by Pete Townshend. They had a world wide blockbuster with "Something In The Air", but apart from that no big sales and remain a one hit wonder. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist John "Speedy" Keen (1945-2002) was a friend of Townshend and early associate to The Who. Among other things he wrote "Armenia City In The Sky" for their "Sell Out" album and worked as band chauffeur. The two other members were picked more or less as support for Keen - keyboardist Andy "Thunderclap" Newman and fifteen y.o. guitarist Jimmy McCulloch (1953-79). Townshend himself was also part of the group for this LP under the pseudonym "Bijou Drains". Besides producing he played bass on all tracks and guitar on one. All songs but one - the Dylan cover "Open The Door Homer" - written by Keen. The album was mostly well recieved by critcs at arrival, but failed to sell. Clearly made as a follow-up to the hit single having most cuts in about the same style and arrangements with luny piano parts pitched in here and there. But there's also variation - e.g. the semi psych 9.40 "Accidents" has tempo changes and a long creamy guitar part and "Wild Country" a heavy rocker with more good guitars. I hear a lot to like on it and the audio is tops so it's well worth having. The "Something In The Air" '45 was mono and the stereo mix on here is a little bit different. The mono version has shown up as bonus track on various CD re-issues together with other single edits. If you're interested of having it early press LP try the UK Polydor "Hit '69" sampler (582 079) http://monolover.blogspot.se/2012/06/hit-69-582079-69.html . First US on Track (SD 8264), 1973 re-press with different cover on MCA (MCA-354). 1990 release on Repertoire Records as CD or LP (RR 4065-CX/RR 2065-LX). First UK had matt label as shown here, matt fold/out cover and lyric insert. (TRÄC*)