HANK MARVIN & JOHN FARRAR/MARVIN & FARRAR EMA 755 (-73) UK

Following two unsuccessful LP:s as a trio Bruce Welch quit after just participating on one track for this third, leaving Marvin and Farrar to finish the rest. It didn't sell a lot either and later same year the combo dissolved for good and re-appeared as part of the reformed Shadows. I've had and loved the first two MW&F albums for quite some time so when this showed up a while ago I bought it. Since the reveiws had been luke warm and Marvin himself seemed displeased with the result I didn't have great expectations, but was caught from first spin. Initially by the audio and ambiance - so warm and embracing, yet clear and touching. Then by the vocal harmonies - to me reminding of sixties Hollies at their best, but in the same beautiful atmosphere as Colin Blunstone's "Ennismore" album (as this engineered by Peter Vince). There's also a bunch of top notch arrangements, not bleeding obvious but almost hidden as part of the big picture. For exemple the acoustic guitar riff in "Skin Deep", the high pitch background vocals in "Nobody Cares" and the brass/string ending of "Galadriel (Spirit Of Starlight)". It's all so well done and the fact it wasn't relished or a big seller at release makes me seriously doubt both taste and intelligence of the seventies public in general. US issue on EMI (ST-11403) came with same tracking and sleeve design. 1991 CD on See For Miles (SEECD 322). Premiere UK had label as shown here and structured fold/out cover. (CXÄ*)