UK band first formed early sixties as Johnny Dean And The Crestas, then following some member changes emerging as Johnny Dean And The Deacons (among others including guitarist Phil Sawyer - later in Spencer Davies Group). They released a couple of unsuccessful singles for UK CBS - one with covers of the Beatles tracks "Hey Bulldog"/"All Together Now" - after which they were ditched by the company and went on to record this album for the German budget label Europa. It didn't sell well and became their final effort. As it seems all tracks were penned by Dean, offering a blend of pop and soul rock. Listening through I don't get any wow moments, but not put down either. The soul rock parts are not reaching up to any US forerunners and some of the poppier stuff sound dated, but I do like the garage quality of it all. Apparently they didn't get much time in the studio and no time for adjustments. So it isn't overdone in any way, just them doing their thing. And I do get quite a lot good organ and some very able guitars and vocals. I've seen this dismissed as a one-off album from a band that didn´t make it, but to me it's more something from one of many fine bands that struggled for years without hitting the big times and then finally gave up. In a way more interesting than being showered with songs, facts and poses from blockbuster acts. Favorite tracks - the borderline psych cut "Who Knows", "I'll Show You" has some nice vocal harmonies and the (too) short "High Fen" instrumental blending flowing organ with sharp guitar. This seems to have been the only vinyl issue. French unofficial 2003 CD release on Red Fox Records (RF 653) came with the same songs. Premiere German had label as shown here in a thin fully laminated cover. (GÖXÄ*) (BRBÄ*)
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