JACKIE LOMAX/IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT APCOR 6 (-69) UK MONO

  A man with a much too big and detailed story to take on fully here.  Following is just a humble abridgement.  Jackie Lomax (born John Richard Lomax 1944-2013) was a Brirish guitarist/ singer/songwriter who from the early sixties and on played with a number of groups (e.g. Undertakers and Badger) though never hitting the big time. After touring in US 1965-67 with Undertakers and some other bands without breakthrough Brian Epstein brought him home to England and took him under his wings.  By recommendations from Epstein he recorded a couple of unsuccessful singles and one (then unissued) album for CBS before being dropped by the label.  Following Epstein's death George Harrison took over and produced this album. Apparently six of the songs - including the Harrison-penned 45 choice "Sour Milk Sea" and the flip side "The Eagle Laughs At You" -  were recorded at EMI:s studios in London at the same time Harrison took part in the "White Album" makings. When those were over they both went to Los Angeles and did the rest with help from Phil Spectors old backing "Wrecking Crew". But even if those were an experienced and impressive enough company, as a fab four fan I'm more awed by the gentlemen attending the UK recordings - apart from Harrison there were Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman and Nicky Hopkins. Control room handeled by Beatle crew Ken Scott, Geoff Emerick and Pete Brown. With so much skill from both sides of the Atlantic involved you'd think nothing could go wrong. But it did. Neither the album or the spawned 45 "Sour Milk Sea" sold enough and it became his last effort for Apple. All tracks except "Sour Milk Sea" penned by Lomax. To my taste a rather ok album though somewhat unfocused. Some songs hit me good - like "Sour Milk Sea", "The Eagle Laughs At You" and "Speak To Me" - while others seems to pass my senses by, no matter how hard I try. Title song has zest, but a little too close to "I'm The Walrus" to be spesh. This was the last (S)APCOR  with double issue in UK. The mono sounds legit all through, but can't say for sure till I find a stereo to compare with. 1969 vinyl issues on Apple in US, Canada, South Africa, Downunder plus a couple of European and South American countries.  Japan 2005 Apple CD (TOCP 67570) in paper sleeve came with five bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin fully laminated cover with credit/info inner. (BÄ*) (YMÖ*) (ÄPLÄ*)