Rainy City Blues, Rare and Unreleased Tracks from Manchester Beat Groups (Jungfrau Records)
In the 1960s beat music swept the world and the youth of the day embraced musical performance like never before. To be young was to be electric, stylish, exploratory and above all else – hip. No room for squares Dad!
Like many other urban centres Manchester was makin’ the scene and this collection of rare beat from those long lost days is chock full of the hippest sounds of the time.
Some outstanding cuts by the likes of the Factotums (great late period, previously unreleased, gem “Something In the Way She Moves” which reminds me a little of the Move), Ivans Meads sax and organ groover “Bottled”, St Louis Union, and the Manchester Playboys sit alongside a number of period blues, R&B and pop standards by groups like Big City Blues, the Country Gentlemen and Tom’s Rigg.
Little known, local and legendary people, places and things are what these collections are about and while not every cut will set a collector’s world alight there is always a gem like “Bottled” to more than make up for a standard take or two. (20 tracks) Available from jungfraurecords@hotmail.co.uk
Secret Affair: Soho Dreams (I Spy)
I cannot believe it has been thirty-plus years since Secret Affair released their debut LP Glory Boys. That record impressed the hell out of me back then. With its up-tempo soul influenced bottom line, Page and Cairns’ ambitious self-confident writing and attitude, and the killer guitar/horn (sax or trumpet) interplay on tunes like “I’m Not Free (But I’m Cheap)” and “Let Your Heart Dance” it was hard not to be inspired and moved. Considering too the fact that back in 1979 these guys were 19 and 20 years old and it’s probably more impressive to me now than it was back then.
So here we are many years on and Secret Affair main men Ian Page and Dave Cairns have revamped and reformed the band and recorded a new album. It’s safe for me to say that this new one has impressed me just as much as Glory Boys did back all those years ago. The soul influence is still loud and clear though not as much in the obvious rhythm section charts as it is in Page’s vocal and the delivery of the songs in general. To say that as a vocalist Ian Page has both developed and matured would be fair and one would certainly expect as much after thirty years, but it is also somewhat of an understatement. On Soho Dreams he begs, screams, shouts and testifies like never before. There’s been a lot of livin’ and lovin’ since 1979 (the band actually disbanded in 1982) and it shows. He’s still not afraid to wander poetically through his emotional landscape and here every heartfelt vowel and consonant is considered in an effort to take us along with him. The acoustically focused “Lotus Dream” in the hands of a lesser talent could easily lack the passion to deliver a lyric as sensitive as it is but Page grabs and wrings every bead of late-night lovers sweat out of it as much as he possibly can without coming across as either pretentious or overwrought.
The opening bluesy moan of title track “Soho Dreams” perfectly mirrors the songs dark tale of life in the human zoo before the songs Diddley-esque chorus injects just the right amount of hopeful glimmer in what ultimately ends up as a reminder that behind the neon night and made-up glamour there is usually a messy story of exploitation and tragedy.
Clocking in at just over six minutes the guitar riff driven “Walk Away” is a track that carries a strong vibe of earlier tunes written by Page and Cairns. The horn and guitar breakdown and wailing sax solos that come in about half of the way through are definite highlights of this new, soon to be, Secret Affair classic. “Turn Me On” is real up-tempo pounder that should impress those who enjoy a bangin’, chiming garagey guitar chord sequence. Ian’s lyric here explores the world of selling sex and sensuality and the songs clever word play is spit out rapid fire.
The piano led big beat ballad “Love’s Unkind” is truly exceptional and definitely a nod in the direction of the great southern soul balladeers so beloved by the band. Secret Affair’s British gangster film influence shows itself here in the use of Roy Budd’s “Intro” from Get Carter as a frontispiece and thematic reference in their version of the Ray Charles classic hit (written by Ashford/Simpson/Armstead) “I Don’t Need No Doctor”. Humble Pie’s version may be the one that most rock fans know but I think it is safe to say that Secret Affair has put an identifiable up-dated stamp on it, and while Ian may not have Marriott’s rasp, he certainly matches him in the commitment stakes. In my books this is a brilliant version with the muted trumpet/keys breakdown and Dave Cairns’ edgy emotional guitar solo that reaches and pleads for every ounce of telecaster delivered pain-reducing sonic medicine available, together, deliver this to far beyond “cover-version” status.
“In Our Time” features a split vocal performance from Page and Cairns with guitarist Dave Cairns’ contribution carrying the main sections of the song. He’s a strong singer and his vocal delivery mirrors his always muscular guitar performance. Soho Dreams – to these ears anyway – is oddly Who-like in a number of ways (keys, song structure etc.) and “In Our Time” is as powerful a rock statement as anything the greatest of Who records has had on offer. Most importantly though this record is happening now, at a time when the sentiments delivered and musical styles expounded upon are sorely needed.
“Land of Hope” many fans will remember from its appearance on the 2003 double-disc anthology Time for Action released by Sanctuary Records. The version included on that release was taken from the Live at The Bridge release but this new take is a fully-produced and arranged affair that includes some tasty keyboard touches. Now if only they would get to giving “Soul Foundation” another crack!
One of things I like about this record most is that the majority of the material has all the potential for a highly entertaining and engaging live performance. “All the Rage” is one that certainly fits that bill. The opening choo-choo train drum figure leading us to a magic double guitar and horn riff is stupendous and no doubt goes down a treat at a Secret Affair gig.
The jazzy, late-night dream state that is “Soul of the City” conjures up perfectly those one too many scotch and soda (or gin and tonic if you prefer) walks through the city’s core to catch the last tube or late-night taxi. “Soul of the City” is romance, reality and sensuality real and imagined.
Those of us in love with the throttle and gas pedal will have the closer “Ride” pushed to eleven and one eye open for the flashing blue-light. But remember kids, speed kills.
There you have it. I think I got ‘em all. If you’ve been pining as I have for a return of Secret Affair then I know you will not be disappointed. They really have outdone themselves and if you are fortunate enough to live somewhere the boys are visiting on the tour to support the album then do not miss them. (11 tracks.)
The CD is available from Amazon, iTunes, HMV and many other on-line retailers. Or you could always grab one from the band at the next gig.
