THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD
1,006) Tony Colton — “I’ve Laid Some Down in My Time”
This self-penned (along with Ray Smith) ’66 A-side dishes some “[e]pic monster freakbeat Modness!” (Narindude, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QU6ggR9Stg) “Amazing how this disc managed to slip past the censorship of the day”. (liner notes to the CD comp Diggin’ For Gold, Vol. 4: A Collection of Demented 60’s R&B/Punk & Mesmerizing 60’s Pop) Anorak Thing tells us that:
This was Tony’s third and final Pye 45 from a short but brilliant run with them. “I’ve Laid Some Down In My Time” eschews the jazzy/r&b of his previous singles for an all out freakbeat assault on your ears. Full of distorted/fuzz guitar, some Nicky Hopkin’s style piano tinkling that give it a sound not unlike the first Who LP and some very brash lyrics full of bravado, Tony sings about “I’ve done some things people might call a crime, and I’ve laid some down in my time“.
https://anorakthing.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-60s-genius-of-tony-colton-ray-smith.html
As to Tony, Vernon Joynson writes that:
[He] is best know as the vocalist of Heads Hands and Feet, a multi-faceted ban comprised of some of the [UK’s] best early seventies sessionmen. After the demise of the Big Boss Band . . . Colton was in Real McCoy and Poet and One Man Band [see #710, 855, 993] prior to joining Heads Hands and Feet. He was also a noted songwriter . . . .
The Tapestry of Delights Revisited
Yes, what a songwriter. Colton left “a mass of superb songs penned with his sidekick, guitarist Ray Smith, which were recorded by such artists as Dave Berry, Zoot Money, Shotgun Express, the Tremeloes . . . Dantalian’s Chariot . . . & Jackie Lynton. But best known is probably ‘I Stand Accused’, a hit for the Merseybeats which earned the distinction of being covered by Elvis Costello.” (liner notes to the CD comp Diggin’ For Gold, Vol. 4: A Collection of Demented 60’s R&B/Punk & Mesmerizing 60’s Pop)
Colton later was reborn as a country songwriter and producer. Sackful O’ Rock, Country, Folk, Soul & Blues writes that:
Tony Colton began working as a songwriter and producer in Nashville after Ricky Skaggs had recorded ‘Country Boy’ and taken it to # 1 on the country charts in 1985. The renewed interest in him and his work made Tony move to Nashville and found him working with Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, The Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks among others.
https://robindunnmusic.wordpress.com/heads-hands-and-feet/
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Very much reminds of The Doors, this song probably precedes their breakout? How odd that a songwriter from the UK ends up in Nashville!
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Odd indeed!
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