THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD
1,012) Portobello Explosion — “We Can Fly”
A “Wonderful Piece of Beatles like [UK] Psychedelic Pop” (German68, https://www.45cat.com/record/cns4001), a “charming slice of light psych from this one-off band, who developed from the ashes of Mirage. . . . [and] featured Elton John’s future bassist Dee Murray.” (liner notes to the CD comp We Can Fly: UK Psychedelic Obscurities: 27 Track Collection of British Psyche Rarities 1967-1972)
Of the Explosion, Richie Unterberger tells us:
The Portobello Explosion were basically an extension of the Mirage, a little-known British pop/rock/light psychedelic band that put out seven singles between 1965 and 1968. The Mirage ended when drummer David Hynes and guitarist/lead singer Dee Murray left to join the Spencer Davis Group in late 1968. In spring 1969, Hynes . . . rejoined the other members of the Mirage, possibly with Murray also in tow . . . to form the Portobello Explosion, who did one single for Carnaby in 1969, “We Can Fly”/”Hot Smoke & Sassafras.” The A-side, a David Hynes original, is inconsequential, light, flowery psychedelic pop . . . .
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-portobello-explosion-mn0001288302#biography
I guess this makes me inconsequential, light and flowery, but I love the song!
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That’s a cool tune. It’s got me thinking about the “magic carpet ride” as this song predates Steppenwolf. I recall a couple crooner songs had the term in it but this may be the first pop/rock use of the phrase. I think The Move had a song with it as well not sure chronologically were that fits in, who knows maybe this song was the inspiration for John Kay?
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You should do a blog on that very subject!
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I just may do that!
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