THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD
2,044) Fickle Pickle — “Sam & Sadie”
The best I can make out, this ’70 Fickle Pickle (see #568) B-side is about a sailor’s illegitimate son learning that his dad has been lost at sea. Nevertheless, it’s glorious and anthemic late UK pop psych, written by Danny Beckerman (of Fortes Mentum (see #904, 1,003, 1,284) fame) and Geoff Gill (of Smoke (see #1,499, 1,648) fame).
Who were these guys? Kevin Rathert tells us that:
A North-West London studio based quartet consisting of members best known as producers, engineers and session players, Fickle Pickle was actually a bit of an English psych pop supergroup consisting of Cliff Wade (lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass guitar) and Geoff Gill (drums) from The Smoke best known for their late 60’s acid classic “My Friend Jack” [see #1,648] along with Wil Malone (piano, organ and electric piano) from Orange Bicycle [see #1,647] and Steve Howden (lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass guitar) from Red Dirt [see #1,378]. Vocals for the band were supplied by all four members. The three bands had in common that they recorded at Morgan Studios in London, so it was rather inevitable that the four combined their talents . . . .
https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2018/11/fickle-pickle-complete-pickle-2018.html?amp=1
How did they get into this pickle? —
Boasting four writers, singers and multi-instrumentalists who, between them, also handled production, engineering and arrangement duties, Fickle Pickle had the wit, cynicism, hooks, harmonies and technical dexterity to bridge the barren years between the demise of The Beatles and the eventual arrival in late 1972 of their kindred spirits 10cc. [The band members] worked as sound engineers and producers at North London’s Morgan Studios. Danny Beckerman (Pussy/Fortes Mentum) helped out as a musician and songwriter in the bands early days. In August 1970, Fickle Pickle published a cover version of Paul McCartney’s song “Maybe I’m Amazed” as a single in the UK, the USA and the Netherlands, where it climbed to No. 36 in the Top 40 in the spring of 1971. In the autumn of 1971, “California Calling”, written by Gill and Beckerman reached number 26. Due to this success in the Netherlands [they got to] release[] an album, Sinful Skinful.
https://johnkatsmc5.tumblr.com/post/617117260256018432/fickle-pickle-sinful-skinful-1971-a-complete
Sinful Skinful is fantastic. Shindig Magazine says its “best tracks are blissful, sublime almost majestically effortless pop classics . . . employ[ing] strong harmonies and melodies and leav[ing] you speechless at their craft.” (http://rockasteria.blogspot.com/2013/06/fickle-pickle-sinful-skinful-1971-uk.html). Kevin Rathert says that Fickle Pickle “exhibits its ability to combine gorgeous melodies and beautiful vocal harmonies with skillful musicianship” and that the LP is “[a] very solid piece of melodic power pop”. (https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2018/11/fickle-pickle-complete-pickle-2018.html?amp=1) “[A] magnificent album, crammed with songs of wit, cynicism & wisdom, laden with memorable hooks and mellifluous harmonies”, “an absolute KILLER of UK Beatles-inspired pop psych”. (https://johnkatsmc5.tumblr.com/post/617117260256018432/fickle-pickle-sinful-skinful-1971-a-complete)
Pay to Play! The Off the Charts Spotify Playlist! + Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock Merchandise
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The playlist includes all the “greatest songs of the 1960’s that no one has ever heard” that are available on Spotify — now over 1,500 songs. The playlist will expand each time I feature an available song.
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