BOB STANLEY PRESENTS LONDON A TO Z 1962 TO 1973.

dereksmusicblog ♦ September 27, 2023 ♦ 1 Comment

Bob Stanley Presents London A To Z 1962 To 1973.

Label: Ace Records.

Format: CD.

Release Date: ‘29th’ September 2023.

During a discussion on the ‘20th’ September, 1777, Samuel Johnson said: “Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

Since then, countless artists, poets, writers and musicians have headed to London in search of fame and fortune. They arrived from all over Britain, and the lucky few went on to become household names.

Others despite their prodigious talent weren’t so lucky. Sadly, they didn’t get the break they deserved and they returned home to the drudgery of life in a small town. It was a far cry from London, where on arriving in the city the first thing many newcomers bought was an A To Z.

This is the same A To Z that  every London cabbie uses to navigate their way across the city. All the familiar landmarks can be found as well as parts of the city that tourists won’t be so familiar with. This includes Alperton, Childs Hill, Honor Oak, Ladywell, Tooting Graveney and the somewhat sinister sounding Shooters Hill. These and other parts of city were also home to many musicians.

In the decades that followed, many music lovers visiting London knew what part of the city different singers and bands lived. Folk singer Sandy Denny lived in Wimbledon before moving to Muswell Hill, which was also home to The Kinks. Then there was Archway Road which was home to a young Rod Stewart and Holloway Road where producer Joe Meek lived. All across the sprawling city singers and bands who had moved to London based themselves in their quest for fame and fortune.

Some of these singers and bands London landmarks and parts of the city in song. This includes the twenty-four tracks on Bob Stanley Presents London A To Z 1962 To 1973. An imaginary cockney cabbie who knows the streets of London like the back of his hand will review this new compilation.

Where to guv? Cor blimey you’ll never guess who I had in the back of my cab? Than that Bob Stanley geezer from the group Saint Etienne. Seemed like a nice bloke. From up north he is. He was telling me he had a new compilation out. It looks pretty good. I said I remember all this music. I’ll tell you about it on the journey. Stick your belt on chief and I’ll start the meter.

The John Barry Seven and Orchestra open the compilation with Cutty Sark. Unlucky chief that’s south of the river, and is going to cost you extra. This beautiful, cinematic track was released as a single on Columbia in 1962, and sixty-one years still paints pictures in the mind eye.

So does Sunny Goodge Street which was written by Sunshine Superman Donovan, and was covered by Marianne Faithfull on her 1966 album North Country Maid. This track is one of the highlights of an oft-overlooked hidden gem where East meets West as disparate genres melt seamlessly into one.

Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square now I remember that track. It’s from Jethro Tull’s sophomore album Stand Up, released in 1969 on Island. This is the second in a triumvirate of tracks written by Blackpool-born Ian Anderson about Jeffrey. The first was A Song For Jeffrey on their bluesy debut This Was. However, by the followup, they’re fusing progressive and folk rock as their trademark sound starts to take shape. The album topped the UK charts and was certified silver, and gold in the US.

Sorry guy couldn’t slow down there as the lights were about to turn red. So you’re saying Goodbye Post Office Tower Goodbye. That was a track from Cressida’s 1971 sophomore album Asylum, which was released on Vertigo. Sadly, by then the group had spilt-up. They showcase their considerable talents on this symphonic progressive rock opus that tells the story of a sad and angry man who was interviewed for a job that he never got. It’s sure to strike a nerve with many people. I’ve had many in the back of my cab. 

Primrose Rose Hill now you say guv. Are you sure? That’s a fair old trek, and a track from John and Beverley Martyn’s album Road To Ruin. It’s a track from their sophomore alum which was released in 1970 on Island. Sadly, this was the last album the couple released. Moving, poignant and cinematic with Beverley Martyn taking charge of the vocal on a stunning track where elements of folk, jazz and blues melt into one.

Do you like Nick Drake boss? You do. You should check out the 1986 album of unreleased songs, Time Of No Reply. One of the highlights is Mayfair. That’s where we’re heading you say. No problem, mind you the rush hour traffic might be a bit tricky though. He wrote this upbeat song before signing to Island, and releasing a trio of stunning albums that sadly, never enjoyed the commercial success they deserved.

Hampstead Way guv, sure we’re crisscrossing the city. That was a song by the late Linda Lewis. It’s taken from her 1971 album Say No More, released on the Reprise label. A talented singer with a wide vocal range, she sadly, never enjoyed the commercial success she deserved. This understated and slightly funky album track is a reminder of a much missed and truly talented singer.

So is Dana Gillespie, who released her Foolish Seasons album on London in 1968. It featured the lysergic sounding London Social Degree which was written by Billy Nicholls and produced by Wayne Bickerton. That’s a trip you don’t want to take guv. Stick to my cab.

We’re all over the Streets Of London. I could take you to Kew Gardens. I remember the song well. It was written and produced by Croydon-born folk singer Ralph McTell, and featured on his 1967 My Side Of The Window. The song features a beautiful almost pastoral arrangement by Tony Visconti.

Parliament Hill that’s at the bottom right hand corner of Hampstead Heath. It’s also a track from the third album by Magna Carta, Songs From Wasties Orchard, which was released on Vertigo, in 1971. It’s one of the highlights of this a gorgeous collections of tracks from the folk rockers who take the listener on a trip across Britain.

Swiss Cottage Manoeuvres reminds me of my driving test guv. And of course Al Stewart’s 1967 debut album Bedsitter Images. The Greenock-born singer-songwriter was just twenty-three when he released the album, which was produced by Roy Guest. Initially the track is understated before strings sweep in and accompany the vocal which paints pictures of life in late-sixties London.

Where do you want heading now? Vauxhall To Lambeth Bridge, that was a track by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and The Trinity. It featured on their 1969 album Streetnoise and is evocative and cinematic as Julie Driscoll’s take centrestage as she delivers the lyrics against an understated arrangement. It’s a quite beautiful and poignant way to close Bob Stanley Presents London A To Z 1962 To 1973.

You want out here guv. No problem, but we better settle up first. Cor blimey never had a fare like this before. We’ve crisscrossed the city and I’ve been south of the river several time. I make that £2,145, and a tip is optional. Cash if possible guv. Don’t like cards and cheques in my experience tend to bounce. I’m sure that yours don’t you seem like a nice bloke. And you’ve good taste in music.

You’ll enjoy Bob Stanley Presents London A To Z 1962 To 1973, another carefully curated collection of tracks from one of the most important periods in British music. There’s elements of blues, jazz, pop and rock as well as everything from folk and folk rock to progressive rock on this compilation.

Many of the artists are at the start of their career, and the likes of Al Steward and John Martyn went on to enjoy long and successful careers. Sadly, commercial success and critical acclaim eluded many of the artists on the compilation. This includes Nick Drake, and sadly, his music never found the wider audience it deserves until after his death.

The career of other artists and groups on the compilation was short-lived, and despite their undoubtable talent the albums they released weren’t successful. Like many others before them, it was a case of what might have been? Bob Stanley Presents London A To Z 1962 To 1973 features tracks from some of these artists, as well as some familiar faces on this latest lovingly curated compilation.

The Imaginary Cabbie hopes that everyone could understand and enjoys his cheeky cockney chat. He may return if Bob Stanley completes a second instalment. Until then, it’s been a pleasure people.

Bob Stanley Presents London A To Z 1962 To 1973.