- Gerry Conway -- drums (1971)

- Pat Donaldson -- bass (1971)

- Paul (P.C.) Kent -- vocals, keyboards (1970-)

- Kathy Kissoon -- backing vocals (1971)

- Mac Kissoon -- backing vocals (1971)

- Roger Powell - drums (1971)

- Tony Reeves -- bass (1971)

- Tim Renwick -- guitar (1971)

- David Richards -- vocals, keyboards, guitar (1970)

- Andy Roberts -- guitar (1971)

- Chris Turner -- harmonica (1971)

- John Ward -- drums (1970)

- Ray Warleigh -- sax, clarinet (1971)

- Gavin Spencer-Watson -- lead guitar, bass, backing vocals

  (1970-71)

- The Johnstons (Gavin (Spencer) Watson

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  P.C. Kent

Company: RCA Victor

Catalog: SF 8083

Year: 1970

Country/State: London, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: minor hiss in places; UK pressing with neatly taped seam and numerous creases on the sleeve (thin laminated UK cover)

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5157

Price: $120.00

It took me a couple of spins to warm up to this early-1970s obscurity and even longer to track down any information on the band.  

In spite of the name, these guys were apparently a full fledged band showcasing the talents of namesake singe/keyboardist Paul Kent, multi-instrumentalists David Richards and Gavin (Spencer) Watson, and drummer John Ward.  The four apparently met while attending school in London, somehow attracting the attention of RCA Victor.

1970 British newspaper ad for the debut LP

Produced by Sandy Robertson, 1970's "P.C. Kent" featured all original material; Kent, Richards and Watson responsible for penning all eleven tracks.  Musically the set's quite an early-1970s timepiece, bouncing all over the musical spectrum.   As lead singer Kent had a likable and versatile voice, that displayed a bit more Cockney accent than normally encountered on Brit LPs.  That Brit sense of humor was best displayed on the wild 'drunk driving' ode 'One for the Road'.   In spite of the clumsy title 'Little Baby Won't You Please Come Home Honey Child Won't You Just Allow Me One More Chance, Please' started the set off on a commercial high note.  A killer melody and performance would have made this a dandy single.  Similarly, 'Sweet Suzie Brown Boots', 'I'm Hanging On' and 'After Dark' all had commercial potential.  Like any early-1970s outfit these guys also felt the need to show off their blues chops.  Judging by 'Please Please Time' and 'Blues Railway Field' the results were competent, though nowhere near as impressive as their pop moves.   Elsewhere the weird hybrid of English music hall and experimental sound collage moves on 'We Are the Police' would not have sounded out of place on The Beatles' "White Album".  (Kind of neat cover courtesy of  Tony Bond.)  Obscure yet commercial and strange enough that this one should appeal to quite a few folks ...

"P.C.Kent" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Little Baby Won't You Please Come Home Honey Child Won't You Just Allow Me One More Chance, Please   (David Richards - Paul Kent - Gavin Watson) - 

2.) Sweet Suzie Brown Boots   (Paul Kent) - 

3.) Broadened (instrumental)   (David Richards - Gavin Watson) - 

4.) Please Please Time   (Paul Kent) - 

5.) I'm Hanging On   (Paul Kent) - 

6.) We Are the Police   (David Richards - Paul Kent) - 

(side 2)
1.) Prelude To Brighton   (Paul Kent) - 

2.) One for the Road   (Paul Kent) - 

3.) Suzy   (David Richards) - 

4.) After Dark   (David Richards - Paul Kent) - 

5.) Blues Railway Field (instrumental)   (David Richards - Gavin Watson) - 

6.) Plastic Wedding   (David Richards - Paul Kent) - 

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Paul Kent

Company: Philips

Catalog: 6303 045

Year: 1971

Country/State: Holland

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: Dutch pressing with promo sticker on inner labels

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5162

Price: $80.00

Credited to Paul Kent (as opposed to P.C. Kent), 1971's cleverly titled "Paul Kent" was released on the small British B&C label, with Philips releasing the album in Holland and the rest of Europe.  Backed by an all-star cast of players, including Roger Powell, Tony Reeves, and Tim Renwick the set featured ten Kelly originals.  Musically the set marked a minor change in direction with most of the album displaying a sensitive singer/songwriter feel that recalled the like of Nick Drake ('Don't Seduce Your Best Friend's Wife'), Elton John ('Cool Surprise'), an English Billy Joel ('Upstairs Coming Down') and Gilbert O'Sullivan ('Crying In the Aisles').  Kelly certainly had a nice voice and the album was never less than tasteful.  Unfortunately while the individual performances were all pretty strong, stretched out over two sides the singer/songwriter attack became kind of old and similar sounding.  Personal highlights included 'Soulful Soldier', the Caribbean flavored 'Song of Songs' and the single 'Do You' b/w 'Helpless Harry'' (B&C catalog number CB-165).  

Anyhow, these two LPs and the one single appear to be Kent's entire catalog.  Love to know what happened to him - probably became a software mogul ...

"Paul Kent" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) All Across the Night   (Paul Kent) - 

2.) Do You   (Paul Kent) - 

3.) Don't Seduce Your Best Friend's Wife   (Paul Kent) - 

4.) Cool Surprise   (Paul Kent) - 

5.) Soulful Soldier   (Paul Kent) - 

(side 2)
1.) Upstairs Coming Down   (Paul Kent) - 

2.) Rainy Day   (Paul Kent) - 

3.) Song of Songs   (Paul Kent) - 

4.) Crying In the Aisles   (Paul Kent) - 

5.) Helpless Harry   (Paul Kent) - 

And the power of the internet shows itself once again ...

Hi there,

I currently work with a guy who claimed to have had a record deal. 
Truth is, he did.  I didn't know... I'm far too young to have been
around at the time.

I've been looking for a copy of his album for a while, as I wanted to
surprise him with one.  He says he hasn't seen one in over twenty years.

His name is Paul Kent, and was signed to B & C records.  I found a copy
of his album on GEMM, which is how I found you.  So, you want to know
what happened to him?

He lives and works in Buckinghamshire, England as a marketing and
communications director.  He has his own company, Performance
Communications, which is very successful, and makes his living in
television advertising, conferencing and seminars, as well as events
planning and production.  He also provides voice-over services, and
sound production - general studio work, really.  Some of his latest clients include the Honda F1 Team, Seiko Watches and specialists in the aerospace industry.

He is not a software mogul..... that's my job!!!  ;-)

He was very surprised to see "Paul Kent" on sale for over $80, and
wouldn't mind a cut!!!

As far as I am aware, Paul's catalog is 2 albums and 1 single. 
Commercially, he was never very successful.  He reckons he made more
money from a radio jingle one year, than he did from all of his record
sales combined!  Mind you, he's a very laid-back guy and seems to have
enjoyed what little time he had in the spotlight.

James Wood

April 2007