B

Searchers, The

Band members Related acts

- Billy Adamson - drums (replaced Johnny Blunt)(1969-)
- Frank Allan - vocals, bass (replaced Tony Jackson)(1964-)
- Johnny Blunt - drums (replaced Chris Curtis)(1966-69)
- Chris Curtis (aka Chris Crumney) - drums (1961-66)
- Tony Jackson - vocals, bass (1961-64)
- Spencer James - vocals, guitar (replaces Mike Pender) (1985-)
- John McNally - guitar (1961-)
- Mike Pender (aka Mike Pendergast) - vocals, guitar (1961-85)

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title: The New Searchers LP

Company: Kapp

Catalog: K-1412

Year: 1965

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: 1

Price: $20.00

Produced by Tony Hatch, 1965's "The New Searchers LP" introduced former Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers bassist Frank Allen, replacing the departing Jackson (who promptly formed The Vibrators). In spite of the fact Pender and Allen were now handling lead vocals, the overall sound changed very little. Exemplified by tracks such as "Everybody Come and Clap Your Hands", "If I Could Find Someone" and the country flavored "A Tear Fell", the group's patented vocal harmonies remained instantly recognizable. Sure, for the most part it was a bit on the MOR side, but in the mid-'60s it made for cutting edge music you could play without upsetting your folks. Elsewhere, while they may not have been fully aware of the song's blatant anti-nuclear war stance, the band deserved credit for turning in a nifty folk-rock cover of Malvina Reynolds' "What Have They Done To the Rain". Taking a fairly bold step, Kapp elected to release the track as a single (Kapp catalog number K-644). The reward was another top-40 American single. Backed by another American tour and an appearence on NBC's Hullabaloo television series, the parent album proved another modest seller, the set hit #112 in the States.

"The New Searchers LP" track listing:
1.) Everybody Come and Clap Your Hands (Jeff Barry - Ellie Greenwich) - 2:37
2.) If I Could Find Someone (Chris Curtis) - 2:09
3.) Magic Potion (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 2:33
4.) I Don't Want To Go On Without You (Russell - Jerry Wexler) - 2:58
5.) Bumble Bee (Fullylook - Baker) - 2:13
6.) Something You Got (Chris Kenner) - 2:37
7.) What Have They Done To the Rain (Milvina Reynolds) - 2:54
8.) A Tear Fell (Burton - Randolph) - 3:00
9.) Till You Say You Are Mine (Jackie DeShannon) - 2:18
10.) You Wanna Make Her Happy (Chris Curtis) - 2:11
11.) Everything You Do (Chris Curtis) - 1:37
12.) Goodnight Baby (Jeff Barry - Ellie Greenwich - Venet) - 2:17

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title: The Searchers

Company: Sire

Catalog: SRK-6082

Year: 1980

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 2

Price: $15.00

After years of public neglect (particularly in the States), spurred on in part by Bruce Springsteen's inclusion of "When You Walk Into the Room" in his live shows, the band enjoyed an unexpected late-'70s resurgence. Coming eight years after the release of their last American studio album, 1978 found the band signing with Sire. Produced by Pat Moran 1979's "The Searchers" was a great comeback. Exemplified by material such as "Feeling Fine" and "Love's Gonna Be Strong", after all these years Pender and McNally's shimmering guitars and the group's trademark intricate harmonies remained intact. A mix of originals and well chosen covers, the collection's low tech and obvious sense of enthusiasm was refreshing. Highlights included the band's cover of Mickey Jupp's "Switchboard Susan", the original "This Kind of Love Affair" and Tom Petty's pretty "Lost In Your Eyes". Easily one of the year's most impressive comebacks, the set attracted rave reviews, but few sales peaking at #191 in the States.

"The Searchers" track listing:
1.) Hearts In Her Eyes (John Wicks - Will Birch) -
2.) Switchboard Susan (Mickey Jupp) -
3.) Feeling Fine
4.) This Kind of Love Affair
5.) Lost In Your Eyes (Tom Petty) -
6.) Its Too Late (John David) -
7.) No Dancing (Noel Brown)-
8.) Coming From the Heart (Bob Dylan) -
9.) Don't Hang On
10.) Love's Gonna Be Strong

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title: Love's Melodies

Company: Sire

Catalog: SRK-

Year: 1981

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 2

Price: $15.00

Reunited with producer Moran (Ed Stasium co-producing), 1981's "Play for Love" was every bit as good as the previous album. Inexplicably retitled "Love's Melodies" for the American market, the collection stuck with the same attack as the earlier set - a mix of jangly originals and well chosen covers (Big Star's "September Gurls" and John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night "). While the entire album was catchy and commercial, highlights included "Infatuation", the buoyant title track and a roaring cover of The Records' "Everything But a Heartache". Personal favorites, the glistening "Murder In My Hart" and "Radio Romance" (which sounds like a Records outtake). In spite of rave critical reviews, the collection failed to chart in the States.

"Love's Melodies" track listing:
1.) Silver (Dave Paul) -
2.) Infatuation (Randy Bishop) -
3.) She Made a Fool of You (Moon Martin) -
4.) Almost Saturday Night (John Fogerty) -
5.) Little Bit of Heaven (John McNally - Mike Pender - Frank Allan) -
6.) You Are the New Day (John David) -
7.) Love's Melody (Andy McMasters) -
8.) Everything But a Heartache (Will Birch - Richie Bull) -
9.) Radio Romance (Will Birch - Paul Shuttlewoth - Vic Collin) -
10.) Murder In My Heart (Ronnie Thomas) -
11.) September Gurls (Alex Chilton) -
12.) Another Night (John McNally - Mike Pender - Frank Allan) -

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