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BRITISH ROCK
VA - Tin Soldier's Children (A Butterboy Compilation) (4 x CDs)
Every collector eventually reaches the point where the obvious records are no longer enough. The familiar landmarks remain beloved, but curiosity starts to pull toward the side streets, the labels, the session players, the artists who seemed destined for greatness before slipping quietly through the cracks. This collection begins with one of the defining British singles of the 1960s, Small Faces' "Tin Soldier", then follows those side streets wherever they lead.
The years 1966 to 1969 produced a remarkable body of work that existed between categories. These records were too soulful for straightforward beat music, too aggressive for pop, and often too melodic to sit comfortably alongside the heavier psychedelic underground. Many were released on small labels, promoted briefly, then forgotten as fashions changed. Yet decades later they continue to reward repeated listening.
Immediate Records forms the backbone of the story. The label's adventurous approach allowed artists such as P.P. Arnold, Chris Farlowe, Billy Nicholls and The Nice to create records that sounded ambitious, emotional and distinctly British. Around them emerged a wider network of groups including The Action, The Attack, The End, Fleur de Lys and countless others, each pushing beyond the limitations of the three-minute single.
Rather than simply assembling rare tracks, this set attempts to recreate the atmosphere of the period. The sequence moves from mod soul and sharp R&B into increasingly colourful psychedelia, before arriving at the heavier sounds that would shape the next decade. Along the way are records that have become collector favourites, forgotten masterpieces and a handful of near-mythical releases whose reputations have only grown with time.
What unites them is not rarity but imagination. Whether commercially successful or overlooked on release, these recordings share a sense of possibility, a feeling that British pop music was expanding in every direction at once.
Tin Soldier's Children is not intended as a history lesson or a catalogue of rarities. It is a journey through a brief moment when imagination consistently outran expectation, and when some of the most creative music of the era emerged in places few people were looking. These recordings are the echoes of that moment, still vibrant, still surprising and still capable of opening new doors for those willing to follow the trail.
For listeners who have spent years exploring the world beyond the obvious classics, these four discs offer another journey through one of the richest and most creative periods in popular music. (B)
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Track lists
CD1
01 Small Faces - Tin Soldier 3:21 1967
02 P.P. Arnold - (If You Think You're) Groovy 2:55 1967
03 Chris Farlowe - My Way of Giving 2:34 1966
04 Billy Nicholls - Would You Believe 2:43 1968
05 Action - Shadows and Reflections 2:48 1967
06 Fleur De Lys - Mud in Your Eye 3:03 1968
07 Attack - Created By Clive 2:40 1967
08 Nice - Flower King of Flies 3:19 1968
09 Duncan Browne - On The Bombsite 2:47 1968
10 Smoke - Have Some More Tea 2:15 1967
11 Rupert's People - Reflections of Charles Brown 4:17 1967
12 Caleb - Baby Your Phrasing is Bad 3:16 1967
13 End - Shades of Orange 2:40 1968
14 Small Faces - I Feel Much Better 3:55 1967
15 Creation - Biff, Bang, Pow 2:25 1966
16 Game - The Addicted Man 2:23 1968
17 Craig - I Must Be Mad 2:47 1966
18 Billy Nicholls - Daytime Girl 2:43 1968
19 Action - Come Around 2:49 1967
20 Small Faces - Afterglow (Of Your Love) 3:31 1968
CD2
01 Creation - Making Time 2:58 1966
02 Birds - No Good Without You Baby 2:42 1966
03 Sorrows - Take a Heart 3:16 1966
04 Eyes - When The Night Falls 2:36 1966
05 Wimple Winch - Save My Soul 3:07 1966
06 Syn - Grounded 2:24 1967
07 Fairytale - Guess I Was Dreaming 3:02 1967
08 Koobas - Barricades 5:04 1968
09 Smoke - It Could Be Wonderful 2:18 1968
10 Mirage - Hold On 2:20 1966
11 Attack - Magic in the Air 3:38 1968
12 Factory - Try A Little Sunshine 3:43 1967
13 Accent - Red Sky at Night 3:13 1968
14 Flies - House of Love 2:17 1967
15 End - Cardboard Watch 2:54 1968
16 Jason Crest - Black Mass 4:49 1969
17 Open Mind - Dear Louise 3:13 1969
18 Fire - Father's Name Was Dad 2:29 1968
19 Tomorrow - My White Bicycle 3:17 1967
20 Pretty Things - Defecting Grey 4:22 1967
CD3
01 Pretty Things - Talkin' About The Good Times 3:43 1968
02 Small Faces - Song of A Baker 3:16 1968
03 Humble Pie - Natural Born Bugie 4:13 1969
04 Move - Fire Brigade [Stereo] 2:24 1968
05 Love - Seven and Seven Is 2:47 1966
06 Misunderstood - I Can Take You to The Sun 3:39 1969
07 July - My Clown 3:21 1968
08 Tintern Abbey - Vacuum Cleaner 3:06 0
09 Factory - Path Through the Forest 3:58 1968
10 Barrier - Dawn Breaks Through 2:20 1968
11 Open Mind - Magic Potion 3:25 1969
12 Attack - Neville Thumbcatch 3:03 1967
13 Glass Menagerie - Frederick Jordan 3:17 1968
14 Poets - That's the Way It's Got to Be 2:33 1966
15 Living Daylights - Let's Live for Today 2:53 1967
16 Game - Gonna Get Me Someone 2:46 1968
17 Deviants - I'm Coming Home 5:59 1969
18 Bulldog Breed - Portcullis Gate 2:33 1969
19 Eyes of Blue - Supermarket Full of Cans 2:33 1968
20 Blossom Toes - Peace Loving Man 4:53 1969
CD4
01 Billy Nicholls - Feeling Easy 3:14 1968
02 Duncan Browne - Give Me Take You 3:15 1968
03 Nice - War and Peace 5:09 1968
04 Creation - Painter Man 2:53 1966
05 Action - Never Ever 2:22 1968
06 Les Fleur De Lys - Gong With the Luminous Nose 2:36 1968
07 Fruit Machine - Follow Me 2:55 1968
08 Fox - Butterfly 3:25 1968
09 Magic Mixture - Moonbeams 4:05 1968
10 Wimple Winch - Atmospheres 4:20 1968
11 Rupert's People - Dream on My Mind 3:24 1967
12 Smoke - High in A Room 3:03 1968
13 End - Loving, Sacred Loving 2:59 1969
14 Accent - Wind of Change 2:00 1968
15 Jason Crest - Turquoise Tandem Cycle 3:40 1968
16 Factory - Red Chalk Hill 3:21 1968
17 Small Faces - Green Circles 2:32 1967
18 Billy Nicholls - Girl From New York 3:21 1968
19 Small Faces - Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass [6-68] 2:47 1968
20 P.P.Arnold - Though it Hurts Me Badly 4:20 1968
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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.
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''The familiar landmarks remain beloved, but curiosity starts to pull toward the side streets, the labels, the session players, the artists who seemed destined for greatness before slipping quietly through the cracks'' Yes exactly what happens to me !!...For many years I explore the British 1960's and 70's, with the aid of boxsets from Cherry Red etc...and since I discover your blog my dicoveries went high speed !! This collection of yours is very great. Thank you very much for all the musical discoveries you bring with your blog. Very much is not enough ! You make people grow in the music sphere.
ReplyDeleteHi John Oaks,
DeleteIt’s wonderful to see that line resonate with you. That pull toward the side streets, the labels, the nearly‑forgotten artists, the players who shaped the sound from behind the curtain, is exactly what inspired this collection. Once you start exploring the British 60s and 70s in depth, the map just keeps expanding.
I’m delighted the blog has helped accelerate your discoveries. That’s the best outcome I could hope for, opening doors, sparking curiosity, and giving listeners more to explore in the music they already love.
Thank you for the wonderful message, it means a lot.
Cheers.
Thanks, BB. This looks right up my alley. Very well put together
ReplyDeleteHi manufan99,
DeleteThis one really leans into that sweet spot where strong songwriting meets those slightly off‑centre sounds, and pulling it together was a pleasure. If it feels right up your alley, that’s the best feedback I could hope for.
Thanks for the kind words.
Cheers.
Thank you Butterboy.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Dine4it.
DeleteEnjoy every moment.
Cheers.
Thank you! I lived in London during this period,when there was so much good music that one couldn't listen t it all! I am sure that I will enjoy this set.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mike M
And nice artwork, by the way
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
DeleteLiving in London during that era must have been extraordinary, so much great music arriving at once. This set pulls together a lot of those threads, the familiar names and the ones that slipped past in the rush, so I’m really glad it speaks to your memories of the time.
And thank you for the kind words about the artwork, that’s much appreciated.
Cheers.
Thank you BB for yet another special tour of places that aren't immediately obvious but they are full of interest!
ReplyDeleteHi John,
DeleteWandering into those corners that aren’t obvious at first glance but are rich with character once you step inside was the aim. The best musical journeys often happen off the main roads, and it’s great to know this collection offered another one of those tours for you.
Thank you for the thoughtful words.
Cheers.
Thanks BB, another great compilation! Coincidentally, I've recently been listening to a few British gems from the 60's/70's, Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Animals, Bluesbreakers, and the like. Amazing stuff to return to..
ReplyDeleteHi Martin,
DeleteThose British 60s/70s gems never lose their shine. That whole era has a depth you can keep returning to and still find something new in the corners. This set was built with that same spirit in mind, pulling together the familiar names and the ones who were working just outside the spotlight.
Really glad it connects with what you’ve been listening to lately.
Cheers.
The great P. P. Arnold did the backing vocals on Tin Soldier..
ReplyDeleteHi pauzze,
DeleteP.P. Arnold’s backing vocals on Tin Soldier are one of those perfect touches that lift the whole track. Her voice threads through the song with such power and warmth, giving it that extra spark the Small Faces always knew how to tap into. A wonderful detail to highlight.
Cheers.
BB I was born in London and was 16 in 1967. This music is my time. This is some of the music that formed a baseline for my mind. All other music since is compered to this time.
ReplyDeleteIt's like listening to the radio again. Thank you so much.
Hi lemonflag,
DeleteBeing sixteen in London in 1967… that’s a remarkable vantage point. The music was everywhere, changing by the week, and shaping the way people thought and felt. When you say this era formed the baseline for your mind, that rings true, those sounds were bold, curious, full of possibility, and they left a mark that never really fades.
If this collection feels like tuning into the radio again, that’s the highest compliment.
Thank you for sharing your memories.
Cheers.