VA - Halcyon Days, 60s Mod, R&B, Brit Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets [2020] (3 x CDs)

HALCYON DAYS

VA - Halcyon Days, 60s Mod, R&B, Brit Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets [2020] (3 x CDs)

Enjoy the sonic landscape of the 1960s with the box set “Halcyon Days: 60s Mod, R&B, Brit Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets”. This collection is a vibrant journey through time, echoing the pulsating rhythms and transformative energy of the era. It encapsulates the essence of the Mod, R&B, Brit Soul, and Freakbeat genres, offering a treasure trove of diverse tracks that mirror the cultural metamorphosis and musical revolution of the time.

The genius of this compilation lies in its thoughtful curation and sequencing, weaving a compelling narrative across the three CDs. It sets the stage with the soulful jazz-infused R&B of artists like Chris Farlowe, Duffy Power with Graham Bond, and Zoot Money, then gracefully transitions into the brass-rich Brit soul from Jimmy James, Geno Washington, and The Richard Kent Style. The set further broadens its scope to include ska, girl group pop, and fuzz-laden freakbeat, painting a vivid picture of the eclectic music scene of the period.

As the compilation progresses, the psychedelic influence subtly seeps in, mirroring the shifting musical landscape of the late 60s. This evolution is a reflection of the Mod scene’s journey, which started with a love for R&B and jazz before embracing the psychedelic sounds of the late 60s.

Halcyon Days” proudly carries the torch passed on by RPM’s bespoke compilations “Looking Back”, “Keep Lookin’”, and “Night Comes Down”. These compilations traced the growth of Mod-friendly beat music, and “Halcyon Days” continues this legacy, pushing the boundaries of the themes and styles explored in these earlier sets.

The journey doesn’t end with “Halcyon Days”. The sequel “I Love To See You Strut: More '60s Mod, R&B, Brit Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets” takes the exploration further, delving deeper into Mod-friendly 1960s beat music. It spotlights club-based sounds, Mod legends, and groovier, heavier, and more psychedelic acts, reflecting the continuous evolution and diversification of the music scene during this period.

In essence, “Halcyon Days: 60s Mod, R&B, Brit Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets” is a musical odyssey that encapsulates the spirit and evolution of a defining era in music history. It stands as a beacon of the richness and diversity of the 60s music scene, casting a long shadow on the compilations that followed, and inspiring future generations of music lovers. (B)

The previous compilations can be found here followed by the latest instalment:

VA - Looking Back 80 Mod, Freakbeat & Swinging London Nuggets [2011] (3 x CD's)

https://butterboycompilations.blogspot.com/2019/07/va-looking-back-80-mod-freakbeat.html

VA - Keep Lookin; 80 More Mod, Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets [2014] (3 x CD's)

https://butterboycompilations.blogspot.com/2021/12/va-keep-lookin-80-more-mod-soul.html

VA - Night Comes Down, 60 British Mod, R&B, Freakbeat, and Swinging London Nuggets [2017] (3 x CD's)

https://butterboycompilations.blogspot.com/2021/11/va-night-comes-down-60-british-mod-r.html

The follow up release was 

VA - I Love to See You Strut, More 60s Mod, R&B, Brit Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets [2022] (3 x CDs)

https://butterboycompilations.blogspot.com/2023/01/va-i-love-to-see-you-strut-more-60s-mod.html

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Track lists

CD01

01 Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds - Buzz With The Fuzz 2:32

02 Duffy Power With The Graham Bond Quartet - What'd I Say 4:55

03 Zoot Money's Big Roll Band - Big Time Operator 2:42

04 Animals - Don't Bring Me Down 3:18

05 Rod Stewart - Shake 2:51

06 Ronnie Jones - Little Bitty Pretty One 2:47

07 Jimmy James & The Vagabonds - I Feel Alright 2:36

08 Richard Kent Style - Just A Little Misunderstanding 2:26

09 Stormsville Shakers - Number One 2:27

10 Union - See Saw 3:36

11 Mike Cotton Band - Harlem Shuffle 2:38

12 Athenians - I Can't Stand It 2:22

13 Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band - All I Need 2:54

14 Laurel Aitken - I've Been Weeping And Crying 2:41

15 Laris Mclennon - Try Me 3:06

16 Candy Dates - Well I Do 2:55

17 Sw4 - Shame, Shame, Shame 2:20

18 Tony Rivers & The Castaways - I Love The Way You Walk 2:05

19 Fingers - Look Away 2:05

20 Mickey Finn & The Blue Men - Hush Your Mouth 2:37

21 Rupert & The Red Devils - Every Time I Do 2:11

22 Laurel Aitken - Looking For My Baby 2:44

23 Barney J. Barnes - Can't Stand The Pain 2:20

24 Mark Wirtz Orchestra & Chorus - Watermelon Man 3:26

25 Bo Street Runners - Baby Never Say Goodbye 2:38

26 Kevin 'king' Lear - (You Got) The Power Of Love 2:38

27 Chantelles - Gonna Get Burned 2:35

28 Barry St. John - Gotta Brand New Man 2:22

29 Trendbender Band - Stupidity 2:46

CD02

01 Creation - Biff, Bang, Pow 2:27

02 Kinks - She's Got Everything 3:10

03 David Bowie - Do Anything You Say 2:30

04 Artwoods - I Take What I Want 2:55

05 Pretty Things - Buzz The Jerk 1:56

06 Bo Street Runners - Bo Street Runner 2:13

07 Yardbirds - Stroll On 2:43

08 Graham Bond Organisation (A.K.A.) The Who Orchestra - Waltz For A Pig 2:27

09 Brian Auger & The Trinity - Tiger 2:31

10 Kevin 'king' Lear - Mr. Pearly 2:40

11 Dorian Gray - Get Goin' Baby 2:51

12 Favourite Sons - Leavin' Here 3:29

13 Force Four - Come On Go 2:09

14 Belfast Gypsies - Gloria's Dream (Single Mix) 2:15

15 John's Children - Remember Thomas A Becket 2:20

16 End - Why 2:44

17 Rainbow Ffolly - Gimme Little Sign 2:41

18 Phillip Goodhand-Tait & The Stormsville Shakers - No Problem 2:23

19 Katch 22 - Makin' My Mind Up 2:34

20 Double Feature - Come On Baby 2:29

21 Moody Blues - He Can Win 2:26

22 In Crowd - Am I Glad To See You 4:29

23 David John & The Mood - Diggin' For Gold 2:40

24 Heinz - I'm Not A Bad Guy 2:16

25 Worrying Kynde - Got The Blame 1:52

26 Paul's Troubles - You've Got Something 2:31

27 Dorian Gray - Walking Down A Backstreet 2:49

28 Ray French - Gun Me Down 2:08

29 Secrets - She's Dangerous 2:20

30 Wynder K. Frog - Green Door 2:30

CD03

01 Tages - Halcyon Days 2:18

02 Action - Look At The View 4:02

03 Fleur De Lys - One Girl City 2:46

04 The Web - I'm A Man 3:31

05 Spencer Davis Group - Moonshine 2:41

06 Sleepy - Mrs. Bailey's Barbecue And Grill 3:34

07 Jason Crest - Hold On 3:31

08 Double Feature - Baby Get Your Head Screwed On 2:44

09 Oscar Bicycle - The Room Revolves Around Me 2:32

10 Shame - Dreams Don't Bother Me 2:12

11 Alan Bown! - Technicolour Dream 2:54

12 Truly Smith - This Is First Time 3:12

13 Paul & Barry Ryan - Keep It Out Of Sight 2:49

14 Plastic Penny - Your Way To Tell Me Go 2:49

15 July - The Stamping Machine 1:41

16 Australian Playboys - Sad 2:56

17 Human Instinct - Pink Dawn 1:58

18 Plastic Penny - Baby You're Not To Blame 2:52

19 Andy Ellison - Fool From Upper Eden 2:54

20 Turquoise - 53 Summer Street 2:53

21 Grapefruit - Yes 2:19

22 Dantalian's Chariot - Fourpenny Bus Ride 3:43

23 Apple - Doctor Rock 3:13

24 Freaks Of Nature (Alias Belfast Gypsies) - People! Let's Freak Out 2:36

25 Quiet Melon - Engine 4444 3:06

26 Spencer Davis Group - Picture Of Her 2:59

27 Kris Ife - I'm Coming 'round To Herway Of Thinking 2:01

28 Crazy World Of Arthur Brown - Rest Cure 2:46

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