We are in 1968 for the twelfth series of Call the Midwife, so the choice of music will be interesting. I almost forgot that I still list the songs and add some information. I am using both Tunefind and now Soundtracki for the first time.
Episode 1
Come on Now by The Kinks. This little know track is from The Kinks' second UK album Kinda Kinks released in 1965, just after their tour of Asia. In the USA it appears on the album Kinks-Size. Probably written by Ray Davies.
Love Is All Around by The Troggs. Released as a single in October 1967, it reached No 4 in the UK charts. Written by lead singer Reg Presley, it became a big hit for Wet Wet Wet when their cover version was used in 1994 for the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. (See songfacts for more).
Episode 2
I'm a Believer by The Monkees. Written by Neil Diamond with Micky Dolenz as lead singer, it was released in November 1966 and was at the top of the UK charts for four weeks in January and February 1967.
All My Love by Cliff Richard (Solo Tu). A single released in November 1967, it was an English translation from the Italian hit by Federico Monti Arduini that was translated by Peter Callender. Cliff's version reached No 6 in the UK charts.
Episode 3
Just one song and that was Captain of Your Ship by Reparata and the Delrons. The US girls released this single in 1968 and it made No 13 in the UK charts, unlike in America where it sunk without trace. It was written by Kenny Young (famous for his big hit Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters and other artists) and Bob Yardley. It must be over fifty years since I heard this song and thought it was new to me until I heard it again.
Episode 4
Good Morning New Day by Spiral Staircase. But I didn't know this song. Just the one again (unlike those early series where I was searching for a good few every episode). Well, we know it was written by singer/lead guitarist Pat Upton but that's about it. It does not appear on their only album released in 1969 and nowhere is there a mention of it being a single. But it does appear on More Today Than Yesterday: The Complete Columbia Recordings released in 2003 and on The Essential Spiral Staircase for mobile users. Spiral Staircase joined Columbia Records in 1968 and finished in 1969, so this must be when this track was recorded. It can be heard on YouTube.
Episode 5
Something's Coming Along by The Sceptres. We continue with the most obscure songs from the late 1960's. We know from the picture on YouTube that it was written by Keen, Carter, Duncan, McKenna and Shaw. It was released in January 1968 by the band who came from Montreal. No sign of a UK release. Everything about the group can be found at www.thesceptres.ca.
Episode 6
All I See is You by Dusty Springfield. At last, a song I recognise. A single released in 1966 that reached No 9 in the UK charts that was written by Ben Weisman and Clive Westlake.
Come Into My Arms Again by Barbara Ruskin. Written by the singer, it was released in 1967. One of the very few British female singer/songwriters of the time. Although her own recordings were overlooked, other artists had more success with her music.
Episode 7
Bend Me, Shape Me by Amen Corner. Written by Scott English and Larry Weiss, it was originally recorded by The Outsiders on their album In in 1966. Amen Corner's cover version in 1968 altered some of the lyrics, and made it to No 3 in the UK singles chart.
A Thousand Ages from the Sun by Electric Banana from the album Electric Banana. This was the name of a band created by The Pretty Things to hide their identity. The album was released in 1967 but I have no idea who wrote the songs. At the time, The Pretty Things were led by Phil May and Dick Taylor, the only two who remained constant all through the decades. Dick Taylor was originally in a band called Little Boy Blue and The Blue Boys that included Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. All three joined Brian Jones and Ian Stewart when they formed The Rollin' Stones in 1962. Taylor left fives months later and set up a new band with Phil May called The Pretty Things.
Episode 8
The Wreck of the Antoinette by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich. Released as a single in 1968, it reached No 14 in the UK. Written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley, it was never released in the USA. I had never heard of it but YouTube has a live version.
These days I am indebted to soundtracki.com who identify more songs than tunefind.com. I find it interesting to listen to some of the more unusual choices on Call the Midwife.
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