Customer Reviews

Further Adventures of Charles Westover

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Don't expect the magical haunting sound of Runaway or the sound of thunder rolling across the sky in Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun). Do expect something different in The Further Adventures, a cd of well crafted songs, most of which were written or co-written by Del, that are captivating from the opening track Thinking It Over, a pop song that's the closest thing to a commercial song here to the finale, New Orleans (Mardi Gras), a thumping piece of psychedelic pop with a story within that was written by Jim Pulte of Southwind. In between we have the beauty of Magical Music Box which describes the loneliness of a girl lost in her room and Colour Flashing Hair which has Del in a surrealistic dream state while asleep with a vision of a girl he has never met. If that were not enough, there are 8 bonus tracks, including a remake of Runaway recorded in 1967 and the previously unreleased songs Stand Up and The House Where Nobody Lives from 1966 which are among his better self written pieces. In My Arms Again is a song he wrote in 1974 that is more country then most songs of that era (and certainly today) that was done with Jeff Lynne with whom he worked in later years.There's much to enjoy on this cd that has little to do with the sound that most people remember of Del Shannon. Perhaps the best way to describe it is to say, it's magical. Listen.

I am a collector of psychedelic records. Over the years I have purchased quite a number of such recordings "sight unheard" because - frankly - I enjoy the misses as much as the hits. When I heard Del Shannon had recorded an album considered by many to be psychedelic, I instantly obtained it, not expecting much beyond a curiosity.

However, the record is quite interesting, showcasing Del's songwriting talent as well as his voice, both in a new setting of "Sgt. Pepper" orchestrations and some "strange studio sounds." The real treat though (and the one element often missing from such records) is that the songs are good. Several sound like instant classics, although the album is more than obscure it seems. I found myself listening to it over and over during the first day I received it, amazed by his voice and by his attempt to be "relevant" without sacrificing what is essentially his own spirit.

For fans of Del, highly recommended.

This is a must for ANY 60's Psychedelic fan to add to his/her collection! It ranks #1 on my all-time 60's psych LP release. Songs like "Colour Flashing Hair", "Magical Musical Box", and "New Orleans (Mardi Gras)", blow away most who hear it for the first time and go "This is Del of RUNAWAY fame!?!" Get it.......period.

Once The Beatles made "Sergeant Pepper" the floodgates opened for almost every rock band of the time to follow suit. We all know the famous ones, from Pink Floyd's "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" (a winner) to The Rolling Stones "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (not so much of a winner...), and everything in between (The Pretty Things "S.F. Sorrow", The Monkees "Pieces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd.", The Animals "The Twain Shall Meet", etc.). One of the lesser known entries into this milieu is Del Shannon's "The Further Adventures of Charles Westover", and it's a pity that it's one of the lesser known because it stands the test of time as one of the best. Not only one of the best psychedelic albums of all time, but also one of Del Shannon's best albums. Songs like "I Think I Love You", "Thinkin' It Over", "Gemini" and "Colour Flashing Hair" are not only great psychedelic songs, but great Del Shannon songs. His beautiful voice is so expressive in this context that this listener wishes he had made more albums in this genre - he really was amazingly good at it. A winner!

Del Shannon's 'The Further Adventures Of Charles Westover' reminds me of The Zombies Odessey & Oracle. Sort of a forgotten gem from the same time. Very nice.

[DW]