Philippe Debarge

Pretty Things (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• ASIN: B001UDXYKO
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,840 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Things at their best, finally released, July 31, 2009

By 

Kevin D. Rathert (Carbondale, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philippe Debarge (Audio CD)

In 1969, following the release of their classic thematic lp, SF Sorrow, and just before the release of the classic lp Parachut, The Pretty Things received an offer they couldn't refuse from French playboy/Pretty Things superfan, Philippe DeBarge. DeBarge asked the classic lineup, fronted by Phil May to write original songs on which DeBarge himself would sing lead vocals with the Pretty Things supplying backing vocals and all instrumentation. Thus, vocalist Phil May and bassist Wally Waller supplied said DeBarge with twelve original compositions on which lead guitarist Jon Povey, under the pseudonym Victor Unitt, bass being handled by the above mentioned Mr. Waller, keyboards by Jon Povey and drums by the ever present Twink. The material was recorded as planned circa September 1969 at Nova Studios in London, but never released. For forty years the tracks filled with acoustic, fuzz, and backward guitars, as well as harpsichords and mellotrons as well as gorgeous harmony vocals by Mr.'s May, Waller and Povey lay gathering dust. Fast forward to 2009, Ugly Things magazine and records owner, and Loons lead vocalist/songwriter Mike Stax brings one of two known surviving acetates out of the darkness of the vaults and into the light of day, as the seventh release on Stax's Ugly Things Records. The twelve original tracks are joined by a December, 2008 recording by the Pretty Things with May, Waller, and Povey joined by original lead guitarist Dick Taylor and drummer Skip Alan. Thus, the original 12 tracks, 39 minutes run time are joined by a five and a half minute rocker recorded especially for this cd release. Why such a long wait? No good answer on that one. The material is strong, DeBarge's vocals don't overshadow the wonderful Pretty Things sound at all. In fact, DeBarge's vocals fit nicely. So it came that after discussion at the DeBarge estate on St. Tropez, May, Waller, and company joined DeBarge in the studio in London and the tracks were recorded. Laid down on state of the art 8 track master reels, few of teh twelve tunes ever reemerged as part of the Pretty Things repertoire. However, all twelve are quite worthy of holding a spot on a proper Pretty Things lp. The tracks withstand the test of time, and are as pleasing to the ear in 2009 as they would have been in 1969. Leave it to Mike Stax to be able to unearth one of the two acetates, have it mixed and mastered and then as a coup de gras have the classic Pretty Things lineup, which Taylor had just departed at the time of the recording of the DeBarge tracks, record a song as a bonus track for this very special release. I could review the tracks individually, but for the sake of your eyes and my fingers, let the music speak for itself. Order this cd from Ugly Things or any drop shipper wise enough to carry it. I personally guarantee that if you are a Pretty Things fan you'll love this disc. If you are a fan of classic 1960s Brit rock you'll adore it. If you have even a passing interest in well written, well executed rock and roll you'll be shortchanging yourself if this cd is not in your collection. In other words, pick it up, give it a listen, and if I'm off base, post a review bashing me and put me in my place. My money and reputation say you'll be overjoyed to have this unknown/unheard gem far ahead of its time in your collection. It gets regular rotation among my rather massive collection of music. So, tip of the hat to you Mike Stax for once again giving us a true "lost treasure." May your karmic glow forever shine.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last ! ! !, October 9, 2009

By 

Kaleidoscope (Finland) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Philippe Debarge (Audio CD)

This is The Pretty Things with a french millionaire on vocals (with Phil May backing, of course) and finally we are having this wonderful record in official release. I have listened this record before with poor sound quality, but this is cleaned up from old acetate and just sounds great. And songs? Believe me, five stars. Pretties couldn't do no wrong and I have always amazed how on earth the big success didn't came for these guys. One of the best groups during their first active years 1965-1975. Thanks for this release, Ugly Things :)