Customer Reviews

Pied Piper

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once upon a time, forty years ago, there was a stunningly talented singer names Crispian St. Peters. Largely forgotten now, he at one time was fairly popular, with one big hit (the title track) and two minor ones ("Changes" and "You Were on My Mind", a cover). This album contains his three hits, their B sides, and a few other tracks. Highlights include:

TRACK ONE: "Pied Piper" A spritely, relentlessly catchy tune, this was Peters' biggest hit, and the one most remembered today. His beautiful voice and unusually good range are on full display with this song. 5/5
TRACK TWO: "But She's Untrue" One of two existing versions, with a lovely guitar opening and a excellent melody. 4/5
TRACK THREE: "Goodbye to You" My personal favorite, a stellar track. Classic fifties R&B rythym, and perfect vocal work. 5/5
TRACK SEVEN: "You Were on My Mind" A good cover of The We Five Hit. Solid harmonies. 3/5
TRACK EIGHT: "You're Love Has Gone" With an eerie opening, Peters navigates a difficult melody with ease. Gotta love the bass sax too. 3/5
TRACK THIRTEEN: "Your Ever-Changing Mind" A pleasant diversion, not particularly outstanding. 2/5
TRACK FOURTEEN: "Changes" Average song, but Peters makes good use of his vocal ablities. 3/5
TRACK SIXTEEN: "Free Spirits" A typical sixties free-lovin' anthem, but Peters adds a terrific treble to the chorus. Very nice. 4/5
TRACK SEVENTEEN: "Sweet Dawn My True Love" One of the most beautiful love ballads ever written. Subtle and haunting. 5/5
TRACK TWENTY: "Without You" Swingin' little tune, with gradually scaling structure. Good way to end the collection. 4/5

This album is a must have for any folk or sixties fan. St. Peters was underrated in his time, and ignored now, but he is definitely worth a listen. My only quibble with this fine collection is the omission of "It Ain't the Same" , one of my favorite Crispian songs. Other than that, everything you need is right here. Enjoy!

The first twelve tracks of this CD is the rare first original American album released by Crispian St Peters in 1966. The album was released on the small Jamie label, with a tracklisting nearly identical to the European album "Follow Me". One track is different; St. Peter`s very first single "At This Moment" replaces one of the weaker tracks on the European release.

Among the 8 "bonus" tracks you find 3 single A-sides, 4 B-sides and the track left out from "Follow Me".

The music is really great. The two big hits "Pied Piper" and "You Were on My Mind" are well-known to most fans of 1960s music. But there are several songs in the same class. "Changes" which was only a minor hit is great, as is the hit that never was "My Little Brown Eyes".

Among the other album-tracks "Your Love Has Gone", "It`s a Funny Feeling" and "But She`s Untrue" stand out.

The two fine acoustic B-sides "What I`m Gonna Be" and "Sweet Dawn My True Love" are really pure folk-music.

St. Peter`s later Decca singles were not quite up to the high standards of his early records, and consequently the hits dried out and he was eventually dropped by the label before a second album was recorded.

He has recorded for several minor labels until recent years. His second album "Simply" was released on the Square label in 1970.

The "booklet" on this CD-release is quite a disappointment. It only features the original cover - back and front. Inside is nothing but a listing of other One Way Records releases.

I`ll subtrackt one star for this, making it only 4 star release.

UNTIL YOU HEAR THIS VOICE MATCHED WITH THE SPECIAL TEMPO ONE CANNOT APPRECIATE THE REWARDING MIX OF LIGHT ROCK AND A SUCH A TALENT. CRISPIAN'S RARE DISTINCTION IS THAT HE MAKES US WANT TO HEAR HIM SING ANYTHING...NEW SONGS, OLD SONGS, NEVER BEFORE HEARD SONGS. BUT WHERE OH WHERE DID YOU GO PIED PIPER? ARE YOU WITH CHI COLRANE ?

The product was exactly as it was described and was mailed promptly and received well within the time promised. I wouldn't hesitate to do business with them again.

Although Crispian St Peters had more folk roots, than Blue eyed Soul, I would compare The Walker Brothers great pop to this artist. He would have been better served to have worked with a producer like Phil Spector to achieve a larger, more omnipresent sound. "Pied Piper" is a clinic in how a great singer can utilize his vibrato as well as a rather nice range to emote a song. Our friend George the reviewer is wrong on 2 points: Crispian's vocal prowess, and his statement that "You We're on My Mind" was his only hit. "The Pied Piper" reached top 3 in Los Angeles and I'm sure nationally was at the very least top ten. After hearing Crispian's version of "Mind" I find it superior to the rather bland treatment that We Five gave it.

Does anyone out there know who sang the version of Pied Piper which was played on the radio about three years before the version by Crispian St. Peters? That would be around 1963. It was not as popular as Crispian's version. If you know, please email me at wzucker@yahoo.com. Thank you.