Various - What A Groovy Day: The British Sunshine Pop Sound 1967-1972 (Grapefruit Records)(2023)(3CD Box Set)

 Another gem from Grapefruit Records. This 3 CD box set is focused on British bubblegum and sunshine pop from the late 60s to early 70s. These CDs really capture a vibe. From the liner notes we find out that the term 'sunshine pop' was created by a Record Collector editor! Yes, a magazine editor. Apparently, the tag of 'harmony pop' was considered too bland. What was harmony pop? Well, from a U.S. perspective it was the sound of the Beach Boys, The Association, The Mamas & Papas, and The 5th Dimension. This box set is a collection of harmony pop, sunshine pop, and bubblegum pop from a British perspective.  Definitely worth getting if you like melodic music and you enjoy vocal harmonies...but with a British accent! Need a taste? Check out Harmony Grass - What A Groovy Day  How about Barbara Moore - Fly Paradise.

Crabby Appleton - Go Back The Anthology (Grapefruit Records)(2023)(2-CD)

 

This disc contains the output of Crabby Appleton. Crabby Appleton was led by vocalist/guitarist Michael Fennely, who also served as the main songwriter for the band. Crabby Appleton released two albums in the early 70s, Crabby Appleton, released in June 1970, and Rotten to the Core, released in October 1971. The band basically broke up by the end of 1972. Crabby Appleton's signature song is Go Back which is a great pop song. The rest of the first album contains other great melodic songs that would make any pop music collector want to have it in their collection. The second album was more "classic rock" and blues-based. Not a bad thing but I felt it missed some of the finer melodic pop moments of the first album. In addition to both full albums, this box set includes demos and single versions. Worth getting. Great liner notes that tells the story of the band.

Various - Think I'm Going Weird: Original Artefacts from the British Psychedelic Scene 1966-1968 (Grapefruit Records)(2021)

 

Massive, excellent 5 CD box set from the good folks at Grapefruit Records who continue to issue great box sets for the die-hards. This box set covers the British psych scene from 1966-1968. I am not familiar with most of these songs and or bands so it is exciting to explore and experience new sounds. It will take a few listens to absorb it all but my first full listen was great. Definitely worth getting. For a taste, check out July - My Clown.

Various- Beyond the Pale Horizon: The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1972 (Grapefruit Records)(2021)(3CD Box Set)

 

Another interesting Grapefruit 3CD box set that is worth getting. The focus is on British progressive pop from 1972. Most of these songs are unfamiliar to me so it always exciting to find new songs, new bands, and new melodies. Be aware that "progressive pop" in this context does not mean that all the music here is like Yes or Genesis. No, the music here is much more varied. So, Thin Lizzy, The Move, Status Quo, and Roxy Music are amongst the well known bands here. But I had not heard much from bands like Trapeze, Family, or Pagliaro before. In fact, listen to Lovin' You Ain't Easy by Pagliaro to experience some of the gems found in this set. The great things about these CD box sets are that you can put one disc on the deck and just sit back for over an hour and enjoy 1972 all over again. Then you move to disc 2 and 3 : 0  - I would have been 9 in '72 : )

Various Artists - You Can Walk Across It On The Grass - Grapefruit Records - 3 CD Box Set - 2024

 

Another gem from Grapefruit Records. This is a collection of 60s London! Imagine having great soundtrack of real music from the 60s for any Austin Powers movie. Is it groovy? Absolutely. While some of the artists and bands will be familiar to some or all of you...The Yardbirds, The Kinks, Tom Jones, and Dusty Springfield, - there are tons of songs by bands and artists that were not so famous or familiar (at least to me)...I have chosen a few down below that you can test for yourself...I definitely recommend this box set. Just put it on and let it play..it really captures a mood and holds it well throughout...I guess it is the mood of 60s swingin' London!

A Band of Angels - Invitation

Tony Rivers and The Castaways - Girl Don't Tell Me

The Hi-Fi's - London Look

David Bowie with The Lower Third - Can't Help Thinking About Me

The Roll Movement - I'm Out On My Own

The Odyssey - How Long Is Time

Various Artists – Across The Great Divide: Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74 (Grapefruit Records, 2019) (3CD box set)

 

The three albums of "country-rock" music that were released in the late 60s serve as the main inspiration for this collection of country-flavored music from British bands during the 1968-74 period. Taking their cue from the albums, The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo, The Band - Music From The Big Pink, and the Crosby, Stills, and Nash album, many British bands traded in their psychedelic-leanings towards a more rootsy, acoustic guitar-based rock. However, in their transition, they kept their sense of 60's pop melodies.       

Some of the bands in this collection will be familiar to all. For example, there are songs by bands like Fairport Convention, Traffic, the Faces, the Hollies, and Procol Harum. Yet, as is true of all Grapefruit Records' box sets, it is the relatively "unknown" bands that make this box set worth buying. Among the highlights (for me) are songs by Cochise (Velvet Mountain), Unicorn (Sleep Song) , and Matthews Southern Comfort (Touch Her If You Can)