James Coles wrote:
"Well music question for you all. The Smoke. Need information on these
guys, and Brian dont post the All Music url thanks. I have heard quite a
few songs of theirs and was wondering what the mod listers think of 'em."
The Smoke released 9 45s (which you'll find various French, German and
English pressings for, among others) and a German released album "It's
Smoke Time" between 1967 and 1974. they also recorded three 45s under the
name Chords Five between 1967 and '69. They're big "hit" was the quickly
banned "My Friend Jack", but I've yet to hear anything by them I don't like.
Previous to the Smoke, the boys were an R&B group called The Shots, who
I've never heard any music by. However, there is a comp on Morgan Blue
Town with a Shots song. Interestingly enough, Delerium says of The Shots,
"I've seen it suggested that they were managed by Ronnie and Reggie Kray,
but I can't confirm this." Pretty brilliant if it's true. I personally
doubt it though.
Due to some reissues over the past few years, they've actually gotten a
bigger name but had been pretty well overlooked due to the fact that they
had much more success in Germany rather than England.
Aside from "My Friend Jack", also look to songs like "High In A Room",
"Don't Lead Me On", "Have Some More Tea" and "We Can Take It" as stand
outs. Personally, I also really dig "That's What I Want", a 1972 b-side.
Retroactive (see: Creation and Easybeats reissues) are set to release a
compilation, crediting Jeff Beck with production, with the following track
listing (courtesy of the All-Music Guide - just for you, James)
1. My Friend Jack
2. We Can Take It
3. If the Weather's Sunny
4. I Would If I Could But I Can't
5. It Could Be Wonderful
6. Have Some More Tea
7. Utterly Simple
8. Sydney Gill
9. I Am Only Dreaming
10. Universal Vagrant
11. High in a Room
12. Victor Henry's Cool Book
13. You Can't Catch Me
14. Waterfall
15. Wake up Cherylina
16. Don't Lead Me On
17. I Wanna Make It with You
18. It's Getting Closer
19. It's Just Your Way of Lovin'
20. She Put the Hurt on Me
21. Playing with Magic
22. I Wanna Make It with You
23. My Friend Jack
24. She Put the Hurt on Me
25. High in a Room
26. My Friend Jack
The Retroactive web site is still non-existant, unless they've changed
addresses.
Lastly, some video footage of the boys playing on German TV shows does
exist in varying qualities. While they were generally well dressed, they
seemed to cross paths with The Move at some point, as in one clip we see
singer Mick Rowley in a Carl Wayne styled moustache and they wore gold
threaded fringed shawls and such that time out. Typically it was button
down shirts, scarves and hipsters for them.
Brian "I'm still tempted to post the AMG URL" Poust
p.s. Here's a picture of one of their picture sleeves
http://www.deram.cx/smoke.jpg
