Various 'Unearthed Merseybeat From Tthe Birth Of Merseybeat To Psychedelia 1957 - 1968' CD-016

Released: August 2003, CD-Download

For the first time this album tells the complete story of the birth of Merseybeat, from the beginnings with the impact of skiffle and Rock 'n' Roll ( Lonnie Donegan, Buddy Holly, Elvis etc) - influencing a whole generation of musicians - through its heyday, to late 60's psychedelia. These new and exciting sounds from across the Atlantic ( Liverpool's geographic position as a port was a major advantage as these new Rock 'n' Roll recordings arrived here first of all ) aimed for the first time at Youth Culture, provided the impetus for young people to pick up acoustic guitars and form skiffle bands ( Listen to Paul Murphy and Johnny Guitar's version of the Little Richard classic ' She's Got It'- The oldest known Merseybeat track recorded in 1957 or King Size Taylor and The Dominoes version of ' Good Golly Miss Molly' recorded in 1958). Eventually a new sound emerged dubbed 'Merseybeat' ( Like all musical definitions, 'Merseybeat' was a broad term to apply to numerous bands with that unique Liverpool sound ).With The Beatles, 'Merseybeat' was huge and continued to be for a number of years until like every musical fad, it faded. Liverpool had had its moment and the world's attention moved elsewhere. " The nation was afflicted with an acute attack of mal-de-Mersey " said Bob Wooler ( DJ at The Cavern ) in 1971. The common misconception is that the music died and psychedelia passed Liverpool by. This album proves otherwise.Most of the tracks on this unique and historic album are raw, undiluted and most have never been released : The Merseys' 1966 alternate version of ' Sorrow' ( Formerly known as 'The Merseybeats' ) - David Bowie heard their version and covered it later , The Swinging Blue Jeans unreleased classic ' Keep Me Warm ( 'til the Sunshines )', The Four Just Men's instrumental track recorded in 1964 sounding not unlike The Coral ( The Four Just Men went on to become the psychedelic band Wimple Winch), Wimple Winch's masterpiece 'Rumble on Mersey Square South', an amazing performance of 'What 'd I Say', a Ray Charles song ,by Gerry and the Pacemakers, and The Kirkby's psychedelic classic 'Dreaming' ( Who went on to become ' The 23rd Turn Off ' producing the psychedelic classic ' Michelangelo') + many, many more.This album tells the full musical history and should form an essential part of any music fans CD collection.