Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: The Graham Gouldman Thing
Company: RCA Victor
Catalog: LSP-3954
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
Price: $40.00
Having penned a couple of minor hits, including "Listen People" for Herman's Hermits, "Bus Stop" for The Hollies, "Pamela Pamela" for Wayne Fontana and the Mindbreakers and "For Your Love" for The Yardbirds, 1968 found Gouldman relocating to the States. His writing credentials attracted considerable attention, RCA Victor signing him as a solo act. Co-produced with Herman Hermit's Peter Noone (John Paul Jones (of future Led Zepplin fame) credited with orchestral arrangements), 1968's "The Graham Gouldman Thing" featured an interesting mixture of the hits he'd penned for others and newer material. Up tempo and commercial pop, Gouldman had a likeable (if somewhat anonymous) voice, displaying a nifty knack for penning irritatingly catchy melodies. Highlights included the English single "Upstairs, Downstairs", "For Your Love" and "No Milk Today". Unfortunately, like his earlier efforts, the set was greeted with commercial indifference.
"The Graham Gouldman Thing" track listing:
1.) The Impossible Years (Graham Gouldman) - 2:35
2.) Bus Stop (Graham Gouldman) - 2:21
3.) Behind the Door (Graham Gouldman) - 3:34
4.) Pawnbroker (Graham Gouldman) - 2:59
5.) Who Are They (Graham Gouldman) - 2:00
6.) My Father (Graham Gouldman) - 2:42
7.) No Milk Today (Graham Gouldman) - 2:12
8.) Upstairs, Downstairs (Graham Gouldman) - 2:15
9.) For Your Love (Graham Gouldman) - 2:31
10.) Pamela, Pamela (Graham Gouldman) - 2:09
11.) Chestnut (instrumental) (Graham Gouldman) - 3:21
Gouldman subsequently signed with Kasenatz-Katz Productions, serving as a staff writer and studio musician (he provided the lead vocals for a number of Kasenatz-Katz acts - Ohio Express's "Sausalito (Is the Place To Go)"). The early-'70s found him collaborating with Kevin Godley and Eric Stewart in Hotlegs and 10cc (see separate entries).