Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Over Under Sideways Down
Company: Epic
Catalog: BN 26210
Year: 1966
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor stainage on front; minor ring wear
Available: 1
Price: $40.00
Parting ways with longtime manager Gomelsky, Samwell-Smith found himself in the unenviable position serving as both group manager and musical director. Retiring his bass (Jimmy Page was brought in as a replacement until Dreja could master the instrument), Samwell-Smith also found himself producing their sixth single "Over Under Sideways Down" b/w "Jeff's Boogie" (Epic catalog number 5-10035). Released shortly thereafter, the Samwell-Smith/Napier-Bell produced
"Over Under Sideways Down" proved one of their most diverse efforts, or perhaps simply chaotic. All over the musical spectrum, the set wasn't without its charms - Beck contributing some nifty guitar shadings to "Lost Woman", the instrumental "Beck's Boogie" and "Lost Woman". Elsewhere the title track stood as one of their better rockers, while the
instrumental "Hot House of Omagarasgud" was simply too weird to describe. Still, the overall impression was of a set hastily thrown together by a band that was fragmenting, perhaps on the brink of collapse.
In support of the LP the band returned to tour the States as part of a Dick Clark Caravan of Stars touring package. Unfortunately, the accompanying pressure saw Beck's mental state become increasingly erratic, culminating with a performance where he smashed his gear and simply walking off stage. With Beck out of commission Page took over lead guitar, leaving Dreja to handle bass. An L.A. reunion between Beck and the rest of the group did little to sooth feelings. Apparently afraid of being burned again, Relf, Dreja and McCarty summarily fired Beck. Supported by the tour and an
appearance on Clark's Where the Action Is television show, the album proved a decent seller peaking at #52. Unfortunately things quickly turned even nastier. As it turned out, Beck wasn't the only unhappy member. Napier-Bell found himself increasingly frustrated with the band's unprofessional attitude. Things came to a head in the wake of a particularly bad show at Oxford University. Setting a new standard for raunchiness, during the show Relf managed to break his hand and became so trashed the band had to tie him to a mike stand, forcing them to play the rest of the set as instrumentals. A frustrated Napier-Bell quit.
"Over Under Sideways Down" track listing:
1.) Lost Woman (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 3:13
2.) Over Under Sideways Down (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 2:22
3.) I Can't Make Your Way (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 2:25
4.) Farewell (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 1:29
5.) Hot House of Omagarasgud (instrumental) (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 2:41
6.) Jeff's Boogie (instrumental) (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 2:25
7.) He's Always There (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 2:27
8.) Turn Into Earth (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 2:11
9.) What Do You Want (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 3:22
10.) Ever Since the World Began (Chris Drega - Keith Relf - Paul Samwell-Smith - James McCarthy - Jeff Beck) - 2:02
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds Live with Sonny Boy Williamson
Company: Mercury
Catalog: SR 61271
Year: 1973
Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG
Comments: 3" seam split top right; minor staining on back panel
Available: 1
Price: $7.00
"Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds Live with Sonny Boy Williamson" track listing:
1.) Bye, Bye Birdy (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 2:23
2.) Mister Downchild (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 3:56
3.) 23 Hours Too Long (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 5:04
4.) Out of Water Coast (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 3:00
5.) Baby Don't Worry (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 4:28
6.) Pontiac Blues (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 3:45
7.) Take It Easy By (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 4:09
8.) I Don't Care No More (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 3:18
9.) Do the Weston (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 4:00