The V.I.P.’s — The Complete V.I.P.s 1965-1967 (UK, Mod-Beat-Rhythm & Blues-Garage Rock)
The story begins in summer 1963, in Carlisle, Cumbria, in the far North-West of England. Jimmy Henshaw (guitar, keyboards), Walter Johnstone (drums), Frank Kenyan (guitar) and former export clerk Mike Harrison (vocals) formed a beat combo, and dubbed themselves The VIPs. Johnston and Kenyan had previously been in The Teenagers; not long after forming the band, The VIPs added Greg Ridley on bass, who had previously lined up with Dino & The Danubes, and The Dakotas and The Ramrods, together with Harrison.
They scored a record deal with RCA, who put out their debut single, "She's So Good" / "Don't Keep Shouting At Me" in 1964, both sides being penned by Henshaw. The single is a great slice of sneery Brit R&B, and is now an ultra-rare collector's favourite. From 1965 to 1966 the band were a top club attraction in London, and gigged regularly at the Star Club in Hamburg, garnering a sizeable cult following,
The original VIP's line-up recorded three more singles ("Wintertime" as The Vipps for CBS, plus "I Wanna Be Free" / "Don't Let It Go" and "Straight Down To The Bottom" / "In A Dream" for Island, produced by Island stalwart Guy Stevens) before disbanding. Henshaw, 1
01. Don’t Keep Shouting At Me — 2:24
02. She’s So Good — 2:20
03. Mercy Mercy — 2:46
04. That’s My Woman — 2:10
05. Wintertime — 2:09
06. Anyone — 2:16
07. I Wanna Be — 3:13
08. Don’t Let It Go — 2:36
09. Straight Down To The Bottom — 2:08
10. In A Dream — 2:24
11. Smokestack Lightning — 6:42
12. Back Into My Life Again — 2:32
13. Every Girl I See — 2:53
14. Stagger Lee — 3:13
15. Rosemarie — 3:19
16. Late Night Blues — 5:36
2
01. I Wanna Be Free (Stereo Version) — 3:14
02. Smokestack Lightning (Stereo Version) — 6:44
03. You Don’t Know Like I Know (Live) — 2:32
04. Stagger Lee (Live) — 3:28
05. No Use Crying (Live) — 3:33
06. I Wanna Be Free (Live) — 3:11
07. Fannie Mae (Live) — 3:14
08. Talk About My Babe (Live) — 3:38
09. Grapes Of Wrath (Live) — 3:43
10. I Got A Woman (Live) — 6:36
11. Blue Feeling — 2:34
12. Sad Story — 2:23
Personnel:
Mike Harrison — vocals
Jimmy Henshaw — lead guitar
Frank Kenyon — rhythm guitar
Greg Ridley — bass
Walter Johnstone — drums
Mike Kellie — drums (1967)
Luther Grosvenor — lead guitar (1967)
Keith Emerson — keyboards (1966-67)
⚠ If there are any copyright issues please contact me. I will remove the video.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use"
Comments