This song is one of many highlights of 1967. I remember I had to order the single from a British record shop because it was totally impossible to find anywhere else. I received the disc in June 1967, and it was played all summer long. It is elegantly arranged, and it sure has the mood of summer. It's a pity it didn't climb in the charts.
Interesting to hear this after after all these years.... The full line-up was: Steve Hiett, vocals, composer. Albert Jackson, vocals. Ian Matthews [then Macdonald[, vocals. Mike Lease, vocals, hammond organ, musical director/arranger. John Baldwin [Paul Jones], bass guitar. Peter Trout, drums. Either Big Colin Pincott or John Macglaughlin. guitar [apologies for faulty memory....]. Denny Cordell, producer. The "B" side, "Summer Evening", featured Big Jim Sullivan on guitar.
Heard this one this morning for the first time on BBC Radio 2. What a well-produced, evocative song. There I am back in Cornwall that summer of '67 on holiday with my close friends - this is the sound of that year as much as 'Whiter Shade' and 'San Francisco.' How this missed the mark and how I missed this anyway is one of life's mysteries. Delightful stuff, thanks Ian and band.
It should have been a monster. I first heard this on the wonderful "Where It's At" which was the grooviest show on the old Light Programme. 48 years later Brian Matthew, played it yesterday on "Sounds of the 60s" on Radio 2. Class.
I was introduced to both of these tracks on a Decal LP "Deram Days" in the late 80's. I'm surprised neither of these tracks were used on all of those "Scene" CD comps Deram/Decca did in the 90's. BRILLIANT tunes both A & B side.
Utterly gorgeous. I can play it 30 times in a row and not tire of it. Yes, BBs influences, but to me I hear a strong Rockin' Berries/Ivy League sound. "I remember all those girls And the swimming suits they wore..." smithy in sydney
Thanks for your nice comments on "Summer of Last Year"... For obvious reasons, I also regret the fact that it didn't climb the charts....! - Mike Lease.
Wow! These english guys were channeling The Beach Boys, The Association, Thne Sunshine Company, The Parade, and ot her groups representing the Sunshine, Psych pop genre. Another LP from '67 that should hae received more attention is by Cashman, Pastilli and West. Cashman and west recorded a couple of LPS in the early 70s and I believe Cashman had some connection with Jim Croce. I've always appreciated ian Matthew's work with Fairport Convention, matthew's Southern Comfort: (mare Take Me home a favorite from 1971) and his later solo work.
Denny Cordell: produced the Move, Procol Harum, Joe Cocker, discovered Tom Petty. His understudy/protege was Tony Visconti, who produced T Rex & David Bowie.
I've got a copy, bought when it first came out - but sorry, it's not leaving my collection! However, if you're not too fussed about the format, and not getting the almost-as-good b-side, Summer Evening, it has recently been issued on a CD compilation called Fairytales Can Come True, which you can find on Amazon. I'm still waiting for that b-side to turn up on a CD. I hope I live long enough!!!
Oh, I looked and looked for a copy of that album a few years ago, and it just seemed to have vanished into thin air. Guess I'll just have to keep hoping for the CD reissue of Summer Evening. I've always wondered if these 2 tracks were recorded in stereo. Imagine how glorious they would sound if they were. I feel certain that there must be stereo masters somewhere in Decca's vaults, considering Deram's pioneering Moody Blues albums, and the production genius of Denny Cordell.
I have been reliably informed by my one-time fellow Pyramideers [Albert Jackson & Steve Hiett - get well soon Steve...!!], that it was indeed John Mcglaughlin, not Big Col on this particular track, playing guitar... Mike Lease.
Stunning record. The great mystery of the '60s is how this and "Beggin'" by Timebox were not smash hits. Cornwall in '67? The closest thing to heaven I have heard in years!
I heard it too - thought it might have been The Flowerpot Men before I heard it was The Pyramid. If it had been released 6 months later and had some Mellotron in it, I'm sure it would have been a smash!....
Methinks this is partly the work of the great Steve Hiett who went on to be an incredibly innovative photographer - essentially a visionary - years ahead of his time & peers, though still criminally under-valued
What a song - the harmonies are incredible to say the least. I've uploaded "Summer Evening," although it's definitely nowhere near as good as this song.
Why would it be odd that it was released in the winter? It's a song about last summer and he's reminiscing about the past, which I can assume he's fixated on it because this summer is not yet here and it's still winter.
" ....and the swimming suits they wore " in the dead of winter in England. No doubt if this was released in August of '66 in the states it would have broke big.
Spark up n dig those grooves!
Unbelievably great. One of the most drop-dead awesome 45s ever issued.
Couldn't agree more. It blew my socks off when I first heard it on, I think, Sounds of the 60s on a Saturday morning. Just a splendid record.
This song is one of many highlights of 1967. I remember I had to order the single from a British record shop because it was totally impossible to find anywhere else. I received the disc in June 1967, and it was played all summer long. It is elegantly arranged, and it sure has the mood of summer.
It's a pity it didn't climb in the charts.
They should have gone so far!! Perfect harmonies and more besides!!!!K
Interesting to hear this after after all these years.... The full line-up was:
Steve Hiett, vocals, composer.
Albert Jackson, vocals.
Ian Matthews [then Macdonald[, vocals.
Mike Lease, vocals, hammond organ, musical director/arranger.
John Baldwin [Paul Jones], bass guitar.
Peter Trout, drums.
Either Big Colin Pincott or John Macglaughlin. guitar [apologies for faulty memory....].
Denny Cordell, producer.
The "B" side, "Summer Evening", featured Big Jim Sullivan on guitar.
Heard this one this morning for the first time on BBC Radio 2. What a well-produced, evocative song. There I am back in Cornwall that summer of '67 on holiday with my close friends - this is the sound of that year as much as 'Whiter Shade' and 'San Francisco.' How this missed the mark and how I missed this anyway is one of life's mysteries. Delightful stuff, thanks Ian and band.
Must have been on "Sounds of the 60s" prior to the death of Brian Matthew.
Super Groovy Sound!! Excellent Harmony!!
It should have been a monster. I first heard this on the wonderful "Where It's At" which was the grooviest show on the old Light Programme. 48 years later Brian Matthew, played it yesterday on "Sounds of the 60s" on Radio 2. Class.
I was introduced to both of these tracks on a Decal LP "Deram Days" in the late 80's. I'm surprised neither of these tracks were used on all of those "Scene" CD comps Deram/Decca did in the 90's. BRILLIANT tunes both A & B side.
Utterly gorgeous. I can play it 30 times in a row and not tire of it.
Yes, BBs influences, but to me I hear a strong Rockin' Berries/Ivy League sound.
"I remember all those girls
And the swimming suits they wore..."
smithy in sydney
garagekings gorgeous indeed
Yes the Ivy League more than BB sound
Love this- reminds me of several other groups including Crosby, Stills & Nash and even Four Freshman as they do sing altered chords. Wonderful post!
I can't stop listening to this amazing song. It's so good!!!
Thanks for your nice comments on "Summer of Last Year"... For obvious reasons, I also regret the fact that it didn't climb the charts....! - Mike Lease.
beautiful
I absolutely love this. I wish I’d known about it when Ian lived in Texas. I would’ve bugged him about this (&Gene Clark)
definitely a cross between the association and the Beach Boys for more Progressive what a wonderful happy fun song
Love this song !!!!!! Thanks for posting.
I LOVE TH-cam! It is amazing how many cool things I am finding, including this.
Wow! These english guys were channeling The Beach Boys, The Association, Thne Sunshine Company, The Parade, and ot her groups representing the Sunshine, Psych pop genre. Another LP from '67 that should hae received more attention is by Cashman, Pastilli and West. Cashman and west recorded a couple of LPS in the early 70s and I believe Cashman had some connection with Jim Croce. I've always appreciated ian Matthew's work with Fairport Convention, matthew's Southern Comfort: (mare Take Me home a favorite from 1971) and his later solo work.
Denny Cordell: produced the Move, Procol Harum, Joe Cocker, discovered Tom Petty. His understudy/protege was Tony Visconti, who produced T Rex & David Bowie.
his son was in the band The Big Pink too
reminds me of the association in harmonies ,which is a good thing.
Glad I finally got to hear this harmony pop gem ! Thanks for posting !
I've got a copy, bought when it first came out - but sorry, it's not leaving my collection!
However, if you're not too fussed about the format, and not getting the almost-as-good b-side, Summer Evening, it has recently been issued on a CD compilation called Fairytales Can Come True, which you can find on Amazon.
I'm still waiting for that b-side to turn up on a CD. I hope I live long enough!!!
a beautiful pop psycher that you dont hear much mate thanx
Oh, I looked and looked for a copy of that album a few years ago, and it just seemed to have vanished into thin air. Guess I'll just have to keep hoping for the CD reissue of Summer Evening.
I've always wondered if these 2 tracks were recorded in stereo. Imagine how glorious they would sound if they were. I feel certain that there must be stereo masters somewhere in Decca's vaults, considering Deram's pioneering Moody Blues albums, and the production genius of Denny Cordell.
The beginning intro number sounds very appealing.
I have been reliably informed by my one-time fellow Pyramideers [Albert Jackson & Steve Hiett - get well soon Steve...!!], that it was indeed John Mcglaughlin, not Big Col on this particular track, playing guitar... Mike Lease.
Stunning record. The great mystery of the '60s is how this and "Beggin'" by Timebox were not smash hits.
Cornwall in '67? The closest thing to heaven I have heard in years!
I heard it too - thought it might have been The Flowerpot Men before I heard it was The Pyramid.
If it had been released 6 months later and had some Mellotron in it, I'm sure it would have been a smash!....
charmants .....................et rares !
Gorgeous!
Methinks this is partly the work of the great Steve Hiett who went on to be an incredibly innovative photographer - essentially a visionary - years ahead of his time & peers, though still criminally under-valued
What a song - the harmonies are incredible to say the least. I've uploaded "Summer Evening," although it's definitely nowhere near as good as this song.
Was in high school in 1967, never heard this .... = : o
cause high schools are an American thing and this is British
Why would it be odd that it was released in the winter? It's a song about last summer and he's reminiscing about the past, which I can assume he's fixated on it because this summer is not yet here and it's still winter.
@mikesilurilease
John Mcglaughlin? The same guitarist who later played with Miles? If so that'd be pretty damn cool.
it sounds more like The Association than it does like the Beach Boys, in spite of that very high tenor in the chorus...
Agreed.
Even more like the Cowsills.
The Zombies
Sounds similar to Spanky And Our Gang's "Give A Damn," or even a little like thier "Sunday Mornin' " -- both from 1968.
@mikesilurilease
Awesome, thanks for the information!
Sterling work here by The Pyramid, written by The Great Steve Hiett
Check out Steve Hiett's solo album from the early 80s. It's EXCELLENT, lo-fi surfy sounds
I bet this was in the collection of Chris Squire in those days....
@buysometrysome - The very same.... At the above time he was a much in-demand session musician, with a fearsome reputation for quality.. - Mike Lease.
True.
It sounds more like the Association than the Beach Boys.
" ....and the swimming suits they wore " in the dead of winter in England. No doubt if this was released in August of '66 in the states it would have broke big.
Reminds me of The Free Design
Anyone have the B-side to this? It used to be on youtube but seems to have vanished without a trace.
huh, according to mikesilurilease's line-up as posted below this one is out of the emerging Brit hit machine of the day...cool...
summer of fun..so im told
Les Garcons De La Plage!!!
Sunshine pop is not my favorite 60s genre but this is epic.
ian matthews was in this band...
Is there any way you can post "Summer Evening?"
They actually sound like The Lettermen
to terry's sub ether space pirate radio
This is the kind of 1960s music I like to hear not Motown.
How right you are Davin.
Big Jim Sullivan is on guitar..
Good try but doesn't quite cut it in my humble opinion.
Doesn't sound anything like the beach boys. There were tons of sunshine pop artists in the '60s that made music like this.