June 26, 2023

1965 - August: The Spencer Davis Group “Their First LP”

28 minutes

Before his solo work, before Blind Faith, before Traffic, a 14-year old known then as Stevie Winwood joined The Spencer Davis Group as a guitarist and lead singer. This blues-oriented British band released their first LP, conveniently called Their First LP in June of 1965 to British and European audiences. We are covering it in August 1965, but the album itself was not released in the United States at the time. Most of the songs would make it to the US market in compilation albums released years later.

The Spencer Davis Group was Spencer Davis on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Steve Winwood on lead vocals, harmonica, guitar, and piano; Muff Winwood (Steve's older brother) on vocals and bass; and Pete York on drums. Additional personnel included Kenny Salmon on organ for a couple of tracks, and one track found Peter Asher on piano and Millie Small on vocals.

The album didn't enter the UK albums chart until January 1966, but it would reach number 6 on that chart after a single entitled "Keep On Running" from their second album entered the UK singles charts.

"Their First LP" is blues driven, and much of the album consists of covers from blues artists. However, there are also some original pieces composed by Spencer Davis and by Steve Winwood.

Spencer Davis went on to solo and collaborative work after The Spencer Davis Group, eventually becoming an executive for Island Records. Steve Winwood would of course move on to a storied career as a rock musician.

Bruce brings this blues-laced proto-rock album to the podcast.

My Babe

This track leads off the album. While the Spencer Davis Group did not release this as a single, it reached number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1963 when it was originally released by its writers, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley. Hatfield and Medley are better known as The Righteous Brothers.

Dimples

This cover was the first single released from the album, preceding the album by almost a year. The original was written and recorded by blues artist John Lee Hooker in 1956 as an ensemble piece. It was the first Hooker record to appear on the British record charts, though it would take until 1964 to reach the charts. While the Hooker single charted, the Spencer Davis Group cover did not chart.

Sittin' and Thinkin'

Here is an original song amongst an album dominated by covers. Spencer Davis wrote this song. It was released as a single, the fourth from the album, but only in the Netherlands.

It Hurts Me So

The closing track to the album was written by Steve Winwood. It was not released as a single, but it is an example of Winwood's early blues-influenced work.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The Night Before by the Beatles (from the motion picture "Help!" )

This film showcased the Beatles in a comedy adventure as the group tries to protect Ringo from an eastern cult.

STAFF PICKS:

Agent Double-O-Soul by Edwin Starr

James Bond is the obvious inspiration for Wayne's staff pick. Edwin Starr was singing with The Bill Dogett Combo when he went to the cinema to watch the Bond feature, "Thunderball." He wound up watching it 3 times before going back to his hotel room to write this song. Bill Dogett rejected his pitch to sing solo on this tune, so Starr left the group to become a solo act.

I Want Candy by The Strangeloves

Rob brings us a tune by songwriters Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer. They took on the persona of Australian sheep farmer brothers turned band members Giles, Miles, and Niles Strangelove for this group. This song with a Bo Diddley beat was inspired by dancer Candy Johnson who was seen at the 1964 Worlds Fair. Bow Wow Wow would have a hit with a cover of this song in the 80's.

Since I Lost My Baby by The Temptations

Lynch's staff pick comes from Motown in the form of a lover's lament written by Smokey Robinson and Warren Moore. It hit number 17 on the US charts. The Temptations would be a huge hitmaker in the 60's both with David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards on lead vocals.

Same Old Song by The Four Tops

Bruce's staff pick features an American vocal quartet from Detroit who helped to define the Motown sound. This Holland-Dozier-Holland song hit number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. Lead singer Levi Stubbs was joined by Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, and Lawrence Payton to form the quartet, and they would remain together from 1953 until 1997 without a change in personnel.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

The "In" Crowd by The Ramsey Lewis Trio

This jazz single hit number 2 on the R&B chart and number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Ramsey Lewis Trio would receive a Grammy Award for the album of the same name in 1966.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings