No One's Gonna Change Our World

Original released on LP Starline SRS 5013

(UK 1969, December 12)

The Various Artists album "No One's Gonna Change Our World" was put together to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund. Today it is mostly known for its inclusion of the first version of The Beatles' "Across the Universe." This was the only song they released during their tenure that was not originally featured on one of their own records. There are a few other decent tunes on here, including a vibrant version of the Bacharach/David hit "What the World Needs Now is Love" by Cilla Black and Cliff Richard & The Shadows' "In the Country." The Spike Milligan stuff is dead on arrival as are the Rolf Harris and Harry Secombe performances. Clearly a mixed bag but nevertheless an intriguing timepiece capturing the wide world of UK pop circa 1969. (in RateYourMusic)

DD,D,B,M&T - An Indigestion of Music and Love

Original released on LP Fontana STL 5388

(UK, November 1966)

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich followed up their self-titled debut LP with the tongue-in-cheek "If Music Be the Food of Love... Prepare for Indigestion". The quintet of Dave "Dee" Harman (guitar/vocals), Trevor "Dozy" Davies (bass), John "Beaky" Diamond (rhythm guitar), Michael "Mick" Wilson (drums), and Ian "Tich" Amey (lead guitar) return with another batch of strong Brit-pop compositions, including a pair of their most prolific sides, "Bend It" and "Hideaway." While all but unknown stateside, the combo became hugely popular throughout Europe - which may well account for the distinctly conspicuous Mediterranean flavor on the former. Their left-of-center sense of humor surfaces on the Noel Coward-esque potty platter "Loos of England." Matching their obvious wit was an equally sharp musicality, effortlessly transcending concurrent pop music styles. Their range at once incorporated the full-throttled backbeat of "Bang" and the decidedly hip "Hideaway" and "Hands Off!". "Shame" is an edgier tune, with a mod progressive slant that would not be out of place from the likes of the Yardbirds. This is contrasted by the emotive "All I Want" or the cover of Robert "Bumps" Blackwell's "Hair on My Chinny-Chin-Chin," which is perhaps best known via the Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs version. While the prospect might sound odd, it seems no more out of place than the Who's reading of "Heat Wave," for instance. Interested parties should note that this 2003 reissue of "If Music Be the Food of Love..." contains 14 supplementary mono and stereo bonus track mixes, including "Touch Me, Touch Me," "Zabadak," the proto-punk "He's a Raver," and others. (Lindsay Planer in AllMusic)

DD, D, B, M & T - "If No One Sang" + BONUS

Original released on LP Fontana TL 5471

(UK, June 1968)

As the sound of 'Swinging London' evolved from the mod rock and pop scene, so did Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (DD, D, B, M & T), which featured Dave "Dee" Harman (guitar/vocals), Trevor "Dozy" Davies (bass), John "Beaky" Diamond (rhythm guitar), Michael "Mick" Wilson (drums), and Ian "Tich" Amey (lead guitar). The quintet's third long-player, "If No One Sang", presented here, reflects the progression within the genre and is arguably the combo's most musically satisfying and eclectic outing. It would likewise be the final full-length platter that they would issue prior to Dee's departure in the summer of 1969. Although success in the States remained elusive, they continued to produce hits throughout England and Germany. Specifically, the nonsensical "Zabadak" and the chart-topping "Legend of Xanadu" became definitive entries in their catalog. True to their previous hits, the songwriting team of Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley - who also managed the band - centered their material on catchy, if not somewhat quirky, melodies with highly singable choruses. However the title composition, "If No One Sang" - which bookends the effort with a pair of renderings - demonstrates DD, D, B, M & T's versatility. The dark chord progressions and solitude of the desolate acoustic guitar and solo vocal immediately suggest the more mature tenor of the material. The introspective and slightly baroque ballad "Where From, Where To?" as well as the lightly orchestrated samba-tinged cover of Tim Hardin's "If I Were a Carpenter" are other examples of the more thoughtful and reflective nature of the tunes. "Time to Take Off" is a punchy, driving waltz arrangement that propels the melodies Latin-flavored overtones. Considerably more theatrical is the overtly Mediterranean sound of the aforementioned "Legend of Xanadu," which also became a showstopper thanks to the dramatic crack of Dee's whip. In 2003, "If No One Sang" was issued on CD with ten supplementary sides, consisting of non-LP singles, as well as Italian versions of both "Zabadak" and "Save Me," the latter of which is titled "Follemente Vivo."

The 10 bonus tracks are:

ATTENTION! THIS VIDEO IS DANGEROUSLY NOSTALGIC!

EP FONTANA 465.393 TE (PT, 1967)

DAVE DEE, DOZY, BEAKY, MICK & TICH: "OKAY!"