Artist: Doc Thomas Group
Title: The Italian Job
File: Rhythm & Blues
The progenitor of one of rock’s best known bands, formed in the UK with Mick Ralphs and David Tedstone on guitars, Stan Tippins on vocals, Dale Griffin on drums and Pete Watts on bass, the Doc Thomas Group toured Italy, recording this tight and buzzing R’n’B set for local label Dischi Interrecord in January 1967.
A line-up reshuffle with Terry ‘Verden’ Allen joining on organ, the group (now renamed Silence) came to the attention of Island Records A&R supremo Guy Stevens, who liked the act – but not with Tippins, ushering Ian Hunter in as lead singer and piano player.
While in prison on a drugs offence, Stevens read Willard Manus’s cult novel Mott The Hoople and purloined the book title as his latest signing’s name. A prog/rock/glam future beckoned with Dale Griffin becoming ‘Buffin‘ and Watts monickered as ‘Overend‘ …
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“From little acorns great oaks grow – as do great rock groups … what we have here is one of the finest R&B albums heard in recent years.” Beat Goes On magazine
“…will appeal to at least as many mid-60s enthusiasts as it will endear itself to dark-shades-sporting Mott diehards.” Mark Paytress, Record Collector
“…a creditable chunk of moody R & B, very 1966, with echoes of the Spencer Davis Group…” Feedback
TRACKS
- I’ll Be Doggone (Robinson, Tarplin, Moore)
2. She Was Really Saying Something (Whitfield, Stevenson, Holland)
3. Steal Your Heart Away (Parker)
4. My Babe (Hatrield, Medley)
5. Please Do Something (Don Covay)
6. Shake (Sam Cooke)
7. I Got You (James Brown)
8. Harlem Shuffle (Relf, Nelson)
9. Talking About My Baby (Curtis Mayfield)
10.Just Can’t Go To Sleep (Ray Davies)
11.Barefootin (Robert Parker)
12.Rescue Me (C Smith, R Miner)