Pinkerton's Assorted Colours - 1966

 

Pinkerton's Assorted Colours - 1966

by Pete Clemons

1966 was an important year for Pinkerton's Assorted Colours. Their debut single 'Mirror Mirror' had hit the charts and further releases had become highly anticipated. This gave the band a period where they were exposed in the music press.

The following words were by vocalist, Tony Newman, while 'Mirror Mirror' was still climbing the charts.....

'The trouble is, that big break is so elusive' said 19 year old Tony Newman, the Pinkerton Assorted Colour who wrote their first hit 'Mirror Mirror', currently sliding up the pop 50. 'Naturally we're very pleased about it – it's going in the right direction', continues Tony.

Have the group got any ideas on a follow-up disc? 'Yes, we've recorded several things already. I wrote eight or nine numbers before we brought out 'Mirror Mirror', and now we've done a new one along the same lines'. 'I suppose' added Tony, 'that in a way, I'd like to do something completely different, but it is a bit chancy'.

Bass player, Tom Long, and Autoharp player Sam Kempe were part of an interview for the follow-up.......

Pinkerton's Assorted Colours ask, 'Will we be April Fools?'. Reason is that they release their follow up to their first smash hit on April 1st. Which leads to a matter of a split confidence inside the group. Sam (Pinkerton) Kempe said he felt 'Don't Stop Loving Me Baby' was better than their first 'Mirror Mirror'. He said 'We recorded it first, Its a better number. Its more 'beaty', more like our stage act'.

But Tom Long (rhythm guitarist) says 'We relied an awful lot on gimmicks for 'Mirror'. Don't think it would have been a hit at all without the publicity, because it was an inoffensive record, rather like a fairytale. But the new one will be difficult. Anyway, follow ups are one of the more interesting things in the pop world. We're interested in the Overlanders next record, because they're in much the same position as us. We survey the scene. The Hollies always follow up a hit well – except for the George Harrison number!. The Animals follow up as well. But Marianne Faithfull, Hedgehoppers Anonymous and Jonathan King missed out on theirs. I don't think ours will go higher than number four'.

Who helped Pinkerton's most? Said Tom: 'Our manager, Reg Calvert. He has drive and energy. Took us when we were nothing. He gave us our image, recording contract and everything'. So said the Eliza Doolittle's of the pop world.

Don't Stop Loving Me Baby / Will Ya (review by a national music magazine)

The group certainly lives up to it's name here!. The sounds they create on this disc are both assorted and colourful. I was particularly impressed by the ear-catching vocal blend, which occasionally shoots off into flights of falsetto.

The tune is simple and easily digested, while the beat is driving and contagious accentuated by some great guitar work and double-time rattling tambourine. I thought the added strings and bells were a bit unnecessary, but they wont hamper it's success. Flip side; Another stormer and not dissimilar in conception, which makes an extremely strong 'B' side.

Magic Rocking Horse / It ain't Right (review by a national music magazine)

Its been nearly five months since the boys last one, but this material is right enough to return them to the charts. Mid tempo and a song of lightness – about getting away from the problems of life astride a rocking horse. Should have all round appeal, plaintive lead vocal. Flip sip is more routine, but well arranged.