Don Fardon

 

Don Fardon

by Pete Clemons

Continuing a theme for old record reviews, here are a few I came across for Don Fardon. These are from when he began, and, during his time as a solo artist.

I cannot find a review, as such, for his very first release. However I did come across some information, from March 1968, regarding a licensing deal for Don's, then, new record:


1968 (The Lament of the Cherokee) Indian Reservation / Dreaming Room:

Gene Norman, president of GNP Crescendo Records, has made arrangements with Deutsche Vogue to release the product of their label's English producer Miki Dallon in the U.S. and Canada. Deal was concluded at the recent Midem Convention. The first two of these recordings are being released this week – 'Coming on Strong/Could You Really Live Without Her' by Tony Ritchie and '(The Lament of the Cherokee) Indian Reservation/Dreaming Room' by Don Fardon.

Don kept plugging away with further releases. Here are the reviews for two of them:

1969 I'm Alive / Keep on Loving Me:

Don virtually explodes through I'm Alive. An exciting yelling sound, with unusual vocal tones from Mr Fardon who also had a hit with Indian Reservations.

The next release was on the up and coming Young Blood label:

1970 Belfast Boy / Echoes of the Cheers:

Young Blood label has released a single of two tracks from the recent TV documentary on Manchester United soccer star George Best. Sung by Don Fardon, the numbers are 'Georgie the Belfast Boy' and 'Echoes' – the latter a ballad. Both titles were written by Johnny Harris. Don is the Coventry born singer who was originally with The Sorrows. On going solo his 'Indian Reservation' was a big hit last year in America and Canada, and reached the top twenty in Germany and France, but did not make a big impact in Britain. The new release has a number of plugs lined up including Top of the Pops.


August 1970, a year after the Young Blood label are formed a party was held to celebrate that milestone. During that event a quote from Dave Lee Travis was read out 'I reckon your birthday present for 1970 will be a success and a monster from the overdue Don Fardon, so to everyone a little prediction – if you want to make sure of a room, make your reservation now'. Sure enough, by October 1970 Indian Reservation had been re-released. But the only review I can find for it was not to kind:

1970 Indian Reservation / Hudson Bay:

This re-release be-moans the sad fact that us naughty Westerners schlammed the good old Indians off their peace-loving reservations and filled their beautiful country with gas stations and rail-roads. Trouble is, the protests too late and the tune is too boring.

Indian Reservation became a huge hit and, by 1971, Don was now getting long overdue recognition:

1971 Girl/Sandiago:

Be fair, Don has a very distinctive and expressive voice. It was very unfair that he had to wait so long for 'Indian Reservation' to put a bit of extra weight to his reputation. Don at his most, let's say throaty, early on – and in the chorus, he's joined by a high flying group. Fine use of piano and excellent percussion. Almost a join-in-hand gospel feel as it builds. Though it's not always 'on' to predict a follow-up in these cases, this is both commercial and extremely well sung. A lot of credit goes to producer Miki Dallon, but in the end it's all up to the towering Mr Fardon.

After his time as a hit record maker Don went into and, made a success of, the leisure industry where he ran several pubs and hostelries.