Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds - Dig The Buzz: First Recordings ’62-’65

Brit club R&B, guv’nor

Chris Farlowe’s voice and persona were convincing from the word go, and this most welcome reissue shows just how strong he was on predominantly US material. As early as 1962’s Air Travel, Farlowe had an attack like no other; and a very decent band to match him, who could rock clubs such as The Flamingo. Included here are both sides of the rare Blue Beat single, issued as The Beazers, and Stormy Monday Blues Parts 1 & 2, issued in 1965 under the alias of Little Joe Cook. In between there are other band favourites, such as Buzz With The Fuzz, Reelin’ & Rockin’ and Farlowe’s own song, What You Gonna Do, that all evoke the heady and sweaty early R&B club days. The 18 tracks come with great notes that evocatively set the London scene from the first half of the 60s. A great package all round.

RPM | 220

Reviewed by Kingsley Abbott
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