Tinkerbells Fairydust - Tinkerbells Fairydust (1969)

Tinkerbells Fairydust was a British pop group in the late 1960s, who hailed from east London. They recorded three singles and one album for the Decca label.
Arguably the most valuable UK album in record collecting history, with copies known to have sold for £2,000! The LP was manufactured by Decca in 1969 but never issued. Sleeve-notes finally tells their story – these will also be appearing as a feature in Record Collector mag. Tinkerbell’s Fairydust were inspired by American Sunshine/ harmony pop, with shades of psychedelia on certain tra
Limited Edition of 450 official vinyl copies only worldwide. One of the rarest 60s UK psych pop albums. The band had a handful of 45s on Decca between 1967-68 and this album was set for release in 1969, but the LP was pulled at the last minute. Only a handful of finished copies with covers survived. Taken from the analogue masters. Original reproduction artwork for the LP.
This collection is for the fans of sunshine pop/last wave of the British invasion of the late 60s/early psychedelia - otherwise you might not appreciate it. "Tinkerbell's Fairydust" was one of these misfortunate, short-lived and extremely talented musicians from the 60s. Although the new music rebelled against the establishement (perhaps, too often in a childish way), its roots were still deep in the generally accepted standards of pre-war/post-war (but before TV-era) entertainment: vaudeville & music-hall. So, rock/pop of the 60s adopted vocal harmonies and unison singing (silly nasal whininh of British invasion, sweet and weak boyish voices etc, etc).
"Tinkebell's Farydust" vocal harmonies are flawless and extraordinary, and their performing is miles ahead of more successful contemporaries. "Tinkerbell" is influences by "Beach Boys" and "Four Seasons" ( let's say, it is inspired by sunshine pop/surf melodies), but drifts towards psychedelia too, and even prog-rock. On the other hand, some tracks are truly old-fashioned variety/music-hall standards (see below). So, it is a very cofusing and confused band; this re-issue is an anthology which covers its heritage almost completely, but musically is totally mixed-up too - that's why 4 stars only.
"Tinkerbell" was founded in the 60s by brothers Gerald and Charlie Wade from Essex, originally as a skiffle band for ballroom dances.
In 1963 it was re-Christened " The Ricochets", and after recruting Tommy Bishop as lead singer they became "Tommy Bishop's Ricochets". In 1965 they were gigging at US bases in Europe, and the same year the first deal with Decca was signed, resulting in the first single ("I Should Have Known" - bonus track on this CD).
Two years later the band was converted into "Rush", and played pleasant mix of surf and sunshine pop. At that time the band was noticed by well-established promoter Alan Eisenberg, who introduced them to (in)famous Don Arden - self-styled "Godfather" of show business. Arden, an illiterate self-taught ex-Jewish entertainer turned promoter/impressario, had embryonic (if any) knowledge/understanding of pop/rock, but considered new acts as his license to make fast and big bucks. The first act he signed was Gene Vincent, and at the beginning he was working mainly with US musicians (the British bands were just copycats to him - thus he missed on the Beatles). Don Arden just parted company with "Small Faces" (whom he tried hard to milk to death), and was looking for a substitute. 1967 was the year when the new music was born (Days of Future Passed (Reis), Revolver (Remastered), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Remastered)), but as the whole world was getting entranced by psychedelia and progressive, Arden was hardly pushing "Tinkerbell" to be a "singles" band, and to squeeze fast as much as possible.
It explains really old-fashioned tunes in their repertoire, which suited better some old-timer crooner, than creative young musicians.

Track listing

01.  Twenty Ten  - 2:41 
02.  In My Magic Garden  - 2:35   
03.  Marjorine  - 2:46  
04.  (You Keep Me) Hangin' On  - 6:03   
05.  The Worst That Could Happen  - 3:21 
06.  Never My Love  - 2:47
07.  Lazy Day  - 2:58  
08.  Every Minute, Every Day  - 2:27   
09.  Whole World  - 3:06  
10.  They Didn't Believe Me  - 2:13  
11.  Happy  - 2:07  
12.  Sheila's Back In Town  - 2:20   
13.  Beck's Boogie  - 1:36

Credits
Stuart Attride - guitar, keyboards, vocals
Gerry Wade - bass, vocals
Steve Maher - guitar, vocals
Barry Creasy - drums, vocals
Chas Wade - drums, vocals
Eileen Woodman - Hammond organ, vocals
Dave Church - vocals
Pete Hole - guitar, vocals

Notes
Genre:  Psychedelic Rock
Length:  37:03
Label:  Decca Records

© 1969