by Richard Skelly » Sat Dec 02, 2017 6:44 am
Fabulous song. I get verklempt every time I hear it.
If Terry Jacks had never recorded again, he could have been proud of this plaintive-yet-edgy single. Wonder if London Records in Canada leaned on their American counterparts to release it? Before long, Chessmen 45s bore the Mercury imprint. Wonder if Quincy Jones or Shelby Singleton played a role. Both ran Mercury’s A & R division in the mid 1960s.
Still a twerp, I ended up at my first rock concert around that time, chancing upon The Chessmen on the main stage at York House. My buddy’s sister attended the posh private school so we attended the annual fundraiser. Along with some cheap donated comics and pocketbooks, I left the event agog at the band’s confidence and use of electric accordion in lieu of keyboards.
Former Chessmen guitarist Guy Sobell chuckled when I spun the tale years later. By then, he’d partnered with Denise McCann and his production of her Tattoo Man would become a disco-club staple.
As for Terry Jacks, he returned to London Records which, this time, marketed two big hits for The Poppy Family (fronted by Terry’s then-wife, Susan).
Both Terry and Susan were gravely ill last year and I hope they are recovering.