Frabjous Days: The Secret World Of Godley & Creme 1967-1969

Like 10cc? Well, this fills in some of the rarest 1967-1969 recordings by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme,. The sole single they issued on UK Marmalade is super rare (it's here!). the 7 stereo tracks are a bit second-generation, but very nice. Some of these tracks were re-recorded for the Hotlegs LP. It also has the super-rare 1967 Yellow Bellow Room Boom CBS single, as well as a neat advertising single for the Blinkers Club in Manchester. I highly recommend it.

This CD is strictly for fans of Godley and Creme. You can hear in some of the songs the future sounds of their contribution to 10CC. At this time of their career they were marketed by their manager as England's version of Simon and Garfunkel. Most of the songs are very good with great vocals by Kevin Godley.

An early outing from Godley & Crème, this release showcases the developing songwriting talent of the duo prior to the formation of Hotlegs and, later, 10cc then recording under their own names.Using a name that provides tongue in cheek tribute to Simon and Garfunkel, the duo were signed to Marmalade Records before that label folded. The duo were in the middle of recording an album 7 tracks of which survive and are presented here from the surviving tapes. Things are rounded out by tracks recorded and surviving on acetate of Godley & Crème backing former and future band mate Graham Gouldman (pulled from Gouldman’s own acetates for the sessions).Grapefruit has a mixed reputation as a label where they would often use only vinyl rather than tape sources. That reputation has gradually been improving and this set up a a nice example of what the label can do.The mastering, despite coming from multiple sources, sounds very good. There is also an excellent booklet by David Wild (who curated this set) providing background on the sessionsRecommended

I am a big Hotleg & 10cc fan. If you are too, then you will probably like this. Sound is pretty decent for the period (meaning it is late sixties professional studio recordings). A couple of songs appeared later in singles or in Hotlegs but most are previously unreleased. Worth your hard earned dollar.

Nun sind die verschollenen Aufnahmen endlich aufgetaucht, die Godley and Creme in den Jahren von 1967 bis 1969 machten. Insbesondere die ersten sieben Songs deuten bereits an, was später kommen könnte. Die wunderbaren Songs "Fly away", "Take me back" und "Today" wurden von den beiden Musikern wieder aufgegriffen, als sie die Eintagsfliege Hotlegs im Jahre 1970 gründeten. Sie bildeten drei Viertel der anschließend ins Leben gerufenen 10 CC, weil Eric Stewart einstieg. Einige Songs sind nur noch auf Azetat erhalten. Erst das spätere Erscheinen von Graham Gouldman führte zu einer Qualität, die 10 CC alle fünf Sterne einer Bewertung verlieh.

I was a little anxious about what to expect from this. The early efforts of one’s idols sometimes disappoint. Memories of Bowie’s Laughing Gnome come to mind. I should not have worried. This is a great collection of tracks which have invention and beauty. Not as quirky as their later output but nonetheless extremely accomplished and a joy to listen to. If you are a fan of Godley and Crème or 10CC then this is a must buy. The accompanying booklet is also comprehensive with lots of interesting photos including one of Kevin Godley’s father’s huge electrical store. Buy it now!

Musically this collection of surviving Godley & Creme (& others) work from the really early days is fine. The limitations of 1960s recording on a budget are apparent, but you can hear the art going on. The booklet tells an interesting story, anyone interested in the G&C storyline should get this anyway, and probably have done so. Not far off being part of Hotlegs, then 10cc, then just themselves, they didn't just appear out of nowhere, and this is where they came from. The whole chaotic music and art scene. I may not play it incessantly but I do like it!

Some great catchy numbers on here from their early years before the incredible success they had with 10cc in the 70s. You can clearly see the genius of their creativity from these tracks and what was to come.

Lovely reissue, nice booklet and the sound quality is decent considering the age and sources for some of these tracks. Never thought I'd ever hear these tracks. Together (and separately), 10cc need a full on, comprehensive, "Rarities" box set I reckon.