Someone being labelled a lost music genius is something that happens to too many, it is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder. But many of the musicians that you love will cite him as an influence. In Liverpool he is a hero despite never selling that many records.
My journey to what I write about now was mightily influenced by Campbell and Billy Kinsley via Rockin' Horse and Liverpool Express. I wrote most of what I wanted to say about Jimmy in the review of the wonderful Ex Norwegian Tribute Review. You can read that here and it is an album that most should own, whatever their feelings about Tribute albums.
The 23rd Turnoff was a small chapter in Jimmy's Career, but it is a great example of his development as a songwriter. The band morphed out of The Kirkbys, a Liverpool Merseybeat group that released a few singles, but this was a very different sound.
With Campbell on Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, John Lloyd on Lead Guitar and Vocals, Alby Power on Bass and Kenny Goodlass on Drums, the band only released one single, but what a single it was. However an Acetate was discovered which provided 13 Recordings from the Sessions.
These are now released on Vinyl for the first time with the addition of two more discoveries, one of which is a completely different take of "Another Vincent Van Gogh". Campbell wrote all of the songs which reveal a magnificent gentle take on what was to become a genre of its own.
That one Deram Single release, Michael Angelo remains as wonderful as ever with its magnificent arrangement. Flowers Are Flowering jangles splendidly. I'll Be Around is great Beat Pop with an enchanting with added Psych.
(Not) A Penny In My Pocket has a real Beatles Pop feel with Scouse Wit and probably explains Campbell's career. Dreaming is a strummer, closer to the Merseybeat of The Kirkbys. Leave Me Here is almost an Indian chant and I'll Be With You is almost a lullaby.
Probably my favourite song by the band is Another Vincent Van Gogh and the newly discovered version is completely different, Psych Pop excellence. The other discovery, Lovely Elisa Cope Is Dead is the other new addition and that is an intriguing "let's do the song right here" with added Mouth Organ.
Having these songs remastered is a particular joy for me and will be for most fans. But they should be listened to by all music fans. They provide both history and great Pop and Think Like A Key has done the greatest service in releasing them on vinyl, a format that they should always be listened to on.
You can pre order the album here and listen to four of the songs. You can also pre order here.
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