An interesting album has just popped up on the radar – Rainy City Blues – Rare and Unreleased Tracks From Manchester’s Beat Groups – which is being released by Jungfrau Records out of that same city.
It looks very much like a labour of love. Back n the ’60s, Liverpool made its mark wit Merseybeat, while Manchester produced a few bands that had chart success too, the likes of The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits and Freddie and the Dreamers. But there were many more Manchester beat bands who didn’t get commercial success.
The pick of those have been pulled together for this 20-track compilation. A couple of names might rung a bell (the St Louis Union for example), but many who might be new to you – The Toggery Five, The Factotums and Big City Blues for example.
I’ll try and get a review up soon, but in the meantime, you can find out more by contacting [email protected], who are releasing the album on CD on 1st May.
Update: Just noticed vinyl and CD versions are currently selling on ‘buy it now’ on the eBay website.
