The Artwoods vinyl reissues at Guerssen have been confirmed, with one version being a very limited edition.
Not that theres a shortage of music available by The Artwoods. You can still pick up Steady Getting’ It (The Complete Recordings) on RPM, for example, as well as a live album. Other collections, too, are on CD. But that’s the thing – it’s all on CD. These new releases/reissues are on vinyl. And that’s the selling point here. That and some exclusivity.
For the uninitiated, the Artwoods were a British R&B band and a popular live band in the mid-1960s with a strong Mod following. But despite their live popularity and even an appearance on Ready, Steady, Go!, they never quite made it in terms of commercial success. They had a great sound and some equally impressive tunes. But none that pushed them into the charts. A family story and one that can be applied to countless cult 1960s bands.
Today, the band is best known for being fronted by Ronnie Wood’s brother, Art Wood, and having keyboard player Jon Lord (of Deep Purple fame) in their ranks. But the music is well worth checking out, too. And these new vinyl releases should be the perfect starting point if you don’t own any of the previous collections.
First off, the band’s solitary album from 1966, reissued here for the first time ever in mono and in two versions – a limited edition in turquoise vinyl (just 315 copies in total) and an unlimited black vinyl version.
Both have the original artwork on a hard cardboard sleeve, plus an insert with detailed liner notes by Mike Stax (Ugly Things) and photos/memorabilia.
Tracklist:
Side 1: 1. Can You Hear Me – 2. Down In The Valley – 3. Things Get Better – 4. Walk On The Wild Side – 5. I Keep Forgettin’ – 6. Keep Lookin’
Side 2: 1. One More Heartache – 2. Work, Work, Work – 3. Be My Lady – 4. If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody – 5. Stop And Think It Over – 6. Don’t Cry No More
You can here priced around 20 Euros (a little more for the coloured vinyl).
If you want more, the label also has I Take It All, a two-disc collection of the band’s non-album output for Decca, Parlophone and Fontana (in original mono mixes). Once again, the packaging is spot on, with a gatefold sleeve with liner notes by Mike Stax (Ugly Things) plus an insert with photos/memorabilia.
Tracklist:
Side 1: 1. Sweet Mary – 2. If I Ever Get My Hands On You – 3. Oh My Love – 4. Big City – 5. Goodbye Sisters
Side 2: 1. I Take What I Want – 2. She Knows What To Do – 3. I’m Looking For A Saxophonist Doubling French Horn Wearing Size 37 Boots – 4. These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – 5. A Taste Of Honey
Side 3: 1. I Feel Good – 2. Molly Anderson’s Cookery Book – 3. Routine – 4. Our Man Flint
Side 4: 1. What Should I Do – 2. In The Deep End – 3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime – 4. Al’s Party
You can get a copy of that here.
Note Amazon has both listed but doesn’t have stock at the moment. I’m not sure if that will change.
