Who are these two guys I hear you ask, the duo of Smith And D’Abo delivered a one-off classic that didn’t get the attention it deserved at the time but is definitely a ‘must hear’.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Smith And D’Abo
ALBUM: Smith And D’Abo
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: 81583
YEAR: 1976
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Mike D’Abo – vocals, keyboards * Mike Smith – vocals * Mo Foster, Dave Markee – bass * Barry DeSouza – drums * Ray Russell – guitar * Mike Bailey, Malcom Griffiths, Jack Lancaster, Chris Mercer, John Warren – brass
TRACK LISTING: 01 Hang Your Hat * 02 Two Worlds * 03 Free As A Bird * 04 Ray Of Sunshine * 05 Happy (Hollywood Symphony) * 06 Skid Row Kid * 07 Running Away From Love * 08 Rockin’ Chair * 09 A Broken Dream * 10 Loving You Came So Easy * 11 Take You Higher * 12 Only Love
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Who are these two guys and why are they on Glory Daze I hear you ask? Well for starters Mike d’Abo is in my book as one of pop music’s long lost treasures.
His work with Manfred Mann in the late 1960’s (remember ‘Mighty Quinn’?) is instantly recognizable but it’s his follow-up solo albums including ‘Down at Rachel’s Place’ and the classic ‘Broken Rainbows’ are where it’s at for this listener.
Creative and intelligent singer songwriter pop music like early Elton John and Scott Walker that they just don’t seem to make any more. Mike Smith was keyboard player and vocalist for the Dave Clark Five one of the original British invasion bands with numerous hits including the classic ‘Glad All Over’.
Fortunately, both of these veterans got together for whatever reason and delivered a one-off classic that didn’t get the attention it deserved at the time but is definitely a ‘must hear’.
The Songs
As you can imagine, this is a pop record. Nothing here is hard or heavy, but if you enjoy the aforementioned Elton John‘s early work, The Hollies 70’s albums and Leo Sayer then this record is for you.
‘Runnin Away From Love’ will have appeal for AOR and West Coast fans and was released as a single, but failed to chart. Other highlights include the gorgeous ‘Happy (Hollywood Symphony)’ and the upbeat ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ which also was released as a single but again failed to do much business.
The record’s commercial failure’s aside, every time I listen to this record I get a warm and good feeling. There is nothing better than well written pop music and ‘Smith And d’Abo’ delivers on every level.
In Summary
Following the release of this album, Smith And D’Abo hit the road in the UK, Germany and Austria as support for Sailor and from what I have read, went down well. A good pairing come to think of it!
The album itself was released on CD in 2003 on Sony Japan, but is out of print now and goes for silly money on eBay. Let’s hope for a reprint, but until then check out one of the several Mike D’Abo compilations which include tracks from the album.
Smith And D’Abo on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
