Monday 6 March 2017

The Sound Of The Valentines (Complete Recordings 1966-1970)


(This review first appeared in issue 58 of Shindig! magazine)

Cherry Red CD

It's a long way to the top if you want to rock 'n' roll! So opined Bon Scott in 1975, and he should know. As one of two vocalists in Perth's Valentines, Scott slogged round Australian venues in search of that lucky break.

A string of singles revealed a band trying out styles hoping for a hit. Mod, Beat, psychedelic soul and music hall-inspired novelty all took their turn, as did a Coca-Cola ad. All their A and B-sides are here along with four unreleased TV broadcast tracks from their earlier guise as The Spektors.

An ill-advised foray into Bubblegum signaled the end, with a fortuitous Easybeats association taking Scott nearer the Young Brothers' orbit. An insightful compilation, worth hearing for the band's high watermark 'Juliette', the psych-pop splendour of 'Peculiar Hole In The Sky', and the future rock god's version of 'Nick Nack Paddy Whack'. I kid ye not!


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