Would You Believe? [Mono Single Version] - Billy Nicholls, Nichols, Billy
Daytime Girl [Mono Single Version][*]
Legendary British musician recorded this in 1967 with the Small Faces, when they were at the height of their fame. Having never been issued until now, it's been fully remastered for CD.
Legendary British musician recorded this in 1967 with the Small Faces, when they were at the height of their fame. Having never been issued until now, it's been fully remastered for CD.
"I buy a LOT of 60s reissues, especially lost classics, and this one is by far the best. It doesn't really sound like Pet Sounds. It's more like great 66/67 UK Freakbeat and pop. It's Andrew Loog Oldham's finest production job. Great songs, singing, vocal arrangements, killer guitar playing and beautiful strings. If you like Love's Forever Changes and Revolver-era Beatles, you'll love this album."
Cool British Import CD
S. G Heck | Chicago, IL | 08/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I read about Billy Nicholls about 5 years ago in some magazine. It said something about "Would You Believe" being the British version of "Pet Sounds". I had to order it from England, which was a bit steep money wise, but at the time, it had just been issued on CD so I went for it and I'm glad I did. He has been sort of my little secret because no one I know owns this disc except for myself.
The first song is a little disarming because it features backup vocals by Steve Marriott of The Small Faces. I love Steve Marriott's vocals with The Small Faces, but they sound out of place here. The rest of the album is wonderful and haunting. Pretty amazing stuff for a 17 year old. As a songwriter, this album has had some influence on me to be sure. Anyone who is a fan of mid to late 60's psychedelic music should check this album out, you won't regret it.
If you want to dig a little deeper after this one, check out Pete Townshend's first solo record, "Who Came First", which features some excellent vocals by Billy Nicholls on one track. Also, Del Shannon covered the second song on "Would You Believe" called "Cut And Come Again". His version is also really cool."
Pure bliss
Sganaplino | Piadina world - Italy | 12/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a real gem and it shines so much you must put your RayBan on."
Excellent
Bill Your 'Free Form FM Handi Cyber | Mahwah, NJ USA | 09/10/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like Love's Forever Changes, this album by Billy Nicholls is one of the few in the post-Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper flood that works.
Would You Beleive features Nicholls' own songs, full of strings, tuba, sleigh chimes, all the bells and whistles you would expect on a 1968 barouque pop album.
Most of these tracks are condenced songs with a folk-pop base, which Nicholls filters through his orchestrations. Everyone after Sgt. Pepper, from Frank Sinatra to the Stones, tried to make an album to fill the mandate the mighty Beatles set.
The differance is the writting. Nicholls' constructions are solid and simple, and these bare bones lend themselves perfectly to his tasteful, layerd arranging. The strings are classical, not easy listening, and the chimes melodic, not sappy. This creates beautiful, high end pop.
If there is a weak spot here, and this is debatable, it is the mix. Would You Beleive has a big, Spectoresqe eccho. There is an argument for this. Nicholls' mixes everything a step back, and the music almost sounds like it is comming down from the sky. A heavenly sound for heavenly music. This does not nessaseraly detract, but giving Would Yo Beleive the upfront sound of, say, Revolver, may have made for a cozier, more inntimate listen. This music is as comforting as hot chocolate, so why the distance?
Still, any fan of good 1960s music needs to own this as much as Forever Changes, Sgt Pepper or Pet Sounds."