Paper Bubble - Scenery 1969

This quite obscure British pop-folk-rock effort might hold some interest for intense fans of British folk-rock of the late 1960s and early '70s, if only because it was produced by two members of one of the major bands in that genre (Dave Cousins and Tony Hooper of the Strawbs). Compared to the Strawbs, however and, for that matter, most British folk-rock acts Paper Bubble were far more lightweight. Emphasizing the close, merry harmonies of guitarists Terry Brake and Brian Crane, many of the tracks have a bouncy, singalong feel that's too happy-go-lucky, in fact, if you're in the wrong mood, though there are occasional breaks into more wistful numbers. Though bassist Neil Mitchell was the only other member of the group, the sound is thickened with some piano, light orchestration, and vague psychedelic textures. Like much American sunshine pop of the period, however, it has an upbeat vibe that verges on the sappy at times, even if this particular record isn't too strongly related to the sunshine pop style, with an innocent childlike escapist quality found in much British psychedelia of the time. And like many such efforts, it has pleasant surface qualities, but lacks memorable depth or truly standout compositions. In this context, the least characteristic track, "Mother Mother Mother," rocks like the devil, with berserk organ breaks, effective distorted electric guitar licks, a hard cheery folk-rockin' verve absolutely missing from the rest of the LP. It's the standout number on the record and was, in fact, anthologized in 1983 on the Broken Dreams, Vol.3 compilation of psychedelic British rock rarities but, unfortunately, was the only hint of such brazen energy Paper Bubble ever displayed. Richie Unterberger 2008 reissue of this Folk classic, originally released in 1970. Dave Cousins and Tony Hooper of the Strawbs were invited in 1969 to produce an LP for Shrewsbury band Paper Bubble. Terry Brake, Brian Crane and Neil Mitchell provide most of the sounds, except for a guesting Rick Wakeman, who was helping Cousins and Hooper on sessions just prior to joining the Strawbs proper in 1970. Brake and Crane's harmony vocals underpin the atmosphere of the record, and it is an infectious Folk Pop mix with the Strawbs influence starting to come through. cduniverse.com

Tracklist:
01.Fillin' A Gap
02.Being Human Being
03.She
04.I'm Laughing
05.Just An Actor
06.Energy
07.Scenery
08.MM Of LA
09.Silly Bit Of Sentiment
10.Mother Mother Mother
11.Tomorrow Never Comes Likes A Silver Spoon

Paper Bubble:
Terry Brake - guitar, vocal
Brian Crane - guitar, vocal
Neil Mitchell - bass
Guest:
Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper, Richard Hudson, John Ford, Rick
Wakeman