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 Fumble
(sovereign) 1972
Some people dislike
the oldies trend, while some people find the current groups
playing oldies sacriligeous. Me? I think there're good songs
being written now but that doesn't make those written in the
late fifties and early sixties any the worse. And, dammit,
I like hearing them - if they're done "lovingly."
Fumble do Presley, Holly, Nelson, Vee, Sedaka, King and Everlys
songs and do them "lovingly." That doesn't mean
to say they all stand up well. For instance, I shall never
be able to take a guy singing Carole King's "It Might
As Well Rain Until September" and I don't think lead
singer Des Henly has the vocal aggression to do Presley's
"One Night", justice. His voice is, however, superbly
suited to Rick Nelson, Bobby Vee, Buddy Holly and Everly Brothers'
tunes. "Ebony Eyes" is gloriously maudlin. Henly,
surprisingly, does come to grips with Little Richard's "The
Girl Can't Help It" and Barry's "Let It Rock"
and "Rave On" proves a perfect foil for his style.
But it's on side two Fumble are at their best. It opens with
"Hello Mary Lou," which has a rather fine guitar
solo. "Take Good Care Of My Baby," poses the question
is Des Henly the new Bobby Vee? He certainly has a penchant
for Vee material. I get the feeling that if Des had come along
in about 1958-59 he could have been very, very big. He might
even be able to fulfill his promise in the 70's. "Breaking
Up Is Hard To Do" shows how important the piano was to
the era's songs and rounds off a thoroughly enjoyable and
singable album. I reviewed Fumble's act recently and apparently
credited them with "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes,"
a song they didn't do. They'd do well to include it in the
act in the near future. It'd be perfect for Henly. Still,
the last thing I want is a rumble with Fumble. All together
now . . . "come - a - come - a - down - doobie - doo
- down - down..."
G. B.
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articles:
Success for Weston Group in beat championship
(Local paper, 1967)
Baloons flying
high behind Iron Curtain (Local paper, 1968)
Fumble (Record Mirror,
1971)
FUMBLE (Beat Instrumental,
1972)
American Press (1972)
Fumble gain a firm hold (1972)
Nancy
finds out all about....
(date unknown 1973)
There's no flies on Fumble (NME,
1973)
Fumble flies to fame and fortune
( 1973)
Rumble, rumble...here comes
Fumble (Record Mirror, 1973)
Fumble begin to feel good (Evening
News, 1973)
Fumble US Tour (Record Mirror,
1973)
In a class of their own
(Sounds, 1973)
Under the influence: Des
Henly (NME, 1973)
Rollin' and Fumblin'
(Melody Maker, 1973)
The Raver
(Melody Maker, 1973)
Back
in time - Nutrockers! (Reading Rock 73)
Accident Prone (Music Star,
1973)
An
interview with Barry Pike (Drum Magazine 1974)
Rock'n'Roll band signs up (St.
Albans Midweek Recorder, 1974)
Record and Popswop Mirror (Record
& Popswop Mirror, 1975)
Robin Katz talked to Sha Na
Na and Fumble (Sounds, 1975)
Pop goes GLC decibel dosage
(Daily Telegraph, 1975)
Concert reviews:
Playhouse Theatre
(supporting Bill Haley) (date unknown)
Newcastle,
City Hall (supporting David Bowie) (Jan 7, 1973)
Philadelphia,
Tower Theatre (supporting David Bowie) (Feb 17, 1973)
London,
Greyhound (May 17, 1973)
Paris
(May 31, 1973)
London,
Speakeasy (June 7, 1973)
London,
Marquee Club (July 14,
1973)
London, Rainbow Theatre
(supporting Chuck Berry) (Sept 7, 1973)
London, Marquee Club
(March 1974)
Bristol,
University (Apr 27, 1974)
London, Kings Road Theatre (Dec
15, 1974)
Burton-on-Trent,
76 Club (Mar 29, 1975)
London,
Roundhouse (supporting Dr. Feelgood) (Apr 20, 1975)
Festivals:
The Reading
Festival 1973
Alexandra Palace
Music Festival 1973
Roskilde
Festival, Denmark 1973 (Sounds)
Roskilde
Festival, Denmark 1973 (NME)
LPs and Singles:
Fumble
(Sovereign) 1972 (Melody Maker)
Poetry In Lotion (RCA) 1974
(Disc, Melody Maker)
Alexandra
Park (Sovereign) 1973 (Disc Magazine)
Million
Seller (Sovereign) 1973 (Melody Maker, NME, Disc, Sounds)
Not Fade Away (RCA) 1974
(Record Mirror, Melody Maker, NME)
Don't
Take Love (RCA) 1974 (Sounds)
German / Danish articles:
 Fumble
ride the oldie-wave (fans magazine, 1973) translated
Fumble
- Nostalgischer Pomaden-Pop (Flash magazine, 1973)
Success through persistence (BRAVO
magazine, 1973) translated
 FUMBLE
(GO, 1972)
Sjoveste LP i lang tid (Some
Danish paper, 1972)
Kendt
beatgruppe i Diskotek Limelight (Danish paper, 1973)
Roskilde-festival en stor succes
(Berlingske Tidende, 1973) |
