CARTOONE

THE DELUXE EDITION

FRIDAYMUSIC FRM1119

Fans of Sixties music have been inundated with umpteen re mastered, remixed and repackaged versions of the albums of The Beatles and The Stones, some valid, some total cons (Beatles Love, Let It Be Naked and new set of masters). This addition to the collector of sixties music is thoroughly welcome, that said this is no museum piece and has a great deal to offer today’s discerning listener.

From the opening wistful whistling and harmonies of the incredible Knick Knack Man (Probably my favourite track this year and its over forty years old), you just know you are in for a treat. Derek Creigan’s voice is an impressive and unusual instrument. The harmonies supplied by the band are up there almost with The Band, Charlie Coffils Drums and Derek’s Bass drive things along at a fantastic pace with guitars from Mo Trowers and Mike Allison being supplemented by a certain Jimmy Page (Yes That One).

It is pure sixties pop with some psychedelia sprinkled throughout, but whether it’s because Cartoone are Scottish, it is bereft of some off the irritations of other more whimsical and rather twee quintessentially Englishness of some tracks from the genre (no gnomes and pixies here). The album includes the single A Penny For The Sun, as well as stand outs The Sadness Of Toby Jugg and Let Me Reassure You.

The Deluxe edition contains some long lost tracks which Drummer Coffils unearthed for this release. The best being Sunday Morning, which has a big nod to The Kinks and is a joy to behold, some of these bonus tracks because of their provenance sound as if you are listening to vinyl, ah remember that, and if anything helps take you back to those heady days. The sleeve notes and photographs are all lovingly assembled and this really is a labour of love for everybody involved. The Jimmy Page connection will help sell a few copies for Led Zep connoisseurs, but this is more than just a curiosity and worth buying for Knick Knack Man alone.

To Buy go to Cartoone Myspace or www.fridaymusic.com

Chris Phillips BRfm