Miles Away

[LONGPLAYER09]

Just learning Miles Away from DR's Lead 5 CD. Anyone know the origins of this tune. Did the Shad's ever record it? Just interested, thanks.

[JimN]

Are you sure you don't mean Years Away from "Rockin' With Curly Leads"?

JN

[dave robinson]

No Jim, he means 'Miles Away' from my BT CD 5.

It was written by Frank Miles, the original and best ever lead guitarist of Dave Berry's first ever Cruisers. Frank was like Hank in his own way, self taught and influenced by the blues and rock and roll of the late fifties. I never heard him copy anyone else, a true innovator.
During 2001 when we we discussing the Gretsch theory started by Roberto, I contacted Frank as he owns a Gretsch, an orange one. I explained what was being discussed regarding Hank and the Gretsch and asked if he would bring it over for me to experiment with. He did but it was the wrong model, a Nashville 6120, but I didn't realise at the time but we did get a similar sound to Apache, though not right.
Frank was known for his writing and it was during his several visits here that I asked if he had anything that sounded 'Shadowsy' and he played this tune on the keyboard which I jumped on on arranged for guitar - he was delighted with it and I christened it 'Miles Away' in honour of him and he played keys on it.

Frank is a great guitarist, you can hear him on Dave Berry's Memphis Tennessee, Hoochie Coochie Man and several early Berry album tracks and 'B'sides, but Berry quickly got rid of the original Cruisers over finance as he wanted the larger cut - worse thing he ever did, as the original sound of the Dave berry and The Cruisers as a unit was special, never to be re-captured, though we have all tried.
So there's the history, glad you like the tune.

[LONGPLAYER09]

Thanks Dave for an interesting answer, which now solves my interest. I've always liked D Berry, but didn't know the history. Spooky Brian Matthew has just played Memphis T, on SOTS

[rogera]

That information about Frank Miles and the original Cruisers was very interesting Dave. I know what you mean about the original group and couldn't agree more.

Strangely enough Brian Mathews plated "Memphis Tennessee" on Sounds of the Sixties this morning and the guitar work is so sharp and helps to make the recording.

[dave robinson]

I'm pleased that you found it interesting, I am a big admirer of Frank and the old Cruisers because I was there when it was happening and could see and hear that they 'had it' - the X Factor if you like.
After Frank and the guys finished with Berry, around 1964/5 he teamed up with a writer called Tommy Rattigan and joined Vernon Nash and Chris Stainton in Joe Cocker's blues band, producing some really good original tracks from his home studio, one of which 'Marjorine' was to be a minor hit for Joe Cocker prior to 'With A Little Help From My Friends', only to miss out again on the big time as the record company wanted Joe to have a more appealing image (Frank was a little fat chap at the time) and he was replaced by Henry McCulloch. Chris Stainton, who was bass player with The Cadillacs with our own rhythm guitarist Malc Towndrow in 1962/3, remained the only original member in the Grease band from the early days and can be seen today on keyboards with Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood and many other top blues artistes that tour the world.
Frank became a milkman but still writes and records in his home studio with Tommy Rattigan - I see him at our gigs from time to time and can only feel sad that a talent such as his was never rewarded as seemed fit.

[rogera]

Ain't that just the case with so many talented musicians - being in the right place at the right time is so important but not something that you can learn or practice.