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It was 1981 that I first heard Marvin, Welch & Farrar. I bought the single sleeve Dutch re-release of the first album from John Freisen. A few years later, from a record fair, I bought 'Second Opinion'. Since then I've amassed a couple of Quad versions of 'Second Opinion', a couple of gatefold original versions of the first album and a really good copy of the Marvin and Farrar album. And, the MWF albums have all got lyric sheets!

These are, without a shadow of a doubt (sorry!) among my favourite records in my collection. I did have another copy of 'Second Opinion' (I think it was the first one I got!), but I gave it to someone on 'permanent loan'.. .

One of the most interesting MWF releases is the US version of Second Opinion, on the Sire label which was at that time also home to the Ramones.

See for Miles released a compilation of MWF tracks for which I had the pleasure of writing the sleeve notes. Not my best work as there was an imminent deadline involved, to the extent that I did not get a copy of the tracks, only a track listing, and had to make up a cassette from which to work. It was later released on CD.

George

I think Colin Miles put out MWF on CD before EMI did. Was very happy to see those releases.

In the late 1970's I saw dozens of copies of the Second Opinion LP for sale at a temporary shop that had been set up in Birmingham city centre to sell surplus albums.

Great album covers, all of them. Those songs still sound great today.

Andrew

I had the compilation album 'Step from the Shadows' (?) as well. Again, it was given to someone else many, many, many years ago! Either that, or it was nicked, 'cos I can't find it now!

drakula63 wrote:I had the compilation album 'Step from the Shadows' (?) as well. Again, it was given to someone else many, many, many years ago! Either that, or it was nicked, 'cos I can't find it now!

"Marvin, Welch & Farrar Step From The Shadows" on the See For Miles label is the LP album (later a CD with a Bruce Welch solo track as a bonus) to which George referred above.

Listing:
1. Marmaduke
2. Lady Of The Morning
3. The Time To Care
4. Lonesome Mole
5. Black Eyes
6. Brownie Kentucky
7. Skin Deep
8. Faithful
9. You Never Can Tell
10. So Hard To Live With
11. Music Makes My Day
12. Mistress Fate And Father Time
13. Silvery Rain
14. Wish You Were Here
15. A Thousand Conversations
16. Tiny Robin
17. Thank Heavens I've Got You
18. Please Mr Please (Bruce Welch).

Tracks 7, 9, 0 & 11 are by Marvin & Farrar.

There was also a mid-70s Dutch EMI compilation LP of MW&F which was, at one time, all I had of them.

THE BEST OF MARVIN, WELCH & FARRAR LP
MARVIN, WELCH & FARRAR
circa 1975 (compiled); EMI/Regal-Zonophone (NL) 5C05405654 (stereo)

1. Faithful
2. My Home Town
3. Lady Of The Morning
4. Throw Down A Line
5. A Thousand Conversations
6. Lonesome Mole

1. Marmaduke
2. Tiny Robin
3. You're Burning Bridges
4. Black Eyes
5. All Day, All Night Blues
6. Silvery Rain

Bought HMV Shop, Liverpool, 1976.

JimN wrote:

drakula63 wrote:I had the compilation album 'Step from the Shadows' (?) as well. Again, it was given to someone else many, many, many years ago! Either that, or it was nicked, 'cos I can't find it now!

"Marvin, Welch & Farrar Step From The Shadows" on the See For Miles label is the LP album (later a CD with a Bruce Welch solo track as a bonus) to which George referred above.

Listing:
1. Marmaduke
2. Lady Of The Morning
3. The Time To Care
4. Lonesome Mole
5. Black Eyes
6. Brownie Kentucky
7. Skin Deep
8. Faithful
9. You Never Can Tell
10. So Hard To Live With
11. Music Makes My Day
12. Mistress Fate And Father Time
13. Silvery Rain
14. Wish You Were Here
15. A Thousand Conversations
16. Tiny Robin
17. Thank Heavens I've Got You
18. Please Mr Please (Bruce Welch).

Tracks 7, 9, 0 & 11 are by Marvin & Farrar.

Yeah. that was it - the first time I heard any Marvin & Farrar stuff and the studio version of 'Marmaduke'. Don't remember there being anything wrong with the sleeve notes - very informative and I took them all as gospel...