Pat Pierson's TIN TIN Playlist
01. TIN TIN- Toast And Marmalade For Tea (1970)
Best
place to start is with their lone hit single and the accompanying promo
clip which features Steve Groves, Steve Kipner and John Vallins. Not a
bad song to hang your hat on; one for the ages.
02. STEVE & STEVIE- Shine (1968)
This
is ample proof of the duo's vitality and how they were up to the bar
that was being raised by Simon & Garfunkel, Beach Boys and Bee Gees
in late 1967.
03. TIN TIN- She Said Ride (1970)
1st song side one of the first TIN TIN
album may have led some listeners to think this was the logical
extension of The Easybeats... And in some sense, maybe that's a close
assumption. The Beatles influence is a given, but this hyper-blend of
psych pop is a cool twisted ride replete with "na na na na"s that echo
The Easybeats' "Friday On My Mind."
04. TIN TIN- Nobody Moves Me Like You (1970)
A classic soft-pop gem. This is the dream
pop record you wished the Monkees made in 1970. Close your eyes and you
can easily imagine Davey Jones owning it.
05. STEVE & STEVIE- I Can See It In The Moon (1968)
The
versatility on their debut LP is striking. Both Steves spent the
previous years in Beat groups cutting their teeth; but this shows how
adept they were with keeping up with the decade's progress. Chad &
Jeremy meets the pop-psych moves of The Move and Pretty Things.
06. TIN TIN- Is That The Way (1971)
The
band's attempt at a follow-up hit for "Toast & Marmalade For Tea."
It was a contender that deserved better chart placing (it almost cracked
the US top 40).
07. STEVE & STEVIE- She's Getting Married (1968)
In
late summer 1968 Chad & Jeremy released the Gary Usher-produced LP The Ark which had minimal to zero impact on the UK charts. Several
tracks bear an uncanny resemblance to tunes on the Steve & Stevie LP
which was recorded and released around the same time (mid to late
1968).
08. TIN TIN- I Took A Holiday (1971)
A stand-out track from Astral Taxi. Majestic, but not as melodramatic as the Bee Gees. A great balance of elegance and soul.
09. TIN TIN- He Wants To Be A Star (1970)
A
slight pre-cursor to the glam-era David Bowie. And like early T. Rex,
more acoustic-based with percussion vs a full band deal. A great one.
10. STEVE & STEVIE- As I See My Life (1968)
There
is a very quaint and mannered sense to this debut. Very British. Steve
Kipner is already "reflective" (probably inspired by McCartney's
"Yesterday" and "Elenore Rigby" and Lennon's "In My Life"). Well done.
11. QUIRE (aka TIN TIN)- Strange One (1972)
After
Astral Taxi the band released several 45s, most of which were minor
affairs with some attempts at MOR rock/pop that wasn't their strong
suit. Near the end of the run of post-Taxi singles was this last dash at the band's pop magic. Written by Carl Groszmann (who was in Steve & The Board with Steve Kipner).
12. TIN TIN- Tuesday's Dreamer (1970)
To nail an acoustic homage to The Beatles White Album
(this one nicks a "Blackbird" vibe) ain't as easy as it seems. It can
either feel too contrived or it can seem rather inadequate compared to
its inspiration. This one does neither. A deft and fresh quick one.
BEFORE AND AFTER THE FACT...
13. THE KINETICS- Fed Uping Day (1966)
This B-side is a simple
yet stunning tune. Written and sung by Steve Groves featuring John
Vallins on guitar. A haunting track reminiscent of The Critters and
Herman's Hermits (think Graham Gouldman).
14. FRIENDS- Moonshine (1973)
After the split of Tin Tin, Steve Kipner
went to Hollywood via Michael Lloyd's invitation. It was a very brief
one-off self-titled LP for the band Friends, although Lloyd would continue working
with Darryl Cotton for two more LPs as Cotton, Lloyd And Christian. The
lone Friends LP has a few light pop gems that should've been given a
chance to crack the top 40. "Moonshine" has a classic 1960s-Hollies pop
vibe to it (a la "Jennifer Eccles") but sounds like a natural early 70s
pop hit.
