TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Here Comes The Night" - Them (1965)
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"Here Comes The Night" - Them (1965)
This is where it all started for Van the Man. Van Morrison. The band Them's first album, in the US, anyway, was "Here Comes the Night," released in 1965, with the title track being the promoted single. But it was the song, "Gloria," that would cement Van's fate in the annals of rock 'n' roll asskickery. Their debut album definitely holds its own against their better-known peers, but I'm guessing distribution here in the US might've been lacking because I seldom see any Them albums in the bins. And that's a shame, shame, shame, because there is more to enjoy than what radio would have you believe.
"Here Comes the Night" is a square that bangs R&B with cool garagey vibes that are raucous, soulful, and a bit menacing. Morrison wrote 7 of the 12 songs, including "Gloria," but each song is delivered as if it could be his last. After Them's second album, Van would begin to knock us out solo. But my gosh, his vocals were just killin' from the get-go. Anyway, side one tells you all you need to know, and by the end of side two, you're ready to do it all over again. My appreciation of early Van Morrison just keeps growing.
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"Here Comes The Night" - Them (back)
Favorites include:
"Gloria"
"One Two Brown Eyes"
"Mystic Eyes"
"Don't Look Back"
This copy is a Mono first US pressing with the cover boasting the song "Here Comes the Night." Subsequent pressings would also tout the song "Gloria" on the cover. There are scuffs and light scratches in the deadwax, but fortunately, the vinyl itself looks VG and plays stronger. It's the Mono magic happening. The album cover has a 1" seam split on the bottom and ringwear on the front and back.
On the plus side, the killer Batman font used on the front, or..."BatVAN" font if you like... helps pull the eyes away from the worst of the ring-burn. Also, the band photo of the Belfast lads makes Them look not to be trifled with. It's a nice player copy, and I'm cool for now. Pick this one up at any decent chance you get.
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Parrot label
Cat #
PA 61005
SIDE A DEADWAX
ARL 6801 [-1 w/three dots below it] 𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 sf
SIDE B DEADWAX
ARL 6802 [-1 w/three dots below it] 𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 sf
"Gloria" - Them / "Here Comes The Night" (1965)
TRACKS:
A1 "Here Comes The Night" 2:45
A2 "Mystic Eyes" 2:41
A3 "Don't Look Back" 3:23
A4 "Little Girl" 2:21
A5 "One Two Brown Eyes" 2:39
A6 "Gloria" 2:38
B1 "One More Time" 2:47
B2 "If You and I Could Be As Two" 2:53
B3 "I Like It Like That" 3:35
B4 "I'm Gonna Dress In Black" 3:34
B5 "Route 66" 2:22
B6 "Go On Home Baby" 2:39
PERSONNEL:
Van Morrison - vocals, sax
Billy Harrison - lead guitar
Alan Henderson - bass
Peter Bardens - organist
John McAuley - drums, piano, harmonica
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