1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #124. The Pretty Things - S. F. Sorrow (1968)

The Pretty Things - S. F. Sorrow (1968)

Label – EMI
Producer – Norman Smith
Art Direction – Phil May
Nationality – UK
Running Time – 37:54

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. SF Sorrow Is Born
2. Bracelets Of Fingers
3. She Says Good Morning
4. Private Sorrow
5. Balloon Burning
6. Death
7. Baron Saturday
8. Journey
9. I See You
10. Well Of Destiny
11. Trust
12. Old Man Going
13. Loneliest Person

What an interesting record. Here is another one of those groups that I had heard of – just never heard any of their music before. In this case it the British band The Pretty Things. This is a concept album. For those unfamiliar, it tells the story of "S.F. Sorrow," a sort of British Everyman from birth through love, war, tragedy, madness, and the disillusionment of old age. One of the first rock concept albums, S.F. Sorrow was based on a short story by singer-guitarist Phil May. Although the album is also a ‘Rock Opera’, it has been stated by The Who that it had no major influence on Pete Townshend and his writing of their album Tommy although there are some similarities. “S.F. Sorrow's” narrative is different than others in the Rock Opera/Concept Album genre: while Tommy and Pink Floyd's The Wall relay their concept through the lyrics of their songs, The Pretty Things tell the bulk of the story through small paragraph-like chapters which were printed between each song's lyrics in the liner notes of the LP. Another reason to miss vinyl records!
The album was produced by Norman "Hurricane" Smith, who had engineered the earlier Beatles recordings including “Sgt Pepper’s”.
This is a really good record, but it never stood a chance really. It was released the same week as The Beatles' "White Album", The Rolling Stones' "Beggars Banquet" and The Kinks' "Village Green Preservation Society." Making things worse, the album was barely promoted by EMI. It is recommended.


You can purchase the CD here

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 12
Ray Manzarek from The Doors is 71; Steve Hackett, formerly with Genesis, is 60; Michael McDonald is 58;

ON THIS DATE
1967 Keith Richard becomes the third member of the Rolling Stones to be arrested for “various substances of suspicious nature.”
1968 Jimi Hendrix receives the key to the city in his hometown of Seattle, Washington
1988 Axl Rose walks off the stage in Phoenix, Arizona at a concert where Guns 'N' Roses were the opening act for David Lee Roth. The rest of the shows with DLR are cancelled
1997 David Bowie receives a star on Hollywood`s Walk Of Fame
2005 Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and Jerry Lee Lewis receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award the day before the Grammys.
2007 Heaven And Hell announce that Vinny Appice will be their drummer instead of Bill Ward

IN CONCERT
Saturday, February 13 HEART Universal Studios Orlando
Saturday, February 20 BLONDIE Universal Studios Orlando

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