Rainbow (The Decca Years 1969-1972) - Marmalade (The)

Having chafed at their lack of creative freedom, Marmalade signed to Decca at the end of 1969, insisting on full musical control, and promptly netted themselves a transatlantic Top 10 hit with the introspective "Reflections Of My Life". (According to the NME and MM charts, #1 - Guinness Hit Singles, only #3). It was no flash in the pan; follow-ups like the folksy "Rainbow", the irresistible singalong summer tune "Cousin Norman" ...
...more rocking, Status Quo-esque "Radancer", saw them regularly on Top Of The Pops over the next couple of years. Guitarist Junior Campbell left in 1971 to be replaced by the equally talented Hughie Nicholson, and in fact this 2-CD set divides neatly into tracks featuring both the aforementioned. Their touch never faltered; they could rock with the best of 'em, as a listen to "Super Clean Jean" and "Ride Baby Ride" will ... more

Having chafed at their lack of creative freedom, Marmalade signed to Decca at the end of 1969, insisting on full musical control, and promptly netted themselves a transatlantic Top 10 hit with the introspective "Reflections Of My Life". (According to the NME and MM charts, #1 - Guinness Hit Singles, only #3). It was no flash in the pan; follow-ups like the folksy "Rainbow", the irresistible singalong summer tune "Cousin Norman" (in my opinion, the best Marmalade single ever), and the more rocking, Status Quo-esque "Radancer", saw them regularly on Top Of The Pops over the next couple of years. Guitarist Junior Campbell left in 1971 to be replaced by the equally talented Hughie Nicholson, and in fact this 2-CD set divides neatly into tracks featuring both the aforementioned. Their touch never faltered; they could rock with the best of 'em, as a listen to "Super Clean Jean" and "Ride Baby Ride" will show, though the gentle harmony-driven songs remained their strongest calling card. This presents their entire output on Decca, where they stayed until late 1972 - two albums, plus a few extra A- and B-sides, and two previously unreleased cuts. Like its companion volume, "I See The Rain", the insert notes are first class.
 

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