album no. 1

• Packaging: Gatefold sleeve

Album No. 1 is the sole full-length recording by Gary Walker & The Rain, the group formed by former Walker Brothers drummer and vocalist Gary Walker, born Gary Leeds. Originally released only in Japan by Philips in 1968, the album has become a sought-after example of late-sixties British psychedelic pop and freakbeat.

Walker assembled a strong band featuring Paul “Charlie” Crane on vocals, guitar and keyboards, John Lawson on bass, and future Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland on lead guitar and vocals. Their music combined melodic pop songwriting with fuzz guitar, organ, garage-rock energy and the more exploratory studio sounds that were emerging during the psychedelic era.

The opening “Magazine Woman” is one of the album’s defining tracks, driven by forceful guitar work, shifting dynamics and a memorable vocal performance. “The Sun Shines,” “Doctor Doctor” and “Market Tavern” reveal the group’s melodic side, while their interpretation of “Spooky” places the familiar song within a distinctly British psychedelic setting.

The second side ranges from the concise freakbeat of “Take a Look” and “The View” to the extended rhythm-and-blues workout “If You Don’t Come Back.” Reflective pieces such as “Thoughts of an Old Man” sit alongside the harmony-rich “I Promise to Love You” and the upbeat closing number “Whatever Happened to Happy.”

Despite the quality of the material, Gary Walker & The Rain dissolved without recording a follow-up album. Joey Molland subsequently joined Badfinger, while Album No. 1 gradually acquired cult status among collectors of British psychedelia, freakbeat and obscure late-sixties pop. This Absinthe Records edition reproduces the complete thirteen-track album in a gatefold sleeve.

Track listing:

Side A

1. Magazine Woman – 4:53
2. The Sun Shines – 2:42
3. Doctor Doctor – 2:53
4. I Can't Stand to Lose You – 2:22
5. Market Tavern – 3:59
6. Spooky – 2:56

Side B

1. Take a Look – 2:03
2. The View – 2:46
3. If You Don't Come Back – 6:41
4. Thoughts of an Old Man – 2:39
5. Francis – 3:00
6. I Promise to Love You – 3:01
7. Whatever Happened to Happy – 2:13

Track Listing:

• A1 Magazine Woman 4:53
• A2 The Sun Shines 2:42
• A3 Doctor Doctor 2:53
• A4 I Can't Stand To Lose You 2:22
• A5 Market Tavern 3:59
• A6 Spooky 2:56
• B1 Take A Look 2:03
• B2 The View 2:46
• B3 If You Don't Come Back 6:41
• B4 Thoughts Of An Old Man 2:39
• B5 Francis 3:00
• B6 I Promise To Love You 3:01
• B7 Whatever Happened To Happy 2:13