The Further Adventures of Charles Westover | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 1968 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:40 | |||
Label | Liberty | |||
Producer | Dan Bourgoise, Dugg Brown | |||
Del Shannon chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Further Adventures of Charles Westover | ||||
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The Further Adventures of Charles Westover is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Del Shannon, released in March 1968 by Liberty Records. His final album for the label, it features the singles "Thinkin' It Over" and "Gemini". The album failed to reach the charts.
Bear Family included also the album in the 2004 Home and Away box set. [1] Edsel Records included the album in the 2023 Stranger in Town: A Del Shannon Compendium box set.. [2]
The album's title included Shannon's birth name, following the example of other artists like Bobby Vee. It was the first album on which Shannon wrote or co-wrote each song. [3] The recording sessions included Shannon on vocals and rhythm guitar, Dugg Brown as leader, Charles Wright and Al McKay (later of Earth, Wind & Fire) on guitars, Melvin Dunlap on bass, Bob Evans on drums, and Malcom "Mac" Rebennack (aka "Dr. John") on keyboards. [4] The album's composition was noted for being progressive and experimental. [5] It was produced by Magic Penny. [6]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [7] |
New Record Mirror | [8] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [9] |
The album was well received by critics at the time of its release. Chris Martin of the Los Angeles Times praised the vocals and composition of the album. [10] Billboard described it as "a hip Shannon with something to say and saying it musically well." [11]
It has also received positive retrospective reviews, with Donald A. Guarisco of AllMusic writing that Shannon "uses the cinematic quality of psychedelic pop to provide a vivid backdrop for his songwriting." [12] In The Rough Guide to Cult Pop, Paul Simpson describes the album as "underrated". [13]
New Record Mirror notes "Psyche-Del Shanoon with a Iot of ponderous sounds everywhere menacing guitar work and some good arrangements and backin". [8]
All tracks are written by Del Shannon, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Thinkin' It Over" | Beau James | 2:59 |
2. | "Be My Friend" | Doug Brown | 2:29 |
3. | "Silver Birch" | 4:21 | |
4. | "I Think I Love You" | 3:24 | |
5. | "River Cool" | 3:54 | |
6. | "Colour Flashing Hair" | 2:49 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Gemini" | 3:25 | |
2. | "Runnin' On Back" | Sharon Sheeley | 3:41 |
3. | "Conquer" | 3:15 | |
4. | "Been So Long" | Brian Hyland | 3:04 |
5. | "Magical Musical Box" | 3:42 | |
6. | "New Orleans (Mardi Gras)" | Jim Pulte | 5:19 |
Charles Weedon Westover, better known by his stage name Del Shannon, was an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known for his 1961 number-one Billboard hit "Runaway". In 1999, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to his music career, he had minor acting roles.
"Runaway" is a number-one Billboard Hot 100 song made famous by Del Shannon in 1961. It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook, and became a major international hit. It topped the Billboard charts for four consecutive weeks, and Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song for 1961. It was No. 472 on the 2010 version of Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and No. 466 on the 2004 version.
Today is the twenty-second studio album by American singer Elvis Presley, released on May 7, 1975 by RCA Records. The album featured the country and pop music sound typical of Elvis during the 1970s, as well as a new rock and roll song, "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", which was released as its first single and went Top 40 in the US. "Bringing It Back" was its second single in the US. The album also features covers of songs by Perry Como, Tom Jones, The Pointer Sisters, Billy Swan, Faye Adams, The Statler Brothers and Charlie Rich.
Home and Away is an album by Del Shannon. It was recorded in England in 1967, but the singles did not achieve chart success and the album was not released. It was released in a remixed version 1978 under the title And The Music Plays On, then released under its original name, with the original intended cover, and original track list in 2006.
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"Here We Go Again" is a country music standard written by Don Lanier and Red Steagall that first became notable as a rhythm and blues single by Ray Charles from his 1967 album Ray Charles Invites You to Listen. It was produced by Joe Adams for ABC Records/Tangerine Records. To date, this version of the song has been the biggest commercial success, spending twelve consecutive weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 15.
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Rock On! is an album by the American musician Del Shannon, released posthumously in October 1991.
Runaway with Del Shannon is the 1961 debut album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. It contains Shannon's best-known hit, "Runaway". It is regarded by critics as having helped bridge the period between early rock and the British Invasion.
Surf's Up! At Banzai Pipeline was a 1963 various artist record album compilation that featured recordings by The Surfaris, Dave Myers and The Surftones, The Soul Kings, Coast Continentals and Jim Waller & The Deltas. It has been re-released a couple of times since.
Drop Down and Get Me is the 11th studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. It was considered a comeback album and released in December 1981 after some delay. The album was produced by Tom Petty and included the Heartbreakers as a backing band. It was the last album of new material Shannon released in his lifetime.
Handy Man is the fourth studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. It features the singles "Mary Jane" and "Handy Man", the latter reaching No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1964.
1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon is the sixth studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon, released in April 1965 by Amy Records. His final album for the label, it features the singles "Do You Want to Dance", "Keep Searchin' ", and "Stranger in Town".
Del Shannon Sings Hank Williams is the fifth studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. released in February 1965 by Amy Records. It is a tribute album to the songs of Country Music Hall of Fame honky tonk singer Hank Williams, whom Shannon listed among his influences.
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This Is My Bag is the seventh studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon, and his first for Liberty Records, Released in July 1966, it features the singles "The Big Hurt" and "For a Little While". "The Big Hurt" peaked at No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Hats Off to Del Shannon is the second studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. It was released in May 1963 in the UK to coincide with Shannon's tour.
Total Commitment is the eighth studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon, and his second for Liberty Records, Released in October 1966.
Live in England is a live album by Del Shannon recorded in Manchester, England, during tour at Princess Club, in December 1972. It was released in November 1973 by United Artists Records to coincide with the tour.