David McWilliams: The Days Of David McWilliams

This Irish folk rock artist made three albums of his own material for the Major Minor label in 1967 - an amazing period of productivity matched only by the amazing consistency of quality throughout all the material he wrote and recorded. Musically he backed himself on 6 and 12 string guitar with further arrangements and orchestration provided by the then wunderkind producer Mike Leander.

The combination of McWilliams heartfelt lyrics and songstyle with Leanders evocative arrangements of the simple melodies still sound bewitching today. 'The Days Of Pearly Spencer' was covered by Marc Almond in the early 90's and 'Three O'Clock Flamingo Street' is another radio favourite.

Another McWilliams compilation - released by EMI when the Almond single was a hit in 1992 - has long since been deleted and this RPM collection only repeats four tracks from the EMI set.

The RPM collection presents a range of subject matter, some of their time such as ‘Hiroshima’ and ‘Harlem Lady’, others love songs that transcend time. The English had Donovan, the Americans had Dylan, the Irish had McWilliams...

1. DAYS OF PEARLY SPENCER
2. FOR JOSEPHINE
3. BROWN EYED GIRL
4. MARLENA
5. FOR A LITTLE GIRL
6. LADY HELEN OF THE LAUGHING EYES
7. WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH ME
8. THERE'S NO LOCK UPON MY DOOR
9. TOMORROWS LIKE TODAY
10. MISTER SATISFIED
11. I LOVE SUSIE IN THE SUMMER
12. HARLEM LADY
13. LETTER TO MY LOVE
14. CITY BLUES
15. THREE O'CLOCK FLAMINGO STREET
16. REDUNDANCY BLUES
17. HIROSHIMA
18. QUESTION OF IDENTITY
19. TIME OF TROUBLE
20. AND I'M FREE
21. IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING
22. BORN TO RAMBLE