Les Fleur De Lys: Circles (The Ultimate Fleur De Lys) 2021 + Reflections 2001

 

The Fleur de Lys (initially Les Fleur de Lys) were a British band originally formed in late 1964, in

Southampton, Hampshire, England. They recorded singles beginning in 1965 in the transitional Beat to psychedelic music genre, later known as freakbeat. The band had varied line-ups; only drummer Keith Guster was a member throughout their history. The band disbanded in 1969.
                    

Although several of their singles are coveted by collectors of '60s British rock, Les Fleur de Lys remain

obscure even by cult standards. That's partly because they never came close to getting a hit, but also because their furious pace of lineup changes makes their history very difficult to trace, and also precluded any sense of consistent style or identity. The group did release a number of fine singles in the mod-psychedelic style that has become known as "freakbeat," with more of a soul music influence than most such British acts.
                  

At the outset, they recorded a couple of singles for the Immediate label that were produced by

Jimmy Page (there remains some controversy about whether he played guitar on these as well). A cover of the Who's "Circles" featured the fluid, slightly distorted guitar lines that would become Fleur de Lys' most distinguishing characteristic. The 45s made no commercial impact, however, and Fleur de Lys helped sustain themselves in the late '60s by backing relocated South African singer Sharon Tandy.
                  

Continuing to record intermittently on the side, the band managed a few decent slabs of freakbeat with "Hold On," "Mud in Your Eye," and their most psychedelic outing, the memorably titled "Gong with the Luminous Nose". As if the musical chairs of personnel weren't enough, they further confused record

buyers with tracks issued under different names like Shyster and Chocolate Frog, as well as playing on singles by Tandy, Waygood Ellis, and John Bromley. One single issued under the moniker Rupert's People, the Procol Harum-like "Reflections of Charlie Brown," became a European hit of sorts; subsequent singles by Rupert's People, however, are not Fleur de Lys playing under an assumed name. The confusing saga came to an end in the late '60s. Several of the group's better tracks repeatedly showed up on collector-oriented reissues of rare '60s British rock, and an entire CD of their work was issued in 1996.
                    

Les Fleur de Lys changed lineups about half-a-dozen times during their recording career, which roughly spanned 1965-1969. Keyboardist Pete Sears went on to play with Sam Gopal Dream, and recorded on four early Rod Stewart albums including Every Picture Tells a Story, and was a founding member of

Jefferson Starship, going on to play with Hot Tuna for 10 years, and working with artists such as John Lee Hooker, Dr. John, and Harvey Mandel. Bassist Gordon Haskell replaced Greg Lake in King Crimson before a successful solo career. Guitarist Bryn Haworth would move to the States and record an unreleased album under the name Wolfgang with a band that included acclaimed bassist Leland Sklar. He would record solo albums in the 1970s for Island Records and A&M Records, before continuing his solo career on Contemporary Christian Music labels.
                   

Later members included: Chris Andrews (a.k.a Tim Andrews, Kris Ryder), Tago Byers, Gordon Haskell (King Crimson), Bryn Haworth, Tony Head, and Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship).
                    

LES FLEUR DE LYS - CIRCLES (THE ULTIMATE FLEUR DE LYS) 2021

                   

We’re delighted to present Circles - The Ultimate Fleur De Lys - a definitive compilation centred around one of the greatest 60s bands.
Atlantic Records, Andrew Loog Oldham, Shel Talmy, Cream, Isaac Hayes and er Tony Blackburn, all these and so many more turn up in the story of Southampton band the Fleur De Lys and so many more.

You may not have heard of them, and if you have it may be just because of their glorious cover of the Who’s Circle’s – an ultimate freak beat anthem which this compilation is named after – but the singles they released in the second half of the 1960s are one of the greatest collections of singles by any band, ranging from R&B through freakbeat and psych and back into club soul. Emerging from the English South Coast’s competitive club scene they signed to Rolling Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham’s pioneering indie label Immediate where they recorded two singles before being taken under the wing of Frank Fenter who worked out of the UK Polydor office running the UK arm of Atlantic. The group went through numerous line-up changes as they recorded a series of singles which are now some of the most collectible of the era.

            

Les Fleur De Lys – Circles: The Ultimate Fleur De Lys
Label: Countdown – VAINSCD102
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: Mar 26, 2021
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock

TRACKS

               

01. Les Fleur De Lys – Circles   3:02
Lead Vocals – Frank Smith
Producer – Glyn Johns
Written-By – Pete Townshend
02. Les Fleur De Lys – Mud In Your Eye    3:00
Lead Vocals – Chris Andrews
Producer – Frank Fenter
Written-By – Chris Andrews, Phil Sawyer
03. Rupert's People* – Hold On   3:31
Lead Vocals – Chris Andrews
Organ – Peter Shelley
Producer – Frank Fenter
Written-By – Gordon Haskell, Howard Conder, Rod Lynton
04. Les Fleur De Lys – Gong With The Luminous Nose    2:34
Lead Vocals – Gordon Haskell
Producer – Frank Fenter
Written-By – Gordon Haskell
05. Shyster** – Tick Tock   2:42
Lead Vocals – Gordon Haskell
Producer – Frank Fenter, Paul Clay
Written-By – Gordon Haskell
06. Les Fleur De Lys – Hammer Head   1:30
Producer – Donny Elbert
Written-By – Gordon Haskell
07. Les Fleur De Lys – One City Girl   2:44
Lead Vocals – Tony Head
Producer – Brian Potter, Bryn Haworth
Written-By – Brian Potter, Bryn Haworth
08. Chocolate Frog*** – I Forgive You   2:39
Lead Vocals – Tony Head
Written-By – Brian Potter, Frank Fenter, Graham Dee, Paul Clay
09. Les Fleur De Lys – Brick By Brick (Stone By Stone)   2:28
Lead Vocals – Tony Head
Producer – Graham Dee
Written-By – Brian Potter, Graham Dee
10. Les Fleur De Lys – I Can See A Light   2:58
Lead Vocals – Gordon Haskell
Producer – Frank Fenter
11. Les Fleur De Lys – Prodigal Son   1:59
Lead Vocals – Gordon Haskell
Producer – Frank Fenter
Written-By – Bryn Haworth, Gordon Hionides
12. Les Fleur De Lys – Nothing To Say   2:38
Producer – Frank Fenter
Written-By – Noble
13. Les Fleur De Lys – Stop Crossing The Bridge   2:01
Lead Vocals – Tony Head
Producer – Graham Dee
Written-By – Brian Potter, Graham Dee
14. Tony And Tandy**** – The Bitter And The Sweet   3:18
Lead Vocals – Sharon Tandy, Tony Head
Producer – Graham Dee
Written-By – Brian Potter, Graham Dee
15. Les Fleur De Lys – So Come On   1:50
Lead Vocals – Frank Smith
Producer – Glyn Johns
Written-By – Frank Smith, Phil Sawyer
16. Les Fleur De Lys – You've Got To Earn It   2:04
Lead Vocals – Phil Sawyer
Producer – Frank Fenter
Written-By – Cornelius Grant, Smokey Robinson
17. Tony And Tandy – Two Can Make It Together   3:08
Lead Vocals – Sharon Tandy, Tony Head
Producer – Graham Dee
Written-By – Brian Potter, Graham Dee
18. Les Fleur De Lys – I've Been Trying   2:42
Lead Vocals – Phil Sawyer
Producer – Frank Fenter
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield
19. Les Fleur De Lys – Liar   3:16
Lead Vocals – Tony Head
Producer – Brian Potter, Bryn Haworth
Written-By – Brian Potter, Bryn Haworth
20. Les Fleur De Lys – Moondreams   2:27
Lead Vocals – Frank Smith
Producer – Jimmy Page
Written-By – Buddy Holly
21. Les Fleur De Lys – Wait For Me    2:26
Lead Vocals – Frank Smith
Producer – Jimmy Page
Written-By – Danny Churchill, Frank Smith
22. Les Fleur De Lys – Love Them All (Demo)   2:45
Lead Vocals – Sharon Tandy
Producer – Graham Dee
Written-By – Graham Dee, John Bromley
23. Les Fleur De Lys – Gotta Get Enough Time   2:24
Lead Vocals – Sharon Tandy
Producer – Graham Dee
Written-By – Graham Dee, John Bromley
24. Les Fleur De Lys – I Walk The Sands   2:15
Lead Vocals – Frank Smith
Written-By – Danny Churchill, Frank Smith
25. Les Fleur De Lys – Yeah, I Do Love You (Demo)   2:55
Lead Vocals – Sharon Tandy, Tony Head
Producer – Graham Dee
Written-By – Graham Dee

LINE UP

             

Bass – Gordon Haskell (tracks: 1 to 6, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18), Tago Byers (tracks: 7 to 9,, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25)
Bass, Vocals – Danny Churchill (tracks: 20, 21, 24)
Drums – Keith Guster
Guitar – Chris Andrews  (tracks: 3, 16), Frank Smith  (tracks: 1, 15, 20, 21, 24)
Keyboards – Alex Chamberlain (tracks: 20, 21, 24), Pete Sears (tracks: 16)
Lead Guitar – Bryn Haworth (tracks: 3 to 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25), Phil Sawyer (tracks: 1, 2, 15, 16, 18)
Lead Vocals – Phil Sawyer (tracks: 2, 18)

* RUPERT'S PEOPLE

           

British pop group, late 1960s. Initially a studio-band set up to publicise the songs of Rod Lynton, recruited from members of Les Fleur De Lys (Chris Andrews (voc), Gordon Haskell (b), Keith Guster (dr), Bryn Haworth (g), Peter Solley (key)) then continued by Sweet Feeling, Rod Lynton's own band (members: Rod Lynton (real name Brosse), Steve Brendell, Ray Beverley, John Tout, Dai Jenkins).

** SHYSTER

                     

A one off single recorded by Les Fleur De Lys. The band did not want the material released, but their manager insisted on releasing the single, and agreed to do so using an alias.
Members:
Gordon Haskell (bass, vocals), Bryn Haworth (guitar), Keith Guster (drums)

*** CHOCOLATE FROG

Members:
Bryn Haworth, Keith Guster, Tago Byers, Tony Head

**** SHARON TANDY (Sharon Finkelstein)

                  

Sharon Tandy (born 18 September 1943, Johannesburg, South Africa – died 21 March 2015, London, England) was a South African singer who achieved some success in the UK in the 1960's as part of the blue-eyed soul and psychedelic movements. In 1966, she recorded some songs at Stax studios. She also had several chart hits in South Africa in the 1970's.

MP3 @ 320 Size: 157 MB
Flac  Size: 340 MB

LES FLEUR DE LYS - REFLECTIONS 2001

                 

Sprawling 24-track comp of the rare recordings of this enigmatic band. Includes 14 songs issued under the Les Fleur de Lys name, singles that they issued under the Rupert's People, Chocolate Frog, and Shyster pseudonyms, and releases on which they backed Sharon Tandy, John Bromley, and Waygood Ellis. It goes without saying that such a manic hodgepodge is geared toward the hardcore collector

market. But if you like mid-to-late '60s mod-psych, it's a decent item to have around, with some sparkling (occasionally crazed) guitar work, unusually constructed tunes that sometimes meld soul and psychedelia, and nice harmonies. "Circles" and "Mud in Your Eye" are first-rate pounding mod guitar tunes; "Gong With the Luminous Nose" is pop-psych at its silliest; "Reflections of Charlie Brown" is pop-psych at its most introspective; and Sharon Tandy's "Daughter of the Sun" is a lost near-classic with witchy vocals and sinister psychedelic guitar.

Les Fleur De Lys – Reflections
Label: Blueprint – BP256CD
Format: CD, Compilation, Reissue, M & L Pressing
Country: UK
Released: 2001
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock

TRACKS

                 

01. Les Fleur De Lys – Circles    3:07
02. Les Fleur De Lys – Mud In Your Eye    3:04
03. Les Fleur De Lys – Gong With The Luminous Nose    2:38
04. John Bromley* – Sugar Love    2:09
05. Sharon Tandy – Hold On    3:14
06. Les Fleur De Lys – Prodigal Son    2:01
07. Les Fleur De Lys – One Girl City    2:47
08. Sharon Tandy – Daughter Of The Sun    3:56
09. Shyster – Tick Tock    2:46
10. Les Fleur De Lys – I Can See The Light    3:01
11. Les Fleur De Lys – Liar    3:21
12. Chocolate Frog – I Forgive You    2:41
13. Les Fleur De Lys – So Come On    1:53
14. Les Fleur De Lys – Hammer Head    1:32
15. Les Fleur De Lys – Stop Crossing The Bridge    2:05
16. Waygood Ellis** – I Like What I'm Trying To Do    2:18
17. Rupert's People – Hold On    3:32
18. Chocolate Frog – Butchers And Bakers    2:56
19. Les Fleur De Lys – Wait For Me    2:25
20. Rupert's People – Reflections Of Charlie Brown    4:17
21. Les Fleur De Lys – Brick By Brick    2:31
22. Les Fleur De Lys – I've Been Trying    2:45
23. Les Fleur De Lys – Moondreams    2:30
24. John Bromley* – So Many Things    2:18

LINE UP

 
Bass – Gary Churchill (tracks: 19, 23), Gordon Haskell (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 22, 24), Tago Byers (tracks: 7, 11, 12, 15, 18, 21)
Drums – Keith Guster
Guitar – Bryn Haworth (tracks: 3 to 12, 14 to 18, 20, 21, 24)
Guitar [Lead] – Phil Sawyer (tracks: 1, 2, 13, 22)
Guitar, Vocals – Frank Smith (tracks: 19, 23)
Keyboards – Alex Chamberlain (tracks: 19, 23), Pete Sears (tracks: 2, 22), Pete Solley (tracks: 5, 17, 20)
Performer – Jimmy Page (tracks: 1, 13)
Vocals – Tony Head (tracks: 7, 11, 12, 15, 18, 21)
Vocals, Guitar [Rhythm] – Chris Andrews (tracks: 2, 5, 8, 17, 20, 22)

*JOHN BROMLEY

           

John Bromley (born June 22, 1947 in Manchester, Lancashire, England)is a songwriter and musician. He wrote songs for Shirley Bassey, Paul Anka, Jackie De Shannon ("Come On Down"), John Farnham, The Ace Kefford Stand ("This World's an Apple").
He recorded a few solo singles in the late 1960s and an album, backed by Les Fleur de Lys.

**WAYGOOD ELLIS

                     

CIRCLES - LYRICS
               

Circles, my head is going round in circles
My mind is caught up in a whirlpool
Dragging me down

Time will tell if I'll take the homeward track
Dizziness will make my feet walk back
Walk right back to you

Everything I do, I think of you
No matter how I try, I can't get by
These circles, leading me back to you

Round and around and around and around and around
And around and around and around and around

And round and round like a fool I go
Down and down in the pool I go
Dragging me down

There one thing could kill the pain of losing you
But it gets me so dizzy then I'm walking right back again
Back to you

Time will tell if these dreams are nearly fact
Don't know why I left, I'm coming back
Coming on back to you

MP3 @ 320 Size: 179 MB
Flac  Size: 252 MB