Musical Output
The Settlers' first single "Sassafras"/"Settle Down", was released in 1964. They became quite well known nationally, assisted by frequent appearances on television and, until 1967, regular exposure on offshore pirate radio stations. In particular, their recording of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s "Nowhere Man" (1965) was, together with The Overlanders’ 1966 UK No.1 hit, "Michelle", and The Truth’s version of "Girl", among the best known covers of songs from the Beatles' album, Rubber Soul (1965). However, although "Nowhere Man" reached a high of No.5 in Radio London's non-sales based Fab 40 in March 1966 and the group's spirited version of Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain" received a good deal of airplay in May 1966, the Settlers did not succeed in enjoying a Top 40 hit during the 1960s. Their most successful record, "The Lightning Tree" (helped along due to its use as the theme tune of the British TV series Follyfoot), reached No.36 in the UK singles chart in 1971. Like the Seekers, the group also included a double bassist. The original bassist, Mansel Davies, left in 1965 to pursue a career in teaching, and was replaced by Geoffrey Srodzinski, who shared accommodation in Hampstead, London, with Tony Hooper of Strawbs. Hooper's song, "Always on My Mind", was released as a single by the Settlers early in 1967.
After Cindy Kent left the band, the line up changed from acoustic four-part pop folk harmony, to a more contemporary five-piece electric sound with Mike Jones (guitar/banjo/vocals), Andie Sheridan (female vocals),Paul Greedus (guitar/vocals), Chris Johnstone (bass/vocals) and George Jeffrey on drums. In 1974 this line up recorded an album for York Records - "The New Sound of the Settlers".
In early 1976 Valery Ann replaced Andie Sheridan as female vocalist, and the line up changed back to four piece acoustic close harmony with Mike Jones (guitar/banjo/fiddle/vocals), Paul Greedus (bass/vocals/occasional piano*),Valery Ann (vocals/tambourine/occasional guitar*),Steve Smith (vocals/guitar). It was this line up that went into the studios to record "Whichaway Billy" for Riverdale. The single was released in October 1976 soon after Valery Ann left the band to pursue a solo career.
- Plaisir d'amour" - Valery Ann's original version "My Love Loves Me" was released on Decca in 1965 while she was still at school in Surrey.
Read more about this topic: The Settlers (band)
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