Early Non-Beatles Beatles #2

Hello again everybody. Here's another lovely hunk of American faux-Merseybeat, post-65 division.

Many of you pop fans know something written and recorded by the Merry-Go-Round, even if you don't know the band. Maybe you've clamped your ears to "Live," which the Bangles covered on their first album, or "Time Will Show the Wiser," recorded by Fairport Convention.

The four-piece M-G-R, featuring singer/songwriter/guitarist Emitt Rhodes, had two #1s in their native Los Angeles in 1966 ("Live" and "You're a Very Lovely Woman"), necessities both to a well-rounded mid-60s American pop-rock collection.

Unfortunately despite matinee-idol looks, TV appearances, and decent distribution from A&M Records, the band couldn't follow up their initial two-hit punch, and soon fragmented, leaving Rhodes, still a teenager, to embark on an abortive (but good) solo career and 40 years of obscurity.

Rev-ola released the Merry-Go-Round's entire output on one CD a couple of years ago. It's a Don't Miss, as they used to say.

Here's a more obscure track, "Missing You," from one of the band's later, unsuccessful 45s. Hard to tell here if Emitt Rhodes is more effectively channeling Lennon or McCartney; he's sort of in the middle. The treated piano and chugging chorus tempo are right out of the Fabs' 1966 program, while the lovely melody is sweeter than fresh apples.

I hope you enjoy. More info here.