Record Store Day has come around again, and as usual, it offers up an interesting smattering of releases that fans and newcomers will want to snap up. One of these limited releases is a new compilation, comprising a selection of material from The Chris White Experience.
Chris White, of The Zombies fame, has released six volumes of the Chris White Experience over the last five years. The majority was material from his vast production and writing catalogues, much of it previously unheard and unreleased. This release collects together a selection from those albums; Most make their debut on vinyl. This limited album comprises 10 tracks recorded between 1969 and the present day.
The opening track, Good Good Morning, featuring Kevin Finn of The New Seekers, is a nostalgic-sounding throwback with a fresh feel. The beautifully placed harmonies paired with awakening bass and uplifting organ are a match made in musical harmony. The oldest track is a Rod Argent / Chris White composition and production performed with Colin Blunstone, entitled Unhappy Girl from 1969; A soaring yet melancholy ballad with a haunting organ throughout.
Chris White was involved in the production of all of these recordings, with writing credits on a few. His lead vocals are heard on Hold My Hand, a self-penned track featuring a beautiful high vocal and harmonies. Walkin’, featuring Argent, is on the other end of the scale; An addictive guitar lead that doubles with the bass line, so good! This demonstrates White’s versatility, and being able to adapt to each performer or artist.
New Faces winners Sparrow appears on this album, via a track from their unreleased 1975 album produced by White. Oh Doctor is a slick, fun pop number with Doo-Wop style backing vocals lifting at the top and a forceful beat underneath. It is an irresistible opening to Side Two.
For the most part, this is the first time to experience these tracks on vinyl. One of the only recordings to have been released on the format previously is Francie Conway’s Something I Heard. Diana Dors also released Security in the 60s, but the version included here was recorded in 1978. This later recording has elements of disco, backed with building strings, modern backing vocals, a very peppy piano and prominent drums.
Taking the Wings from Butterflies is so contemporary for its 1990 date of recording, with that post-New Romantic feel and soft vocals, rising to and falling from a more heightened Zombies sound. It sounds great on this luscious vinyl. Using a song by the band with which Chris White rose to prominence to close the album is a very satisfying touch.
Sound Quality
Considering the context, age and rarity of this material, the sound quality presented here is excellent.
A Little Something Extra…
The album is presented on 180g vinyl, which feels quite hefty when held. The artwork on the sleeve looks great, even when close up. The inner paper sleeve features hand-drawn artwork on one side, with track listing on the other. This also includes information on each song, such as the songwriter, session personnel, the producer, engineer and location of recording.
Conclusion
For fans of The Zombies and Chris White, this is a nicely packaged item which will sit nicely in their collection. All of the songs are of a high quality, so high that we can’t believe we’ve never heard some of these on the radio. For people who aren’t aware of Chris or his work, this also serves as an interesting introduction that may lead you to seek out more. Given the limited nature of the release, and the price point, it is likely to be fans that will snap this up quickly. The Best of Chris White Experience is available on Record Store Day 2024, the 20th of April. It is limited to 500 copies worldwide.
Tracklisting:
- Good Good Morning (Featuring Kevin Finn)
- Unhappy Girl (Featuring Colin Bunstone)
- Hold My Hand (Lula Lula) (Featuring Chris White)
- Walkin’ (Featuring Argent)
- Love Song (Featuring Duffy Power)
- Oh Doctor (Featuring Sparrow)
- Something I Heard (Featuring Francie Conway)
- Man Go Find a Woman (Featuring Joe Lee Wilson)
- Security (Featuring Diana Dors)
- Taking the Wings from Butterflies (Featuring The Zombies)
