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We are at the end of the sixties. Precisely in 1969. An era when there was a great hunger for culture, an explosion of creativity, a palpable tension that spread across all social strata. People believed they could change the world. Even though deep down every generation believes it can and in reality the world is always changing. But that's not the point. The point is that no change was ever as free, frantic, and shared as it was then. This is evidenced by what has remained over the years, how much we are still anchored to that period, and especially how many artists from that time have left their indelible mark on history. And yet, there existed a thriving undergrowth, probably equally imaginative and influential, that unfortunately has not stood the test of time. Sometimes even unsung heroes leave deep marks, and this is the case with Spooky Tooth, a band belonging to the English underground, creators of hard-tinted rock that draws a bit from soul and a bit from blues, without neglecting some hints of psychedelia. A heterogeneous music then, even if not bold enough to fall into the progressive genre, dominated by the dual keyboards of Mike Harrison and Gary Wright, particularly by Wright's often aggressive Hammond. The two also share the gritty vocal parts, played on the contrast between Wright's high voice and falsettos and Harrison's deeper soul timbre. The other instrumentalists are by no means mere side players, nor are they inexperienced: bassist Greg Ridley would later play with Humble Pie, while guitarist Luther Grosvenor would join Mott the Hoople. Both do not hide and indeed contribute to the group's compositional creativity with their sharp lines and riffs, though less prominently than their companions. “Spooky Two”, as the title itself suggests, is the band's second work and is undoubtedly the artistic pinnacle of their career. The quality of the songs elevates the music beyond performance or production flaws, instead making its genuine and passionate side even more appreciated. Every single track manages to stand out, often resulting in being "catchy" but without ever falling into the banal. Among these, “Better By You, Better Than Me” is certainly the most captivating and probably one of the hardest on the album, later covered by Judas Priest. “Feelin' Bad” is another highlight, reminiscent of early Traffic, particularly due to the standout rhythm section and the well-conceived almost gospel-like chorus. Finally worth mentioning are the two most peculiar songs of the lot. The lengthy “Evil Woman,” with its cadenced and hypnotic rhythm, might recall Black Sabbath (not just in the title), with the small difference being that instead of Ozzy's grating voice, there's Wright's piercing falsetto. “Lost In My Dream” moves instead into psychedelic territories and atmospheres more akin to Jefferson Airplane, with Grosvenor's guitar prominently featured. The rest of the album, as already written, maintains good and at times excellent levels, leaving the impression that the public has terribly underestimated Spooky Tooth. Things wouldn’t change in the years to come, not even with the restyling that saw the introduction of Mike Patto on vocals and Mick Jones (the one from Foreigner) on guitar, and despite good-quality albums like “The Mirror.” Perhaps what was lacking was charisma, or some singular episode, or who knows what else. Success is a strange combination of ability, perseverance, and circumstances, but in the end, I am convinced that it also requires, and above all, a fair dose of luck. Despite everything, we are here talking about it nearly half a century later.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 Waitin' for the Wind (03:32)
Lonely is the night
Now that darkness has fallin'
Nothing seems right
And the world is callin'
Everybody's looking back
As the wind comes whispering by
The're waitin' for the answers then
Like the time they heard a cry
Hang on
Don't ever go
Life's here
I know
Wind called on me
How it took me by surprise
Cause night come upon me
Creeping through the distant skies
Wind tell me what you can
'Bout the life - What I came from
A breeze blew and whispered then
In a voice rich as the sun
Hang on
Don't ever go
Life's here
I know
02 Feelin' Bad (03:18)
You seek to grow a happy face
But ya' need someone for sure
To fill tomorrow's empty space
That hides behind your door
Oh yeah...
I'll bring anything you want
You know I'm here to guide you
But change your day from bad to good
Hide the tears inside you
Oh yeah...
Feelin' bad - make it good
I'll show you how I think you should be feelin' now
Better times they got to come
Feelin' bad - make it good
I'll show you how I think you should be feelin' now
How you feelin' now it's all around
No one knows but you
The way it's been you just can't win
There's nothing you can do
You're runnin' wild, a helpless child
Through them fools that guide ya'
A time to think is what you need
Wake up the time beside ya'
Oh yeah
Feelin' bad - make it good
I'll show you how I think you should be feelin' now
Better times they got to come
Feelin' bad - make it good
I'll show you how I think you should be feelin' yeah
Feelin' bad - make it good
I'll show you how I think you should be feelin' yeah
I'll make it fine if ya' say you're feelin' low
Feelin' bad - make it good
I'll show you how I think you should be
feelin' now
Feelin' bad - make it good
I'll show you how I think you should be
feelin' yeah
Let me help you put fine on the way you feel
03 I've Got Enough Heartaches (03:27)
Flyin' high, out on a limb we'll be.
We've got more than we could ever see.
But to keep it is harder than anything else.
I love ya, let me tell ya. We could go on and never miss.
That's why I say, I've got enough heartaches. Tell me what you see when you look at me, yeah.
We've got a good thing, let's not lose it.
Is it right? Is it wrong when you say it won't be long.
I've got enough, I've got enough heartaches.
Sitting here wanting you by my side. Should I run away? No, I'm afraid to hide.
Lonely, like a cross on the other side of the street. I'm mixed up, not messed up.
Strong in a field of wheat. That's why I say, I've got enough heartaches. Tell me what you see when you look at me, yeah.
We've got a good thing, let's not lose it.
Is it right? Is it wrong when you say it won't be long?
I've got, I've got enough heartaches.
Tell me what you see when you look at me, yeah.
We've got a good thing, let's not lose it.
Is it right? Is it wrong when you say it won't be long?
I've got enough, I've got enough heartaches.
Tell me what you see when you look at me, yeah.
04 Evil Woman (09:02)
Woman, when I saw you comin'
Should've started runnin'
Evil woman
Woman! I offered to you my soul
You ran it over hot coals
You evil woman!
Woman, thought you were a blessin'
Then I caught you messin'
Evil woman
Woman! You ain't got no feelin'
You're just a dirty dealin'
Yeah!
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' rack up
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' beckon you
Evil woman, can't you see where you're fallin'
Evil woman, the devil is a-callin'
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' rack up
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' beckon you
Evil woman, can't you see where you're fallin'
Evil woman, the devil is a-callin' you
Woman, when you whisper to me
All the hurt you do me
Evil woman
Woman! The way you went your way
Gettin' under my skin
You evil woman!
Woman, when you laugh at my pain
When you step on my brain, yeah!
Evil woman
Woman! If there were other choices
How I didn't hear the voices - Cryin'
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' rack up
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' beckon you
Evil woman, can't you see where you're fallin'
Evil woman, the devil is a-callin'
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' rack up
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' beckon you
Evil woman, can't you see where you're fallin'
Evil woman, the devil is a-callin' you
Woman, when you whisper to me
All the hurt you do me
Evil woman
Woman! The way you went your way
Gettin' under my skin
You evil woman!
Woman, when you laugh at my pain
When you step on my brain
Evil woman
Woman! If there were other choices
How I didn't hear the voices - Cryin'
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' rack up
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' beckon you
Evil woman, can't you see where you're fallin'
Evil woman, the devil is a-callin'
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' rack up
Evil woman, the Lord's gonna' beckon you
Evil woman, can't you see where you're fallin'
Evil woman, the devil is a-callin' you
Evil Woman!
Evil Woman!
06 That Was Only Yesterday (03:53)
Guess I'll have to get out of this town
No sense in my waiting around
Only thing left for me here is pain
She's gone for sure now why pretend
Left last night with a friend
Leaving not a word that would explain
That was only yesterday
But will I ever face tomorrow?
She took away what I'd had
And returned it full of sorrow
That was only yesterday
Will I ever face tomorrow?
She took away what I'd had
And returned it full of sorrow
I think I better find somewhere
A place where I won't care
I need some time to hide my shame
Was only just one day ago
Found what I'd been searching for
Had left town on a late night train
And that was only yesterday
But will I ever face tomorrow?
She took away what I'd had
And returned it full of sorrow
That was only yesterday
Will I ever face tomorrow?
She took away what I'd had
And returned it full of sorrow
That was only yesterday
Will I ever face tomorrow?
She took away what I'd had
And returned it full of sorrow
07 Better by You, Better Than Me (03:40)
You can find a way to be my passion
You listen to the blood flowin' in my vein
You hear the teaching of the wind
Tell her what I'm like within
I can't find the words my mind is dim
It's better by you better than me
Guess you'll have to tell her how I tried
To speak the thoughts of hell so long inside
Tell her now I've got to go
Fight in the streets and guide the sword
Tell her the world's not much fallin' for
It's better by you better than me
It's better by you better than me
You can tell her what I want it to be
You can say what I only can see
It's better by you better than me
Guess I'll have to change my way of livin'
Only really know the way I've been
Guess I'll lean to fight and kill
Tell her not to wait until
Finds my blood upon her window sill
It's better by you better than me
It's better by you better than me
You can tell her what I want it to be
You can say what I only can see
It's better by you better than me
It's better by you better than me
You can say what I can see
You can tell her what I want it to be
It's better by you better than me
It's better by you
You know better than me
Yeah you can say what I only can see
08 Hangman Hang My Shell on a Tree (05:40)
Someone said he knows he know, knows nothing yea
He who knows he knows nothing really knows
But I have searched but I never could find
A way to make my true self unwind
And while I sit here waiting to die
I can see what I am, can tell you why
The time's right ahead, can't you see
Cause my life's running out, out on me
I forgotten how it was, let me be
So hangman hang my shell, on a tree
It's all so easy like the time, that I first learned yea
It's all the same since the day, the world first turned yea
But I never tried to listen or wait
But now it's so clear but for me it's too late.
So I sit here trying not to cry
I only wanted peace, and now I must die
The time's right ahead, can't you see
Cause my life's running out, out on me
I forgotten how it was, let me be
So hangman hang my shell, on a tree
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