tich turner

SMART SOUNDS by Colin Bell reviewing Hi-Fi Sneakers Catch A Falling Star CD Single

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I don’t normally review any singles made to support charities. However I’m more than happy to let everyone know about this one. The new release in question is ‘Catch A Falling Star’ by Hi-Fi Sneakers. The proceeds of the sale of the single are all going to a very worthwhile & important cause the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, so do please support them. It was with some trepidation that i approached this release. The original recording of ‘Catch A Falling Star’ was a Christmas hit way back in December 1957, backed with ‘Magic Moments’ & sung by Perry Como, it was one of my departed Dads all time favourites & holds an important memory for me. However I needn’t have had any concerns, this 2023 version is an uplifting delight. From the intro sprinkled with ‘Christmas bells’ this up-temp re-imagining of the song swings along at a good pace & I’ve soon put Perry out of mind. I particularly like the horn augmentation & vocalist Tich Turner sounds great. It’s been many, many years since I first saw him perform with Whisky Mac, more than either of us probably care to remember! Back then my abiding impression of Tich was a cross between Mick Jagger & Steve Marriott. Sadly over the intervening years I haven’t seen him perform in the various bands he’s been in, due to our differing work schedules. On ‘Catch A Falling Star’ his voice has attained a warm, mature feel, albeit still with an edge, much like a finely matured aforementioned Whisky Mac! Hi-Fi Sneakers are a well respected London band, well known on the South London scene & comprise of Tich Turner (vocals) Matt Percival (guitar) Derek Sumption (keyboards) Bob Kelly (bass) & James Britton (drums) & are augmented on this release by a horn section of John O’Neill, John Telfer & Dave Boraston. A thought struck me forcibly as i was listening to the song play that it would be a perfect fit to feature in the soundtrack of a Rom-Com movie, like ‘Four Weddings’ or ‘Love Actually’ Directors are always looking to use an updated version of a classic in these movies. look no further! I sincerely hope the single does well & makes a good sum for a very worthwhile charity & next time i make it to London I’m off to a Hi-Fi Sneakers gig. That’s a promise.

Til next time, take care………..Colin

The Deep Purple – Cricket Ground Hastings and Cobweb letter 1968

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Supplied by Len Benton

Len Benton, Peter Horton, Tony Bird, Tich Turner and Ian McGilvray.

Robert Searle… Tich looking quite normal

Jim Breeds… “bee off”

Pauline Richards… Peter Horton. Still looks so much like himself

Colin Fox… When Tich was just starting out in the music business, he used to come and see us play at Battle memorial hall. Got to know him well in those days, and had the pleasure of seeing him play some years later in one of the colleges in Meads Eastbourne. Great singer, great rock band.

Robert Searle… Last time I saw him play was with that really good R&B group, can’t remember the name,at the Archery at Seaside Eastbourne.That was in the 70s

Mick O’Dowd… A real” moody” pose as per group pics in those days. Nice pics of Deep Purple emerging from Len Benton. Haven’t seen these before .

Judith Monk… I wanted to come to the next meeting and meet Len and his wife but sadly decided to break my leg instead….

Peter Horton… I do agree that Pete Horton looks like Pete Horton, Pauline. In fact we all look as I remember us. Fresh faced and young!!! They were good times. I had never seen this one before. Thanks Len.

John Wilde… They played at The Happening, Kings Rd. 1967.

 

The Deep Purple – 1968

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From 68 – Tich Turner, Tony Bird , Len Benton, Peter Horton and Ian McGilvray.Deep Purple Pic Darker.(1)

Deep Purple Text Darker.

supplied by Pete Horton

Group Card                                                                    from Peter Horton

 

Paul Sleet – saw them at a gig at a girls school in Hastings. Think it was woodlands in tower road if memory serves. I was a mere schoolboy at the time.
Phil Gill – Brilliant – Tich, Tony Bird and Len Benton!
John Alexander Wilde – Fab! Great find Andre.
Graham Burfield – tich turner on the right I think & tony bird
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Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection

Ian McGilvray…The Deep Purple, What a fantastic Band, Shame We had to change Our name.

Tich Turner’s Escalator – Diana

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Phil Gill commented on this photo:

Ray took that picture in the top end of Alexandra Park. Tich commandeered my white jacket, so we went through Ray’s wardrobe and he found me that black leather one. It was really ’70s with a huge winged collar, which was tucked under out of sight. It also had “Marlon” written across the back of the shoulders in huge white letters. We referred to Ray as Marlon for weeks afterwards… 

Ken Wilson…  I remember going round Tich’s house and listening to the Stones first album…..who would have thought they would be playing Glastonbury tonight !!!!! Must have been 63/64 ish. Tich did the best Mick Jagger ever , great guy !!

Bobby Walker….Ray Fenwick now head of music at a college in Lincolnshire. Still plays regularly in local pubs

Allan Peterson… Hi,I remember Tich from the sixties at the Tuesday Night gigs at Langton Hall Battle. A Mick Jagger lookalike. Used to talk to him, a nice guy. Glad he has done well for himself. If only Diana was released later on?

Mick O’Dowd…. agree Tich was a Mick Jagger lookalike & that’s one reason we hired him to front Deep Purple.

Alan Wood… Interesting again,says Tich did well,how well

Andy Maby…. A superb song! Especially played live by the Escalators.. downstairs in the Chatsworth!!! :o))

Andy Qunta… I was just listening to this yesterday on my iPod! Fun times! What has Tich been up to? Haven’t seen or heard of him in a while!

Colin Fox… I remember Tich and his band supporting us at Langton Hall Battle in the early 60’s when he was a young lad just starting out and I could see they had potential. Very friendly and eager to learn.

Mick O’Dowd… I believe he is one of “The Blues Bros” in Soul Express show and also now in The Low-Fi Sneakers or something like that?

Phil Gill… TTE, Lovely lads, but you wouldn’t want any of ’em marrying your sister.

Andy Qunta… Great to see Tich has still got it!

Yvonne Cleland… Brilliant!

Pete Prescott… I still have that record !

Virginia Davis… Remember seeing them often at the Chatsworth

Mike Gingold… I was the ‘Belsize Park Horns’ – Mike Gingold (overdubbed on recordings). Gigs were a riot.

Pete Prescott… One of Hastings best front men !

Harry Randall… Allan Peterson those were the days remember it well played a few times at Battle Hop in “The Chain Reaction”

Pete Prescott… I never understood why I was asked to be in Steppin Out (amazing band) I couldn’t see what I could do on stage to equal what he was doing. I was very envious.

Kings Head The Bourne playlist 23rd August 1978 for Roger Carey and Friends

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supplied by Roger Carey

The band was Steve Demetri, Tony Qunta, Roger Carey, Tich Turner and guest guitarist Andy Smith (From The Roaring 80’s). Put together for one night only by Roger Carey.

Geoff Peckham… I’ll bet that was a good night! x

Pete Fisher… What a great memento – I recognise Roger’s writing. Detailed setlist can be a great help, if you have time to look at it. Remember having around 30 songs/new arrangements at the beginning of a tour once, and sellotaping 3 sheets of A4 together to accomodate them…

Barry French… Last night my good friend Len Benton & myself went to see Tich performing with his band Hi Fi Sneakers, at Sidley Working Men’s Club (Great must see soul band ). Tich remembers the Kings Head Gig, & was amazed that Roger has held onto the set list all this time & that the gig is still being talked about (The Power Of SMART)

Tich Turner… Blimey! Was playing in Sidley last night with HiFi Sneakers and  Barry told me, the last time he saw me performing was at The Kings Head. I thought he was talking about a gig I did there with about 11 of us, we were doing a bunch of new songs I’d written and Ray Fenwick wanted to invite some guys down from London to see it. I think it was leading into The Roaring 8o’s. The Place was packed, [mainly by the band], but a great night. I don’t recall this gig at all. I’m wondering why we did it. Perhaps Roger can recall. And….hello to all of you.

John Wilde… Hi Tich. Best wishes and keep on keeping on!

Pete Davis… Used to see you down the York Bexhill with Steppin Out, I think you was called, with Del McCoogan…..

Pete Prescott… There was a gig at the kings head with Steppin Out that Ray invited some record company guys to. It was Nov/Dec 77. They didn’t show up.

Mike Waghorne… Must be 30+ years since I last saw you Tich hope you are well ?

Wendy Weaver… Fascinating

Whisky Mac – Jerome Tait around 1967/68 & rock-a-nore group photo

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whisky mac

supplied by Graham Bradley

Andre Martin…..Jerome Tait in action with Whisky Mac around 1967/68 – thanks to Graham Bradley who has been sending me some great pictures, that bring memories flooding back for all sorts of reasons.

Alan Esdaile…..This is Tich Turner.

Andre Martin…..I do not know why – but that was the name that Tich wanted to use on the publicity we put out in late 68 – part of the image no doubt – all of this is great stuff.

Phil Gill…..Jerome! I’d forgotten about that!

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photo by John E Sweet       supplied by Graham Bradley

Andre Martin…..Graham Bradley has emailed me a publicity photo that John Sweet took in Autumn 68 at Rock-a-Nore of Whisky Mac I remember this session

Martyn Baker… A very young Tich Turner

Glenn Piper… Very young Tich indeed 😀

Stallion – introducing the band 1974 & Stallion poster 6th November 1973.

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supplied by Mick Mepham

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supplied by Phil Thornton

Alan Esdaile… Great find Phil.  Stringer Jones, was a duo with Martin Stringer and Malcolm Jones.

Martyn Baker… Malcolm Jones was the other half of Stringer-Jones with Martin Stringer in Hastings (1975-6). I kind of re-met Malcolm again when we both worked for Capital Radio in the 80’s. Martin now lives in the west of Ireland. Both top geezers.

Harry Randall… RIP Vic/Tony and Steve gone to young! Sadly missed I’m sure by all who new them!

Leigh Wieland-Boys… My that takes me back. Fond memories of Steve D, rest in peace dear friend.

Martin Stringer… Crikey.

Phil Thornton… wow ! Great pic. Don’t think I’ve seen the one above before. SSV&T !!!

Linda McDuffie… Cottage! Blast from the past!