New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Numero Group has compiled for the first time ever the complete studio recordings of the English '60s psych-rock band the Creation. The 2-CD set titled Action Painting will be released March 17, 2017.
All 42 tracks the group recorded between 1965-1968 have been remastered from the original tapes by Shel Talmy, and given fresh stereo mixes where previously unavailable. New essays by music historians Dean Rudland and Alec Palao tell the Creation story while scores of previously unpublished photographs adorn the accompanying 80-page hardbound book. Numero Group has rounded out the package with four tracks by pre-Creation freakbeat quartet the Mark Four, making Action Painting the definitive collection of this legendary U.K. band.
The Creation were a dynamic quartet with an equally engaging image. They would burn brightly for just two years, yet would leave an indelible mark upon music history. With producer du jour Shel Talmy at the helm (The Who, Kinks, Easybeats, Cat Stevens, et al.) the Creation went on an incredible two-year tear of singles, including "Making Time," "How Does It Feel to Feel," "Tom Tom," and "If I Stay Too Long." By 1968 the paint was dry and the band split. Eddie Phillips' trademark guitar bowing would be nicked by Jimmy Page and
Boney M would cheese up "Painter Man," the band's highest-charting single.
Over the nearly five decades since, the Creation has seen a tremendous resurgence in interest. First it was the Jam flossing "Making Time" on the inner sleeve of All Mod Cons. A few years later Alan McGee formed the band Biff Bang Pow and his Creation record label. By the turn of the century a new generation had discovered the band via a strategic placement in Wes Anderson's Rushmore.
According to legendary producer Talmy, "My biggest regret is that they didn't achieve the standing they should have. I truly believe they could have been as big as the Who."
With Action Painting, overdue recognition might be just around the bend.
Separate from the 2-CD/2-LP collection, Numero will release a limited edition, break away spindle 45 featuring the Creation's "Making Time" backed with a previously unissued instrumental version.
Disc 1
1Making Time
2Try and Stop Me
4Biff Bang Pow
5Sylvette (edit)
6If I Stay Too Long
7Nightmares
8Life Is Just Beginning
9Through My Eyes
10How Does It Feel to Feel
11Tom Tom
12Can I Join Your Band
13Midway Down
14The Girls Are Naked
15Bonie Maronie
17For All That I Am
18Uncle Bert
19Cool Jerk
20I Am the Walker
21Ostrich Man
22Sweet Helen
23How Does It Feel to Feel (US version)
Disc 2
1THE MARK FOUR - Hurt Me If You Will
2THE MARK FOUR - I'm Leaving
3THE MARK FOUR - Work All Day (Sleep All Night)
4THE MARK FOUR - Going Down Fast
5How Does It Feel to Feel (US version) New stereo mix
6Biff Bang Pow New stereo mix
7For All That I Am New stereo mix
8Can I Join Your Band New stereo mix
9Through My Eyes New stereo mix
10Tom Tom New stereo mix
11Midway Down New stereo mix
12Nightmares New stereo mix
13Life Is Just Beginning New stereo mix
14Painter Man New stereo mix
15If I Stay Too Long New stereo mix
16How Does It Feel To Feel (UK version) New stereo mix
17Cool Jerk New stereo mix
18Hey Joe New stereo mix
19Like a Rolling Stone New stereo mix
20Making Time (backing track) take 1 Previously unissued
21Sylvette (full length)
22Instrumental 1
23How Does It Feel to Feel (version 1) (backing track - Previously unissued)
