Personally I believe that the Pretty Things are one of the most underrated bands to have emerged in the 1960's. While people continue to wax lyrical about the Stones, the Kinks and the Who, the Pretty Things rarely get a mention. Of course they suffered initially through being compared to the Rolling Stones no doubt because both bands favoured a repertoire based on American R&B and of course in Dick Taylor, they had a bass player who had played in both bands. Also the Stones broke the US market while the Pretty Things, for whatever reason, never quite managed that.
However, consider this for a moment. When putting together his 'Pin Ups' album of favourite cover songs, David Bowie included not one but two songs by the Pretty Things ('Rosalyn' and 'Don't Bring Me Down'). Also I have heard it said by those fortunate enough to have seen both the Pretty Things and the Stones live back in those early years, that the Pretties blew the Stones off the stage. Even Dave Gilmour has stated that the Pretty Things made the Stones look tame.
Moving forward to the late 1960's when all and sundry were trying to match the psychedelic mastery of 'Sgt Pepper', the Stones only managed the rather derivative 'Their Satanic Majesties Request'. The Pretty Things however came up with the masterful 'S.F. Sorrow', not only a great album but also the first concept album, preceding 'Tommy' by a full year.
Unfortunately as with many of their contemporaries, a mixture of bad luck and bad behaviour prevented them from achieving the commercial success they clearly deserved. However, despite various splits and break-ups, the band are now back together and are belatedly receiving some credit for their back catalogue of wonderful recordings.
I happened to catch them live on a small stage at Hyde Park a few years ago and they were quite sensational.
This 50th anniversary box set contains an illustrated 100 page hard backed book, two documentary DVD's, a 10" replica acetate of 'Defecting Grey', 'Turn my Head' plus two unreleased tracks, two CD's containing 45 rarities, a family tree and a brand new art print by Phil May. Oh and of course there are 11 remastered studio albums including bonus tracks. To get a better idea of the contents, watch Phil May and Dick Taylor unboxing the package here.
I should at this stage confess that I do not yet own this box set myself. When it was released with a price tag of £125 I was sorely tempted but I already own all of the remastered albums included within the set. I now see that on Amazon, it is going for twice the original price. An opportunity missed perhaps?
Yet, I also see that it is still available at the original price from this site.
Consequently I may still be tempted! Watch this space!
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