The Graham Gouldman Thing
Encyclopedia
The Graham Gouldman Thing was the debut album by singer and songwriter Graham Gouldman
. Gouldman had already written hit singles for Herman's Hermits
("No Milk Today" and "Listen People"), the Yardbirds
("For Your Love"), the Hollies
("Bus Stop
") and Wayne Fontana
("Pamela, Pamela", "The Impossible Years") and on this album Gouldman delivered his own versions of some of those songs as well as other new compositions.
Gouldman, who would later become a founding member of 10cc
, recorded the album at Olympic Studios
in London, a studio that would later be extensively used by Led Zeppelin
. It was recorded with the assistance of John Paul Jones
and Eddie Kramer
, both of whom would also achieve considerable success with Led Zeppelin.
In sleeve notes for the 2004 CD re-release, Gouldman said his manager, Harvey Lisburg suggested he make the album, reworking his hits and recording new songs.
He wrote: "It was also a chance to work on a big project with John Paul Jones
, with whom I had worked many times before ... he is a great bass and keyboard player who had an important influence on my playing.
"The album was supposed to have been co-produced by Peter Noone
of Herman's Hermits
. The idea being that the artist produces the writer. After the first session he didn't show up again, so John and I ended up producing the album with Eddie Kramer
engineering."
The liner notes acknowledge the use of "some fabulous players on the sessions", but do not name them.
At the time, only one single was released from the album sessions in the UK and the album was subsequently not released in the UK until it appeared on CD years later.
Side 1
Side 2
Graham Gouldman
Graham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
. Gouldman had already written hit singles for Herman's Hermits
Herman's Hermits
Herman's Hermits are an English beat band, formed in Manchester in 1963 as Herman & The Hermits. The group's record producer, Mickie Most , emphasized a simple, non-threatening, clean-cut image, although the band originally played R&B numbers...
("No Milk Today" and "Listen People"), the Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
("For Your Love"), the Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
("Bus Stop
Bus Stop (song)
"Bus Stop" is the title of a song recorded and released as a 7-inch 45 rpm vinyl single by the British pop band The Hollies. It became a hit in 1966, reaching #5 in the UK Singles Chart...
") and Wayne Fontana
Wayne Fontana
Wayne Fontana is an English pop singer. In 1962, he formed his backing group, the Mindbenders and got a recording contract.-Biography:...
("Pamela, Pamela", "The Impossible Years") and on this album Gouldman delivered his own versions of some of those songs as well as other new compositions.
Gouldman, who would later become a founding member of 10cc
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
, recorded the album at Olympic Studios
Olympic Studios
Olympic Studios was a renowned independent commercial recording studio located at 117 Church Road, Barnes, South West London, England. The studio is best known for the huge number of famous rock and pop recordings made there from the late 1960s onward....
in London, a studio that would later be extensively used by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
. It was recorded with the assistance of John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones (musician)
John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
and Eddie Kramer
Eddie Kramer
Edwin H. Kramer is an audio engineer and producer who has worked with, among others, Led Zeppelin, Triumph, Kiss , Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Spooky Tooth, Peter Frampton, Curtis Mayfield, Santana, Anthrax, Carly Simon, Loudness, and Robin Trower.-1960s:Eddie...
, both of whom would also achieve considerable success with Led Zeppelin.
In sleeve notes for the 2004 CD re-release, Gouldman said his manager, Harvey Lisburg suggested he make the album, reworking his hits and recording new songs.
He wrote: "It was also a chance to work on a big project with John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones (musician)
John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
, with whom I had worked many times before ... he is a great bass and keyboard player who had an important influence on my playing.
"The album was supposed to have been co-produced by Peter Noone
Peter Noone
Peter Noone is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist and actor, best known as "Herman" of the successful 1960s rock group Herman's Hermits.-Early life:...
of Herman's Hermits
Herman's Hermits
Herman's Hermits are an English beat band, formed in Manchester in 1963 as Herman & The Hermits. The group's record producer, Mickie Most , emphasized a simple, non-threatening, clean-cut image, although the band originally played R&B numbers...
. The idea being that the artist produces the writer. After the first session he didn't show up again, so John and I ended up producing the album with Eddie Kramer
Eddie Kramer
Edwin H. Kramer is an audio engineer and producer who has worked with, among others, Led Zeppelin, Triumph, Kiss , Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Spooky Tooth, Peter Frampton, Curtis Mayfield, Santana, Anthrax, Carly Simon, Loudness, and Robin Trower.-1960s:Eddie...
engineering."
The liner notes acknowledge the use of "some fabulous players on the sessions", but do not name them.
At the time, only one single was released from the album sessions in the UK and the album was subsequently not released in the UK until it appeared on CD years later.
Track listing
All songs composed by Graham GouldmanGraham Gouldman
Graham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
Side 1
- "The Impossible Years" – 2:38
- "Bus StopBus Stop (song)"Bus Stop" is the title of a song recorded and released as a 7-inch 45 rpm vinyl single by the British pop band The Hollies. It became a hit in 1966, reaching #5 in the UK Singles Chart...
" – 2:24 - "Behind the Door" – 3:38
- "Pawnbroker" – 3:02
- "Who are They" – 2:03
- "My Father" – 2:47
Side 2
- "No Milk TodayNo Milk Today"No Milk Today" is a song that was written by Graham Gouldman and originally recorded by British pop band Herman's Hermits. It was first released as a single by the Mancunian group in the UK in October 1966 and, with the B-side "My Reservation's Been Confirmed", enjoyed chart success, peaking at #7...
" – 2:15 - "Upstairs, Downstairs" – 2:17
- "For Your LoveFor Your Love-Album reissues:The Yardbirds' 2001 compilation album Ultimate! contains eight of the eleven tracks from the original album. For Your Love has been reissued by several record labels, including JVC, Castle, and Repertoire...
" – 2:34 - "Pamela, Pamela" – 2:11
- "Chestnut" – 3:23