Brian Protheroe-”Unreleased”, various years
After interest in a CD reissue sprung up online and direct contact to Protheroe yielded a positive response, this CD of demo and unreleased material was also provided with some background comments and years.
Featuring new instrumentation and remixing, this song is a perfect example of the clever power pop songs that made it to radio.
Protheroe in New Wave rock mode, it’s a pity this didn’t see release at the time; it’s got energy and his trademark wit with a punchy delivery.
With leadoff acoustic and electric guitars living up to the title, this sounds like the sort of pop McCartney or if later day Big Star hadn’t been so bitter. The tumbling melody and mandolins are sure to wedge themselves in your head on first listen. Dig the sudden Herb Alpert brass and marimba.
Practicing Attitudes-rough mix, 1980
After an amusing lead in, the song quickly kicks into those chugging minor riffs that pulls you in with that slight sleazy edge. More of that new wave experimentation, which shines a fascinating insight into what else he was capable of at the time. Not bad for the best of rough takes.
A lot of songs in Protheroe’s career were credited with being in plays, musicals and pantomimes and this being one of them (i wonder how many saw performance?). After a harmonized barbershop intro, it follows into Brian at the piano like “Changing My Tune” but with that slight late 70′s wintery edge.
The odd title apparently being inspired as a yoghurt ode, the song falls somewhere between John Sebastian laid back folk rock and one of Elton John’s more tongue in cheek songs. One of those songs that’s strangely alluring and a groovy chorus.
Easy Way To Your Heart-1985
The only misstep, the song mostly suffers from that mid to late 80′s synth backing that plagued slow ballads of the day; why 1985 was the start of when 80′s music took a dive in a lot of ways I need to look into sometime. I’m sure it’s got to do with the drum machine being invented.
The chorus is at least engaging and feels heartfelt, which makes up for the instrumentation, and to be fair it is so far the only weak home demo. With a more sympathetic arrangement and backing it would be a good song breaking out.
Another demo intended for a girl group that broke up before it reached them, the addition of guitar helps make up for the previous song. Somewhere around Tom Petty and Bangles, it’s easy to see this song having gotten at least a bit of attention and chart action.
You Can’t Keep A Good Girl Down-1990
Intended for a Christmas Pantomime, the song starts with a 1920′s retro intro and feel before going to a bouncy speedy delivery and melody. A harmless novelty a la “When Gran’ma Plays The Banjo,” the sense of humor and tight harmony makes it a welcome little joke.
(Why does it also remind me of some of the songs Veggie Tales put out too?)
Sounding almost like Oingo Boingo or Requiem era Arthur Brown, the lock groove sax synth backing carries the song along with a hypnotic atmosphere. Easy to see this having been on a late Talking Heads album too.
