1968
Composers: Peter Lietz, Philip Forester
LP "Ulleogamaxbe"
EMI-Columbia SMC 74 343
In the 60ies this Berlin based band were marketed by EMI Electrola as the German answer to the Beatles, rivalling the Hamburg based Rattles. In fact they had a common background with the Fab Four since they initially were known as The Skiffle Lords in 1959. They had their distinctive pseudo-aristocrat image. Costumes and hairdo pre-dated Carnaby Street fashion in a way. And they had some ridiculously amusing choreography-routines to be witnessed in early Beat Club TV footages.
They were pretty successful with 11 charting singles. Their 1964 version of "Shakin' all Over" eclipsed Johnny Kidd & The Pirates' original sales-wise. The self-penned "Poor Boy" (which is NOT the Blues traditional) became their signature tune, that charted a second time in the late 70ies.
As the psychedelic period was in full bloom, it appears as no wonder that Germany's leading Beat band also found the need to produce their very answer to "Sgt. Pepper". Their much belated 1969 attempt as a whole isn't half as good, but it contains the one or another gem. "Fire" -a group composition- does it's best to meet the needs for a full range psychedelic pocket symphony. Luckily enough no aspect of the song is to be taken serious, which helps to avoid the usual embarrassments of psychedelic exploitation in order to deliver a real fun roller-coaster listening experience!
The Lords' recordings were all made in Cologne Electrola Studios. Producer Heinz Gietz continued to take care on them, even after he had left the Electrola staff in order to run his own Cornet Records & Studios company. Looks like the studio wizardry is largely his work. Well done Heinz!
Learn more about the group at Wikipedia: