Caspar –Messin’ Around / Feel Like You’re Mine –Vinyl Countdown VCR -003
I stumbled across this one and I’m so glad that I did. The songs are the near genius creation of one Caspar Giles McCloud and were recorded at 10 cc’s Strawberry Studios. The two sides of this single are as close to the perfect Glam/ Power Pop coupling that you will ever get to hear. Messin’ Around is as good as The Raspberries Go All The Way, but with an added sense of mystery. The vocals are somehow a dead ringer for Dan Sarka (Vandalias/ Stingray Green). You Feel Like You’re Mine could have jumped straight off The Dwight Twilley Band's Sincerely album. Both songs and performances are really special, you can check them out here: http://pop45.blogspot.com .
The single has been reissued by http://www.vinylcountdownrecords.com on vinyl… The same label has issued a fine new single by the label's own band The Foxx and they also have a Marbles (Red Lights) release on the way.
I don’t know anything about the original issue of the Caspar single, if anyone has the facts please let me know
9 comments:
Hey again. My friend Zac is the one who put this out again. It first came on the U.S. radar about five years ago when a member of the Cuts turned up a copy out in L.A. It's since made the rounds via scratchy mp3 recordings to a lot in the collector crowd (and when the 45 itself can be found, changes hands for increasingly high figures). Ask Zac what he paid - he'll tell ya.
And the few details I can provide are that the backing band on both tracks are the guys from 10cc and that Caspar Giles McCloud now enjoys a career as a righteous Christian rocker and pastoral artist in rural Georgia. There's also a later LP by Caspar called 'Self-Portrait' on Atlantic that's very mediocre and unmemorable. But those two songs...what a pair! Pure Eric Carmen!
Hi again Collin
Thanks for the added info. I've seen a copy on sale and it's pretty expensive indeed...been thinking about it though!
The Raspberries' Go All The Way is probably the most overrated pop song of all time. It's a mediocre song that occasionally resolves into a cool guitar riff. Take out the riff and it's nothing.
I was ALMOST the bass player in Caspar's band at the time of these recordings. (Truth is, I wasn't quite good enough....then!)
I recently tracked the great man down via YouTube and MySpace and have MP3s of both these tracks from Zac (with Caspar's permission, of course). They sound just as good as I remember them and the fact that I remembered almost everything except the lyrics PROVES how good they are. Messin' Around deserved to be a hit. Maybe it's not too late?
Hi
It is indeed a great song, nearly as great as Go All The way (well in my book...). I recently found a cheap original copy of it as a BIN on ebay...
Hi, I've had this 7" for maybe 10 years, every now and again I stick it on, usually after a few beers. Superb powerpop. Last year a guy came round to buy some vinyl from me and saw this in my personal collection, he was amazed I had it since he remembered hanging around a record shop the day it came out. I think 'Rocksteady Records' was run from a Manchester or Cheshire record shop.
Anyway, the last time I checked the internet for this record it didn't come up anywhere (maybe 8 years ago?), obviously it's been picked up on now, deservedly so. Guesswhat? I found another copy today at a Boot Sale (like a yard sale) for 30p!
I'll say it again, it's an out and out classic. I was lucky enough to find an original as a BIN on ebay for around £2-3! It was miss-listed and fluked upon it...Caspar has also been in touch and he mentioned that he recently found some tapes from thsy period...who knows...
I am a pal of Caspar and have jammed with him a few times. He is definately one of the greatest guitarists alive. Not sure how he went from Power Pop to Heavy Metal (Heavy Christian Metal) but I guess God has a sense of humor.
Robin, I am a big Barracudas fan and got your album, when it first came out on Vox. Wondered what happened to ya.
See my my one hit wonder NYC garage band, The House Pets here:
http://www.myspace.com/thehousepets
I produced Caspers Single Messin Around / Make You Feel Like You're Mine, at Electric Lady Studios in NYC & mixed it at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, England. And, have just come across several brand new copies of the 7" vinyl if anyone is interested please get in touch - Michael:
sundolphin21@gmail.com
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