Newton's Apple - A Taste Of... (1976)

This wholesome bunch originated from Grantham in Lincolnshire, birthplace of the titular physicist and astronomer but more known these days as the place that created Margaret Thatcher. Not that that has anything to do with the record, but once again there is precious little out there about the group, so that's the sound of me clutching at straws. The sleeve notes, although refreshingly brief and non self-aggrandising, also offer little. There's not even much to say about the low-key artwork, except I've been finding myself slighty smitten by the lovely mumsy face of Jo-ann on the lower right - she looks like butter wouldn't melt but her dirty Hammond dominates the LP. Interestingly, when I was taking the photo of the sleeve for this post, my camera's face recognition feature picked up all but the Ray Davies lookalike in the top left. Possibly this is because his face is partly obscured but I like to think it is because of the schoolboy doodle on his head which looks variously like a knife or a willy (sorry Ray). In fact, anything but the apple stalk I eventually realised it was supposed to be, and not just graffiti scribbled on by the previous owner.

There's something rather sweet about the music on this record. As ever, it's mostly covers but with one slightly unorthodox choice, the Supremes fantastic and pretty much forgotten Automatically Sunshine, although the version here is a bit underpowered compared to, say, the band's Spinning Wheel, which I'm assuming from the little improvisation in the middle was a live favourite. There's one original, a slightly twee personality song called Gravity, thanking Newton for allowing us to stay attached to the planet (we must have been tethered to ground by ropes before then), but it's in the same lineage as the many such songs that litter innumerable UK pop-psych LPs from 1967-1968...albeit with a rather more cheesy organ sound.

Grantham Anthem

A Taste Of...Newton's Apple
PIXIE PIX 0006 Stereo

SIDE ONE
1. Mama (sic) Mia
2. Feelings
3. Summertime City
4. Automatically Sunshine
5. Spinning Wheel

SIDE TWO
1. The Hustle
2. Please Tell Him That I Said Hello
3. S.O.S.
4. Rhinestone Cowboy
5. Gravity
6. Let Me Try Again

Newton's Apple are a combination of four personalities well known in clubland for their ability to suit all age groups both musically and with their own brand of comedy. Based in Grantham Linconshire - birth place of Sir Isaac Newton to whom they pay their tribute by taking his name and basing their own song (Gravity) on his great discovery. So sit back and enjoy this L.P. of old and new songs. Barry White

RECORDED AT DEREK TOMPKINS STUDIO, WELLINGBOROUGH

PIXIE RECORDS, 186 CASTERTON ROAD, STAMFORD, LINCS
Printed and made in England by Senol Printing Ltd.