Cover design by Barbara Fry

BARRY BOOTH
Diversions
Sanctuary CMRCD 404 (36:16)

As musical director for Roy Orbison, among others, Barry Booth was a reluctant pop star for this obscure, Tony Hatch-produced period piece from 1968 - where it would've remained were it not for the preMonty Python Terry Jones and Michael Palin contributing the wry lyrics.

Reissued for the first time, the baroque ditties are whimsical and ornate, with backing musicians including Pentangle's Terry Cox and bass ace Herbie Flowers. A single, 'He's Very Good With His Hands', is reminiscent of the Marquis Of Kensington's aristocratic 'Changing Of The Guard' and won plaudits from Kenny Everett to John Peel. But it eluded commercial success, as did a second single, the appropriately atmospheric 'The Hottest Day Of The Year'.

'Vera Lamonte', a soft jazz shuffle, recalls 'End Of The Season-period Kinks, while Booth's vocal on 'The Problems Of A Simple Man' is similar to Cat Stevens' early Deram work. A charming curio for 60s scholars and Python completists alike.

Andy Neill

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