The Pretty Things - Defecting Grey (1970)

The Pretty Things were a band with three distinct parts to their career, starting out as the only credible threat to the Rolling Stones in the early 60's, then moving into more of a pop/r'n'b phase in the mid 60's, before embracing psychedelia with open arms towards the end of the decade. This last era produced arguably the first rock opera, in the still astounding 'S. F. Sorrow' in 1968, and at the same time they also managed to release a couple of one-off singles, one of which, 'Defecting Grey', is generally regarded as the epitome of British psychedelia. 'Parachute' followed in 1970, and while still a superb album, it didn't hit the heights of 'S. F. Sorrow', being slightly heavier in sound, and that also fed through to the few non-albums singles which came out around the same time. This album collects together all those exclusive singles from their golden period of 1967-1971, and tops it off with a rare acetate recording of 'Defecting Grey'.

Track listing

01 Defecting Grey (single 1967)
02 Mr. Evasion (b-side of 'Defecting Grey')
03 Talkin' About The Good Times (single 1968)
04 Walking Through My Dreams (b-side of 'Talkin' About The Good Times')
05 Blue Serge Blues (b-side of 'The Good Mr. Square' 1970)
06 October 26 (single 1970)
07 Cold Stone (b-side of 'October 26')
08 Cold Hearted Mama (single 1971)
09 Summer Time (b-side of 'Cold Hearted Mama')
10 Circus Mind (b-side of 'Cold Hearted Mama')
11 Defecting Grey (acetate recording)