Early 70s, accoustic guitar, young male British singer

There's a song I've been trying to identify for some years. Perhaps someone can help?

It dates from the early 70s — perhaps 73 or 74. I thought it was a single but haven't been able to find it in any of the Top 40 charts from the period.

British artiste I believe, who used an accoustic guitar (Spanish/classical rather than steel strung if I remember right). The song had a distinctive riff between verses, with a slide up the bass strings. Quite a skillful piece of playing. Slight ragtimey/bluegrass. The singer was a young male with, I think, long wavy hair. I may be wrong but in my mind's eye he had a sort of Bolanesque look. He appeared on Old Grey Whistle Test and grinned a lot, Donovan style.

I always thought the song was called something like Helter Skelter but I may be imagining that, as I can't find any song called that apart from the Beatles song of course. I can hear the song in my head but remember very few words. The end of one line in the chorus is "I keep turning" which I think rhymes with "burning" in another line. It was a happy, bouncy sort of song.

I had the idea that it had moderate success i.e. got into the charts without climbing too high. I don't recall ever seeing/hearing from him again. I heard it a few times when it was out.

Any ideas to put me out of my misery? A tall order I know, but just wondered if this rang a bell with anyone.

The only 1970's artists I could find with lyrics close to yours are:

"Keepin' on Yearning" by Gordon Lightfoot
"Things I Told You" by Steve Miller
"Cryin' Every Day" by The Bee Gees

Originally Posted by atmaster

The only 1970's artists I could find with lyrics close to yours are:

"Keepin' on Yearning" by Gordon Lightfoot
"Things I Told You" by Steve Miller
"Cryin' Every Day" by The Bee Gees

Thanks atmaster, but it's none of those. Looks like I'll have to keep on yearning for the answer.

Not a single clue but, maybe this will help some

http://www.timelife.com/webapp/wcs/s...oductId=211611

2 cd's per with sample of each song

Songs like "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (covered by Ike and Tina Turner), "Take It To The Limit" by The Eagles or "The World Keep on Turning" by Fleetwood Mac are the right period and similar lyrics but I feel certain that you already know these songs.

My next wild guess is "Riverboat" by Van **** Parks (right period)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_****_Parks

Maybe something by Al stewart,

optix -- I had a look through the CD titles, thank you, but nothing there was a Hit with me.

atmaster -- the artist was a single male with an accoustic guitar. Thanks, but you may have taken your search to the limit.

Mumbles -- My unreliable memory says he looked a little like Al Stewart, but no, sadly it wasn't him.

How about Leo Sayer

Originally Posted by atmaster

"Take It To The Limit" by The Eagles

It's not acoustic

Originally Posted by willcarter

There's a song I've been trying to identify for some years. Perhaps someone can help?

It dates from the early 70s — perhaps 73 or 74. I thought it was a single but haven't been able to find it in any of the Top 40 charts from the period.

British artiste I believe, who used an accoustic guitar (Spanish/classical rather than steel strung if I remember right). The song had a distinctive riff between verses, with a slide up the bass strings. Quite a skillful piece of playing. Slight ragtimey/bluegrass. The singer was a young male with, I think, long wavy hair. I may be wrong but in my mind's eye he had a sort of Bolanesque look. He appeared on Old Grey Whistle Test and grinned a lot, Donovan style.

I always thought the song was called something like Helter Skelter but I may be imagining that, as I can't find any song called that apart from the Beatles song of course. I can hear the song in my head but remember very few words. The end of one line in the chorus is "I keep turning" which I think rhymes with "burning" in another line. It was a happy, bouncy sort of song.

I had the idea that it had moderate success i.e. got into the charts without climbing too high. I don't recall ever seeing/hearing from him again. I heard it a few times when it was out.

Any ideas to put me out of my misery? A tall order I know, but just wondered if this rang a bell with anyone.

Duncan Browne - Journey

Duncan Browne ' Journey'

Hi Richart, first i hope you're right. The picture, the talent and the description fit good.

Second the thread is a year old, the exchange lasted two days and if you look-up his profile, he has not been active since 02/26/08. If his e-mail is active he should have been notified automatically. Kind of out of your hands now...

Third, in any case,your post will not have been in vain. I, for one did not know of this genius. I listened to the song and several more and I was blown away. Fate denied him fame, but at least his CD's are again available. Still I have to wonder, had he had complete control over content, how much creativity and inventiveness he would have added to POP. Another McCartney or Townshend or Gilmour to change music and the world ?

For now, you get a big Thanks from me.