PETER & GORDON Artist Review |  

Jane Asher was so utterly beautiful.

As a youngster and still, I'vealways loved the lush production on P&G records. I still love their room reverb vocal sound. I'd kill to know who played on hteir sessions

Dismissing the "I Go to Pieces" album does it an injustice. They cover Doris Troy's two followups to "Just One Look", "Whatcha gonna do about it" and "Someone ain't right" with a guitar-based beat group style. Either of those were single-worthy. The Bluesy tracks "Good morning blues" and "A Mess o' the Blues" are excellent.

It should never be underestimated how much Peter Asher inspired the look of Austin Powers.

man this an old video but i’m so glad i found this channel, the 60’s and early 70’s are my personal favorite era of music and it’s so cool finding more obscure acts and bands that get lost when the beatles, stones, and like ccr and what most people remember from those times

Peter and Gordon had excellent backing on their initial albums and they were very well recorded . You say 'they were all over the place ' -- but they definitely had an 'identifiable' sound with their harmonies !

I always enjoy one of your thorough reviews of music that I grew up listening to. I always discover a few new to me songs to enjoy.

Terrific video. So well thought out, researched, and presented. I hope your channel starts to catch on - you should be getting a lot more views!

I've always liked the song "Don't Pity Me". Probably my 2nd favorite behind "I Go To Pieces". Surprised the single didn't chart higher. I really love the guitar riffs blended with the occasional brass. I also can't forget about the excellent heavy drum beat! Gordon's vocals are really unique and cool. The bridge in the middle is great as well.

Another great presentation. Much appreciated.

Excellent and extremely informative!! Loved your honest and professional analysis of these lps.. Thanks

Rather astonished that Peter Asher’s amazing post P&G career is not mentioned, A&R man at Apple Records, producer of a huge number of hit albums.

"Nobody I Know" was P&G's 2nd single (in the UK & Australia). "I Don't Want To See You Again" was the 3rd single.

Good video, Peter and Gordon were, in the early 60s Zeitgeist, a huge phenomenon. Their songs still ring out echoing in my mind. And this is coming from a 'Stones guy'.

Never hurts to have a Beatle in your attic. Yet another band with some talent that desperately needed someone to guide them towards a direction that spotlighted strengths. Perhaps this was a universal problem in the 60s as "Times were a changin'".

Very cool breakdown. Thanks!

I remember their songs being played over the intercom in middle school while growing up in Minnesota. Some really take me back because I have probably not heard most of their "hits" since then.

Love your channel & love P & G. One thing I haven't read in the comments is its Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones playing Harmonica on the P & G original " love me baby " . My first album of their's was the greatest hits on capital starline. Back in '66. " Sunday For Tea " was a fairly size hit, I had/have the single. From the " In London for Tea " .

As always, thank you for this. I remember buying a couple of the earliest P&G albums. But, the later '60s stuff I missed. I love some of Peter's later albums as a producer.

Having a Beatle in your house is a good thing for everyone in residence.

Oh wow what a perfect video for the youtube algorithm to suggest! I got really obsessed with P&G as a kid who loved folk revival and 60s pop and rock (I thought they were a great mix of Everly Bros + Herman's Hermits + Peter Paul & Mary), and "London At Night" is still one of my fav 60s britpop tracks, though I never thought anyone else really would like it too much since the lyrics are quite cheesy, so imagine my surprise when you mentioned how solid a track it is!! It's interesting how you were noting their lack of a cohesive direction and talent, as I do tend to think of them as being more music lovers than musicians. From the outside they just seem to have done whichever songs they thought were good, without really trying to convey themselves as a super unique artist or sophisticated musicians. Any chance you might do a follow up on the somewhat similar career of Chad & Jeremy?

Thanks for steering me to towards "Morning's Calling", it's an epic folk-rock number! I know their albums are patchy, so this video is an excellent guide.

The middle part of Woman is the very height of Peterand Gordonism ! It's just so cool. And so McCartney. And at this point it's a new thing for paul. There is the "round" vocal arrangement that is so cool, and not to be found in Beatle songs ~ yet It's just brilliant

I think I wore their song lady Godiva out when I was a kid, my mom bought a few 45s when we got a box turn table... we had puff the magic dragon nights in white satin, she wore blue velvet and a few others that slips the mind..

'P & G's gorgeous cover of 'Baby I'm Yours' should have gotten an honorable mention.

You nailed it on the film songs those were truly great production songs.

Here's a follow up to my comment I made 5 months ago. I was able to contact Peter Asher 'n ask him who the backin' musicians were, 'n especially the drummer on Lucille, for the first Peter & Gordon album. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember, so perhaps we'll never know. What an amazin' introduction to the album!

I was a big fan and bought many of their albums back then. I have them all now in CD form. I totally agree that Woman is their best album. I was amazed that Capitol gave them a big, film score sized orchestra for the movie songs and whoever arranged it did brilliantly. I skipped Nashville and so did everybody else - it didn't chart. Capitol had given them a new producer, Ken Nelson, the head of their Nashville division who was having hits with Buck Owens and Ferlin Husky. But why? They lasted longer than any other 1964 first wave British Invasion group but were coasting on novelty hits in the end. The final album did have the wonderfully titled, "The Magic Story of Park Keeper and His Fairy Godmother" but wasn't very magical. I love that you're covering some of these lesser known groups.

Thanks again, Matt. (Any reason there are no audio clips on this video?) You're even tougher on Peter & Gordon than I am. For one thing, their cover of good ol' Texas boy Buddy Holly's True Love Ways turned it into a slow-dance classic. But certainly, these lads could be insubstantial and ill-focused. With that in mind, I hope you'll someday give equal time to the British folk-pop duo I prefer, Chad & Jeremy. As for Peter Asher, I covered a Linda Ronstadt concert in the late '70s and noticed Peter hanging around onstage--playing a little percussion and just sort of overseeing things. I don't think too many people recognized him. Goes to show you that 10 years is an eternity in pop music.

Your channel is a great treat and this has been a lovely video! Perhaps a Searchers-related video will come? :) Anyway, please keep them coming, I love the well-balanced tone of the reviews, even if you make harsh points, still the love for the 60's music is there. I'm so glad I have found this video, I must get those latter-day Peter & Gordon albums :) My favourite P&G song is probably Woman, though it's so badly produced ... It's a pity they couldn't keep things simple, their harmony was their greatest asset and IMO the light acoustic backing (as in Freight Train or Tell Me How, to name two less familiar songs) suited it best.

Thanks for this edition, Matt-as a fan, I enjoyed it. Your critique was quite fair and objective. I've always had a soft spot for Peter & Gordon- they were what they were, nothing more, nothing less. Btw, I was wondering your thoughts and take on Chad & Jeremy? Perhaps you could do a future run-down on their releases as well? Many thanks again and cheers!

Del Shannon claimed he wrote 'I Go To Pieces' for a soul singer he knew in Detroit. They heard it while on tour with Del.

Their 1st album was only called "Peter and Gordon" in the UK and has one more track (Long Time Gone) than the Capitol version! Like they did with Beatles Capitol created more Peter and Gordon LPs than actually existed by putting only 11 tracks on each US lp and by using 45 and EP tracks to fabricate albums!

really liked them thanks

Pretty hard not to trend downwards from a number 1

Great video. I believe those guys really lived off the Beatles. I won’t be collecting their records anytime soon

I didn’t know anything about P & G, let alone that they had 10 albums. Though some of their output may have been uneven, one thing that really hit me (especially in your follow-up vid) is how great their voices were together. I could forgive weak material just to hear those voices.

I know there where those listeners at the time confuse Peter and Gordon with Chad and Jeremy another duo from the British invasion Chad wear eyeglasses as does Peter. Both duo's recorded albums and songs I like yet I lean more toward the sounds of Chad and Jeremy. Has anyone requested Chad and Jeremy yet? love all the details in your reviews on the bands that you have covered that I have seen Thanks Matt

I think there was a trend in the sixties to produce a "Nashville" album for artists in a rush for product. Dylan did it, Ray Charles, Dusty did it. Heck, Paul Mc started to. Peter and Gordon going Nashville ~ That's like the Neil Diamond Christmas album!

You really captured what was good (and not-so-good) about P & G. They weren't particularly great musicians (Chad and Jeremy were better musicians and had more appealing voices), but they recorded so much, and the best of their songs are very enjoyable. They definitely spent a lot of time with the "shotgun approach" trying to find their niche. Amazing that they had so many hits during this period. I listen to their music every few months, taking me back to a gentler time. "Lady Godiva" was definitely an outlier for them, and a really fun song, complete with banjo. Considered mildly racy at the time.

There are gems on every Peter & Gordon album. They got typecast with ballads, but did Blues, Rock, and Country tunes with ease. They wrote "Wrong from the Start", which The Turtles covered.

I love the Batman episode were there voices are stolen. Thanks for another good one.

Peter and Gordon really maximized their talent and put out quite a few albums. I'm impressed.

I love the 'Woman' album. My parents had an original LP copy, and I eventually wound up playing it far more than they ever did. I lost the damn thing at one point, and didn't see it again in any form for years, until I finally saw the CD of it, paired with the "Lady Godiva' album which I had never heard until then when I bought the CD immediately for the 'Woman' album.

Very interesting....did not know they issued TEN albums on Capitol! Just subscribed to your channel....keep up the fine work.

And next to the Beatles Peter and Gordon were the best if it hadn't been for the Beatles and there songs plus they wrote for other artists as well

Nobody I Know was the second single, I Don't Want To See You Again was the third. Look at the record numbers.

I went and checked out their cover of 'If I fell'... the line ' cause' I couldn't stand the pain' rings true here.. almost in the arrangement of something Bobby V would do, although I would have much rather heard him doing it. The Godiva cover strikes me as very Bond-esque

Amazing how many albums they recorded

If I remember correctly they gave The Turtles a song...'Wrong From The Start'?

"I hate this album" I respect your honesty... LOL

I've been tryin' to find out for ages who the backin' musicians were on Peter & Gordon's 1st album-A World Without Love. The electric guitars 'n bass are awesome. I'm especially interested in the drummer on Lucille. Any ideas?

To be honest, hits drove most of their albums. Aside from the hits you take your chances. The Lady Godiva album sucked except for "Start trying someone else". The "True Love Ways" album sucked except for "Don't Pity Me". The "Woman" album sucked except for "Wrong from the start". Later albums contained a few more good tracks. In London for tea" had "Red cream and velvet", "The Jokers", & a great arrangement for "Goodbye my lover goodbye". Most of the "Knight in rusty armour" album was good especially the go-go dance number "Colour Blue" written by Jackie deShannon. The "World Without Love" album opens with a rocking "Lucille" and features a fine cover of Ray Charles' "Leave my woman alone".

Thought you would have ......well.........The Dick Vandyke Show ''The Red Coats Are Coming'' 1965 .

9:54 'Woman' is a wonderful song, but it needed another verse. Would love to know the back story and how much Paul was involved in the production.

Love Peter & Gordon. I really enjoy their rendition of "I'll Do My Crying In The Rain" It is outstanding IMO. Also did you know that Peter Asher is a Mensa member?

Some of us outside of the USA were envious of the amount of material the British Invasion artists released in the USA. Here in NZ we tended to follow the UK releases and as such I think we got 3 P&G albums up until later '66 with a "BEST OF..." in '67. The Animals had two albums, ANIMALISMS and ERIC IS HERE, the contents of which were almost exclusively USA only. The Dave Clark Five issued something like 11 American albums up until late '66 yet in NZ/UK we got 2 actual albums and a GREATEST HITS collection. Gerry/Pacemakers had 5 American albums while in the UK/NZ, we got 2 LP's. Manfred Mann also had numerous tracks issued in USA that some of us never heard until CDs appeared.

They a good run for a while.

Seriously, I am really surprised by how many hits they had. I would have guessed three at tops (I liked Lady Godiva but I was like 15). Thanks for this video.

I like their sound but I agree I’m not sure they would exist without Paul McCartney.

Golly...Peter Asher the producer that propelled Linda Ronstadts career in the 70s? I think he is a bit more than the other half of Lady Godiva

It is best when you include little music clips of the song you highlight. Thanks.

Don't forget WOMAN BY SIR PAUL

What about 1968's "You've Had Better Times" my personal favourite of theirs?

In that eternal P&G vs C&J battle (call it Camaro vs Firebird) I land on the side of C&J. The latter duo grabbed autonomy and produced some terrific recordings. That said, P&G certainly had their moments. As for the Nashville LP: were they the first rockers to "go C&W" for an entire album? Predates Byrds and Gram by years! PS: You know you're a Boomer when stuff like this is meaningful to you! Boomer proud! PPS: If I had a nickel for every time I've seen a P&G photo labeled as C&J, or vice versa, I'd be driving a Jaguar!

Peter and Gordon may be a poor man's Chad and Jeremy.... but I do find Peter Asher's radio show insightful; he experienced a lot of music history and he has a nice way of telling about his experiences.

Most of the albums you showed were not true albums, but rather they were re-compiled from UK album,single & E.P. tracks by Capitol executives Dave Dexter Jr. & Bill Miller. Capitol was sometimes too impatient to wait for true stereo tapes to arrive from England, so they created terrible fake stereo "Duophonic" mixes of "Nobody I Know" & "True Love Ways". Of the albums that you showed, only the following albums are true albums compiled by Peter & Gordon: "A World Without Love"(their UK debut album "Peter & Gordon" with one song dropped to save Capitol money on song publishing expenses), "Sing & Play The Hits of Nashville, Tennessee" (the album was Capitol's idea, with Capitol supplying one of their staff country music producers), "In London For Tea" & "Hot Cold & Custard". (Those two albums were recorded specifically for U.S.A.-only release. Only the singles from them were released in England.)

5:01 You hold that 2nd album up far enough away and at the right angle and BINGO! It's John Lennon.

The original cut of "Woman" with McCartney on drums is fantastic. One rare mistake I believe the Beatles made, was not recording "Woman" on Revolver. I would have dropped "Love YouTo" or I"I Want To Tell You" and put Woman on there. I'd kill to hear a Beatles version of that song.

I really enjoyed this episode although it does seem strange that the first group video you made was of P & G. Their albums reflect th mid-sixties mindset of the labels: keep cranking out product. P & G's albums would have been a lot stronger with judicious editing, but calling sixties record labels 'judicious' is an oxymoron. Personally, I thought that Chad & Jeremy were better, but their early albums could have used editing as well. I saw Chad & Jeremy several years ago on a reunion tour (Chad has been living in Idaho fro years), but just before COVID hit, I saw Peter & Jeremy (!!!) who put on a good show with good stories.

#JP this is Peter & Gordon check them out

Peter Asher will be best known for going to the Moscow Rd flat in London to hear the new band Crosby Stills and Nash play an audition for Apple.He took George Harrison with him...they turned them down

If I Fell is probably one of the hardest Beatles song to sing...

I can’t believe they stretched that career run out to 1968, much better bands of the Merseybeat era like the Merseybeats or the Searchers couldn’t even push it past 1965.

Didn't the Animals have the first British #1 hit after the Beatles? I can't keep Peter & Gordon straight from Chad & Jeremy. Thanks, as always!

Peter and Gordon really missed the boat by not availing themselves of blossoming songwriting talent of young David Bowie. He would have been the perfect replacement for Lennon/McCartney.

I love that there’s a video on these guys! I’ve been into them for nearly 9 years. A lot of these Capitol albums were not the real product. I’ve been told by Peter that the 5 UK albums from 1964-1966 were what they actually intended as their album presentations and that capitol grabbed things from all over. An example is the cover of “If I Fell” was from the UK album “Somewhere...” which had a theme of soundtrack songs. This however, had all its tracks split between the Woman LP and the Lady Godiva LP. I recommend the UK lps for a less hodgepodge feel. Same for the UK singles. The Nashville LP was actually released far after the Woman one, in Oct 66 which most sites get wrong. Peter also said it was their idea, and the album was the only one recorded in America in Nashville with top session players. Hot Cold and Custard was its own planned released, and though I haven’t got too much confirmation, I believe In London For Tea is as well. But besides those, the Nashville lp and the first Capitol lp, most were just whatever capitol could get to without much rhyme of reason. Personally I love all their albums including the Nashville and in London lps. I think they did very powerful covers and made most covers their own. I grew up with the Capitol lps but find the UK was are far superior in track organisation, particularly their 4 UK lp “Peter & Gordon” [66]. And I adored Hot Cold & Custard and still consider it a pop gem! Thanks for making a video on these guys! Really made my day to see them getting some exposure.

I think Woman is their best song.

Easy listening 😂

Amazing that "World Without Love" was a McCartney toss-off. I always thought that song had one of his loveliest melodies--very McCartneyesque.

if you want the most beatle-y version of Woman, then they got it... thats all I got to say

I don't agree with you Jane Asher loved Paul McCartney it wasn't only his talented songwriting good looks or his personality. Jane Asher is a georgeous woman and they made a perfect couple.

I’m sure that many confused them with Chad and Jeremy back in the day.

Paul McCartney before he married Linda Eastman.

I listened to the Nashville album after watching this video. I beg to disagree: after a first listen, I think they did nice covers of two songs by Buck Owens: "Tiger By It's Tail" and "My heart Skips A Beat". I wouldn't be surprised that this album was a suggestion by Paul: The Beatles has just covered another Owen's song (Act Naturally) and another songs were clearly country-oriented in 1965 (I've just seen a face). Anyway, Peter's harmonising pales in comparison to Don Rich's

Never liked Peter And Gordon. And furthermore, Asher brought James Taylor, to the ear of the planet. How utterly appalling!

Thumbs down to P 'n' G. The McCartney sinew kept the signed, methinks.

Surprised you did this review,pop garbage only done on the back of Jane Asher going out with Macartney

God I detested them in 1963.