Born 4th July 1945, David never forgot his Ballymena roots. At the height of his success, he would have popped home to play with Broadway Celtic in the Saturday Morning League.
'The Days of Pearly Spencer' released on the Major Minor label, was a huge radio hit but, inexplicably, failed to chart. Most people that were listening to the radio in 1967 will remember its 60s 'psychedelia' vibe with pleasure.
The record like David McWilliams himself, seemed to have all the right attributes for success. It just seemed like one of those numbers that you didn't buy. Despite several re-issues in later years, this self penned number by David McWilliams was never to succeed. Yet the 60s and 70s saw an amazing period of productivity matched by the amazing consistency of quality throughout all the material he wrote and recorded. Musically he backed himself on 6 and 12 string guitar with further arrangement and orchestration provided by the then wunderkind producer Mike Leander.
The combination of McWilliams' heartfelt lyrics and song style with Leander's evocative arrangements of the simple melodies still sounding bewitching today. 'The Days of Pearly Spencer' was covered by Marc Almond in the early 90s and 'Three O'Clock Flamingo Street is another radio favourite. Rated alongside Donovan an Dylan, he place in music history is assured, McWilliams died of a heart attack at his home in Ballycastle, County Antrim in 2002, at the age of 56.
from B/mena Tmes
Tracks
1. Days Of Pearly Spencer - 2:32
2. Can I Get There By Candlelight - 3:08
3. For Josephine - 3:01
4. How Can I Be Free - 3:49
5. Brown Eyed Girl - 2:23
6. Marlena - 2:27
7. For A Little Girl - 2:31
8. Lady Helen Of The Laughing Eyes - 3:10
9. Time Will Not Wait - 3:01
10.What's The Matter With Me - 3:26
11.There's No Lock Upon My Door - 2:49
12.Tomorrow's Like Today - 1:52
13.Harlem Lady - 3:02
14.This Side Of Heaven - 3:14
15.Poverty Street - 2:29
All songs by David McWilliams
*David McWilliams - Vocals, Guitar
Free Text
I have always loved the song. It will be very interesting to hear more of David McWilliams. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTracks 1-12 on this download are from his second album. For those interested, I would suggest you seek out a copy of his first album - Songs by David Macwilliams, released in 1967 on Major Minor MMLP2. There are no overlap in tracks with this one and the first album is a cracker.
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeletea very very bright super-nova in a sky of sameness!!!
ReplyDeletefeel free to try it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiywqd4w7qo
Peter Hammull - Brazil
wow cd quality? David Mcwilliams is far too difficult to find, thanks a lot!
ReplyDeleteSomeday I hope to see his "Who Killed Ezra Brymay" on CD (which was only ever issued on the Kapp (US) album "David McWilliams: Days of Pearly Spencer/Who Killed Ezra Brymay" as well as a subsequent single -- and nowhere else!)
ReplyDeletecould you please re up
ReplyDeletewinston smith, "The Days Of Pearly Spencer", renew..
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