Paul Nicholas

"Run Shaker Life"

Are there people out there who don't listen to b-sides?

I've never been that way, but I assume some folks out there don't bother flipping singles.

I can think of no better example as to why you ALWAYS need to listen to the b-side.

Nicholas is best known as a British actor but he also had a decent career as singer of tepid pop songs. Anyone vaguely familiar with him would glide RIGHT past this in a record bin without a second thought.

But for some reason, with the remarkable Alan Tew arranging, this cover of the Richie Havens adaptation of an old Shaker hymn is just transcendent. Percussion for days. A breakdown that smokes. Exquisite instrumentation. Blistering vocals as both lead and background. Perfectly deployed horn accents.

All under the name of an otherwise milquetoast singer, who seemingly has no business making a record this phenomenal. An original will cost you a pretty penny as diggers have figured this one out, but the Youtube clip does just as good a job of conveying the magic. Enjoy.