Guide to British Music of the 1960s

July 2003

CD Review

The Action - Rolled Gold

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This is an album that was not released, at least not until 1997. This would have been the group's first album although the previous singles and other tracks were later released in 1981 as The Ultimate Action and re-released with additional tracks on CD a few years later. The fact that Rolled Out was not released at the time was probably due to the fact that none of the group's singles had charted despite the sizeable club following that the Action enjoyed. The band had hoped that Polydor would pay for the tracks to be recorded properly but the cash never appeared. 

The tracks included on Rolled Gold are effectively demo recordings although the quality of the Action does shine through. However, the sound is very different to that of The Ultimate Action. The band has moved away from its Motown/R&B influenced sound to a more laid-back, almost West Coast feel. This could well have been the beginning of Mighty Baby. The fact that these are demo tracks does not detract from their quality. The sound is close to the Zombies' Odessey & Oracle or early Traffic. One thing that remains from the earlier tracks is the wonderful sound of Reggie King's voice and the backing vocals. Reggie King shows himself to be an even better singer than the earlier singles suggested as he adapts superbly to this very different style. This is a slightly different band to that on The Ultimate Action. Pete Watson had left and was replaced by Ian Whiteman who played keyboards and flute as well as Martin Stone on lead guitar. By now the group was embracing different aspects of late 1960s culture. Watson, it is said, wanted to retain his brain cells! Furthermore, there are no cover versions on Rolled Gold unlike the previous album. However, the band was already starting to write strong tracks of its own as Shadows and Reflections testifies. 

Come Around is a strong opener. Something to Say is a track that starts quieter which is later driven along by Roger Powell's drumming. It would have been great to hear a fully-produced version of this track as it has a strong melody. Love is All is clearly indicative of the more laid back sound with minor guitar chords and soft flute sounds from Whiteman. Icarus tried to fly to the sun. The Action's track also aims high with Reggie King's vocals again to the fore. The guitar (Martin Stone?) moves to the front on Strange Roads where the riff repeats itself through the song. Good to here some fuzzy guitar here. The guitar gives this track a heavier sound but the vocals, lead and backing, are softer providing some sort of contrast. The following song Things You Cannot See is another quieter track with acoustic guitar backing. Brain is one of the best tracks on the album with powerful vocals and background wah-wah guitar. 

The second side continues in similar style. There are even Beatle-ish elements such as on Climbing Up the Wall. You could imagine John Lennon singing this. The track is another one that benefits from the soft flute sounds. Follow Me sees the return of the fuzz guitar with a riff that drives through the song. 

1. Come Around
2. Something to Say
3. Love Is All
4. Icarus
5. Strange Roads
6. Things You Cannot See
7. Brain
8. Look at the View
9. Climbing Up the Wall
10. Really Doesn't Matter
11. I'm a Stranger
12. Little Boy
13. Follow Me
14. In My Dream