Name: The Further Adventures of Charles Westover
Brand: Del Shannon

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

tim082lp

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

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Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2015-02-03

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Carro­t Top

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

700686987922

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Del Shannon

Genre US

60s & 70s

Label US

Trouble in Mind

Del Shannon, born Charles Weedon Westover in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA on December 30, 1934, was an iconic American Rock'n Roll and Country musician. He gained worldwide recognition during the 1960s as a talented singer, guitarist, and songwriter. In the 1980s, he ventured into Country and Western music and collaborated with renowned artists such as Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. Sadly, Shannon's personal struggles led him to take his own life with a .22 caliber rifle in his home in Santa Clarita, California on February 8, 1990.

Despite his tragic end, Del Shannon left an indelible mark on the music industry. His contributions were recognized when he was posthumously inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 as a performer.

Some similar artists who share Del Shannon's musical style include Gene Pitney, Johnny Tillotson, Freddy Cannon, Bobby Vee, Brian Hyland,
Neil Sedaka,
Tommy Roe,
Bobby Rydell,
The Searchers,
The Swinging Blue Jeans,
Jan & Dean,
Billy Fury,
Chris Montez,
Ricky Nelson,
Gerry & The Pacemakers,
Johnny & The Hurricanes,
The Crickets,
The Everly Brothers
and Johnny Preston.

This lesser-known cult favorite is not only one of the most musically ambitious outings of Del Shannon's career, but also one of his most all-around consistent albums. The Further Adventures of Charles Westover finds Shannon embracing psychedelia in a personalized way: Instead of imitating the whimsy of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, or the creepy freak-outs of Their Satanic Majesties Request, he uses the cinematic quality of psychedelic pop to provide a vivid backdrop for his songwriting. For instance, "Silver Birch" uses a swirling mass of horns and densely layered backing vocals to add a haunting quality to its tale of an abandoned bride, and "Color Flashing Hair" uses vertiginous string motifs and churning horns to re-create the feelings of obsessive love described in the lyrics. Shannon's work on this album also differs from usual psychedelic fare because it mixes some earthier textures into its sonic brew: "Be My Friend" enhances its lusty plea for feminine companionship with wailing harmonica and gospel-tinged female backing vocals, and "River Cool" laces its swinging beat with some deliciously soulful organ licks. The overall effect is stunning, managing to fit the tag of psychedelic pop but still retaining the haunting, emotional kind of songwriting that distinguished Del Shannon's music.

The Further Adventures of Charles Westover

Music US