The Pretty Things - Pretty Rare

Written By Ben Pester

THE PRETTY THINGS - PRETTY RARE

A MAJOR NEW 12CD BOOK EDITION CELEBRATING MORE THAN FIVE DECADES OF ONE OF BRITAIN'S MOST INFLUENTIAL ROCK BANDS • FEATURING RARE STUDIO RECORDINGS, UNRELEASED DEMOS, HISTORIC LIVE CONCERTS, REHEARSALS & OUTTAKES

INCLUDES A 60-PAGE ANALYSIS BY MIKE STAX

SET FOR RELEASE ON MADFISH ON 20th NOVEMBER

There was never a band quite like The Pretty Things. Fiercer than many of their contemporaries, endlessly adventurous, and gloriously unwilling to follow fashion, they travelled a path from raw rhythm & blues through psychedelia, proto-progressive rock, hard rock and beyond, leaving behind one of British music's richest and most inimitable catalogues. Yet much of their story has remained hidden—preserved on acetates, home demos, rehearsal tapes and audience recordings that reveal how the music was really created. 

Across twelve CDs, Pretty Rare opens that archive and follows The Pretty Things from their earliest recordings in 1965 through to Phil May and Dick Taylor's final recordings over fifty years later. Rather than simply revisiting familiar albums, it captures the moments in between: the songs taking shape on home tape machines, abandoned versions, alternate mixes, legendary lost projects, intimate rehearsals and electrifying live performances that document the band's evolution in real time.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘PRETTY RARE’

The journey begins with extraordinary early studio material, including previously unheard demos, acetates and alternate recordings from the Emotions and S.F. Sorrow era, before moving through stunning concert performances from Paris, Hyde Park and Amsterdam that find the group at the height of their psychedelic powers. The Philippe Debarge sessions finally take their rightful place alongside the remarkable Westbourne Terrace Revox demos, revealing Phil May and Wally Waller building the musical language that would culminate in the masterpiece Parachute.

PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOX SET ‘PRETTY RARE’

The archive continues through the band's long-overdue American breakthrough with powerful performances from Aurora, Illinois in 1973 and Cleveland's legendary Agora Ballroom in 1975, before documenting the remarkable rebirth of the 1980s with Live At Heartbreak Hotel, rare studio recordings, singles and long unavailable tracks. Later discs explore Wally Waller's fascinating rehearsal tapes, capturing the band refining classics over more than a decade, alongside anniversary concerts, the acclaimed live recreation of their debut album at London's 100 Club, and the poignant final recordings made by Phil May and Dick Taylor.

Throughout, the collection reveals a different side of The Pretty Things. These recordings capture inspiration in its purest form: songs still evolving, arrangements being tested, musicians rediscovering old favourites, and performances that prove why the band remained one of Britain's most compelling live acts for more than half a century. It is a portrait not simply of a great band, but of a restless one that never stopped searching.

Accompanying the music is a beautifully produced hardback book featuring extensive new liner notes, rare photographs and memorabilia, placing every recording in its historical context and drawing on recollections from Phil May, Dick Taylor, Wally Waller, Jon Povey, Skip Alan and many of those who shared the journey.

For devoted followers, Pretty Rare gathers together some of the most elusive recordings in the band's history in one definitive collection. For anyone discovering The Pretty Things for the first time, it offers the fullest picture yet of a group whose influence reached far beyond their commercial success—and whose reputation has only continued to grow with time.

This is the hidden history of one of Britain's greatest rock bands, finally brought together in one extraordinary collection.

PRETTY RARE FULL TRACKLIST

DISC 1 - ONE LONG GLANCE

  1. Don’t Bring Me Down (True stereo mix) – 02:10

  2. Get Yourself Home (1965 demo) – 02:14

  3. I Can Never Say (Emidisc acetate) – 01:58

  4. Don’t Bring Me Down (Emidisc acetate) – 01:40

  5. Cry To Me (Alternate version) – 02:41

  6. Progress (Alternate take) – 02:45

  7. One Long Glance (Emotions demo) – 02:51

  8. The Sun (Emotions demo) – 02:54

  9. There Will Never Be Another Day (Emotions demo) – 02:20

  10. My Time (Emotions demo) – 02:59

  11. Out In The Night (Emotions demo) – 02:34

  12. Bright Lights Of The City (Emotions demo) – 02:56

  13. Children (Alternate version) – 02:59

  14. Photographer (Rough mix, from acetate) – 02:10

  15. Defecting Grey (Full length demo) – 05:09

  16. Turn My Head (Demo, Advision acetate) – 02:34

  17. Defecting Grey No. 3 (EMI acetate) – 03:09


DISC 2 - PARIS, LONDON, AMSTERDAM

  1. Children (Palais des Sports, Paris, June 1st, 1967) – 03:01

  2. Reincarnation (Palais des Sports, Paris, June 1st, 1967) – 03:56

  3. Why (Hyde Park, London, July 27th, 1968) – 06:13

  4. Talking About The Good Times (Hyde Park, London, July 27th, 1968) – 10:38

  5. Alexander (Hyde Park, London, July 27th, 1968) – 02:51

  6. Mr. Evasion / I See You / My White Bicycle (Hyde Park, London, July 27th, 1968) – 14:46

  7. Why (Paradiso, Amsterdam, March 29th, 1969) – 14:50

  8. Talking About The Good Times (Paradiso, Amsterdam, March 29th, 1969) – 10:51

  9. Renaissance Fair (The Paradiso, Amsterdam, March 29th, 1969) – 02:13

  10. S.F. Sorrow Is Born (The Paradiso, Amsterdam, March 29th, 1969) – 03:31

  11. She Says Good Morning (The Paradiso, Amsterdam, March 29th, 1969) – 03:41


DISC 3 - ROCK ST. TROP

  1. Hello, How Do You Do (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 04:01

  2. You Might Even Say (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 03:58

  3. Alexander (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 02:54

  4. Send You With Loving (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 02:59

  5. You’re Running You And Me (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 04:50

  6. Peace (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 01:44

  7. Eagle’s Son (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 03:20

  8. Graves Of Grey (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 00:48

  9. New Day (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 04:03

  10. It’ll Never Be Me (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 04:29

  11. I’m Checking Out (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 03:39

  12. All Gone Now (Philippe Debarge sessions) – 02:13

  13. Monsieur Rock (Ballad Of Philippe) – 05:41


DISC 4 - CRIES FROM WESTBOURNE TERRACE

  1. Scene One (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June–September 1969) – 01:12

  2. The Good Mr. Square (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June–September 1969) – 04:33

  3. She Was Tall, She Was High (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June–September 1969) – 00:56

  4. In The Square / The Letter (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June–September 1969) – 03:41

  5. Rain (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June–September 1969) – 03:20

  6. Cries From The Midnight Circus (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June–September 1969) – 03:53

  7. I’d Love Her If I Knew What To Do (Version 1 – Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 02:16

  8. Seen Her Face Before (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 01:24

  9. Everything You Do Is Fine (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 04:07

  10. Cold Stone (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 03:28

  11. You Never Told Me Lies (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 02:04

  12. Take A Look At Me (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 04:12

  13. Silver Stars (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 03:35

  14. Lover (Westbourne Terrace Demos, June 1970–Early 1971) – 01:40

  15. I’d Love Her If I Knew What To Do (Version 2 – Home Demos, October/November 1971) – 01:39

  16. Wild And Free (Home Demos, October/November 1971) – 03:42


DISC 5 - REDEMPTION IN AURORA

  1. Religion’s Dead (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 05:27

  2. Havana Bound (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 05:04

  3. Love Is Good (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 05:32

  4. Peter / Rip Off Train (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 07:30

  5. All Night Sailor (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 04:31

  6. In The Square / The Letter / Rain (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 07:23

  7. Live With Me (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 03:42

  8. Onion Soup (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 05:59

  9. Old Man Going (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 11:59

  10. Route 66 (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 05:20

  11. Rosalyn (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 05:50

  12. Roadrunner (The Lottery, Aurora, Illinois, April 28th, 1973) – 03:36


DISC 6 - IT’S GOT TO BE A DREAM

  1. Singapore Silk Torpedo (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 06:34

  2. Dream / Joey (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 06:56

  3. Havana Bound (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 05:06

  4. It’s Been So Long (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 06:55

  5. Bridge Of God (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 08:13

  6. Come Home Momma (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 03:59

  7. Rosalyn (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 06:25

  8. Route 66 (Live at Agora, Cleveland, 18/3/75) – 02:57

  9. Over The Moon (45 edit) – 04:06

  10. Joey (US promo mono) – 03:09

  11. Bridge Of God (45 edit) – 04:47

  12. I’m Keeping (45 edit) – 03:48

  13. It Isn’t Rock ’N’ Roll (Mono promo 45 edit) – 03:18

  14. Tonight (Non-LP single) – 03:06


DISC 7 - LIVE AT HEARTBREAK HOTEL

  1. Big Boss Man (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 04:29

  2. Midnight To Six Man (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 03:27

  3. I’m A King Bee (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 05:52

  4. Honey, I Need (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 02:58

  5. Shakin’ All Over (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 04:04

  6. Rosalyn (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 02:20

  7. Roadrunner (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 02:59

  8. Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 02:18

  9. Rainin’ In My Heart (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 04:11

  10. Around And Around (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 02:55

  11. Don’t Bring Me Down (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 02:41

  12. Mona (Easy Studios, London, March 13th, 1984) – 06:15

  13. Monster Club (1981) – 03:51

  14. Wish Fulfillment (1980–81) – 03:03

  15. Sea About Me (1980–81) – 03:20

  16. The Young Pretenders (1980–81) – 04:06

  17. Eve Of Destruction (Single, 1989) – 03:00

  18. Goin’ Downhill (Extended 12″ Version) – 05:16

  19. Holding Onto Love (Rage Before Beauty outtake, 1989) – 06:07


DISC 8 - OUT OF THE ISLAND

  1. Cry To Me (1987 version) – 04:28

  2. Oh Baby Doll (1987 version) – 03:37

  3. She’s Fine, She’s Mine (1987 version) – 05:00

  4. Get The Picture? (1987 version) – 03:08

  5. Havana Bound (1987 version) – 03:55

  6. Can’t Stop (1987 version) – 03:57

  7. Loneliest Person / L.S.D. (1987 version) – 07:18

  8. Private Sorrow (1987 version) – 04:19

  9. The Moon Is Rising (1987 version) – 04:28

  10. Big City (1987 version) – 03:05

  11. Cause And Effect (1987 version) – 03:10

  12. Well Known Blues (1987 version) – 05:37

  13. You Don’t Believe Me (1987 version) – 03:47

  14. Judgement Day (1987 version) – 03:29


DISC 9 - A FLY ON THE WALL (REHEARSALS)

  1. Rosalyn (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 1994) – 02:41

  2. Time Slides Away (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 1995) – 03:34

  3. Havana Bound (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 1996) – 04:07

  4. In The Square / The Letter / Rain (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 1996) – 06:28

  5. Onion Soup (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 1996) – 07:03

  6. Rainin’ In My Heart (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2002) – 03:19

  7. Renaissance Fair (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2002) – 03:23

  8. Buzz The Jerk (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2002) – 01:58

  9. L.S.D. / Old Man Going (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2002) – 07:25

  10. Too Much (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2004) – 06:10

  11. It’s Been So Long (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2004) – 06:01

  12. Blue Serge Blues (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2004) – 04:48

  13. Bridge Of God (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2004) – 06:35

  14. S.F. Sorrow Is Born / Balloon Burning (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 2004) – 07:05

  15. Alexander (Wally Waller’s Rehearsal Tapes, 1994) – 03:13


DISC 10 - 40TH ANNIVERSARY 

  1. Roadrunner (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 02:46

  2. Don’t Bring Me Down (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 02:50

  3. Havana Bound (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 04:32

  4. S.F. Sorrow Is Born (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 03:00

  5. Balloon Burning (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 03:45

  6. Circus Mind (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 02:45

  7. Baron Saturday (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 04:46

  8. Hoochie Coochie Man (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 06:38

  9. Come See Me (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 03:04

  10. Cries From The Midnight Circus (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 05:43

  11. In The Square / The Letter / Rain (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 08:04

  12. Goodbye, Goodbye / Goin’ Downhill (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 08:19

  13. Judgement Day (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 03:52

  14. L.S.D. / Old Man Going (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 08:15

  15. Rosalyn (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 03:35

  16. Route 66 (The Pressure Point, Brighton, August 30th, 2004) – 07:18


DISC 11 - DEBUT ALBUM LIVE AT THE 100 CLUB

  1. Roadrunner (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:19

  2. Judgement Day (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 02:37

  3. 13 Chester Street (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:07

  4. Big City (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 02:34

  5. Unknown Blues (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 04:30

  6. Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:01

  7. Honey, I Need (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 02:17

  8. Oh Baby Doll (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:04

  9. She’s Fine She’s Mine (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 05:20

  10. Don’t Lie To Me (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 04:15

  11. The Moon Is Rising (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:49

  12. Pretty Thing (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 02:49

  13. S.F. Sorrow Is Born (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:06

  14. She Says Good Morning (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:46

  15. Baron Saturday (The 100 Club, London, December 17th, 2010) – 03:30


DISC 12 - SEASONS COME AND GO

  1. Wounded (Phil and Dick ca. 2018) – 03:12

  2. Sandstorm (Phil and Dick ca. 2018) – 04:40

  3. Flatline (Phil and Dick ca. 2018) – 03:51

  4. When The Rain Comes (Phil and Dick ca. 2017) – 02:56

  5. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (Balboa Island outtake, 2005/6) – 04:02

  6. Look Away Now (Balboa Island outtake, 2005/6) – 05:15

  7. Hoochie Coochie Man (Balboa Island outtake, 2005/6) – 05:44

  8. Scene One (Acoustic) – 00:49

  9. In The Square / The Letter / Rain (Acoustic) – 05:43

  10. Cries From The Midnight Circus (Acoustic) – 03:04

  11. Grass (Acoustic) – 03:49

  12. Sickle Clowns (Acoustic) – 05:27

  13. She’s A Lover (Acoustic) – 03:05

  14. What’s The Use (Acoustic) – 01:41

  15. Helter Skelter (2012) – 04:54

  16. Mr. Tambourine Man (2016) – 04:21

Pretty Rare will be released on Madfish on 20th November, pre-order here.

www.madfishmusic.com 

Ben Pester
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