Sign of the Times (Rubettes album)
| Sign of the Times | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 1976 | |||
| Genre | Pop rock, rock & roll, Country rock | |||
| Length | 35:29 42:02 (with bonus tracks) | |||
| Label | State Records/Polydor Records | |||
| Producer | The Rubettes, Alan Blakley | |||
| The Rubettes chronology | ||||
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Sign of the Times is the fourth studio album by the English band The Rubettes. It was released on the State Records label in June 1976.[1] The album represented a significant change in direction for the band, as it was the first not produced by Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington – instead the Rubettes took on production responsibilities themselves, with Alan Blakley (formerly of the Tremeloes) as co-producer. The band made the decision due to the disappointing sales of their previous two Bickerton/Waddington singles and the desire to forge new musical directions.[2][3]
The Rubettes were a four-piece band by the time Sign of the Times was recorded, as keyboardist Bill Hurd departed earlier in 1976. Tony Thorpe took over keyboard duties in the studio.[3]
The album contained two singles, both released in advance – the only UK single release "You're The Reason Why" and the non-UK A-side "Julia".[3]
In 1992, Dice Records (France) released the Rubettes' third and fourth albums (Rubettes and Sign of the Times) as a double CD set.[4] In 2012, Cherry Red Records issued the album on CD.[2] In 2015, Caroline Records released the album Sign of the Times, with two bonus tracks, as part of a box CD set of the Rubettes' first five studio albums.[5]
Track listing
[edit]- Side 1
- "Sign Of The Times" (Mick Clarke, John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 3:39
- "Dancing In The Rain" (Mike Gower) – 2:56
- "You're The Only Girl On My Island" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 4:23
- "The Way You Live" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 3:07
- "Not Now My Dear" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 3:42
- Side 2
- "You're The Reason Why" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 2:34
- "I Think I'm In Love" (Mick Clarke, John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 3:06
- "I Really Got To Know" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 2:53
- "Julia" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 2:53
- "Highwayman's Lament" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 6:16[6]
2015 CD bonus tracks
[edit]Alan and John*:
- 11. "Take Good Care of My Baby" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) – 3:23
- 12. "The Price Of Living" (John Richardson, Alan Williams) – 3:10[5]
- *Produced by Alan Blakley[7]
- NB: All track times taken from 2015 CD
Singles
[edit]- 1. "You're The Reason Why" b/w "Julia" – May 1976 – UK No. 28[1][8]
- 2. "Julia" was also released as a non-UK single, b/w either "Dancing In The Rain" or "You're The Reason Why" – in March 1976 (France/Belgium) and May 1976 (several other non-UK markets)[1][9][10][11][12]
Bonus tracks single
[edit]- Bonus tracks 11 & 12 were also released together on the following single:
- * "Take Good Care Of My Baby" b/w "The Price Of Living" (as Alan and John) – January 1976 (German release)[7]
Personnel
[edit]- Mick Clarke – Bass guitar and vocals
- John Richardson – Drums, percussion and vocals
- Tony Thorpe – Guitar, vocals and keyboards
- Alan Williams – Guitar and vocals[2]
Publishers (including bonus tracks)
[edit]- All tracks Warner Bros Music/Arlovol Music/Penny Farthing Music except:
- Track 2 – Halcyon Music
- Tracks 3 & 6 – Arlovol Music/Penny Farthing Music/Bucks Music
- Track 11 – Screen Gems-EMI Music
- Track 12 – Halcyon/Belwin Music[13]
Production and credits
[edit]- Produced by The Rubettes with Alan Blakley
- Recorded at – DJM Studios
- Mastered at – Turan Audio
- Mastered By – Tim Turan
- Engineer – Mark Wallis
- Tape Op & Beverage – John Cooper
- Catering – Sarge
- Sleeve Concept – The Rubettes
- Designed By – TARGA
- Illustrations & Typo – Martin Rowley
- Design (CD Reissue – Skyrocket) – Tim Smith
- Liner Notes (CD Reissue) – Phil Hendriks[2][6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Rubettes -Discography". Rubettes.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Rubettes – Sign Of The Times". discogs.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ a b c Liner notes from CD box set Rubettes – The Albums 1974–77
- ^ "Original Albums – 3 & 4". discogs.com. 1992. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ a b "The Rubettes – The Albums 1974–77 – (CD, Box Set) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ a b Original album sleeve notes
- ^ a b "Take Good Care Of My Baby – single". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ "Rubettes UK Chart History". Official Charts.
- ^ "Polydor/State Releases". 45cat.com. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Swiss Chart History – Julia". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Rubettes – Chart History". Tsort. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Irish Charts – Rubettes". irishcharts.com. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ Sleeve notes 2015 Boxed CD Set Rubettes Albums – 1974–77
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