316263

Townsmen, The - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

Format: 2CD
Label: Mousehole Music CD2006.8-9
Year: 2006
Origin: Ottawa, Ontario
Genre: pop
Keyword: 
Value of Original Title: 
Make Inquiry/purchase: email ryder@robertwilliston.com
Release Type: Albums
Websites:  No
Playlist: Ontario, Pop, 1960's

Tracks

Disc 1

Track Name
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
We're Doing Fine
He's in Town
Back Yards
Pineland Stomp
Take a Heart
I'm Such a Dreamer
Funny How Love Can Be
Heaven in the Middle of Town
He's in Town
Back Yards
Rocking Chair
The Jar
Come On Up (Harold)
Afternoon Magic (Harold)
Ode to Linoleum (Harold)
Oh Mayonnaise (Harold)
The Wind is Blowing Diamonds Tonight
I Can't Find My Way Home Tonight Without You
Every Other Guy (Darnels)
Day After Lonely Day (Darnels)
I Want a Dream (Continentals)
Are You Angry With Me Patty? (Jades)
Mr. Keymaker (Lori & Diane)
It Bothers Me (Lori & Diane)
Billy Brown (Lori & Diane)
Be (Lori & Diane)

Disc 2

Track Name
Back Yards
He's in Town
Medley: You Were on My Mind - I Can't Let Go
Medley: Good Thing - Kicks - Hungry - The Great Airplane Strike
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
With a Girl Like You
Medley: Devil With a Blue Dress - Good Golly Miss Molly
For What It's Worth
Hang On Sloopy
Gimme Some Lovin'
I'm Such a Dreamer
Funny How Love Can Be
Memphis
We're Doing Fine
He's in Town
The Kids are Alright
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
We're Doing Fine

Photos

425

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

426

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

427

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

428

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

429

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

430

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

431

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

432

The Townsmen - We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

316263

We're Doing Fine: The Anthology

Videos

No Video

Information/Write-up

The Townsmen were a short-lived but exciting band that produced only five singles in their career. Little-known outside Eastern Canada, they were nonetheless a superb pop group that produced, arranged, played and sang all their hits – a rarity for a Canadian band at the time.

The original unit was formed in Ottawa and comprised of Huot, Morrison, Legault, Milliken and Leslie. Huot had been a founding member of the Esquires while Morrison, Milliken and Leslie were members of the Darnells. The Darnells had released one single and backed up local pop singers Lori & Diane on two more. Signed to the Regency label, the first two Townsmen singles “I’m Such A Dreamer” and “Funny How Love Can Be” hit the top ten locally and had scattered airplay nationally. The third, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” / “We’re Doing Fine” was a double-sided hit. “Lion…” is notable for blending four-part harmonies with the well-loved African folk song and the riff from “Louie Louie” into an early version of world music.

Legault left and the band added Baccho and Stanton in time for their fourth single. “He’s In Town”, which proved to be their biggest hit. Musical differences led to a new line-up of Morrison, Leslie, Cushnie and McGhee for their last single “Rocking Chair” which was leased to Polydor. The song’s failure to chart led the band to dissolve in 1968.

A re-union of sorts took place in 1987 when Morrison, Leslie, McIntyre, Phil Bova and Greg Jeeves released a Christmas single as the Townsmen. Members of the original band re-grouped for a benefit concert the same year with a line-up of Morrison, Leslie, Milliken, Baccho, Jeeves and MacFadyen taking the stage. A second benefit in 1991 saw the group perform with a line-up of Morrison, Leslie, Milliken, Huot, Baccho and Jeeves for the final Townsmen performance.

In 2006, Mousehole Music released a 2-CD set that included all of the band’s singles; plus live performances from 1966, 1967, 1987 and 1991; and a selection of tracks from Townsmen members in other bands and musical combinations. The initial limited-edition pressing sold out so the set is being re-released in 2010 by Pacemaker Entertainment / Mousehole Music.

Members:
Paul Huot: drums, vocals
Dave Milliken: guitar, vocals
Frank Morrison: lead vocals, percussion
Wayne Leslie: bass, vocals
Andy Legault: lead vocals, guitar
Gary Comeau: guitar (replaced Legault)
Buddy Stanton: keyboards, vocals
John Baccho: guitar, vocals (replaced Comeau)
Greg McGhee: drums (replaced Huot)
Scott Cushnie: keyboards (replaced Stanton)
Jack Arsenault: keyboards (replaced Cushnie)
Jim McIntyre: guitar, vocals
Loch MacFadyen: guitar, vocals

Comments

No Comments