Search - Downliners Sect :: Sect / Rock Sect's in

Inspired British R&B

J. E FELL | Carterville, Illinois United States | 01/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set is a good value as it contains both the Downliners Sect's first ("The Sect") and third ("The Rock the Sect's In") albums from 1964 and 1966 respectively. The band were formed by guitarist/vocalist Don Craine who along with bassist/vocalist Keith Grant were the lynchpins of the band. The other members featured here are lead guitarist Terry Gibson and drummer Johnny Sutton. The Downliners Sect were perhaps the sixties British R&B band who had the most in common with the garage rock from the United States during this time period. They are often cited as being an influence on the British punk/pub rock movement of the seventies. Their aggressive inspired R&B covers along with similar original material is impressive. While not given the same acclaim as bands like the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds or Animals their raw R&B sound is still infectious. The first album contains covers like Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business", Bo Diddley's "Cops And Robbers" and Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City." among similarly derived originals like "Sect Appeal" and "Be A Sect Maniac". The second album contains covers like "Hang On Sloopy", "Fortune Teller" and the strange "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" along with more Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley covers. While listening to this disk I had my toe tapping the entire time! If you are a fan of British R&B or garage you will welcome this great reissue of their 2 best albums on 1 disk."