Mike morton congregation

[emperor tomato ketchup]

Thanks for adding that. This is the thread that keeps on giving.
Ironically I think I dumped the record somewhere along the way.

[glengowla]

This article from Music Now of July 25th 1970 makes it clear that music was Mike's second priority, after dry-cleaning:

'Mike Morton has an unusual angle on pop music. At 33 years of age he is hardly the prototype teenybopper idol, yet each week he plays live to more than 5,000 kids and reaches many thousands more through Radio One appearances. Though things have certainly declined since the days when tea-time dances drew 1,000 dancers to the Lyceum, the ballroom still remains an important factor in influencing the record-buying habits of teenagers. Mike and his group, the Mike Morton Sound, have been resident at the Orchid, Purley - one of the biggest dance venues in the country - for years, and now the affable guitarist has embarked on a new venture which could help change the face of pop.

Travel down Clapham High Street in South London and, opposite the British Transport Museum, you’ll spot a garish former cinema now known as the Majestic Bingo Hall. It's just one of Mike ’s business ventures, along with a chain of dry-cleaning shops, and this unlikely spot could rapidly become a haven for pop stars. Explains Mike: “About nine months ago I made a record called ‘Suzanne’ for Plexium Records. I’d done plenty of TV and radio recordings before, but it was my first time in a pukka studio. I thought we’d take about three hours to make the record, but in the end it took 12. When I got the bills in I was staggered. I began to think that there must be a market in the recording studio business for people who have potential but can’t pay the ridiculous charges of West End Studios, and the germ of an idea took root.”

Now, in an amazingly short time, Mike has transformed the upper circle of the Majestic into one of the most modern, largest and best-equipped studios in the country. Out have come the seats and the Edwardian decor, and in have gone sound booths, soundproof walls, one of the most luxurious control rooms around, and ultra-sophisticated eight-track recording facilities, all in a setting of plush wall-to-wall carpeting, soft lights and lavish drapes. More than a mile of cable alone has been used, and in excess of £50,000 spent already. “We can offer facilities beyond compare, including a spacious licensed bar, and yet I’ve deliberately kept our charges down to a mere £14 an hour flat rate - less than half what most studios are charging. Groups can even hire a Lowrey organ for use on their sessions, and we’ve got first-rate engineers. I believe there is a real demand for a modestly-priced studio, providing there is nothing modest or second-rate about the quality it provides.”

Mike knows the graft of trying to break through. He started playing guitar at 17 and, after a summer season on the Isle of Wight, formed a trio called the Blue Notes which toured with people like Petula Clark and the Platters. He joined Mecca in the early 60s, then left for a spell with Bob Miller & the Millermen, and was a regular member of the studio bands on the pioneering TV pop shows Six Five Special, Drumbeat and Dig This. “I had a fantastic year when I was with Drumbeat. I was earning £100 a week, which was an enormous sum in those days. I saved hard, borrowed a lot more from the bank, and opened a chain of dry-cleaning shops. Then Cyril Stapleton found an old cinema in Chertsey which he thought would make a good bingo hall. Cyril asked me to come in with him. Several others were going to put in money, but everyone pulled out because their advisors said it wasn’t viable, so in the end I went into it on my own. Then, two years ago, I bought the Majestic.”

In between times, Mike has worked on the Continent for a year, then rejoined Mecca as resident at the Orchid. “We play the current chart things plus the pop standards, and I’d be bold enough to say that it’s the best group in the country for out-and-out entertainment. We aren’t strictly a pop outfit, because we have to serve a wider purpose, but we are rather unique because it’s an 11-piece and eight of them sing!” Many of Mike’s singers find extra employment recording cover versions of pop hits for labels like Music For Pleasure and Marble Arch, and Mike sees this as one outlet for his studios: “Since we play all these things onstage and on Radio One, I could take the whole band into my studio and cut cover version LPs by the dozen.” But perhaps the most exciting prospect of the Majestic is its potential for onstage recordings: “The hall holds 1000. We could put on big-time concerts and pipe the sound straight through to the studio and get an unequalled sound. The things against live recordings at the moment are the cost and technical problems of shifting complicated and bulky recording equipment around the country - there will not be any such problem here.”'

[Col Wolfe]

yes single does but film credits say congregation he changed names somany times he didn't know who he was

he was Mike Morton

[upandatem]

maybe or maybe not

the single shows the artist as Combination, not Congregation
yes single does but film credits state congregation i think he changed names so many times he didn't know who he was

yes single does but film credits say congregation he changed names somany times he didn't know who he was

[Col Wolfe]

mike morton was originally the mike morton group. they were a support to the johnny howard band at the orchid purley in the 70s. They became a band when howard left and added brass. actually they were a good sound. Their lead singer was Alex Keen who did cover records notably gene pitney covers. he left and was on Stephanie de sykes record born with a smile on my faceand appeared get this on wheel tappers and shunters social club wow. he released a record called one day in your life buy andy williams released a version to. oh dear. they became the m morton congregation to record sound track for burning bridges hope this fills in some blanks

the single shows the artist as Combination, not Congregation

[upandatem]

Hey all,

I like to consider myself a 'connessiur' of Mike Morton LPs.. I've got three. <blatent pathos>

I can confirm that it is indeed the Mike Morton Congregation. He also released albums as the Mike Morton Sounds.

The question is - who is he? I've been trying to find out as much as I can about him - an old college music lecturer by the name of Ray Fenwick (writer of the Magpie themetune) claimed to have known him, but he was known for his outlandish claims, so I'm not sure of the truth in his bold statement..

I consider my Mike Morton record collection to be the epitome of tacky vinyl - so bad that they're fabulous.. If anyone has any information about the elusive man, then write to this forum!

Here's the info about my three Mike Morton LPs..

The Mike Morton Congregation - 'Nonstop Top 20'
Plexium Records - 1971

Mike Morton Congregation:
George Chisholm - Trumpet
Barbara Kay - Lead/Backing Vox
Jeanie Dee - Lead/Backing Vox
Pat Marshall - Saxes, Backing Vox
Harry Friar - Bass
Nicky North - Lead Vox, Piano/Organ
Norman Fripp - Trombone (any relation to Robert?)
George Patterson - Trumpet, Backing Vox
Mike Giles - Drums/Percussion
Bob Scragg - Trombone (a pseudonym of Boz Scaggs?)
Martin Jay - Lead Vox, Guitar
Verdi Stuart - Lead Vocals, Trumpet
Sharon Winters - Lead/Backing Vox

The Mike Morton Sounds - 20 Non-Stop Party Hits
RCA Records, 1972

Mike Morton - Non Stop Party Show
(30 great sounds! - As Seen on TV)
Aries - 1972

mike morton was originally the mike morton group. they were a support to the johnny howard band at the orchid purley in the 70s. They became a band when howard left and added brass. actually they were a good sound. Their lead singer was Alex Keen who did cover records notably gene pitney covers. he left and was on Stephanie de sykes record born with a smile on my faceand appeared get this on wheel tappers and shunters social club wow. he released a record called one day in your life buy andy williams released a version to. oh dear. they became the m morton congregation to record sound track for burning bridges hope this fills in some blanks

[bongolia]

supposedly this:

The Blue Sharks - Banner Man / These Things Will Keep Me Loving You - Grand Prix
which just sold for 400 quid
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLUE-SHARKS-45...1%7C240%3A1318)

is actually two tracks from Mike Morton Plexium LPs

(it's the Velvelettes cover that is the Northern side of course)

[tonysnail]

Ray

Indeed, I know Ray Fenwick rather well..

After his illustrious career with Tee Set, and the Spencer Davis Group (and Magpie) - he found his way to Spalding, Lincolnshire..

He's currently to be found at Boston College, as one of the in-house lecturers.. He runs a blues band that tour round Lincolnshire, and I usually bump into them whenever I nip home..

Good bloke too.

[Lord Thames]

You knew the legendary Ray Fenwick, eh? I can sort of believe he may have known him - he's had a fascinating career himself!

Even now, three year later, I know naff all about Mike Morton, except he played guitar on some of the Congregation's LPs - some of his stuff appears to have been recycled on assorted anonymous covers LPs too, so there may be a link with the Avenue/Alan Caddy axis, but equally there may not be!

You don't happen to have Morton's 'Son Of My Father' without fake applause on it, do you?

[tonysnail]

Mike Morton

Hey all,

I like to consider myself a 'connessiur' of Mike Morton LPs.. I've got three. <blatent pathos>

I can confirm that it is indeed the Mike Morton Congregation. He also released albums as the Mike Morton Sounds.

The question is - who is he? I've been trying to find out as much as I can about him - an old college music lecturer by the name of Ray Fenwick (writer of the Magpie themetune) claimed to have known him, but he was known for his outlandish claims, so I'm not sure of the truth in his bold statement..

I consider my Mike Morton record collection to be the epitome of tacky vinyl - so bad that they're fabulous.. If anyone has any information about the elusive man, then write to this forum!

Here's the info about my three Mike Morton LPs..

The Mike Morton Congregation - 'Nonstop Top 20'
Plexium Records - 1971

Mike Morton Congregation:
George Chisholm - Trumpet
Barbara Kay - Lead/Backing Vox
Jeanie Dee - Lead/Backing Vox
Pat Marshall - Saxes, Backing Vox
Harry Friar - Bass
Nicky North - Lead Vox, Piano/Organ
Norman Fripp - Trombone (any relation to Robert?)
George Patterson - Trumpet, Backing Vox
Mike Giles - Drums/Percussion
Bob Scragg - Trombone (a pseudonym of Boz Scaggs?)
Martin Jay - Lead Vox, Guitar
Verdi Stuart - Lead Vocals, Trumpet
Sharon Winters - Lead/Backing Vox

The Mike Morton Sounds - 20 Non-Stop Party Hits
RCA Records, 1972

Mike Morton - Non Stop Party Show
(30 great sounds! - As Seen on TV)
Aries - 1972

[Lord Thames]

I&#39;ve tracked down a member of the Mike Morton Congregation, and when I&#39;m less busy, I&#39;l ring him up and ask for an interview.

For what it&#39;s worth, I&#39;ve only ever seen LPs credited to the &#39;Mike Morton Congregation&#39; - they get about a bit, too. They even appeared in South Africa on MfP&#33;

[bongolia]

yeah, shame they didn&#39;t put &#39;vs&#39; in the title.

i&#39;m keeping my eye out for more - the Geoff Love/Mrs Mills one had a great cheesy cover if i remember (was several years ago, and i didn&#39;t buy it&#33. i&#39;m sure i&#39;ve seen a few more... and more recently there&#39;s also the Mike Flowers Pops Meets the Aphex Twin Downtown 12&quot; on Lo Records from &#39;96 or so

[wayne]

Quote[/b] (bongolia @ Aug. 26 2003,11:16)]talking of Mrs Mills, i love the idea of all the easy &#39;meets&#39; albums, like &#39;Geoff Love Meets Mrs Mills&#39; (as if one alone isn&#39;t bad enough...) or &#39;Pepe Jamarillo meets Manuel and the Music of the Mountains&#39; - particularly nice when one or more of the named is imaginary...

This must be the bargain bin version of the Soundclash...

[Rich Hero]

Quote[/b] (emperor tomato ketchup @ Aug. 26 2003,11:30)]Prettysure its congregation on this one.

Oh dear. How many variations can there be? Sooner or later I expect to turn up copies of LPs by the Mick Morton Conflagration and the Michael Bolton Confrontation...

[emperor tomato ketchup]

Prettysure its congregation on this one.