B.A. Robertson

4-28-08 B.A. Robertson

LP WRINGING APPLAUSE ARDENT US ADS 2804 1973

LP SHADOW OF A THIN MAN ARISTA UK SPARTY 1000 1976

7" GOOSEBUMPS ASYLUM UK K 13146 1979.01

7" BANG BANG ASYLUM UK K 13152 1979.06

7" KNOCKED IT OFF ASYLUM UK K 12396 1979.10

7" KOOL IN THE KAFTAN ASYLUM UK K 12427 1980

LP INITIAL SUCCESS ASYLUM UK K 52216 1980

7" TO BE OR NOT TO BE ASYLUM UK K 12449 1980.03

7" FLIGHT 19 ASYLUM UK K 12482 1980.10

LP BULLY FOR YOU ASYLUM UK K 52275 1981

7" SAINT SAENS ASYLUM UK K 12523 1981.01

7" HOLD ME (with Maggie Bell) SWAN SONG UK BAM 1 1981.10

LP R & B.A. ASYLUM UK K 52383 1982

7" ONE PLUS ONE ASYLUM UK K 12595 1982.02

7" READY OR NOT ASYLUM UK K 12602 1982.02

7" DOT DOT DOT ASYLUM UK K 13190 1982.07

7" NOW AND THEN ASYLUM UK AFT 10 1983.03

7" TIME (with Frida) EPIC UK EPC A 3983 1983.12

All of the above compiled without the help of the internet!

I was sold the 45 of “Kool In The Kaftan” in early 1980. It had a pop-up picture sleeve and was a ‘cute’ song – perfect for a “UK Special Collection” cassette. I never thought any more about it. Never saw an LP…until last weekend. And it’s an LP not in any of my printed discographies: “Shadow Of A Thin Man” (Arista UK 1976), as ‘Alexander Robertson’. The LP is a big budget slick production work, typical of England in the mid-70’s.

After the internet (mainly Wikipedia), I learned that he’s from Glasgow. He has also written for Cliff Richard and Mike & The Mechanics (Mike Rutherford of Genesis). Gee! He was also listed as a “co-producer” for “Simply Mad About The Mouse” – the project of Disney cover versions. Hmmm. And I can also find some other singles listed on the ‘net.

His voice on that Arista LP I found isn’t exactly easy to listen to – is it the sound of someone Scottish demonstrating that he couild sing with an American accent?; I like the “Kool In The Kaftan” 45 much better (he sounds more comfortable) – how could you not like a 1980 single poking fun at hippies? I’d compare him to Brian Protheroe – but Protheroe’s voice is much easier on the ears. Still, Robertson is clearly capable of some very well-written material.

So, this British / Scottish artists sat in my “to get to” bin for 28 years. It took finding a $15 copy of an LP I’d never even heard of…to re-awaken my interest. How much trouble am I going to have finding his other LP’s?