The Complete Decca Singles 1963-1967 & More

The illustrious Fortunes formed as a vocal trio and released their first single in 1963, a cover of The Jamies’ “Summertime, Summertime” backed with “I Love Her Still”. It flopped and they expanded to a five piece. Their next single, “Caroline”, may not have been a chart suc-cess, but was fondly loved as the theme song to Britain’s first infa-mous pirate radio station, Radio Caroline. Trying once again, the lads released an excellent, Mersey-influenced two sider, “Come On Girl”/”I Like The Look Of You”…and then another, “Look Homeward Angel”. Despite the fantastic sounds coming out of the grooves, still no chart action for The Fortunes. This came with their next 45, Greenaway & Cook’s innovative “You’ve Got Your Troubles”, which reached the Top 5 in the UK and Top 10 in the US. An album was released to capitalize on the sudden success with readings of current hits by others like “Looking Through The Eyes of Love” and “All Cried Out”, as well as top notch originals penned by outside writers – see “Won’t You Give Him (One More Chance)” and “Laughing Fit To Cry” for examples of tracks that could have easily been A-Sides for the guys. The bulk of the album can be found on this disc. The album also included their next hit, “Here It Comes Again”. “This Golden Ring” followed the same formula, and found favour with UK buyers.