The Dave Clark Five- Glad All Over (1964)

The Dave Clark Five - Glad All Over

(Columbia)

Released March 1964

Recorded 1963 to early 1964

The Dave Clark Five (DC5) is the most overlooked of the impactful British Invasion bands, which is surprising when you consider they were once the Beatles' most competitive rivals charting seventeen top 40 hits from 1964-1967 and selling over 100 million records during an eight-year run. The group started in Tottenham, London, in 1958 under the leadership of drummer and songwriter Dave Clark. The original recording lineup included founding member Rick Huxley on bass, Lenny Davidson on lead guitar, Denis Payton on saxophone (harmonica and guitar), Mike Smith on lead vocal and keyboard with Dave Clark on drums and backup vocals. In addition to being a solid drummer, Clark was a shrewd and forward-looking businessman and retained ownership of all the band's publishing and masters.

By 1962, DC5 found local fame by playing in English Pubs and for U.S. Troops stationed in England. In September 1963, the group released its first hit, a cover of the Contour's 1962 hit "Do You Love Me." In January 1964, the band came to more notoriety by releasing the original single "Glad All Over." They indeed were "glad all over" when the song eventually knocked the Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" off the #1 position in the U.K. and reached #6 in the U.S.

About The Album

In March 1964, the group released their debut album, Glad All Over, which contained the title track. The band was invited to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show not long after the Beatles' celebrated debut on the program to support the album. DC5 appeared on the program 18 times (more than any other rock band). By 1965 the band was flying high; they were the first rockers to have a private plane. In response to the Beatles' film A Hard Days Night, the group released their film Having a Wild Weekend (Catch Us If You Can in England- Warner Brothers).

Following the Release

Throughout their history, which ended in 1970, the DC5 continued to look to catch the Beatles and came close with an incredible string of hits in both the U.S. (17) and England (12). When the Beatles and others moved toward psychedelic rock around 1967, the DC5 did not adapt. In the U.S., their popularity basically ended in 1967. For a few more years, they stayed popular in England but decided to call it quits in 1970, when an offshoot group Dave Clarke & Friends, which included Clark and Smith, formed and lasted until 1972.

Unlike most British Invasion bands, the group stayed inactive. Clark held the group's music from being rereleased between 1978-1993. In the meantime, Dave Clark continued successful business efforts, often centered around his media company and the ownership of the famous British pop rock television show Ready Steady Go!, of which he acquired the rights. Awards: Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame

Side 1

(+ means "recommended track" and * means released as a single)

Track 1- "Glad All Over" was the group's first significant hit, charting at #1 in the U.K. and #6 in the U.S., selling over a million singles worldwide. Written by singer Mike Smith and Dave Clark, the song exemplifies the "Mercy Beat" sound, developed in Liverpool as a blend of American rhythm & blues, skiffle music, and pop. The hit is an overmodulated rocker in which the narrator confidently tells his love she will be "glad all over." The song adds a typical call and response between Smith and the band singing backing vocals.

The recording has a noticeable key change on the bridge (which happens twice). Smith's vocals are pretty in your face, and the tune is heavy for its time. While you can certainly hear similarities between the DC5 and the Beatles, the usage of saxophonist Dennis Payton does offer a specific element to the DC5's sound. (*+)

Track 2- "All of the Time" has a driving beat and characteristic saxophone figures. The solo section is unique as the bass and guitar play a unison solo figure; rarely is the bass featured like this in early rock and roll. There's also a unique sliding guitar figure that sometimes drops in and sounds like a lap steel guitar. "All of the Time" is a solid album cut that I would listen to only "some of the time." (+)

Track 3- "Stay" is a popular ballad first written and recorded by Maurice Williams from the Doo-wop group the Zodiacs. There are much better versions than this (The Hollies, The Four Seasons, Jackson Brown, etc.), but it's not so bad that I won't "stay" with the track.

Track 4- "Chaquita" is an instrumental based on the champs hit "Tequila." The song is an obvious filler, but I dig the percussive groove, Payton's overblown sax, and Davidson's guitar line. A track like this is far removed from anything the Beatles released and helps to separate their styles further. (+)

Track 5- "Do You Love Me" is a popular R&B number written by Motown founder Berry Gordy. The Contours first made the song a hit in 1962. The DC5's version was released in 1963 and became their first charting single at #11. Like most British invasion bands, the DC5 does a pretty solid job as a cover band. (*+).

Side 2

Track 1- "Bits and Pieces" was the second megahit from the record, reaching #4 in the U.S. The song is another call-and-response. Mike Smith, who co-wrote the tune (with Clark), sings passionately. The drum beat is heavy, and the song includes some drum breaks. The key change on the bridge and ending is somewhat sloppily handled. Take notice of the hand claps and tambourine, borrowing from the Motown sound. There are 'bits and pieces" I like from the tune. (*+)

Track 2- "I Know You Know" is the B side to "Glad All Over." The song is a statement in which the narrator knows he is no longer loved by his woman. It has a similar feel to "Glad All Over." and is a good comparison piece.

Track 3- "No Time To Lose." is basically "Twist and Shout" with different lyrics. It was left off the reissue record and is not currently on Spotify, probably because it is not very good. Go to YouTube if You wish to hear this one.

Track 4- "Doo Dah" is based on the Disney tune "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." Every band has some embarrassing moments, but this might take the cake. What were they thinking? Clark must have realized it was terrible and left it off the reissue version of the album.

Track 5- "Time" is a solid and somewhat quirky jazzy instrumental. As with "Chaquita," the instrumentals track gives DC5 a different personality from other British invasion bands who relied more heavily on blue. The tune shows a strong level of musicianship and a degree of creativity. "Time" is worthy of your time. (+)

Track 6- "She's All Mine" is a driving Clark original and an acceptable album cut, but it's not the group's best work and was also left off the reissue. Later in the year, the group released "Can't You See That She's Mine," another top 10 hit, which can be heard on the group's follow-up record, The Dave Clark 5 Return!-released in June of 1964.

Conclusion: Glad All Over is a solid first showing from a once-trendy band. In fact, at the time, the group was the biggest threat to the Beatle's supremacy. The Beatles eventually left the DC5 in the dust, and now most people have forgotten about the group, but they were significant for the time, and even if the record doesn't make you feel glad all over, I hope you are at least somewhat pleased.