The Pretty Things - Pretty Rare The Pretty Things
Pickup available at Truck Oxford or Witney
Usually ready in 2-4 days
Delivery options at checkout:
Store Collection
Oxford or Witney
Local Courier
OX1-OX4 postcode
Delivery
UK postage
A MAJOR NEW 12CD EARBOOK CELEBRATING MORE THAN FIVE DECADES OF ONE OF BRITAIN'S MOST INFLUENTIAL ROCK BANDS - FEATURING RARE STUDIO RECORDINGS, UNRELEASED DEMOS, HISTORIC LIVE CONCERTS, REHEARSALS & OUTTAKES - BOOK EDITION INCORPORATING A 60-PAGE ANALYSIS BY MIKE STAX.
There was never a band quite like The Pretty Things
Fiercer than many of their contemporaries, endlessly adventurous, & gloriously unwilling to follow fashion, they travelled a path from raw rhythm & blues through psychedelia, proto-progressive rock, hard rock & beyond, leaving behind one of British music's richest & most inimitable catalogues. Yet much of their story has remained hidden--preserved on acetates, home demos, rehearsal tapes & audience recordings that reveal how the music was really created.
Across twelve CDs, 'Pretty Rare' opens that archive & follows The Pretty Things from their earliest recordings in 1965 through to Phil May & Dick Taylor's final recordings over fifty years later. Rather than simply revisiting familiar albums, it captures the moments in between: the songs taking shape on home tape machines, abandoned versions, alternate mixes, legendary lost projects, intimate rehearsals & electrifying live performances that document the band's evolution in real time.
The journey begins with extraordinary early studio material, including previously unheard demos, acetates & alternate recordings from the 'Emotions' & 'S.F. Sorrow' era, before moving through stunning concert performances from Paris, Hyde Park & Amsterdam that find the group at the height of their psychedelic powers. The Philippe Debarge sessions finally take their rightful place alongside the remarkable Westbourne Terrace Revox demos, revealing Phil May & Wally Waller building the musical language that would culminate in the masterpiece 'Parachute'.
The archive continues through the band's long-overdue American breakthrough with powerful performances from Aurora, Illinois in 1973 & Cleveland's legendary Agora Ballroom in 1975, before documenting the remarkable rebirth of the 1980s with 'Live At Heartbreak Hotel', rare studio recordings, singles & long unavailable tracks. Later discs explore Wally Waller's fascinating rehearsal tapes, capturing the band refining classics over more than a decade, alongside anniversary concerts, the acclaimed live recreation of their debut album at London's 100 Club, & the poignant final recordings made by Phil May & Dick Taylor.
Throughout, the collection reveals a different side of The Pretty Things. These recordings capture inspiration in its purest form: songs still evolving, arrangements being tested, musicians rediscovering old favourites, & performances that prove why the band remained one of Britain's most compelling live acts for more than half a century. It is a portrait not simply of a great band, but of a restless one that never stopped searching.
Accompanying the music is a beautifully produced hardback book featuring extensive new liner notes, rare photographs & memorabilia, placing every recording in its historical context & drawing on recollections from Phil May, Dick Taylor, Wally Waller, Jon Povey, Skip Alan & many of those who shared the journey.
For devoted followers, 'Pretty Rare' gathers together some of the most elusive recordings in the band's history in one definitive collection. For anyone discovering The Pretty Things for the first time, it offers the fullest picture yet of a group whose influence reached far beyond their commercial success -- & whose reputation has only continued to grow with time.
This is the hidden history of one of Britain's greatest rock bands, finally brought together in one extraordinary collection.
FAQs
Answers to any questions you may have about ordering with us can be found below. If not, don't hesitate to get in contact!
Shipping
- We aim to ship out all orders placed within two working days (except for pre-orders, see below)
- We send all postal orders via Royal Mail's 48 hour tracked service. Your tracking number will be added to your order upon fulfilment
- If there is a problem with your order we will let you know as soon as possible
- Please direct any issues you may have to our helpful team at orders@truckmusic.store
Store Pick Up
- Orders can be placed for collection from either of our stores (Oxford or Witney)
- Let us know which store you would like to collect from either by adding a note to your cart or by emailing orders@truckmusic.store
- We aim to have your order ready within two working days (except for pre-orders, see below)
Pre-Orders
- Pre-ordering is a great way to secure your copy of an album prior to its release date
- We aim to ensure all pre-ordered products are shipped or ready for collection by the album's release date
- Pre-order release dates are subject to change, we will keep the product page up to date with any changes so please refer to this if you are concerned an order hasn't been shipped
- Please direct any enquiries about pre-orders to orders@truckmusic.store
Out of Stocks
- If an item is listed as 'Sold Out', don't despair! We are most likely able to get hold of it so please do contact us if there is something specific you're after!
- OR fill in the 'Notify Me' form to get notified when a product is restocked
Returns
- Website orders are eligible for return up to 14 days after the item has been delivered, please get in contact ASAP if you would like to return an item
