Noel Harrison (1966) CD and LP Often called a virtual tribute to Bob Dylan, Noel Harrison's debut studio album actually only contains four tracks written by Dylan.
It does however contains the fabulous Tomorrow is My Turn, the single A Young Girl and a funky version of To Ramona, as well as a number of other great tracks, including Noel's versions of God Bless the Child and Much as I Love You. In a 1966 interview to promote the record, Noel said: "I don't suppose I've ever been what you could term 'big' in records, but the current trends in pop music should change that. The way music and lyrics are moving right now suits me."
The re-mastered CD version of the original Decca album is put together well, but it would have been nice to see the extra tracks from the World of Noel Harrison compilation and some of the rare B-sides from the time included as a bonus. The album was available as a digital download for a limited time, but it has now been deleted. Track List:
It's All Over Now Baby Blue God Bless The Child She's A Woman Love Minus Zero Nothing But a Fool Mr Tambourine Man A Young Girl To Ramona Much as I Love You Like Strangers All Blues Tomorrow is My Turn
Watch: A live performance of Noel singing the single A Young Girl. Advert A 1965 advert promoting the single A Young Girl. Competition In a somewhat odd promotion for the 1966 release of the album, London Records offered radio listeners the chance to win a fridge by saying how they would tempt Noel out of the fridge on the album's cover. Runner-up prizes included subscriptions to Batman comics. The winner of the competition was Los Angeles DJ Gary Owens, pictured here receiving his prize from Noel. Sleeve Notes: (2008 re-release)
By Duglas T Stewart I think Noel Harrison is a great singer. Future pop star number two (now known as Teenage Fanclub’s Norman Blake “the nicest man in Scottish pop“) draws the card and asks the question “Name actor Rex Harrison’s pop singer son”. I butt in with “I know it, I know it” but it’s not my turn. He looks pleased with himself and answers confidently “George”. Beatle George? are you joking’. “I don’t remember Professor Higgins having a Scouse accent.” (Ironically, Rex did actually hail from Liverpool). The answer was obviously Noel. Noel Harrison, the guy who sung the song in The Thomas Crown Affair as Faye Dunaway watches Steve McQueen do aerial acrobatics in his glider; Noel Harrison, the sandy haired likable English sidekick of Stefanie Powers’ Girl From UNCLE. (I never actually saw the show but I had a Girl From UNCLE, annual. The pre-Hart to Hart Stefanie looked hot and I used the annual often for reference purposes); Noel Harrison, son of Rex Harrison... it was flaming obvious. And though Noel was more of what most people would call a singer, he could be considered by some to also be a “non-singer”. Advert A March 1966 advert for both the Noel Harrison album and the single Baby Blue. |