Freeway Madness

by The Pretty Things

Overview

After raging through R&B early in their career, then exploring the limits of psychedelia, the Pretty Things changed their direction with Freeway Madness, which in retrospect seems like the first part of a musical trilogy (along with Silk Torpedo and Savage Eye). With a huge change in personnel and the team of Phil May and Pete Tolson doing most of the writing, the sound featured John Povey's keyboards, while the lush harmonies that had buoyed Parachute became a mainstay of the sound, which turned decidedly more American radio-friendly. They could rock as hard as ever, but the softer side was decidedly mushier (as on "Love Is Good"), with harmonies so tight you could bounce a quarter off them ("Peter"). Decidedly less original than the work they'd done on Parachute, it still had its moments, such as the delicious "Havana Bound" or the rock boisterousness of "Rip off Train," and while their alliance with Warner Bros. only lasted for this album, it pointed the way to their mid-'70s future. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	05/12/2023
Label:	Madfish
UPC:	0636551883023
Rank:	85755

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Pretty Things   Primary Artist
Stuart Brooks   Bass
Skip Alan   Drums,Vocals
John Povey   Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Billy Reid   Violin
Don Harper   Help,Viola
Bill Reid   Help,Violin
Phil May   Bass,Guitar,Vocals
Peter Willison   Help,Cello
David Gilmour   Help
Gordon Huntley   Help,Pedal Steel,Guitar (Steel)
Pete Tolson   Bass,Guitar
Johnny VanDerrick   Help,Violin
Bill Read   Violin

Technical Credits

Mike Stax   Engineer
John Povey   Composer
Don Harper   Arranger,String Arrangements
Phil May   Artwork,Composer,Liner Notes,Original Cover Artwork
Asa Jones   Producer,Original Album Producer
Wally Allen Waller   Composer,Liner Notes
Pete Tolson   Composer
Richard Keyes   Packaging
Andrew Pearce   Mastering
Rich Warfield   Logo Design
Brian Burrows   Sleeve Remix
Phil Crennell   Hand Tinting