The exact source of the phrase "O.K. Ken ?" is somewhat obscured by time. Stan Webb was well known for being something of a comedian and was a keen follower of many of the professionals of the day. Many of those top line performers had their own little catch phrases and also very distinctive vocal styles. Names such as Max Wall, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Kenneth Williams and Tommy Cooper immediately spring to mind. Stan was always alert to the possibility of a "quick one liner" as they were known.
They were rarely at the expense of anyone's feelings but almost always raised a giggle or two. Stan also had the gift of making just the right facial expression to go with the lines being delivered. Had he not been such a good guitarist and strong vocalist he might have made a career of impersonating others. Anyway, now armed with some inside information as it were, you can judge for yourself his capabilities. Sandwiched in between the musical elements you will hear the various voices of John Peel, Hughie "and I mean this most sincerely, folks" Green. Max Wall, Kenneth Williams and the former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson - amongst others. The Stan Webb Appreciation Society is to be heard in support. The results have their appeal although there are those who have said they found the spoken introductions irritating and annoying to the point of distraction. Well, as with most things - this is a matter of personal choice. "O.K. Ken ?"
The music contained on this, The Chicken Shack's second album, might lack some of the earthy freshness of their first effort but nonetheless represents the band just the way they were in a club situation - few frills, plenty of thrills and lots of honest, good rockin' blues! The song-writing chores are once again shared between Stan and Christine Perfect (soon to be McVie) with Stan taking the lion's share. There are a handful of non-originals amongst which are renditions of Howlin' Wolf's "Tell Me" and B.B. King's "Sweet Sixteen". Both these songs had become very popular in the band's "live" show. Once again the horn section is in evidence and there is also a guest appearance of Walter "Shakey" Horton who plays harmonica behind Christine's plaintive vocal on "Little Walter's "Mean Old World". As with "40 Blue Fingers" This album saw some chart success but did not achieve all that could have been wished for. Of course, the release of the single "I'd Rather Go Blind" was only months away which would give the band their biggest chart success to date but which would also result in the parting of the waves for Christine and the remaining members of The Shack.
Once again, a great deal of care was taken in the final selection of material. the actual recording sessions were spread over a period of three days - one in June of 1968 and the other two back to back in October of the same year. As always Mike Ross was in charge of engineering matters whilst the off-beat photographic work of Terence Ibbott is again in evidence. I well remember the skeleton "hanging" around (with and without shower cap) but to this day I do not know where Terry got it from. The cover photograph was taken in front of the National Gallery in London's West End (I think) but who is the young boy also featured? Where did Terry find this little chap and how in God's name did he persuade him to sit next to a skeleton of all things! He looks, to say the least, somewhat perplexed. Well, wouldn't you ?.
by Mike Vernon, August 1993
Tracks
1. Baby's Got Me Crying (Stan Webb) - 2:34
2. The Right Way Is My Way (Stan Webb) - 2:33
3. Get Like You Used To Be (Christine Perfect, Stan Webb) - 3:48
4. Pony And Trap (Stan Webb) - 3:20
5. Tell Me (Chester Burnett) - 4:49
6. A Woman Is The Blues (Christine Perfect, Stan Webb) - 3:27
7. I Wanna See My Baby (T-Bone Walker) - 3:52
8. Remington Ride (Hank Penny, Herb Remington) - 3:02
9. Fishing In Your River (Stan Webb) - 4:40
10.Mean Old World (Walter Jacobs) - 3:46
11.Sweet Sixteen (B.B. King, Joe Josea) - 6:22
12.Tears In The Wind (Stan Webb) - 2:42
13.I'd Rather Go Blind (Billy Foster, Ellington Jordan) - 3:16
Chicken Shack
*Dave Bidwell - Drums
*Stan Webb - Vocals, Guitar
*Christine Perfect - Vocals, Piano
*Andy Sylvester - Bass
With
*Roderick Lee - Trumpet
*Steve Gregory - Tenor
*Buddy Beadle - Alto, Baritone
*Johnny Almond - Tenor (Tracks 3,6)
*Walter "Shakey" Horton - Harmionica (Track 10)
*Terry Noonan - Trumpet (Track 6)
*Don Fey - Tenor (Track 6)
Related Act
