Philamore Lincoln ● The North Wind Blew South

There are essentially three reasons why this album deserves a spot here at The “I-Own-Every-Record-You’d-Never-Buy” CD Consumer’s Guide, the first of which should be obvious: This guy’s name is Philamore. Couple that with a Jimmy Page guitar solo on the song “You’re the One” and a back cover photograph by Chris Dreja of the Yardbirds and you’ve got yourself a highly obscure collectable of British-based psychedelic pop. First released in 1970 on Epic Records, The North Wind Blew South is a mellow, almost dreamy collection of acoustic-flavored soft rock. “Rainy Day” and “When You Were Looking My Way” typify Lincoln’s brand of breezy, highly orchestrated pop, while “Lazy Good for Nothin’” and “The County Jail Band” are more upbeat, rock-oriented numbers. You wouldn’t expect someone like Jimmy Page to appear on a record as light as this, but the famed guitar slinger’s nimble finger work helps turn the aforementioned “You’re the One” into one of the album’s best songs. Lincoln’s career ultimately disappeared like the north wind that blew south, but not before Welsh folk singer Mary Hopkin took a cover of his “Temma Harbour” into the UK Top 10 in early 1970.

Notes: The 2010 Grapefruit Records reissue reveals that Philamore Lincoln’s real name is Robert Cromwell Anson. I knew a name like Philamore was too good to be true. Either way, here is “Rainy Day” from The North Wind Blew South: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QaU-nZdoKU.