songs for broken hearts, no. 62

I was very sad to learn, several months after the fact, that Reg King, the phenomenal vocalist known best as the leader of the Action, passed away from cancer back in October of last year at the age of 65. Next to the Small Faces, the Action are my favorite English Mod band. They never really made it big, but they managed to create a handful of amazing songs, many of which are compiled on Rolled Gold, a collection of material they recorded in 1967 and early 1968. It's King's singing more than anything else that makes the band's music so pleasing and memorable, and I'm really sorry to hear that he got sick and died before his time. In reading his obituary in the Guardian, I came across this excellent little tidbit of information: 'Legend has it that whenever the Action played the Birdcage in Portsmouth, their van was met on the edge of the city by a phalanx of Vespa-riding mods who would escort them to the stage doors." ...What a lovely image, one that honors the joy King's distinctive voice brought - and continues to bring - to the Action's small but devoted group of followers, among which I proudly include myself. Tonight's song is one of my favorites. It may take a few times to really pick up on what they're doing here, but spend some quality time with it and I promise you'll get hooked on the subtle energy of King's vocals, the casual beauty of the backing harmonies, and the righteousness of the song's message...