Chris Britton ''As I Am'' (UK Psychedelic Folk 1969)

Very rare psychy folk by Troggs' guitarist.
Chris Britton himself, described the LP sleevenote, as "an ego trip", but mercifully it is never self obsessed, bloated, contrived or maniacal. It is fascinating, it is a fascinating colection of a dozen self-penned songs (plus one cover version), but as with most "ego trips", it was ignored by the record buying public. A public not sufficiently curious to investigate the undoubted talents of the Troggs' guitarist - despite the sleeve's hype: "Chris Britton of The Troggs". But then the public weren't interested in solo releases by Reg Presley or Ronnie Bond.
The LP opens with 'Sit Down Beside Me' a great track now finally getting some exposure. 'Will It Last' is harpsichord popsyke, very English indeed. Next up is 'That Was The Time', a Kinks-ish acoustic ballad. The vocal performance is very Ray Davies-like. 'No Sense In Fighting', the only really duff track on this LP, is a bluesy Dylanesque bore. 'Maybe Time Will Change Me' is again, like the late 60s Kinks: nice ballad pop. One of the highlights of the album is 'Fly With Me',

Let the music hypnotise
Explore the underlying rise
And fall with me
Fly to the moon above
Fly on the wings of love
It's free
Dance through the mountain streams
See just how wild your dreams can be...

-- which are delivered in the very best & feyest UK manner, sit atop a very classy funky pop groover, augmented with some swirly sitaresque guitar breaks. Very very nice. 'If You Really Care' is a Kaleidoscope-like (think 'A Lesson Perhaps') folky acoustic piece, with a mildly trippy vibe. 'Run And Hide' is pretty good: Tourquise style pop, let down only by a flat lead vocal. 'How Do You Say Goodbye' is sparkling strings pop a la Honeybus, and wouldappeal to many I'm sure. 'Sleep My Love' is another harpsichord-lead ballad. 'Why Did I let You Go' is gentle, soulful and again acoustic. The version of 'Evil Woman' herein, is probably one of the most extraordinary. Featuring jazzy sax, fuzz and brass, it really is a splendid track. The pensive closer, 'Learn How To Love Life And You'll Be Living' is a hippie ballad, somewhat tainted by a country-blues influence, which features tweet tweet bird song sound effects.

1. Sit Down Beside Me
2. Will It Last
3. That Was The Time
4. No Sense In Fighting
5. Maybe Time Will Change You
6. Fly With Me
7. If You Really Care
8. Run And Hide
9. How Do You Say Goodbye
10. Sleep My Love
11. Why Did I Let You Go
12. Evil Woman
13. Learn To Love Life You’ll Be Living