Another unsung band of the sixties UK pop sike scene. The package contains the singles leased to Phillips for release in the late 60's, plus the unissued sessions, including 11 previously unknown about tracks. These recently surfaced in the archives of lead band member Glynn.
The Mirage have an upbeat, harmony-laden approach akin to 1966 era Beatles and the Hollies. Many songs, mostly self penned, were storytelling, observational songs, the most famous of these being their 1967 single, "The Wedding of Ramona Blair," about a bride whose groom fails to show up at the ceremony, which has appeared on several compilations of British Psychedelia. The Mirage signed to Dick James Publishing and served as the house band for a penny or two, including sessions backing Elton John during his embryonic song writing days. Indeed later on, following the bands break up in 1968, Mirage guitarist Dee Murray then joined Elton Johns own band for his run of classic early 70's albums and tours. Another connection The Mirage had was through writer / producer Kirk Duncan, who in turn had a deal with the Hollies own Gralto Music Publishing company. So a propensity for some material to sound akin to the Hollies is not quite so surprising. It even culminates in a song demo from Glynn’s collection with Graham Nash singing lead for a Mirage session recording.
Tomorrow Never Knows (Phillips Bf 1534) 1966 / You Can't Be Serious (Phillips Bf 1534) 1966 / Go To Your Head / Spare A Thought For Me / Hold On (Phillips Bf 1554) 1967 / Can You Hear Me (Phillips Bf 1554) 1967 / One More Time / That I Know / The Wedding Of Ramona Blair (Phillips Bf 1571) 1967 / Lazy Man (Phillips Bf 1571) 1967 / Ebaneezer Beaver / Mrs Busby / I See The Rain / Lonely Highway / Hello Enid / Is Anybody Home / What Do I Care / How's Your Pa / Lazy Man Version 2 / See My World / Katherine / Ebaneezer Beaver / Go Away (W/Graham Nash)
