Peter & Gordon
Hurtin' and Lovin' Comments:There is a more edgy approach on Peter & Gordon's third album from 1965 than was heard on their first two albums. The somewhat fresh folk pop is put aside in favor of more contemporary popstyle with occasional more edge on the guitars. In several cases this works; in others it is less fortunate; especially when Gordon Waller overplays as a bluesy lead singer.
The duo delivers a small handful of original Asher/Waller songs on the album. These include the two ballads "Pity Me" and "Hurting and Loving"; the opening number and the title number respectively. Both quite nice with grand orchestra strings. "Tears Never Stop" is more upbeat in a simpler Merseybeat arrangement. "When the Black of Your Eyes Turn to Grey" is close to country rock.
For me, two numbers in particular stand out positively; Carole King's "Crying in the Rain" is a great song and Peter and Gordon give a beautiful version. Del Shannon wrote the fine "Broken Promises" which also stands out strongly in the duo's version.
Less succesfull are "Who's Loving You", on which Gordon Waller totally misses the dartboard disc and "Any Day Now" with Peter Asher as a somewhat thin soloist
Both "Cry to Me" and "All Shook Up" fall through compared to much better known versions by Pretty Things and Elvis Presley.
So all in all a somewhat uneven album, with several nice moments, though.
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