Rob Freeman and Ian McLintock had a wide-ranging career in the 1960s, covering Bo Diddley, being managed by Brian Epstein, and playing with Deep Purple.
Listen to the Sky—Sands
- Track 69, disc 3
- Year: 1967
- From: Richmond, Greater London, UK.
More about Nuggets II
Credits
3/15. LISTEN TO THE SKY – Sands (U.K.)
(Ian McLintock/Pete Hammerton/Robert Freeman/Paul Stewart)
PERSONNEL/PAUL STEWART: vocals, drums * BOB FREEMAN: guitar * JOHN STANLEY: guitar * IAN McLINTOCK: bass
Produced by ROBERT STIGWOOD
Recorded in London, England
Reaction single #591017 (1967)
Sands
Rob Freeman (guitar and vocals) and Ian McLintock (bass and vocals) first worked together in the Others. They only released one single, a cover of Bo Diddley’s ‘Oh Yeah’.
The look was long-haired bohemian, the music was Chicago rhythm’n’blues, and the interest from local and national media secured them a London management/agency contract, a record deal and teen-magazine features by the fistful as they tore up and down the length of Britain in a van covered in adoring messages written in lipstick. They were still not even old enough to drive legally.
Rob Tolchard (Bob Freeman), Garage Hangover
When The Others broke up due to family pressure, Freeman and McLintock continued as Sands.
Listen to the Sky
Sands only released one single – the a-side was a cover of The Bee Gees’ ‘Mrs Gillespies Refrigerator’. The b-side was an excellent original composition.
A catchy Beatles-esque pop melody tells the tale of the unfortunate demise of one Freddie Baker, and everything trots along rather merrily until the air raid sirens sound. At that point Sands proceed to reenact the Battle of Britain, seguing into a heavy fuzz guitar rendition of “Mars” (the God of War) from Holst’s The Planets. Released on Reaction in September 1967, it’s a sensational piece of English psychedelic storytelling.
Mike Stax, Nuggets liner notes
It’s a terrific slice of psychedelic pop, although there’s also some guitar muscle when needed. It reminds me of the 1990s alternative power-pop band Teenage Fanclub. The bizarre, dramatic coda doesn’t outstay its welcome.
The Aftermath
Sands only recorded one single. Brian Epstein was their manager, and they fell apart when he overdosed. McLintock and Freeman formed Sun Dragon. They recorded an album in 1968, backed by Deep Purple members Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Paice, and Jon Lord.
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I’m all new to “Listen to the Sky” and have to say it hands-down is one of the best I recall hearing from Nuggets II – Feels a bit like a cross between a late Beatles song and a Jimi Hendrix style finale. “Five White Horses” by Sun Dragon sounds pretty cool as well!
Yeah, one of my favourites too. Hits that psychedelic-yet-accessible sweet spot.
They sounded pretty good, shame they couldn’t fulfill their potential.
Yeah, sound like they could have made it big. It’s just luck sometimes, or who you know. Sands is a pretty mediocre band name IMO.
Oh Yeah…good blues cut but… Listen to the Sky. Clever and I love the way they put it together. This is top shelf Nuggets… it took some imagination to put this together and it works…and works well. Very likeable all the way through…man I might have to come back to this one. This is a great find.
Sun Dragon…musically it reminds me a little of late Zombies…the bass and melody. The bass really adds to the feel of this.
It’s weird that they didn’t make it in one of their three guises – seems strong, and commercially appealing.
I agree…Listen to the Sky will be on my playlist.