The Collage are a mystery to me. They cut two singles, the first (as Mike pointed out in his comment below) was “Best Friend”, an original by band member John Phillips, published by Parsay Pub BMI. The flip is a charming cover of Brian Wilson’s “Girl Don’t Tell Me”.
The Collage recorded at AAA at 835 Dorchester Ave. in Dorchester, MA. Released in 1967 as Coliseum Record Productions 201,468/9, the 201 prefix to the release number indicates this was a Decca custom pressing.
Their second single on Subtown may be the best on the label.
John Doran wrote “Mystery Woman”, a good song with an arrangement that blends the groups’ harmonies with tasteful instrumentation.
John Phillps wrote the flip, “Closing In On Me”, with its opening line “As I look around and all I can see, my own shadow overshadowing me”. The band turns in an exciting performance, with some frenetic drumming. I love the song but the bright blasts of trumpet bother me after repeated listens and wish they’d left the horns off.
Neither song writer name appears on other Subtown releases.
Released on Subtown ST-101/2, with publishing by Echo, BMI but I can find no trace in BMI’s repertoire.
The label was part of Subtown Record Sales located at 169 Bank St. in New London, Connecticut. Subtown had other good releases by the Apple Corps and Davey And The Dolphins, among others.
The Collage were based in Norwich, Connecticut.
They recorded their first 45 at Triple A studios (Dorchester, Massachusetts)
“Best Friend” / “Girl Don’t Tell Me” in 1967.
I picked up that 45 only recently, I can hear it’s the same band. Thanks for pointing that out.
Hi Chris
Thank you for your kind words regarding our 45 releases back in the 1960s. I am trying to locate them all to purchase.
Hello John my name is Rich I have a six song acetate of your group The customs I also have a two song acetate of the collage closing in on me on one side and the fool on the other audio discs New York one is 12 inch one is 10 inch and a 7 inch acetate with the lyrics third eastern tour Your name is in Marker on the 10 inch sleeve feel free to call 860-204-2633
Been going through my old records & I have a copy of Best Friend/Girl don’t tell me. Sent to me back in the ’60s by my “pen pal”. I had heaps of pen pals back in the day & lived in Australia at the time, now in NZ , but can’t remember who sent it too me! Sorry.
Hi Rich !!
I am so excited to read this information about the collage and the customs. Please contact me at your convenience. I am very interested John Phillips a.k.a. John Hunter Phillips
Please reissue the music, it is some very nice melodic music, there is a market out there and I for one would want to hear all the songs you recorded back then. Cheers from Italy!
this site is great thankx
ils ont aussi fait une musique appelé “Looking for an answer”. ILs parlent de cette musique sur les sites de vinyles comme Discogs ou 45cat mais aucune photo n’est présente. Pourrait-on avoir un enregistrement de Girl Don’t Tell Me et de Closing In On Me please?