This was the tenth 7" 45 rpm vinyl single by Adge Cutler & The Wurzels, released on 12th May 1972. It was issued on the CBS record label in stereo, catalogue number CBS8067 Song Lyrics
At the time of the recording and release of this single the Wurzels supporting Adge were Reg Quantrill, Tommy Banner and Tony Baylis.
This was Adge's final single, slightly different from the 'usual Wurzel thing' as Adge would say. The 'A' side - 'Little Darlin" was originally a hit in 1957 for the American group The Diamonds, and this is a fairly straight cover of the original, and apart from a Benny Hill-style spoken bit in the middle, it doesn't sound like Adge Cutler and The Wurzels at all. The song was written by Maurice Williams who originally recorded it in USA with his group 'The Gladiolas' - he later went on to have a big hit 'Stay' with The Zodiacs in 1960.The 'B' side was 'Mother Nature Calling' written by Wurzels Tony Baylis and Reg Quantrill. The single was the brainchild of Roger Easterby, the recording manager of pop bands 'Vanity Fare' and 'Chicory Tip'. Roger and record producer Des Champ had weaved some magic with the Giorgio Moroder-penned song 'Son Of My Father' which had given Chicory Tip a #1 UK hit single, and charted across Europe. Roger was certain that he could have the same success with Adge and "Little Darlin". The single was released on the CBS record label, with credit for production being given to 'Santa Ponsa Productions', despite Adge still theoretically being with EMI (this single was released just prior to his final album "Don't Tell I, Tell 'Ee") and was actually released simultaneously across Europe with releases in the UK, Germany, Holland, Canada, France and, rather interestingly, Japan (although this latter release appears to have been only as a promotional, rather than a full, release). The UK release was in a standard company CBS sleeve but in other countries it appeared in differing picture sleeves; one of which (French release) showed "Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs" group on the front for some unknown reason - a fact that Maurice Williams, when discussing this in recent years with Professor Wurzel, found amusing and mystifying! The Japanese release came with a very lengthy insert complete with photographs and Japanese text!. Although never released on an Adge Cutler and The Wurzels LP (unless you count a German 'various artists' compilation album issued by CBS called 'The Rock 'n And Roll Supershow'), Little Darlin' did make an appearance on The Wurzels' 1983 "Freshly Cut" album when they recorded their own version. The b-side - "Mother Nature Calling" - has never been released on any album or compilation. Adge's surviving rehearsal tapes include a short snippet of him listening to the original Gladiolas' 'Little Darlin'. This was then followed by a full run-through with Adge and the his Wurzels of 'Mother Nature Calling', this version being a lot lighter than the released song with no tambourines and a more prominent piano-line. Adge's handwritten lyrics on three sheets of blue writing paper for this track are amongst his archives. There is no evidence that either songs on this single were ever played at a gig.
Rare promotional photograph card showing Adge and The Wurzels on stage at the time this single was released - from the left Adge Cutler, Reg Quantrill, Tommy Banner and Tony Baylis. The promotional card was issued by manager John Miles - inviting all enquiries to "John Miles Organisation, Wurzel House, Meriton Street Bristol". Photography was by Jim Tennant. This image also appeared on the picture sleeve for this single when released in Germany.
This single was released on the standard UK CBS label and underwent only one pressing. Produced in stereo only it was released on 12th May 1972.The examples below and the associated statistics are taken from the collection of Professor Wurzel and represent what a collector should expect to find. For more information on references to matrix information (including information on acetates), vinyl tax codes , album sleeves, singles sleeves, and Columbia album labels, then refer to the Vinyl Collecting Guides on the main menu.
Image 11972 stereo pressing of CBS 8067 with the CBS S 8067 A1 and CBS S 8067 B1 matrix. This example is a four-pronged centre, with a first mother (indicated by an 'A' on CBS singles) and a third stamper ('3'). The single was issued in the UK with the standard company sleeve as shown above.
Image 21972 stereo pressing of CBS 8067 with the CBS S 8067 A1 and CBS S 8067 B1 matrix. This example is a four-pronged centre, with a first mother (indicated by an 'A' on CBS singles) and first stamper ('1'). This example is the promotional copy for radio stations: ''PROMOTION COPY NOT FOR SALE' is printed on the label on the 'B' side. The 'A' side has a large orange 'A' to indicate the primary side of the record and the release date next to it was given as 12th May 1972. The single was issued in the UK with the standard company sleeve as shown above.
Image 31972 stereo pressing of CBS 8067 with the CBS S 8067 A1 and CBS S 8067 B1 matrix. This example is a solid centre, with a first mother (indicated by an 'A' on CBS singles) and a third stamper ('3'). The single was issued in the UK with the standard company sleeve as shown above.
Collectors' Extras:Rare autographed copy of Adge's final single release - signed by Adge, Tommy Banner, Reg Quantrill and Tony Baylis in black biro. This example is a mint condition vinyl, first mother and third stamper and in the CBS company sleeve.
Sheet music produced for sale in record shops when the " Little Darlin' " single was released - very few copies of this item seem to have been produced.
La, la la la, la la la la, la la la la My darlin', my little darlin' Oh where are you Remember, I was wrong-ah (la la la la la la) To try, to love two (ooh ba ooh ba ooh ba) Knowing well-ah That my love-ah (la la la la la la) Was just, for you Oh only you My darlin' I need you, oh-ah (la la la la la la) To call my own and never do wrong Heh, to hold in mine your little, hand (la la la la la la) For I'll know too soon that love will be so grand Please, hold me hand, oh ah! Remember, I was wrong-ah To try, to love two (ooh ba ooh ba ooh ba) Know well-ah, that my love-ah (la la la la la la) Was just, for you Oh only you Lyrics Kindly transcribed by E.Bryant, Verified by Professor Wurzel
It's not the cock that crows and the wind that blows That wakes me in the morning when I really wanna doze Oh no, it's Mother Nature calling Oh no, Mother Nature calling It's not the snow that snows or the cold that grows That makes me feel unhappy when my hands are froze Oh no, Mother Nature calling But when the sun comes out there is no doubt As the weather gets better I really wanna shout I love you, you love me It's not the butterflies and bees that make me wanna sneeze Buzzing round the flowerbeds pollinating trees Oh no, it's Mother Nature calling Oh no, Mother Nature calling It's not the flowers in Spring, the birds on the wing Lambs in the meadow that make me wanna sing Oh no, Mother Nature calling So when the sun comes out, there is no doubt As the weather gets better I really wanna shout I love you, you love me When I grow old and my memories are cold I'll be richer than a man with a barrel of gold I love you, you love me We'll love each other till eternity Oh oh, Mother Nature calling Oh oh, Mother Nature calling Oh oh, Mother Nature calling Oh oh, Mother Nature calling