Adge Cutler & The Wurzels

"FERRY TO GLASTONBURY"
b/w "SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE CROWN"

This was the eighth 7" 45 rpm vinyl single by Adge Cutler & The Wurzels, released on 5th September 1969. It was issued on the Columbia EMI record label in mono, catalogue number DB8614. Interestingly this track was also used on the 2001 CD The Wurzels Collection - the only Adge track on the disc.

The Band:

At the time of both the recording and release of this single the Wurzels supporting Adge were Reg Quantrill, Tommy Banner and Tony Baylis. Tony had replaced Henry Davies who left the band at the end of the previous year, although he still had close connections and was musical director and arranger for many recordings.

The Tracks:

This was the first recording by Adge for both of these songs. 'Ferry To Glastonbury' was a joint composition by Adge Cutler and Colin Thomas. 'Saturday Night At The Crown' was a pub singalong song first recorded in 1968 by the late impressionist and comedian Mike Yarwood - both his and Adge's versions were produced by Bob Barratt, who co-wrote the song. Neither track was on the band's set list at the point of the release of the single or the associated album.

Both tracks are actually studio recordings but the exact date of the recording session is unclear. The A side of the single was taken from the album 'Carry On Cutler' (Side 2 track 5) which was released a week or so after this single - the same take, but on the album the audience atmosphere was overlapped at the start of the instrumental introduction to make it appear to be a live performance. The 'B' side of the single was also taken from the 'Carry On Cutler' LP (side 2 track 3) - again audience participation has been added and the ending on the single is truncated abruptly as the vocals end.

Promotional A4 photocard issued by manager John Miles around the time of the release of the 'Ferry To Glastonbury' single.
From left to right - Tony Baylis, Adge Cutler, Tommy Banner and Reg Quantrill.

Disc and Label Variations:

This single was released on the standard Columbia EMI label and appears to have had only one pressing. Produced in mono only it was originally released on 5th September 1969.

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 use these links or refer to the Vinyl Collecting Guides on the main menu.

Image Ref. 1
1969 pressing of DB8614 with the 7XCA 32521-1 and 7XCA 32522-1 matrix, pressed with a first master, first mother on both sides and 'G' and 'R' stampers on sides A and B respectively.

This example has a four-pronged centre, but no embossed tax code 'on the disc (indicating a post-November 23rd 1968 pressing). Additionally there is no 'Sold in UK...' message across the centre of the label (indicating a post-June 1969 pressing). The tax code 'KT' is found on the run-off on both sides of the record.

Image Ref. 2
1969 pressing of DB8614 with the 7XCA 32521-1 and 7XCA 32522-1 matrix, pressed with a first master, first mother on both sides and 'G' stamper on both sides. Demonstration (or promotional) copies were produced for radio stations etc.

This record, with the standard Columbia green demonstration label and a large white 'A' to show the primary track, has the British release date of 5th September 1969 printed on both sides (5.9.69). The track timings are given as side A 3 minutes 9 seconds and side B 2 minutes 9 seconds. This example has a four-pronged centre, but no embossed tax code 'on the disc (indicating a post-November 23rd 1968 pressing). Additionally there is no 'Sold in UK...' message across the centre of the label (indicating a post-June 1969 pressing). The tax code 'KT' is found on the run-off on both sides of the record.

Collectors' Extras:

Interesting example of DB8614 - a 'FACTORY SAMPLE NOT FOR SALE' - as the sticker clearly shows. Most records had a few pressings with labels like this and it was purely a pressing removed from the production line for a quality assurance check. From a collector's point of view it often means that the record has been played once to test and then filed away.

This example is a 1969 pressing of DB8614 with the 7XCA 32521-1 and 7XCA 32522-1 matrix, pressed with a first master, first mother on both sides and 'R' stampers on both sides.