The Outer Limits - Just One More Chance – Anthology 1965-1968

Over the course of the four years from 1965-1968, The Outer Limits, led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Christie, released three singles that showed great potential for a promising career, and also took part in a package tour in 1967 that was headlined by Pink Floyd, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move and The Amen Corner.  Over the years, those singles have become highly collectible, and now they are included in this new two-CD collection, along with thirty-one bonus tracks (fourteen of which are previously unreleased) that were also recorded during this time.  The set opens with their debut single “When The Work Is Through,” an upbeat pop tune with some soulful undertones and a horn section that was actually written by Godfrey Class, a student at Leeds University, and included on the 1965 Leeds Students Charity Rag single.  Found at the end of disc one is their second single “Just One More Chance,” a catchy, upbeat pop tune with a touch of psychedelia and some really cool twinkling organ, and the flipside “Help Me Please,” which found them shifting in more of a freakbeat direction.  Their final single was “Great Train Robbery,” a gorgeous, orchestrated chamber pop track with storytelling lyrics, that is reminiscent of early Bee Gees.  It has all the makings of a hit, but the BBC wouldn't play it due to the similarities to the real 1963 Great Train Robbery, and that coupled with some personnel changes contributed to the end of the band a short time later.  It was actually released twice a few months apart on Instant Records and then Immediate Records in a longer version that added some sound effects to the beginning (both are included here).  “Sweet Freedom” is the b-side to both versions and is a solid pop tune that’s heavy on the keyboards and has some great harmonies.  Also included on disc one are the aforementioned fourteen previously unreleased demos compiled by Christie.  The band display so much diversity here, and there are so many that had the potential to be hits.  They show a soulful side in the bouncy pop of “But Not For Me” and “Time Stands Still,” the upbeat Motown of “Keep On Dreaming,” and the horn-driven “My Baby Loves Me.”  Hints of The Beatles show up in “She Said” and the organ heavy “Anna.”  There’s a touch of The Kinks in the dark, garage rock of “Misery,” and there are two versions of “The Dream” with its organ-driven bluesy psychedelia.  “Someday Somehow” is a quirky, almost cabaret sounding, track with very lively piano, and “Chinatown” is a captivating track that is also driven with the piano.  There are also demos of “Sweet Freedom,” “Just One More Chance,” and “Great Train Robbery.”  The last two are stripped down and interestingly all three are missing the keys, organ or strings and orchestration, respectively, that really sets their single versions apart.  

The remaining sixteen bonus tracks are on disc two and were originally released on the 2008 compilation Floored Masters - Past Imperfect.  They are more proof of just what a missed opportunity this band was.  Cuts like “See It My Way,” with its Merseybeat sound, the ballad “Epitaph For A Non Entity,” and the upbeat pop of “Man In The Middle Of Nowhere” find them once again tapping into The Beatles’ influence.  The jangly guitars and vocal harmonies on “Run For Cover” bring to mind bands like The Byrds, and “Mr Magee’s Incredible Banjo Band” is another track reminiscent of early Bee Gees.  “Tomorrow Night” harkens back to the days of skiffle, and “Funny Clown” is solid Sixties pop rock with more great harmonies.  Other highlights include the bouncy upbeat pop of “Look At Me” and “Days Of Spring,” the propulsive driving rock of “Any Day Now” and the heavier “Paper Jake.”  Rounded out with a booklet containing a new interview with Christie, Just One More Chance is a fantastic deep dive into a band that deserved better.  

(Cherry Red Records)