“Rainbow Valley” / “Someone Like Me” (CBS 3366) April 1968

How the ’60s music press reacted to “Rainbow Valley”, including vintage articles and interviews published during April / May 1968, when the single was zooming up the Charts.

The Love Affair | Rainbow Valley | (CBS) 1968 | “Rainbow Valley” (CBS) – Ah ha. Let the accusing finger be dropped. This is no one-hit group. No indeed. And to prove it the follow the divine “Everlasting Love” with a song that is really equally strong.

Of course there’s a lot of their first hit’s influence – especially during the opening with the bongos. But from there on it’s all very, very good pop music.

The song is about a heaven on earth and there is the odd inclusion of a girl’s voice on the chorus that only adds to the charm of the thing. And what about that chorus? Call that nothing? I don’t, I call it super. (Disc & Music Echo, 06/04/68)

The Keith Mansfield Orchestra is labelled here, to avoid any possible confusion. But what are the hit chances? Good, obviously, following on a number one – and the young Mr. Ellis sings even better on this slightly confused beater.

Not directly so commercial, but it proves a few points about the boys’ ability. But it could need a few plays to register – and it’ll probably get ’em.

Flip: Self-penned, bluesy, powerful, but a showcase essentially for S. Ellis. (Record Mirror, 06/04/68)

REVIEW REVISITED: THE LOVE AFFAIR RAINBOW VALLEY (CBS)

What I said then: “The poor Love Affair must go down in history as one of the most oppressed groups ever. More editorial copy must have been given over to the arguments for and against the musicians ‘ghosting’ business than any other topic for a long time. But whether the Love Affair played on this, their latest epic or not, and I understand they did, I must admit this is a damn good follow up.

Admittedly like many follow ups it is a bit similar to the previous one, but I don’t think that matters a jot. Identical tempo and a similar one note bass guitar figure running most of the way through it. It has got that obviously immediate appeal that has stamped ail over it.”

What I say now: Just about everyone in sight kept on telling me this record is identical to “Everlasting Love” and it didn’t stand an earthly especially in view of the fact that “make-the-follow-ups-the-same-as-the-hit” is no longer a successful formula

Nevertheless, I remember thinking at the time, this song had a very catchy tune and a good beat to it and you cant under any circumstances, keep that kind of record down. After all the bad publicity they got which wasn’t by any means, their fault, I think it’s wonderful that they should be able to reassert themselves in the charts, with such force. Three cheers for the Love Affair and Mike Smith. (Top Pops, 08/06/68)