VINYL RELICS | Billy Nicholls’ Would You Believe – A Beautiful and Bittersweet Psych-Pop Masterpiece

EPYSODE 67: "Would You Believe", by Billy Nicholls.

Guest: Billy Nicholls.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we present one of the most beautiful and bittersweet stories in 1960s British pop: Billy Nicholls’ legendary 1968 album Would You Believe. Hailed by critics, this shimmering psych-pop masterpiece was shelved before its proper release and went on to become one of the rarest and most sought-after records in the collector world.

We explore the album’s lush orchestration, studio craftsmanship, and the influence of the Immediate Records scene, including the key roles played by producer Andrew Loog Oldham and some of Billy's famous musician friends. We discuss the label troubles, industry upheavals, and twists of fate that kept this stunning record in the shadows for decades. Plus a great story of how a Beatle helped kickstart Billy's career!

Whether you’re a long-time admirer of this wonderful album or discovering it for the first time, this epysode unpacks the music, the myth, and the enduring magic that transformed a once-lost LP into a psych-pop holy grail.

I hope you dig "Would You Believe" as much as I do.

- Farmer John

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===LINKS===

Check out Billy's albums and other merchandise here:

https://www.billynicholls.com

 

===THE MUSIC===

Songs used in this Epysode, in order of appearance. Here's a link to a Spotify playlist for all the tracks featured:

*denotes track is not available on Spotify.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1WPmas1G4PACpC7Jy8VdEm?si=4a4261f398e545e3

*RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "The Persian Caravan"

THE SQUADRONAIRES “Cement Mixer”

JOE BROWN “See You In My Dreams”

EDDIE COCHRAN “Summertime Blues”

THE EVERLY BROTHERS “When Will I Be Loved”

BUDDY HOLLY “Crying, Waiting, Hoping”

*BILLY NICHOLLS “Cut And Come Again” (demo)

DEL SHANNON “Cut And Come Again”

BILLY NICHOLLS “Would You Believe”

BILLY NICHOLLS "Come Again"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Life Is Short"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Feeling Easy"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Daytime Girl"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Daytime Girl (Coda)"

BILLY NICHOLLS "London Social Degree"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Portobello Road"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Question Mark"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Being Happy"

BILLY NICHOLLS "Girl From New York"

BILLY NICHOLLS "It Brings Me Down"

BILLY NICHOLLS “Kew”

BILLY NICHOLLS “White Lightning”

WHITE HORSE “Give It Up”

WHITE HORSE “Can’t Stop Loving You”

PETE TOWNSHEND “Forever’s No Time At All”

BILLY NICHOLLS “Under One Banner”

MORGAN “Flying High”

??MYSTERY ARTIST?? Tune in next week to find out...

NEWPORT ELECTRIC "Written In The Cards"

^^That's my band. Shameless self-promotion!!

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