The Fivepenny Piece Discography

A Gradely Prayer
The Fivepenny Piece

EMI Columbia DB 8950

Release Date: 17th November 1972

The band's fourth single was a setting to music by John Meeks and Colin Radcliffe of the old Lancashire dialect poem A Gradely Prayer, written by Allen Clarke, who was perhaps better known under his pen-name Teddy Ashton. The poem was recited over the musical backing, rather than sung. The record was issued in mid-November, suggesting EMI might have had an eye on the Christmas market. The record was not a big hit but naturally sold well in Lancashire.

The B-side was another Meeks-Radcliffe song Reflections Of Emily, a quiet and thoughtful song, with lead vocals by John. A Gradely Prayer was to appear on the band's next album Makin' Tracks, and Reflections Of Emily was on the one after that, Songs We Like To Sing. The single was to be reissued three years later, with the same two sides in these original versions.

The demo copy (see above for labels) gives the timings of the two sides as 2:45 and 2:10 respectively. Ed Welch is credited as arranger and conductor on the A side, and both sides were produced, as ever, by Bob Barratt. The band's name is shown as The Fivepenny Piece.

Side A

1. A Gradely Prayer (Meeks-Radcliffe-words by Clarke)

Side B

1. Reflections Of Emily (Meeks-Radcliffe)