Vinyl Relics

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 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

===CONNECT & SUPPORT===

Transport yourself into the realm of grooviness by supporting us on Patreon using this link -->

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Use this link to follow us on Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohnmusic/

Use this link to follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/vinylrelics/

Use this link to follow us on TikTok --> https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylrelicspodcast

Use this link to follow us on BlueSky --> https://bsky.app/profile/farmerjohnmusic.bsky.social

And find us on X @VinylRelicsPod

Email me @ [email protected]

===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!!

Here's a Spotify link to our music:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5y6kGmYnS4SWvqAfijhDdp?si=7zRH2mG6SPmkdC4ysT7oOw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epysode 66: Relatively Clean Rivers, by Relatively Clean Rivers.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we drop the needle on one of the most elusive albums in psych-folk/rock history: the self-titled 1976 release by Relatively Clean Rivers. Join us as we explore the origins of this enigmatic project, the visionary mind of Phil Pearlman, and the winding path that turned this quietly released LP into a collector’s holy grail.

We break down the album’s dreamy acoustic textures and the unique blend of folk, country, and West Coast psychedelia that has kept crate diggers searching for original pressings for decades. Whether you're discovering it for the first time or revisiting a beloved classic, this epysode uncovers the legacy that make this record a true vinyl treasure.

I hope you dig Relatively Clean Rivers as much as I do.

- Farmer John

===CONNECT & SUPPORT===

Transport yourself into the realm of grooviness by supporting us on Patreon using this link -->

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Use this link to follow us on Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohnmusic/

Use this link to follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/vinylrelics/

Use this link to follow us on TikTok --> https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylrelicspodcast

Use this link to follow us on BlueSky --> https://bsky.app/profile/farmerjohnmusic.bsky.social

And find us on X @VinylRelicsPod

Email me @ [email protected]

===LINKS===

Karen Darby of The Beat of the Earth full interview:

https://members.tripod.com/lysergia_2/LamaWorkshop/Bote/lamaBeatOfTheEarth.htm

Here's a link to an article I wrote about this album for Psychedelic Scene:

https://psychedelicscene.com/2026/01/19/vinyl-relics-relatively-clean-rivers/

 

===THE MUSIC===

Songs used in this Epysode, in order of appearance. There is no playlist for this epysode as the album is not available on Spotify.

TÍR NA NÓG "Dance Of Years"

PHIL & THE FLAKES “Chrome Reversed Rails”

BEAT OF THE EARTH “The Beat Of The Earth Side One”

THE ELECTRONIC HOLE “The Golden Hill”

THE ELECTRONIC HOLE “Love Will Find A Way”

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "Easy Ride"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "Journey Through The Valley Of O"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "Babylon"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "Last Flight To Eden"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "Prelude"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "Hello Sunshine"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "They Knew What To Say"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "The Persian Caravan"

RELATIVELY CLEAN RIVERS "A Thousand Years"

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

NEWPORT ELECTRIC "Nobody Sings The Blues Anymore"

^^ That's my band, this is shameless self-promotion!!

Here's a Spotify link to our music:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5y6kGmYnS4SWvqAfijhDdp?si=7zRH2mG6SPmkdC4ysT7oOw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SPECIAL EPYSODE: The 2025 "In Memoriam" Fantasy Band Discussion.

GUESTS: Uncle Herff and Christian Swain.

In this special epysode, we honour the artists who left us in 2025 by building the ultimate “In Memoriam” Fantasy Band. Through reflection and a deep appreciation for their musical legacies, we imagine what it would sound like if these departed legends shared the same stage.

We discuss their standout contributions, the impact they made on their genres, and why their absence leaves such a lasting void. It’s part tribute, part creative celebration, and all heart. Whether you love fantasy band drafts, year-end music retrospectives, or simply want to remember the voices that shaped the soundtrack of our lives, this epysode offers a heartfelt and thoughtful sendoff.

The great gig in the sky added some incredible talent this year.

From all of us here, and on behalf of all the fans throughout the world, we say thank you for the incredible music you leave behind. RIP.

===CONNECT & SUPPORT===

Transport yourself into the realm of grooviness by supporting us on Patreon for as little as $2/month using this link -->

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Use this link to follow us on Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohnmusic/

Use this link to follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/vinylrelics/

Use this link to follow us on TikTok --> https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylrelicspodcast

Use this link to follow us on BlueSky --> https://bsky.app/profile/farmerjohnmusic.bsky.social

And find us on X @VinylRelicsPod

Email me @ [email protected]

 

===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/0qpwMQ1gWbDiVAu7VwoEEH?si=1cf3a9b654974061

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE "Thank You"

JANIS JOPLIN "Kozmic Blues"

BLONDIE "Heart Of Glass"

THE PRETTY THINGS "Don't Bring Me Down"

THE BEACH BOYS "God Only Knows"

CHAKA KHAN "Move Me No Mountain"

JOHN MARTYN "Solid Air"

BOOKER T. & THE MG'S "Green Onions"

*WATCHPOCKET "Four Walls"

OTIS REDDING "Try A Little Tenderness"

TOM LEHRER "The Folk Song Army"

THE BAND "Ophelia"

THE BAND "Chest Fever"

THE BAND "Whispering Pines"

TERRY REID "Superlungs My Supergirl"

TERRY REID "To Be Treated Rite"

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE "Everyday People"

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE "I Wanna Take You Higher" (live)

CHRIS REA "The Road To Hell Part 2"

JOE ELY "The Road Goes On Forever"

THE YOUNGBLOODS "Get Together"

KISS "Shock Me"

ROBERTA FLACK "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

THE ALARM "Rain In The Summertime"

BADFINGER "I Can't Take It"

MARIANNE FAITHFULL "Broken English"

OZZY OSBOURNE "Crazy Train"
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special crossover epysode of Vinyl Relics, I’m sharing an episode from the Love That Album podcast where guests reflect on their favourite album discoveries of 2025. I’m honoured to be one of the guests, joining fellow music lovers to discuss the records that surprised us, moved us, and earned repeat spins this year. From unexpected finds to long-overlooked gems, this episode is a celebration of musical discovery and the albums that made 2025 unforgettable.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPYSODE 65: "Tír na nÓg" by Tír na nÓg.

Guest: Tír na nÓg's Leo O'Kelly.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week, we journey back to 1971 to explore the mesmerizing self-titled debut by Irish folk-prog duo Tír na nÓg. Known for their intricate acoustic arrangements, poetic songwriting, and genre-blurring harmonies, Tír na nÓg carved out a sound unlike anything else on the early ’70s folk scene.

This week, we’re honoured to feature exclusive commentary from band member Leo O’Kelly, who shares personal stories from the group’s earliest days, the creative energy behind the album, and what it was like crafting these now-beloved songs. His insights bring a rare, intimate perspective to a record long cherished by collectors and fans of progressive folk.

Join us as we dive into the tracks, production choices, musical influences, and the lasting legacy of an album that continues to inspire more than five decades later. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or discovering Tír na nÓg for the first time, this epysode offers a rich and immersive listen.

I hope you dig Tír na nÓg as much as I do.

- Farmer John

===CONNECT & SUPPORT===

Transport yourself into the realm of grooviness by supporting us on Patreon for as little as $2/month using this link -->

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

Use this link to follow us on Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohnmusic/

Use this link to follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/vinylrelics/

Use this link to follow us on TikTok --> https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylrelicspodcast

Use this link to follow us on BlueSky --> https://bsky.app/profile/farmerjohnmusic.bsky.social

And find us on X @VinylRelicsPod

Email me @ [email protected]

 

===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/4zM5HEbJCVWYXGZ6kYflLN?si=2bfa118b1bc740df

*MAY BLITZ "Smoking The Day Away"

ELVIS PRESLEY “Guitar Man”

EMMET SPICELAND “Bunclody”

EMMET SPICELAND “Mary From Dungloe”

JONI MITCHELL “Night In The City”

TÍR NA NÓG: "Time Is Like A Promise"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Mariner Blues"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Daisy Lady"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Tír na nÓg"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Aberdeen Angus"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Looking Up"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Boat Song"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Our Love Will Not Decay"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Hey Friend"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Dance Of Years"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Live A Day"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Picadilly"

TÍR NA NÓG: "Dante"

TÍR NA NÓG “The Lady I Love”

TÍR NA NÓG “So Freely”

TÍR NA NÓG “Two White Horses”

TÍR NA NÓG “Most Magical”

TÍR NA NÓG “Strong In The Sun”

NICK DRAKE “Place To Be”

TÍR NA NÓG “Free Ride”

SONNY CONDELL “Down In The City”

*SCULLION “Carol”

*LEO O’KELLY “Will"

*LEO O’KELLY “I Prayed To The Devil Last Night”

TÍR NA NÓG “I Have Known Love”

TÍR NA NÓG “You In Yellow”

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

NEWPORT ELECTRIC "I Will Wait"

^^That's my band. Shameless self-promotion!!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices