Just a Boy
| Just a Boy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 1974 | |||
| Recorded | 1974 | |||
| Studios | Kingsway Recorders, London | |||
| Genre | Soft rock | |||
| Length | 38:04 | |||
| Labels |
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| Producers | ||||
| Leo Sayer chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Just a Boy | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C+ |
| The Village Voice | C+ |
Just a Boy is the second studio album by the English singer-songwriter Leo Sayer, and was released in 1974. It features his interpretations of two songs ("One Man Band" and "Giving It All Away") that had been written by Sayer and David Courtney for the Who's lead vocalist Roger Daltrey's debut solo album, Daltrey. The latter song also began Sayer's run of hits in Australia; he subsequently emigrated there. His singles "One Man Band" and "Long Tall Glasses" both hit the charts in the UK and around the world. Leo Sayer was now popular in Europe and made many promotional appearances there. He headlined in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the venue known as the home of his then hero, mime artist Marcel Marceau.[citation needed]
Recording
Adam Faith, David Courtney and Leo Sayer began work on the album by cutting "One Man Band" whilst Sayer was on an American tour. More recording took place in London. This time the recording went smoothly and the right results were quickly accomplished. Some of the songs, like "Long Tall Glasses", were written in the studio. Sayer's songs "One Man Band" and "Giving It All Away" had previously been recorded by Roger Daltrey, for his 1973 debut solo album Daltrey.
A cover of the song "I Can Dance (Long Tall Glasses)" by the Canadian band Shooter hit the Canadian charts in the same week as the Sayer original. The Sayer version reached No. 18, where the Shooter version reached No. 22, both on the 3 May chart.
Album cover artwork
The cover is a painting by Humphrey Butler-Bowdon. It is a tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's artwork for his famous novella The Little Prince. The album's back cover pointedly depicted a group of new Sayers giving Pierrot the elbow.
Track listing
All lyrics by Leo Sayer and music by David Courtney.
Side one
- "Telepath" – 3:12
- "Train" – 4:25
- "The Bells of St Mary's" – 3:36
- "One Man Band" – 3:35
- "In My Life" – 3:23
Side two
- "When I Came Home This Morning" – 5:17
- "Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)" – 3:19
- "Another Time" – 3:26
- "Solo" – 3:59
- "Giving It All Away" – 3:52
Personnel
- Leo Sayer – vocals
- David Courtney – acoustic piano (1, 8, 10)
- Cliff Hall – acoustic piano (2, 3, 7, 9)
- David Rose – acoustic piano (4, 5, 6)
- John Mealing – organ (5)
- Paul Keogh – guitars (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9)
- James Litherland – guitars (4, 5, 6)
- Keith Nelson – banjo (7)
- Dave Markee – bass (2, 3, 7, 8, 9)
- Bill Smith – bass (4, 5, 6)
- Theo Thunder – drums (2–7, 9)
- Michael Giles – drums (8)
- Andrew Powell – string, woodwind and brass arrangements
- Jeanie Greene – backing vocals
- Barry St. John – backing vocals (5)
- Liza Strike – backing vocals (5)
- Lucas Piccoli – inspiration
Production
- David Courtney – producer
- Adam Faith – producer
- Louis Austin – engineer
- Martin Birch – engineer
- George Sloan – tape operator
- Paul "Chas" Watkins – tape operator
- Terry O'Neill – photography, back cover conception
- Humphrey Butler-Bowdon – cover painting
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | Platinum | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 60,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
