Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake
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| Mr & Mrs Smith & Mr Drake | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Artwork of the original 1984 cassette release | ||||
| Demo album by | ||||
| Released | 1984 | |||
| Recorded | c. 1983–1984[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 36:44 | |||
| Label | Alphabet | |||
| The Sea Nymphs chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 2004 CD reissue | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music |   [3] |
Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake[b] is an album by Cardiacs members Tim Smith, Sarah Smith and William D. Drake. Recorded and released in 1984, it was the trio's only recording to be distributed prior to their 1991 reformation as the Sea Nymphs.[5][2]
The album was initially only available on cassette through the fan club and at concert venues.[6][7] The first version of the cassette cover is dark with the logo printed in gold; the track list is handwritten.[4] The second version has a purple satin design with a smaller gold logo; the track list is printed in gold.[4] In 2004 it was reissued on CD by All My Eye and Betty Martin Music.[2][8]
Tim Smith and William D. Drake met in 1983 when Drake was in the band Honour Our Trumpet with musician Little Sue. Smith had taught himself to sight-read music as a teenager and wanted Drake's involvement as he was classically trained. He joined Smith's band Cardiacs as he loved the music he was first provided with.[9]
Reception
Track listing
Adapted from Bandcamp.[11] All songs written by Tim Smith unless otherwise indicated.[1]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Little Creations" | 1:54 | |
| 2. | "Camouflage" | 3:43 | |
| 3. | "The Collar" | William D. Drake | 4:17 |
| 4. | "In a Waiting Room" | 1:28 | |
| 5. | "All the String" | 1:21 | |
| 6. | "Summer Is-a-Coming In" | Drake | 4:06 |
| 7. | "Too Many Colours" | 0:32 | |
| 8. | "Your Removal of Me" | 2:33 | |
| 9. | "A Treat from Mr Smith" | 1:43 | |
| 10. | "To My Piano from Mr Drake" | Drake | 4:40 |
| 11. | "Dergo" | 8:20 | |
| 12. | "That's All" | 2:07 | |
| Total length: | 36:44 | ||
- Notes
- The lyrics of "To My Piano from Mr Drake" are adapted from "The Garden" by English poet Andrew Marvell.[citation needed]
- "Summer Is-a-Coming In" is based on the 13th century English round.[12]
Personnel
Adapted from the Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake liner notes.[1]
- Tim Smith – guitars, flute, trumpets, glockensput, Woolworths organ, vocals
- Sarah Smith – clarinets, saxophones, recorders, forks, melodica, vocals
- William D. Drake – piano, television organ, forks, ballroom string machine, vocals
