Mike Berry & The Innocents – On My Mind

Mike Berry & The Innocents – On My Mind / This Little Girl

Mike Berry & The Innocents – On My Mind / This Little Girl is a classic slice of early-1960s British beat and pop, released on His Master's Voice in January 1964. Issued as HMV POP 1257, the 7" captures Mike Berry during the period when his rock & roll roots were being developed into a polished British pop sound.

Berry had already established himself as one of Britain's most successful early rock & roll singers. Working closely with producer and songwriter Joe Meek, he had enjoyed a major UK hit with “Don't You Think It's Time”, which reached No. 6 in 1962, followed by “My Little Baby”, which reached No. 34 in 1963. His recordings during this period combined American rock & roll influences with the distinctive production style emerging from the British beat scene.

For this release, Berry is accompanied by The Innocents, the vocal group who also worked with him on a number of recordings during 1963–64. The A-side, “On My Mind”, is a concise, melodic piece of British pop, while “This Little Girl” provides an equally appealing B-side. Both songs were written by Berry, making the single an interesting example of his own songwriting as well as his work as a performer.

The single sits at an interesting point in Berry's career. The British beat boom was rapidly changing the pop landscape in 1964, with groups such as The Beatles, The Searchers and The Hollies dominating the charts, yet Berry remained closely connected to the earlier generation of British rock & roll performers. His records from this period therefore offer an appealing bridge between 1950s rock & roll, early-60s pop and the emerging British beat sound.

“On My Mind” was subsequently included on compilations documenting Berry's 1960s recordings, alongside earlier favourites such as “Tribute To Buddy Holly”, “Don't You Think It's Time” and “My Little Baby”. The recording itself is particularly short and punchy, typical of the early-60s pop format, with the track listed at around 1:42 on later compilations.

For collectors of Mike Berry vinyl, Joe Meek productions, HMV 45s, British beat and 1960s pop, this is a desirable period single. On My Mind / This Little Girl showcases Berry at a fascinating moment just before the British Invasion completely transformed the UK singles market, making it a great addition to collections focused on vintage British rock & roll and beat-era 7" vinyl.

Tracklist

Side A

1. On My Mind

Side B

1. This Little Girl