The Searchers’ Swedish Radio Sessions were released in 2001 on the Sanctuary label CMRCD 394 and contain three different sessions on Service Radio. This cd is a real treasure for Searchers’ fan, not only because of the excellent sound quality of all three sessions but also for the chance to compare three different personnels. Sessions One is dominated by Tony Jackson’s voice, Session Two - Tony was past and Frank Allen now  singer and bass guitarist - is somehow indifferent: Mike Pender is the leadsinger on all singles since Needles And Pins but here he has not yet become the focus of attention. Session Three is with the new drummer, John Blunt, instead of Chris Curtis, who didn’t only sing lead and back up vocals on Sessions One and Two but also made all the announcements. This is now (1967) Frank’s part and Mike’s voice is now dominating all  the songs.
So there’s a lot of change between 1964 and 1967 but much progression? Probably not compared to groups like Beatles or The Hollies.
SESSION ONE: February 18th, 1964


1. Farmer John 2.13 (Harris, Terry) <sung by Tony and Mike>
2. Money (That's What I Want) 2.54 (Bradford, Gordy) <Tony>
3. Sweets For My Sweet 2.27 Pomus, Shuman) <Tony>
4. Ain't That Just Like Me 2.13 (Carroll, Guy) <Chris with Tony + Mike>
5. Let The Four Winds Blow 2.36 (Domino, Bartholomew) <John>
6. Ain’t Gonna Kiss Ya 2.13 (Smith) <Tony with Mike>
7. Some Other Guy 2.76 (Barren, Leiber, Stoller) <Tony and Mike>
8. Alright 2.72 (Ross, Vanadore) <Tony with Mike and John>
9. Needles And Pins 2.14 (Bono, Nitzsche) <Mike + Tony>
10. What'd I Say 4.13 (Charles) <Chris>

front and back of the CD
from the cd - booklet:


The first Swedish show was probably recorded in March 1964, just before their first visit to America (April) and the sessions for their third album (late March/early April). This is reinforced by the fact that the audience seems very familiar with 'Needles And Pins' (which had been released in January). (…)The Searchers were on a roll when they hit Sweden in March 1964. 'Needles And Pins' had just been a hit in the UK. It was their second number one after 1963's 'Sweets For My Sweet'. Yet this was a slightly different Searchers to the 1963 model. Mike Pender, rather than Tony Jackson, had sung the lead on 'Needles And Pins', a move which would lead to Jackson's departure in July. But in Sweden, the band sounds amazingly fresh and very confident - with no hint of the rift to come. Their version of 'Money' might sound slightly subdued, but when Mike Render's guitar solo kicks in, the whole performance lifts off. His piercing and energetic solos on 'Ain't That Just Like Me' and 'Some Other Guy' put their studio counterparts in the shade.
The show revolves around Chris Curtis and his verbal links between the songs. He tries to get a response from the audience who rise to his sheer cheek. Although the band mainly draw material from their first album (The Premiers' 'Farmer John', Barret Strong’s Money,
'Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya' and 'Alright' from Meet The Searchers), two songs from the second are given an airing ('Ain't That Just Like Me' and 'Some Other Guy from Sugar And Spice). 'Sugar And Spice' itself is noticeably absent, but 'Needles And ' is heard. Fats Domino's 'Let The Four Winds Blow', sung by John McNally, is a cover not otherwise heard, as is the Chris Curds-sung set closer. Ray Charles' 'What I'd Say’. While some songs, like 'Farmer John', are very close to the recorded versions, others differ. 'Sweets For My Sweet' sounds a little thin. On the other hand, 'Needles And Pins’ sounds incredibly vibrant, especially after Chris Curds' first drum roll. All in all, The Searchers of March 1964 sound like a balanced unit - a real group.