The Birthday Party (album)

The Birthday Party
Studio album by The Idle Race
Released	1968 Re-Issue 1976
Recorded	1967-68 Advision Studios London, UK
Genre	Psychedelic rock
Length	31:36
Label	Liberty Records Sunset (Re-Issue)
Producer	Eddie Offord & Gerald Chevin
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
The Idle Race chronology
The Birthday Party (1968) Idle Race (1969)
Inner gatefold art

The Birthday Party was the first album by The Idle Race, a psychedelic pop band, released in 1968 (see 1968 in music). This quasi-concept album was the first to be comprised almost entirely of songs by a young Birmingham guitarist/singer named Jeff Lynne. The LP came in a gatefold sleeve, the first of its kind since the Beatles' Sgt Pepper album. The inside sleeve art included a mock birthday feast attended by many famous British Celebrities. In the U.S. the cover art was different with a rather psychedelic-styled paisley pattern behind the band. While warmly received by critics, the record failed to chart in the U.K. or the U.S. The album was re-issued in 1976 to capitalise on Electric Light Orchestra's success.

Track listing

1. "Skeleton and the Roundabout" (Lynne) – 2:16
2. "Happy Birthday" (Hill/Hill) – 3:16
3. "Birthday" (Lynne) – 2:09
4. "I Like My Toys" (Lynne) – 1:45
5. "Morning Sunshine" (Lynne) – 2:45
6. "Follow Me, Follow" (Lynne) – 2:45
7. "Sitting in My Tree" (Lynne) – 2:50
8. "On With the Show" (Lynne) – 2:20
9. "Lucky Man" (Lynne) – 2:35
10. "Don't Put Your Boys in the Army, Mrs. Ward" (Lynne) – 2:10
11. "Pie in the Sky" (Pritchard) – 2:23
12. "The Lady Who Said She Could Fly" (Lynne) – 2:17
13. "End of the Road" (Lynne) – 2:05

Personnel

• Jeff Lynne - vocals, guitar, piano
• Dave Pritchard - guitar, vocals
• Greg Masters - bass guitar, vocals
• Roger Spencer - drums, vocals