This was the sixth 7" 45 rpm vinyl single by Adge Cutler & The Wurzels, released on 19th April 1968. It was issued on the Columbia EMI record label in mono, catalogue number DB8399.
At the time of both the recording and release of this single the Wurzels supporting Adge were Reg Chant, Henry Davis and Tommy Banner. Henry and Tommy were both bought in to replace the temporary Wurzels Ken Scott and Pete Shuttler, although in the intervening period (late 1967) Henry had already played with the band for a short while and Melt Kingston had come and gone.
Adge introduced both of these tracks to the public at a live gig in September 1967 at Ashton Court, Bristol. 'Don't Tell I, Tell 'Ee' was originally written by Kevin Sheldon and recorded by west country performer by Trevor Crozier. Kevin Sheldon contributed to many Wurzel songs being a professional song writer who offered his services to Adge's manager John Miles several times over the years. 'Faggots Is The Stuff' - or 'The Ol' Faggot Song' as Adge referred to it - was written by Adge in 1967. It is unclear if it was written on commission but it was used by Brains Faggots for their TV commercial over the Christmas period in 1967, using the song and footage of Adge and the band. Both the tracks on this single were recorded at EMI's Abbey Road studios on March 11th 1968. - the first single recording to include Tommy Banner (who had joined the previous November) and Henry Davis (who had joined the band a few days earlier on March 3rd, his first gig being at the Yatton Country Club). Neither tracks were associated immediately with an album although they both popped up on the 1972 LP 'Don't Tell i, Tell 'Ee'.
Above right - promotional photocard for the Wurzels taken from the photoshoot for the Brains Faggots TV commercial, December 1967, with Reg Quantrill (left) and Adge Cutler. Above left - newspaper advert for Brains Faggots Christmas 1967.
The examples below and the associated statistics are taken from the collection of Professor Wurzel and represent what a collector should expect to find. For more information on references to matrix information (including information on acetates), vinyl tax codes , album sleeves, singles sleeves, and Columbia album labels, then use these links or refer to the Vinyl Collecting Guides on the main menu.
Image Ref. 11968 pressing of DB8399 with the 7XCA 32052-1 and 7XCA 32053-1 matrix, pressed with a first master, first mother on both sides and a 'R' and 'M' stamper on the A and B sides respectively. This example has a four-pronged centre, with the embossed tax code 'KT' (indicating a pre-November 23rd 1968 pressing) and on both sides the standard 'sold in UK...' message across the centre of the label (indicating a pre-June 1969 pressing). The tax code 'KT' is also found on the run-off on both sides of the record.
Image Ref. 2Late 1968 pressing of DB8399 with the 7XCA 32052-1 and 7XCA 32053-1 matrix, pressed with a first master, second mother on side A and first mother on side B. The stampers are 'R' and 'G' on the A and B sides respectively. This example has a four-pronged centre, with the (rare) embossed tax code 'KJT' (indicating a November/December 1968 pressing). On both sides the standard 'sold in UK...' message appears across the centre of the label (indicating a pre-June 1969 pressing). The tax code 'KT' is also found on the run-off on both sides of the record.
Image Ref. 31967 demonstration pressing of DB8399 with the 7XCA 32052-1 and 7XCA 32053-1 matrix, pressed with a first master, first mother and 'G' stampers for both sides. Demonstration (or promotional) copies were produced for radio stations etc. This record, with the standard Columbia green demonstration label and a large white 'A' to show the primary track, has the British release date of 19th April 1968 printed on both sides (19.4.68). The timing for both sides is also given - side A 2 minutes 44 seconds and the B side 2 minutes 41 seconds. This example has a four-pronged centre (no example yet found as a solid centre), with the (rare) embossed tax code 'KJT' (indicating a November/December 1968 pressing.
Very rare copy of the sheet music published in April 1968 to coincide with the release of the 'Don't Tell I, Tell 'Ee' single DB8399.