"Drumming Man" (single) – Released in June 1985

DRUMMING MAN, Topper Headon

MEX 194

DRUMMING MAN Topper Headon

I decided to write a few liner notes, not only relieving you of having to look at my mug on the front cover, but also to give you something to read to take your mind off the music.
Seriously though, 'Drumming Man' is an old 1940's recording of the late great Gene Krupa. By transcribing the original arrangement off the original record and playing it in a more modern idiom I think the power of the record speaks for itself.
'Hope for Donna' is a song I wrote quite recently and I hope it gives you you a bit more insight as to my future material. The fact that it is an instrumental is merely coincidental, as my mum says I have a lovely voice. Topper Headon 20.5.85.

Thanks to my parents, Dave and Ruth, Andrew MacPherson, Terry McQuade, Dietmar, Pete Townshend, Henry Padovani, Mick Jones, Mouse, The Barnacles, and two fingers to the rumour-mongers.

Side A
DRUMMING MAN / DU CANE ROAD (Special 12" mix)
Written by Parham & Krupa
Arranged by Nick Headon & G. Sketcher
Produced by Nick Headon & Jeremy Green
Vocals by Didi Sketcher

Side B
HOPE FOR DONNA
Written by Nick Headon
DRUMMING MAN (7" version)
Produced by Nick Headon & Jeremy Green

The Boppers:
Micky Gallagher, Keyboards
Robert Osborne, Guitar
Mark Chaplin, Bass
Topper Headon, Drums, Percussion
Horns by the Bopping Brass Inc.
Geoff Miller, Trumpet, Flugal
Tom Harris, Tenor Sax
Mark Graham, Trombone
Martin Dobson, Alto Sax
Recorded at Wessex Studios, London, N5.
Cymbals by Sabien
Sleeve picture: Penny Smith

"Leave It to Luck" (single) – Released in November 1985 (Source: 45cat.com)

LEAVE IT TO LUCK

SIDE A: LEAVE IT TO LUCK, EAST VERSUS WEST
SIDE B: GOT TO GET OUT OF THIS HEAT, S.O.S. CASABLANCA

TOPPER HEADON ARE:
JIMMY HELMS (Vocals)
MICKEY GALLAGHER (Keyboards)
JEROME RIMSON (Bass, Vocals)
BOBBY TENCH (Guitar, Vocals)
NICK HEADON (Drums, Percussion)
With acknowledgement to Neil Hubbard and James Eller

BOPPING BRASS ARE:
GEOFF MILLER (Trumpet, Flugal)
MARTIN DOBSON (Saxes)
MARK GRAHAM (Trombone)
TOM HARRIS (Saxes)

All songs written and arranged by N.B. Headon
Produced by Jeremy Green & N.B. Headon at Wessex Studios London N5
Engineered by Dietmar Shillinger
Sleeve design N.B. Headon
Thanks to Andrew & Keith, Dave Bates & Cally, Joyce & Betty

This record is dedicated to the memory of Peter Farndon R.I.P
NE PEUT ETRE ECHANTILLON GRATUIT VENDU

"Waking Up" (album) – Released in February 1986

TOPPER HEADON Waking Up

TOPPER HEADON Waking Up
42282 64511
MERH 83
Topper Headon: Drums, Percussion

Side 1
I'LL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING
HOPE FOR DONNA
LEAVE IT TO LUCK
GOT TO KEEP ON GOING DANCING

Side 2
PLEASURE AND PAIN
TIME IS TIGHT
WHEN YOU'RE DOWN
JUST ANOTHER HIT
MONKEY ON MY BACK

Words and music written & arranged by N.B. Headon (except Time Is Tight written by Booker T. Jones)
Produced by Jeremy Green and Topper Headon
1st Engineer Dietmar Schillinger
2nd Engineer Paul Crackett
Recorded during July and August mainly at Wessex Studios, London
Sleeve design: N.B. Headon and JB
Front cover photo: Tim Whils

Thanks to Neil Hubbard, James Eller, Robert Osborne, The Barnacles, Robert Johnson, Eddie Reader, Andrew MacPherson, Kevin Rickards, and Terry McQuade

Mickey Gallagher: Keyboards
Jimmy Helms: Vocals
Bobby Tench: Guitar, Vocals
Jerome Rimson: Bass, Vocals
Geoff Miller: Trumpet, Flugel
Tom Harris: Saxes
Mark Graham: Trombone
Martin Dobson: Saxes

Brentwood Gazette – Friday, 21 February 1986, p.14. Andrew Spencer, "Nice surprise on waking up."

Nice surprise on waking up

Waking Up — Topper Headon

Pity the poor reviewer, faced not only with a solo album (notoriously bad idea), but a drummer’s solo album (ditto only more so). Add to that Topper Headon’s widely publicised heroin addiction and you can see why I was not exactly relishing the prospect of this LP.

All of which makes Waking Up such a surprising joy. Far from the dour effort I had expected, it is a hugely enjoyable listen with bags of Stax-style swing and bravado. The former Clash drummer has surrounded himself with a fine band including vocalist Jimmy Helms (remember his 1973 hit Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse?), guitarist Bobby Tench and keyboards player Mickey Gallagher, and acquitted himself creditably in the writing stakes. All 10 tracks are Topper compositions except for a perfunctory run through Booker T’s classic Time Is Tight.

When you take a look at the man’s musical history this step into the funk/dance field is not that unusual after all: Topper used to play in a large jazz orchestra and toured as a member of The Temptations’ backing band.

The studious among you can search for the drug references in the lyrics, most notable on Monkey On My Back: ‘Life without my monkey tastes so good and sweet / The day I killed my monkey I done myself a treat’. I prefer just to let Helms’ rich voice wash over me and file this Mercury LP next to ‘20 Stax Classics’ in my record rack.

I'd like to see Uncle Joe Strummer produce something half as worthwhile when he finally calls time on The Rolling Clash.

Topper Headon.

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Bury Free Press – Friday, 7 February 1986, p.12. Ashley Upperton, "Topper Headon: LP of the Week."

Topper Headon: LP of the Week

Topper Headon – Waking Up (Mercury). A complete change of style for ex-Clash drummer, writes Ashley Upperton of Andys Records. An excellent collection of Sixties style soul music. Will appeal to fans of Bobby Womack rather than Joe Strummer.

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