When The Work Is Thru'

Just One More Chance
Help Me Please

Great Train Robbery
Sweet Freedom

Reviews

Great Train Robbery:
Not our Great Train Robbery, but one that took place in 1899 which makes a romantic tale given full orchestral accompaniment and a catchy hook phrase: "Do you remember the Great train Robbery?" Trouble is, having aroused memories of the incident, the singers, who sound as though they were trying to forget the Great Train Robbery, then fail to add any further statements. I expected them to say "Well, we done it, so there."
- New Musical Express

Just One More Chance:
Shimmering organ-flecked sound blends with pounding beat and appealing vocal. Good tune too. Maintains the high Deram standard.
- Melody Maker

When The Work Is Thru'
(G Claff)

Outer Limits was the group Jeff Christie was in before he formed Christie. The first single they released was a "Charity RAG" record, which they shared with another group called The 5-Man Cargo. Charity weeks are held in many countries around the world, during which university students take part in various events to raise money for charity. For the local Leeds charity week - termed RAG for "Raise and Give" - Jeff and his fellow students recorded a soulful, lively tune (written by Godfrey Claff) which incorporates tight harmonies and a brassy horn backing. But even though it was someone else's song, Jeff was as meticulous as ever, arranging the song to sound as he wanted.

Just One More Chance
(J Christie)

This song was the first serious composition of Jeff's to be released, after the band secured a deal with Deram Records. A slow-paced love song with a hook that grows on the listener, it has been labelled by archivists as a "blue-eyed soul gem". It nudged the UK Top 50 when released in 1967 and became a club classic in the late 70s on the northern soul scene.
   It reached the top of the charts in Berlin, of all places, and was covered by several artists — indeed, it was the first song of Jeff's to be covered by another performer (I Dalton). Although it didn't chart in the US, it was given glowing reviews.
  Interestingly, an instrumental version by The Patrick Bradley was also successful and today is a highly sought-after record.

Help Me Please
(J Christie)

The flipside is a heavy, bluesy number that would not be out of place if played by today's grunge bands. According to Jeff, this was his take at imitating Spencer Davis, complete with gruff voice. Some reviewers have described the piece as reminiscent of the "garage sound" of the psychedelic era.

Great Train Robbery
(J Christie)

By the next single, Jeff was clearly moving towards the tuneful creations that would characterise his Christie repertoire. This song is a commercial offering that would have not been out of place in the Christie stable, given a Vic Elmes twang and a more solid backbeat.
   Clearly signalling the development of Jeff's melodic songwriting skills, the song is, as the title suggests, all about a train robbery. All stops were pulled out for this one — the arrangement, by former Shadow Tony Meehan, incorporates lavish orchestral backgrounds and lovely harmonies, and is not unlike some Bee Gees offerings of the time. The record itself was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, renowned for hids work with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, among others.
   There are two versions of this song: the demo version has a longer musical introduction and additional sound effects (guns firing) at the end of the song. See here for more information.

Sweet Freedom
(J Christie)

The flipside is not as melodious as the A-side, but again does show the growing talents of Jeff as a songwriter. The harmonies and arrangement are reminiscent of some Beatles songs, and Jeff's voice is Lennon-esque in parts. It was a popular part of the Outer Limits' live sets.