David Essex: Out On The Street Album (1976)

David Essex’s Out On The Street was released as an LP album in the UK by CBS Records (catalog number S 86017) in September 1976, marking his fourth studio album.

Commercial Performance: The album entered the UK chart on week October 24-30, 1976 at number 41 as part of a 7-week run, peaking at number 31, a significant drop from the #2 peak of David Essex (1974) and #7 for All the Fun of the Fair (1975). It charted for a shorter period, reflecting a cooling of Essex’s commercial dominance as punk and disco began reshaping the UK music scene. The album saw limited international success, with modest sales in Australia and New Zealand but

no significant US impact. The lack of a major hit single beyond Coming Home’s #24 peak contributed to its lower chart performance, though it still appealed to Essex’s loyal fanbase.

Background and Context: David Essex (born David Albert Cook, July 23, 1947, in Plaistow, London) was a major UK pop and glam rock star by 1976, following the success of his albums Rock On (1973), David Essex (1974), and All the Fun of the Fair (1975), which produced hits like "Rock On" (#3 UK, #5 US), "Gonna Make You a Star" (#1 UK), and "Hold Me Close" (#1 UK). His parallel career as an actor in films like That’ll Be the Day (1973) and Stardust (1974) enhanced his fame. Out On The Street was conceived as a concept album, loosely inspired by Essex’s East London roots and the urban life of the streets. It marked a shift toward a more ambitious, theatrical style, influenced by his work on the musical Godspell and his interest in storytelling through music. The album was less commercially driven than its predecessors, reflecting Essex’s desire to experiment artistically.

Recording and Production: Out On The Street was recorded in 1976 at AIR Studios in London, produced by Jeff Wayne, who had worked on Essex’s previous albums. The recording featured a strong lineup of musicians, including Herbie Flowers (bass), Chris Spedding (guitar), Ken Freeman (synthesizers), and Ray Cooper (percussion), with orchestral arrangements by Andrew Powell and backing vocals by The English Chamber Choir. The production was lush and cinematic, blending rock, pop, and progressive elements with a streetwise narrative. Essex wrote or co-wrote most tracks, aiming to create a cohesive story about characters navigating urban life, though the concept is less structured than albums like The Who’s Tommy.

Track Listing: The original LP release of Out On The Street (CBS S 86017) contains eight tracks:

1. Out On The Street (5:26)

2. Let The Fool Live (4:20)

3. Thank You (3:03)

4. Just Wanna Dance (3:04)

5. Run With The Pack (3:07)

6. Coming Home (3:58)

7. Ooh, Love (4:02)

8. City Lights (6:00)

Notable Tracks: Out On The Street sets the album’s urban tone with a dramatic, rock-driven sound. Coming Home, the lead single, is a melodic pop-rock track about returning to one’s roots. City Lights, the closing track, is a sprawling, cinematic piece with orchestral flourishes, capturing the vibrancy and grit of city life. Just Wanna Dance and Run With The Pack lean into upbeat rock and roll, reflecting Essex’s energetic stage persona.

Musical Style and Themes: The album blends glam rock, pop, and progressive rock with orchestral and theatrical elements, creating a dynamic, storytelling vibe. Essex’s vocals are emotive and versatile, ranging from soulful ballads to high-energy rock. The concept loosely follows characters in an urban setting, exploring themes of community, struggle, love, and resilience. The album’s sound is more experimental than David Essex or All the Fun of the Fair, with a nod to the progressive rock trends of the mid-1970s, though it retains Essex’s accessible pop sensibility. The street imagery and East London references connect to his working-class roots, giving the album a personal touch.

Singles Released:

UK - CBS - 1976

1. Coming Home / Good Ol’ Rock & Roll

Release Date: August 1976 (UK, CBS 4505)

Details: Coming Home, written by David Essex, is a melodic, upbeat pop-rock track with a nostalgic feel, reflecting the album’s theme of returning to one’s origins. It reached #24 on the UK Singles Chart, a respectable but modest performance compared to Essex’s earlier #1 hits.

The B-side, Good Ol’ Rock & Roll, is not from Out On The Street but was recycled from the David

Essex album (1974), a lively rock and roll track used to appeal to fans of his earlier work. The single’s moderate success helped promote the album but didn’t match the chart dominance of prior releases.

UK - CBS - 1976

2. City Lights / St. Amour

Release Date: November 1976 (UK, CBS 4758)

Details: City Lights, also written by Essex, is a cinematic, orchestral track that encapsulates the album’s urban narrative. It was released as a single but failed to chart in the UK, reflecting the album’s less commercial appeal. The B-side, St. Amour, is a non-album track, a romantic, mid-tempo pop song not widely documented. The single’s lack of chart success signaled a decline in Essex’s hit-making momentum, as the concept-heavy approach was less radio-friendly.

Critical Reception: Out On The Street received mixed reviews upon release. Critics praised Essex’s ambition and the album’s lush production, with some noting its cinematic quality and strong performances. However, others found the concept vague and the songs less memorable than his earlier hits, with Melody Maker suggesting it lacked the immediate hooks of David Essex or All the Fun of the Fair. Retrospectively, the album is seen as an underappreciated effort, with AllMusic commending its “adventurous spirit” and fans on Discogs appreciating its storytelling. It’s often viewed as a transitional work, bridging Essex’s glam-pop peak with his later, more experimental projects like the Mutiny! musical (1985).

Legacy and Influence: Out On The Street is a lesser-known entry in David Essex’s discography, overshadowed by his earlier chart-topping albums but valued by fans for its ambition and narrative depth. It represents Essex’s attempt to evolve beyond straightforward pop hits, foreshadowing his later work in musical theater. The album was reissued on CD in 2013 by Cherry Red Records (GLAM CD 143), including bonus tracks like B-sides and alternate mixes, enhancing its appeal for collectors. Tracks like Coming Home and City Lights occasionally appear on Essex compilations, such as His Greatest Hits (1998). The album’s urban themes and theatrical style align with Essex’s broader career as a storyteller, influencing his work on projects like the Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds musical (1978), where he played the Artilleryman.

Additional Notes:

- The album’s cover, designed by Colin Andrews for CBS, features a gritty, urban-inspired image of Essex, emphasizing the street theme.

- Released on vinyl and cassette in 1976, with international pressings in Australia (CBS SBP 234896) and Canada.

- Essex toured extensively to support the album, with performances incorporating theatrical elements, reflecting his acting background.

- No music videos are documented, as the format was still emerging, but Essex promoted the singles on TV shows like Top of the Pops.

Sources and Verification: Information is drawn from my knowledge of David Essex’s discography and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, Cherry Red Records, AllMusic, and Wikipedia. Chart data and single details are confirmed by Rate Your Music and fan discussions on Discogs. If you need further details (e.g., specific track analysis, vinyl condition, or fan reactions on X), I can search or elaborate. Let me know if you want more on Out On The Street, other Essex albums, or connections to his early Decca work or acting career!