The Birthday Party (The Idle Race album)

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 composed 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 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

All tracks composed by Jeff Lynne; except where indicated

1. "Skeleton and the Roundabout" – 2:26
2. "Happy Birthday" (Patty Hill, Mildred J. Hill) – 0:23
3. "Birthday" – 3:00
4. "I Like My Toys" – 2:12
5. "Morning Sunshine" – 1:48
6. "Follow Me, Follow" – 2:48
7. "Sitting in My Tree" – 1:59 (mono)
8. "On With the Show" – 2:22
9. "Lucky Man" – 2:38
10. "(Don't Put Your Boys In The Army) Mrs. Ward" – 2:14
11. "Pie in the Sky" (Dave Pritchard) – 2:23
12. "The Lady Who Said She Could Fly" – 2:22
13. "End of the Road" – 2:09

Personnel

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