John's Children (July 7, 1967) – "Midsummer Night's Scene" Acetate UK: EMIDISC
Cut on July 7, 1967, this rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate preserves an early recording of "Midsummer Night's Scene" by John's Children during the group's final and most creative period. Produced shortly before Marc Bolan's departure from the band, the acetate offers a snapshot of the material being developed at the height of the group's psychedelic phase.
Unlike a commercially issued single, this acetate was produced in extremely limited numbers for reference and evaluation purposes. Surviving copies are exceptionally scarce, making it one of the more desirable artefacts associated with the band's late-1960s recordings.
RECORDING
The track was recorded at Spot Studios, South Molton Street, London.
Production was overseen by Simon Napier-Bell, whose management and production work played a central role in shaping the group's recorded output during this period.
The acetate was cut as a single-sided pressing, with the reverse left blank.
STYLE & THEMES
"Midsummer Night's Scene" reflects the psychedelic and theatrical direction John's Children were exploring during 1967. The recording combines the adventurous songwriting and experimental atmosphere that distinguished the group's later work from the more straightforward mod and pop recordings of their contemporaries.
The title itself evokes the dreamlike imagery and literary influences often associated with the band's most ambitious material.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Midsummer Night's Scene — Rare 1967 recording preserved on a single-sided studio acetate.
RELEASE HISTORY
The recording survives as a July 7, 1967 EMIDISC acetate rather than a commercial release.
As a reference disc, only a very small number of copies are believed to have been produced. Known surviving examples are highly sought-after among collectors of John's Children and Marc Bolan memorabilia.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
Not commercially released.
CERTIFICATIONS
None.
AWARDS
None.
PERSONNEL
John's Children — performers
Simon Napier-Bell — producer
PRODUCTION
Recorded at: Spot Studios, South Molton Street, London
Produced by: Simon Napier-Bell
Format: Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate
Date: July 7, 1967
NOTES
• Cut on July 7, 1967 as a single-sided acetate.
• Recorded at Spot Studios in South Molton Street, London.
• Produced by Simon Napier-Bell.
• The reverse side of the disc is blank.
• The supplied image shows handwritten details including the title, artist name and recording date.
• Surviving acetates of this title are extremely scarce due to their limited production.
• The recording dates from the final months of Marc Bolan's association with John's Children.
• Because the disc was created as a studio reference item rather than a retail release, very few copies are believed to exist.
• Collector Boz Boorer of The Polecats and later Morrissey's band is reported to own a copy purchased from a car-boot sale for £40.
• The acetate remains one of the more elusive recordings connected with the John's Children catalogue.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Date | Format |
John's Children | Midsummer Night's Scene | EMIDISC | UK | July 7, 1967 | Single-Sided Acetate |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Tracklisting |
Single-Sided Acetate | Side 1: Midsummer Night's Scene |
Single-Sided Acetate | Side 2: Blank |
This single stands as one of the rarest United Kingdom 45 rpm releases ever produced. After Marc Bolan departed the group the record was withdrawn from circulation. Estimates indicate that only approximately fifty copies ultimately survived. Between twenty-five and fifty pressings were distributed free of charge at the band’s club venue in Leatherhead.
A further limited number were supplied to radio disc jockeys for promotional purposes, while the remaining stock was destroyed. Contemporary collector data records eight owners and twenty-five individuals seeking the item, with a price guide value listed at six thousand three hundred and thirty-two pounds. Visual documentation distinguishes authentic original copies from later forgeries and reproductions; one counterfeit example changed hands on an online auction platform on the first of June two thousand nine for one hundred and seventy-seven dollars, equivalent to one hundred and seven pounds at the time. A subsequent British reproduction appeared in two thousand thirteen as a limited run of five hundred units, each packaged in a distinctive Japanese-influenced psychedelic sleeve.
The tracks were committed to tape at Spot Studios, located on South Molton Street in London.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Midsummer Night’s Scene — Credited to Bolan and assigned a community rating of seven point four.
• Sara, Crazy Child — Likewise credited to Bolan and carrying an identical community rating of seven point four.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was prepared for release on Track Record under catalogue number 604005 in June of nineteen sixty-seven, with one source noting a date of the seventh of July nineteen sixty-seven. It was never granted an official commercial issue. Subsequent unofficial reissues appeared in Europe in two thousand twelve (solid centre) and in the United Kingdom in both two thousand thirteen (jukebox centre) and two thousand fourteen (solid centre).
NOTES
Authentic original pressings are distinguished from later forgeries and reproductions. One documented counterfeit sold via online auction on the first of June two thousand nine. The two-thousand-thirteen British reproduction was issued as a limited edition of five hundred copies complete with a unique Japanese-style psychedelic sleeve. Both sides of the original single received community ratings of seven point four. The record remains one of the rarest United Kingdom forty-fives of its era, withdrawn following Marc Bolan’s exit from the group, with roughly fifty surviving examples.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, RockfilesUK.
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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