Strawberry Bubblegum: A Collection of Pre-10CC Strawberry Studio Recordings 1969–1972 is a compilation of songs recorded at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, England, by the four musicians – Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme – who in 1972 would form the British pop band 10cc, along with occasional guest vocalists.
Overview
The compilation includes several singles by future 10cc members’ related bands, which include: a single by Festival "Today" b/w "Warm Me" (early incarnation of 10cc[2]) with the former song being re-recording of the Hotlegs track from Song, the single by Doctor Father "Umbopo" b/w "Roll On", an alter ego of Hotlegs (Kevin Godley, Lol Creme and Eric Stewart), three singles by Peter Cowap, former Gouldman’s acquaintance from Herman’s Hermits, with additional single by Grumble, a Peter Cowap led band that included all of future 10cc members, two singles recorded for Manchester football clubs: "Willie Morgan" b/w "Travellin Man" for United and "Boys in Blue" b/w "Funky City" for City.
Other records on the album include various singles with and without b-sides by different bands and musicians recorded at Strawberry Studios, including songs done for the American bubblegum production team of Super K Productions, by whom Gouldman was employed as a writer during this time.[3]
On several tracks Graham Gouldman is credited under the pseudonym of S. Hillary.[4]
The compilation was reissued as part of 2017 box set Before During After - The Story of 10cc with the exact tracklisting and running order minus four tracks: "Come On Plane" by Silver Fleet, "Susan’s Tuba" by Freddie and the Dreamers, "When He Comes" by Fighter Squadron and hidden track "Santa Claus" by Leslie Crowther.[5]
