Project 0005 Youāre So Vain: The Historical Records For Unknown Recordings Project
Update: The Wickett Things
Suzanne Wickett, the widow of Edward Wickett (lead composer and musician for The Wickett Things) recently discovered a hereto unknown one-sided acetate containing a different version of the song Scarlet Sun. At first, the assumption was that this acetate featured Suzanne singing lead vocals. However, this is a recording of Edward singing new vocals over the original 1968 music track.
The date for this recording is unknown. It likely took place after 1968, possibly during the period Suzanne and Edward entered Ultra-Sonic Studios to lay down Suzanneās vocals. This would put the recording date somewhere between 1972 and 1973. Thereās no explanation as to why Edward redid his vocals. It could be that he wanted to make the song sound more contemporary. His singing on this version is more bluesy, supplanting the psychedelic sound of the earlier recording. His new vocals sound more like the rock bands popular at that time, such as Grand Funk Railroad, Free, or Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
The sound quality of the new vocal track is great, making it a lot easier to understand Edwardās lyrics. Here, for the first time, are the complete lyrics for Scarlet Sun.
They canāt remember what theyāve done today
It really doesnāt matter all that much anyway Concentrating on billboard worries While the world around them scurries Took years upon the ways of their minds Without emotions that leave them so blind, so blind
The scarlet sun has finally set Over those who have not yet discovered life
Now they remember what theyāve done today Life means much in so many different ways Fundamental simple actions With the force of oneās own reactions A piercing into their minds Only in what they find is divine, itās bliss to have this the scarlet sun The scarlet sun The scarlet sun
The artifact itself isnāt too different from the 1968 acetate. The song is pressed on the standard Audiodiscs brand lacquer disc that Ultra-Sonic Studios used for all of their test records. The record is also protected by a generic Audiodiscs paper sleeve. Besides the new vocals, the only difference between this acetate and the acetate pressed in the sixties is that it just features Scarlet Sun. Edward did not re-record Scarlet Sunās b-side, Gerry.
If any new artifacts or details for The Wickett Things come to light, they will be added to this record. Until then, research for The Wickett Things is considered complete.










