I feel that for thoroughness' sake I should finish the early Sparks records before moving on to the late ones, so where better to start than Sparks, or Halfnelson, as it is more puristically called?

Back at this early stage of Sparks history, they were a five-piece band called Halfnelson, as can be seen on this album cover:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ae/Halfnelson-sparks-cover-lp.jpg

Look at Ron in his corner, peering in the back window, shades and tache in place. Then look at Russell, gazing idyllically into the distance, every bit the bashful maiden. And then look at the other three! My research tells me they are Earle and Jim Mankey (guitar and bass) and Harley Feinstein who, aside from having a great name, plays drums.

Unfortunately I don't have the buckets of money required to have a copy of the original LP, so I have had to compromise with this reissued cd:

http://prod-assets.mog.com/amg/pop/cov200/drh100/h159/h15940xcch3.jpg

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