Sweet Illusion

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Sweet Illusion is a song written and recorded by Junior Campbell in April 1973 as the follow-up to Hallelujah Freedom, which had been a hit in the UK at the end of the previous year. It was recorded at Decca Studio 2 in London, with Campbell on lead vocals and playing piano, guitar and electric piano. Ray Duffy played drums and percussion, Rick Westwood of The Tremeloes played bass, and Pete Zorn played flute (he had also played sax on Hallelujah Freedom). Backing vocals were provided by Ruby James, Irene Chanter and Campbell. The session was engineered by John Burns, and Campbell himself arranged the music.

The orchestral part included 12 violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos, and brass: 3 trumpets, 2 tenor trombones and 1 bass trombone. Sweet Illusion was released on 27 April 1973 as Deram DM 387. It entered the UK Singles Chart on 2 June 1973, spent nine weeks on the chart, and peaked at number 15.