This lesser-known cult favorite is not only one of the most musically ambitious outings of Del Shannon's career, but also one of his most all-around consistent albums.

The Further Adventures of Charles Westover finds Shannon embracing psychedelia in a personalized way: Instead of imitating the whimsy of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or the creepy freak-outs of Their Satanic Majesties Request, he uses the cinematic quality of psychedelic pop to provide a vivid backdrop for his songwriting. For instance, "Silver Birch" uses a swirling mass of horns and densely layered backing vocals to add a haunting quality to its tale of an abandoned bride, and "Color Flashing Hair" uses vertiginous string motifs and churning horns to re-create the feelings of obsessive love described in the lyrics.
Shannon's work on this album also differs from usual psychedelic fare because it mixes some earthier textures into it's sonic brew: "Be My Friend" enhances its lusty plea for feminine companionship with wailing harmonica and gospel-tinged female backing vocals and "River Cool" laces its swinging beat with some deliciously soulful organ licks. The overall effect is stunning, managing to fit the tag of psychedelic pop but still retaining the haunting, emotional kind of songwriting that distinguished Del Shannon's music.
BGO's reissue of The Further Adventures of Charles Westover adds eight bonus tracks that range from the mid-'60s to the mid-'80s. This material is a loose grab bag of styles that covers everything from up-tempo pop ("She") to pure country music ("In My Arms Again"), but each track is worth a listen and a few of them are truly stellar. The best is a cathartically emotional reading of "What's a Matter Baby" that marries a searing vocal from Shannon to a glorious backing track that builds from simple acoustic strumming into a Spector-esque Wall of Sound driven by surging horns.
All in all, BGO's reissue of The Further Adventures of Charles Westover is a good deal for fans of 1960s pop and required listening for anyone with a serious interest in Del Shannon.