what Frank is listening to #71 – MARK LINDSAY – Silver Bird – (CBS) – 1970
I've had this album floating around in the "maybe" pile since the 80s. I bought it initially, probably, because Lindsay was the lead singer of "Paul Revere and the Raiders" who I quite liked back in the 80s (their version of "Kicks" is one of my favourite songs of all time). Since then I have picked up a few other "Paul Revere" albums and thought "well I may as well keep this" as a adjunct to the set.
This is his second solo album – his first is still in the pile somewhere.
At the time of buying I thought this was too pop-py. And it is, though my tastes have mellowed considerably since then … I am of course an adult now, apparently ... adults mellow out don't they? This is very much "adult pop" (the musical genre known as "adult contemporary pop" ) which had its heyday in the late 60s and early 70s with Elvis, Bill Medley, Neil Diamond, Oliver, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Jake Holmes and others. The genre was equally influenced by blue eyed soul, The Beatles, later Beach Boys, singer-songwriter, tin pan alley, and especially Burt Bacharach.
The music is actually perfect weekend fair – lush instrumentation, strings, big vocals, choruses of multiple voices and an emphasis on melody. Most of the tracks are mid tempo and aren't really made to make you think (regardless of the message) but rather to put you in a certain mood.
And, actually, it is quite relaxing and makes you fell quite happy and "warm" and I aint drinking. Well, its morning at the time of this writing so I wouldn't be having one, I would hope.
Too much pop you say? Well "Paul Revere and the Raiders" were adept at playing musical chairs … starting as a frat rock band in 1960, they moved into garage, occasionally added touches of British invasion, pop, cabaret etc. So this album isn't far removed from that … in fact its pretty close.
From memory I don't think it's as good as his first LP "Arizona" (1970).
Best Tracks:
- Silver Bird – his voice soars on this one – probably as intended given the songs title. (USA: #7 Adult Charts, #25 pop charts)
- We've Only Just begun – yes … that song by The Carpenters … this version has balls (or more balls) and is the only version I have heard so far which I find palatable.
- And the Grass won't Pay no Mind – the great Neil Diamond song. The best version is still Elvis' from 1969, to my ears. Lindsay did well with this one also (USA: #5 Adult Charts, #44 pop charts).
- Feel the Warm – sounds like something out of a Rod McKuen LP, but it's a nice "adult" rumination.
There is the obligatory Beatles tune – "Yesterday" yet again – here in a medley "The Long and Winding Road/Yesterday".
Its produced by Jerry Fuller who is an old hand at this type of stuff … http://www.jerryfuller.com/bio/bio.htm
The album went to #82.
Though the Raiders (and Lindsay solo) had some serious chart action in the US they never made the charts in the UK.
Sounds:
Silver Bird
We've Only Just begun
attached
And the Grass Wont Pay No Mind
The Long and Winding Road/Yesterday
Others:
Paul Revere & Raiders:
Kicks
Steppin Out
Elvis' version of "And the Grass Wont Pay No Mind"
Neil's original "And the Grass Wont Pay No Mind"
Bio:
Website:
(originally posted: 05/08/2009)
