Even if the gaps in between volumes of the OG of this blog are getting wider, this isn't part of my spring cleaning program. You'll get your fill of All Pearls, No Swine at least once a month, so with Volume 37 we're back on schedule, with another volue harking back to its roots, i.e. it's set in the 1970's, birthplace of some of the greatest hidden gems in this series. and there's no reason why this volume wouldn't add to that list. Take the opening track, for example, an exquisite version of "Drift Away", recorded shortly after English actor and former teen idol Mike Berry cut the first version for his vet-goes-country routine that almost every early rock'n'roll star did at the time, but a year before Dobie Gray made it a hit. John Henry Kurtz ony ever recorded one album, but I think his version of "Drift Away" might be my favorite, more soulful than Berry's, but a little more rocking than Gray's, it really is the best of both worlds.
Speaking of: This volume carries a number of songs that are genre-hybrids with a vague soul or funk influence, as shown by the horn sections used: Johnny Jenkins' swampy "I Walk On Gilded Splinters", Jack Bonus's southern-fried, soulful "Chicago Wind", Danny McBride's "Believe In Me" and The Jerry Hahn Brotherhood's uptempo "Martha's Madman". There's also some oddities on here, such as the remains of The Flying Burrito Brothers hiring (or rather, lending) a new lead singer and trying their hand at discofied soft rock. Really, guys? I selected "She's The Tall One" as a historical curio, sung by the drummer, which makes it better than the ones with nominal lead singer Bobby Cochran, it's also pretty much the only decent cut from that (mis-)adventure.
As usual, we also have our share of sensitive singer/songwriter stuff and some Americana/country rock (plus some crunchy new wave/power pop courtesy of The Tearjerkers). We're not gonna change a winning combination now, are we? The somewhat sightly akwardly named Fishbaugh, Fishbaugh and Zorn (doen't quite roll of the tongue like Crosby, Stills & Nash, does it?) are back with the beautiful "Stuck In The Fog In London". as is Huckle with the lovely "Hello Sunshine". and Tom Eslick with "Girl by The River". Oh, Heartwood have definitely shown up, with their rustic country rock, too. There might be some other APNS alumni in there, but over twenty volumes is a lot to browse just to check so I'll leave that task for...no one in particular, probably, but feel free, folks.
Oh, I almost forgot: in between the collection of unknown or little remembered folks like Doug McArthur, Jim Spencer, Marc Jonson, James McCarthy or David Mattson, one name sticks out: Why, it's good ol' Paul Simon with the demo of the classic "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard". So now we can still wonder together what i is that mama pajama saw that was against the law. Rhymin' Simon, indeed.
So, folks, another day here at One Buck Records; another volume of All Pearls, No Swine; another seventy minutes and change of fine music from the 1970s, with guaranted original vinyl crackle from back in the day for the vintage experience! Dig into All Pearl, No Swine Volume 37 and see what you'll find...
APNS 37
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Have a good beginning to your week, everybody, with or without these pearls...
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