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COLLECTORS CHOICE
BOB GIBSON/Ski Songs: Certainly the strangest record in the Gibson catalog, this one is probably also the biggest seller of his solo recordings. Even though Elektra was an indie label at the time, this was his debut in the big leagues. Obviously wanting to make a splash, he was one of the top folkies of the era and he buffeted that with an album about skiing, which he was passionate about and which was very popular at the time, and wrapped it in a cover of that looked like it should have been an ad for ‘what kind of man reads Playboy‘. A Gibson album is still a Gibson album, and even if it seems a timepiece of its time 50 years ago there is enough songs that transcend novelty status to make this a set any serious folk collector should take seriously.
911
BOB GIBSON/Yes I See: Coming in the wake of the trendsetting Gibson/Camp album, this set finds Gibson doing a mixture of originals that would go on to be on big albums for others, important contemporary folk tunes of the day and a few things that should’ve gone on the next Gibson/Camp album that never was to be. It has the feel of a classic urban folk album that has worn well over time and has hardly worn out its welcome. It’s a solidly representative collection of one of the greats of the era having a moment where he can really shine.
912
BEN VAUGHN COMBO/Beautiful Thing: Leading the second wave of post-modern ironic hipsters, this album might’ve been Vaughn’s shining moment. Kicking it off with a love song “Jerry Lewis in France”, he hit the ground running delivering a set of varied retro pop that hit the mark every time out. Very much a perfect album that was not only too hip for the room but too precious for the masses, Vaughn left a testament to his creativity that others would be willing to labor in entire career to reach. Wipe that smirk back onto your face and settle in with a cat that knows how deliver a show that has a start, middle, and end. If you’re the kind of listener that was originally sent down this road by Jonathan Richman, this is your next oasis.
ARTHUR CONLEY/More Sweet Soul: Mentored by Otis Redding and kicking off his debut album with one of the sweatiest slices of 60s soul music, you would’ve thought Conley would’ve gone much farther than being over and out as quickly as he was. This follow up is a solid, gritty, Southern 60s soul session loaded with Phil Walden’s A-team turning up the heat. While the music world is full of people that come and go, there is a lot that leave behind work that lasts, but only a few of that bunch leave behind work this lasting. Killer stuff throughout.
ARTHUR CONLEY/Soul Directions: Started by Otis Redding, finished by the Tom Dowd, Conley found himself having to work against two formidable talents that knew how to cast long, distinctive shadows. Probably in an emotional state after Redding’s death and feeling adrift, Conley soldiers on bravely but in the end has trouble competing with himself. While the overall session doesn’t fall squarely in the pocket, there is a possibility it might have gone the distance if it didn’t have to compete with “Sweet Soul music”. Meanwhile, it remains a nice musical bookend.
913
Volume 31/Number 276
August 2, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
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