Tracklist (As in the
1973 album order):
01.
The King of
Oklahoma. (0:00)
02.
Dobro ladies. (3:11)
03. Three today. (6:00)
04.
Little sparrow. (10:04)
05.
Born with the moon in Virgo. (13:07)
06. Just like
Key Largo. (19:21)
07. Can’t seem to shake this rock and roll
. (22:56)
08. When blackbirds fly. (27:16)
09.
Lovesick Lizzie. (30:34)
10.
Life’s little highway. (33:44)
Notes:
Michael Franks – (
Brut, 1973) was later released as “
Previously Unavailable (
DRG,
1990)”.
This album was released in 1973 and promptly forgotten. This album has no theme or style to speak of, all the songs were recorded as individual tracks each totally separate from the other, then compiled to create this release. "Can't Seem To
Shake This Rock And Roll" was a hit single, it talks about a budding jazz musician not willing to let go of his first love, rock music. What I love about this song is the "
Superfly" style wah wah guitar solo. "Three
Today" is in the folk styling of
Cat Stevens, it discusses a young father reaffirming himself all the while dealing with crisis of faith. "Dobro
Lady" features, well, a dobro played by
Michael and the song features background vocalists, female, that Michael would later employ on his later albums with
Warner Brothers. "
King of Oklahoma" is a country tale of an Oklahoma boy trying to make it big as a c/w singer in LA. "Lovesick Lizzie" is a naughty tale of a prostitute. This album is a highlight of what was to come from Michael as far as his writing skills. The folk and country styles he would never return to, the rock music gave way to a more fusion style. His voice is higher here and somewhat untrained.
The Spartan artwork suggests the content of the rawness of this music. Michael's music of today makes us believe he was always the Brazilian inspired perfectionist we've come to know and love.
Hard to believe he actually had to develop his sound, he wasn't born the way he is, this album is proof that we all must start somewhere.
Written by: Jim Fenos (www.amazon.com)
- published: 08 Oct 2014
- views: 7220