by Lost In The Crash » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:25 pm
They may have taken awhile in coming but both UK publications, MOJO a current music monthly that not only has the splendid Sylvie Simmons as contributing-editor but also a healthy respect for past recordings and Record Collector, it looks and reads a bit like a glossy Discoveries or Goldmine (as well as numbering the wonderful and bearded Kingsley Abbott amongst its reviewers), give "Since There Were Circles" four-star write-ups.
Bob Mehr reviewing the CD in February's MOJO wrote:
Lost early '70s gem by US tunesmith.
Riding the mid-'60s folk rock boom, unknown singer-songwriter Lind scored an international chart hit with "Elusive Butterfly" and went on to record a pair of ornate pop albums with producer Jack Nitzsche. He then disappeared from the industry, re-surfacing in 1971 to sign to Capitol and cut this LP with a host of LA country-rock notables - Gene Clark, Bernie Leadon, The Dillards. But its release was delayed, the album died and Lind went on to cult obscurity. Out of print for 35 years, "Circles" has become a sought-after item on eBay. Like Clark's "White Light", the album is a minor masterpiece merging mellow ambience and dark, twisted poetry. Embracing a woozy late night quality, the songs - spare, often haunting ruminations - are enhanced by Lind's singularly slippery singing style. Even among a flood of buried treasure reissues, this stands out.
Bob Mehr
Kingsley Abbott is just as enthused in January's RECORD COLLECTOR:
He was still elusive in 1971
After a worldwide hit with Elusive Butterfly and two fine albums in the mid-60s, Bob Lind disappeared into a haze (partly of his own making), only to resurface with this rare and collectable 1971 album, which he considers his best. Arranged by Jimmy Bond and cut with session players Carol Kaye and John Buck Wilkin (aka Ronny & The Daytonas), the album also included input from Doug Dillard and Gene Clark, whose help raised "Sweet Harriet" especially into a fine example of late folk-rock.
Lind's songs examine the tribulations of relationships, and his heartfelt vocals and melodies take us to places James Blunts can only dream of. While there isn't the pop sheen that Jack Nitzsche's arrangements gave to Lind's earlier work, this album (and the five bonus tracks here) underscores why he is so respected by the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and The High Liamas. Lind's own reflections on the music are included in a package that makes the material available for the first time in well over 30 years.
Kingsley Abbott
We all know how many great 'lost' albums there are out there, poor promotion perhaps being the main cause. Bob's LP attainted this status on first release, let's hope this time it gains the interest it deserves. With "Since There Were Circles" finally getting the reviews it warrants and with the hope that RPM can get the product in the shops, sales could start to reflect the songs qualities. Fans of Bob Lind could also help. All music fans will know of "Elusive Butterfly", "Cheryl's Coming Home" and maybe some others but are most probably ignorant of this later LP. I'm unsure exactly how it works but by penning a review on Amazon it helps how they promote the CD in their sales list. If fans could take a few minutes to give their opinions it would help others know, what we already know, just how special Bob's music is.
Martin Roberts
They may have taken awhile in coming but both UK publications, MOJO a current music monthly that not only has the splendid Sylvie Simmons as contributing-editor but also a healthy respect for past recordings and Record Collector, it looks and reads a bit like a glossy Discoveries or Goldmine (as well as numbering the wonderful and bearded Kingsley Abbott amongst its reviewers), give "Since There Were Circles" four-star write-ups.
Bob Mehr reviewing the CD in February's MOJO wrote:
Lost early '70s gem by US tunesmith.
Riding the mid-'60s folk rock boom, unknown singer-songwriter Lind scored an international chart hit with "Elusive Butterfly" and went on to record a pair of ornate pop albums with producer Jack Nitzsche. He then disappeared from the industry, re-surfacing in 1971 to sign to Capitol and cut this LP with a host of LA country-rock notables - Gene Clark, Bernie Leadon, The Dillards. But its release was delayed, the album died and Lind went on to cult obscurity. Out of print for 35 years, "Circles" has become a sought-after item on eBay. Like Clark's "White Light", the album is a minor masterpiece merging mellow ambience and dark, twisted poetry. Embracing a woozy late night quality, the songs - spare, often haunting ruminations - are enhanced by Lind's singularly slippery singing style. Even among a flood of buried treasure reissues, this stands out.
Bob Mehr
Kingsley Abbott is just as enthused in January's RECORD COLLECTOR:
He was still elusive in 1971
After a worldwide hit with Elusive Butterfly and two fine albums in the mid-60s, Bob Lind disappeared into a haze (partly of his own making), only to resurface with this rare and collectable 1971 album, which he considers his best. Arranged by Jimmy Bond and cut with session players Carol Kaye and John Buck Wilkin (aka Ronny & The Daytonas), the album also included input from Doug Dillard and Gene Clark, whose help raised "Sweet Harriet" especially into a fine example of late folk-rock.
Lind's songs examine the tribulations of relationships, and his heartfelt vocals and melodies take us to places James Blunts can only dream of. While there isn't the pop sheen that Jack Nitzsche's arrangements gave to Lind's earlier work, this album (and the five bonus tracks here) underscores why he is so respected by the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and The High Liamas. Lind's own reflections on the music are included in a package that makes the material available for the first time in well over 30 years.
Kingsley Abbott
We all know how many great 'lost' albums there are out there, poor promotion perhaps being the main cause. Bob's LP attainted this status on first release, let's hope this time it gains the interest it deserves. With "Since There Were Circles" finally getting the reviews it warrants and with the hope that RPM can get the product in the shops, sales could start to reflect the songs qualities. Fans of Bob Lind could also help. All music fans will know of "Elusive Butterfly", "Cheryl's Coming Home" and maybe some others but are most probably ignorant of this later LP. I'm unsure exactly how it works but by penning a review on Amazon it helps how they promote the CD in their sales list. If fans could take a few minutes to give their opinions it would help others know, what we already know, just how special Bob's music is.
Martin Roberts