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Rating: **
(2 stars)
Title: Singer/Songwriter
Project
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-
Year: 1965
Grade
(cover/record): --
Comments: four
artist compilation
Available: --
Price: --
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Over a career that spanned some two decades, Bob Dylan proved a blessing and a curse for Rhode Island-born singer/songwriter David Blue. Born Stuart Cohen, he apparently suffered through a miserable childhood (cold and unloving parents, early death of a beloved sister, social outcast, etc. etc.), dropping out of high school in 1958 and joining the Navy (his father had been in the service). Cohen's military career proved brief. Discharged for being unable to adopt to the military lifestyle, by the early-'60s Cohen had relocated to New York's Greenwich Village. Working as a dishwasher he started taking acting classes and hanging out with the likes of Eric Anderson, Tom Paxton and Dave Van Ronk. Encouraged by his friends, Cohen started to write and perform, his Dylan-styled act attracting local attention, including that of Elektra Records which was more than happy to sign someone that might appeal to the same audience Dylan was genrating for Columbia.
Cohen's recording debut came in 1965. "The Singer Songwriter
Project" was apparent an effort to showcase recently signed talent without having to make a major investment. Featuring the talents of Richard Farina, Bruce Murdoch and Patrick Sky, Cohen was represented by three selections - "I Like To Sleep Late In The Morning", "It's Alright With Me" and "Don't Get Caught In A Storm". Having
heard this compilation, about all we can say is that Cohen sounded pretty routine.
None of the three acoustic numbers is particularly impressive, or
memorable.
"The Singer/Songwriter Project" track listing: (only Cohen's contributions shown)
I Like To Sleep Late In The Morning (David Blue) -
It's Alright With Me (David Blue) -
Don't Get Caught In A Storm (David Blue) -
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: David
Blue
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKL-4003
Year: 1966
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: minor
ring, edge and corner wear; stereo pressing; small "stereo" tag
on front - not shown in picture; small cut out hole top left corner
Available: 1
Price: $20.00
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Produced by Arthur Gorson, 1966's "David
Blue" is fascinating, if only for the fact it shows someone laboring with an overwhelming Dylan fixation
(geez even Blue's haircut looks like mid-'60s Dylan). There's no doubt Blue was a talented performer. Unfortunately, those talents included being blessed (or cursed) with a gruff voice and a half-sung/half spoken delivery that bore more than a passing comparison to Dylan. As a writer Blue wasn't bad, but in the shadow of Dylan's best work, originals such as "So Easy She Goes By" and "Midnight Through Morning" simply couldn't compete. On the other hand, his debut is better than 99.9% of material released by Dylan-wannabes. So what makes it so good? Give Blue credit for hiring a first rate backing band (including bassist Harvey Brooks, guitarist Monte Dunn and keyboardist Paul Harris - all had previously played with Dylan), and having the smarts to rock out. Uptempo numbers such as "The Gasman Won't Buy Your Love", "If Your Monkey Can't Get It", The
Byrds-do-Dylan-styled "It Ain't the Rain That Sweeps the Highway Clean" and "It Tastes Like Candy" are great and literally save the album from the typical annoying angst of Dylan-inspired singer/songwriters. Anyone into Dylan circa "Blonde On Blonde" or "Highway 61" will be impressed (and have to wonder if these aren't simply Dylan outtakes). Out of print for some 30 years, in 2002 the mail-order Collector's Choice label finally reissued the set in CD format.
"David Blue" track listing:
1.) The Gasman Won't Buy Your Love (David Blue) - 3:00
2.) About My Love (David Blue) - 2:35
3.) So Easy She Goes By (David Blue) - 3:31
4.) If Your Monkey Can't Get It (David Blue) - 2:58
5.) Midnight Through Morning (David Blue) - 4:52
6.) It Ain't the Rain That Sweeps the Highway Clean (David Blue) - 3:30
7.) Arcade Love Machine (David Blue) - 3:50
8.) Grand Hotel (David Blue) - 4:03
9.) Justine (David Blue) - 2:58
10.) I'd Like To Know (David Blue) - 2:22
11.) The Street (David Blue) - 6:10
12.) It Tastes Like Candy (David Blue) - 4:08
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