Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Half
Baked
Company: Vertigo
Catalog: VEL-1000
Year: 1971
Grade
(cover/record): NM/NM
Comments: was
sealed, we opened to listen to it - played once; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $40.00
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While largely unknown in his native UK, in the States (where none of his catalog's been distributed), Jimmy Campbell's completely unheard of.
One of the first acts signed by the newly formed Vertigo label, 1971's
"Half Baked" teamed Campbell with producer Don Paul. While we'd love to tell you this was an amazing endeavor, at best it's professional and occasionally modestly entertaining. Campbell's dry voice was interesting, if not particularly sympathetic. On the other hand, the album was surprisingly diverse, covering the spectrum from folk ("Loving You Is All I Do" and "I Will Not Mind"), sensitive singer/songwriter fair ("In My Room" and the over-orchestrated "Dulcie (It's December)"), to outright rockers ("Green Eyed American Actress" and "So Lonely without You"). Best of the lot were the T.Rex styled slice of pop "That's Right, That's Me",
the title track which benefited from a killer guitar (no credits provided)
and the wall-of-sound closer "Don't Leave Me
Now" (Phil Spector would've been proud). (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve. By the way, this is one of the original Vertigo swirls.)
Having listened to this LP a couple of times we were struck by the fact it reminded of us someone else we'd recently heard. It finally dawned us who the comparison was with - Kevin Coyne, another largely unknown UK act. Guess the message is that if you like Coyne, you'll probably like this one as well.
"Half Baked" track listing:
1.) Green Eyed American Actress (Jimmy Campbell) - 2:45
2.) Loving You Is All I Do (Jimmy Campbell) - 3:10
3.) So Lonely without You (Jimmy Campbell) - 2:52
4.) In My Room (Jimmy Campbell) - 4:12
5.) That's Right, That's Me (Jimmy Campbell) - 3:46
6.) I Will Not Mind (Jimmy Campbell) - 3:10
7.) Dulcie (It's December) (Jimmy Campbell) - 2:46
8.) Forever Grateful (Jimmy Campbell) - 2:30
9.) Half Baked (Jimmy Campbell) - 4:35
10.) Closing Down the Shop (Jimmy Campbell) - 2:36
11.) Don't Leave Me Now (Jimmy Campbell) - 5:45
Following the album's release Campbell reappeared as a member of Rocking Horse (see separate entry). Rocking Horse managed to release one sought after LP, before splitting up. Campbell subsequently restarted his solo career, releasing one more instantly obscure LP before disappearing.
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