seems to be a subtle version of Sly Stone's best knows how to run. Let's hope they run this dersen dips intoballadry. accenting Andy work. He has the vocal equipment to make time. Johnson's excellent piano. and thus arrives at those tunes truly come alive. Womack can Rankin is one of our best pop artists and has music that is a showcase for his sensitive but create charts for twenty-one musicians and been for years equally talented as singer, gui- too -often -hidden voice. three back-up voices that do not overwhelm tarist. and writer. One of his tunes is vaguely Andersen sings very much like Jack Elliott- the material and yet fully utilize all the musi- well known:Peaceful.You might not know quiet and soulful. with an edge of despair per- cal resources he has made available to himself. the title but you might recognize the tune. It's fectly suited to some ballads but which is eas- The singer/guitarist not only triumphs with his that infectious. You can hear it now because ily overpowered by aggressive instrumenta- own songs likeI Can Understand Itand an- Rankin has re-recorded it in his new album tion.Blue River. thetitle song.is best-a other soul stirrer,Simple Man,but also takes and this version is as fine as the original. melodic ballad written in tribute to the rock on two favorites, the Lennon/McCartneyAnd The thing that seems to hold Rankin back in group. The Band. IsIt Really Lore at Allis a I Love Herand Neil Diamond'sSweet Caro- terms of success is the very essence of his traditional sort of love song. and it's magnifi- line,and both selections become textbook les- charm: his gentleness. His voice is light, warm, cent.Wind and Sandis a notable song about sons in what the soulful approach can do for a sweet, and all but perfect in terms of intona- growing old. The only non -Andersen tune on good tune.Iheartily endorse "Under- tion and time. If a voice were visible. Kenny the album.More Often Than Not. writtenby standing"and I'm sure youwill too. H.E. Rankin's would be a dancer. His guitar play- Davin Wi ffen.is a jouncy little tale about ing matches, as do most of his moods-sunny, show business. along the lines of "It's driving airy. sad. and happy.Comin' Down isan ex- me crazy and I think I'll quit sometime or an- JOHN DAVID SOUTHER.John David ception, a hard and bitter song. Rankin sings it other " Souther,vocals, guitar, piano, and as a man who has known a few hells. Indeed, The arrangements are tasteful throughout. songs; rhythm accompaniment. The he is so effective that the song becomes a jar- using three or four instruments with in- Fast One; Run Like aThief;Kite ring note in an otherwise serene trip.Like a frequent accompanying strings. Several fe- Woman; seven more. Asylum 0598, Seedfeatures the most charming children's male voices, mainly Deborah Andersen and. $5,98. voices I've ever heard. Presumably, from their onBlue River.Joni Mitchell. contribute a last names. they are Rankin's kids. On haunting effect. In all. "Blue River" is a major The record world is athousand lulls broken up Eartheartand elsewhere, Rankin has mo- achievement for Andersen. one that should by occasional pockets of real activity and ex- ments of slight resemblance to David Crosby, earn him the popularity he has long deserved citement. Such a pocket now exists: a new which is nice. A strange thing happens onBad and, at times, almost earned. M.J. company called Asylum Records. Times Make You Strong:Rankin's back- With this album by John David Souther, ground voices are flat. It would not be worth Asylum introduces and promotes its fourth mentioning except that elsewhere the pitch is JERRY BUTLER: The Spice of Life. Jerry But- heavyweight contender in a row. The others so pure. ler,vocals; keyboards, strings,rhythm, were Judee Sill (her first album was not a hit The album, produced by Monte Kay and woodwinds, horns, and vocal accom- except underground but Miss Sill was su- Jack Lewis, is definitely one of the most musi- paniment. What's So Good About It (You're perb); Jo Mama (hit singleKeep On Truckin'. cal and satisfying projects of the year. You My Baby); If I Could Remember (Not Ever hit album,first-rate group); and Jackson should buy it immediately. M.A. Having You); I Only Have Eyes for You; thir- Browne (hit singlesRock Me on the Waterand teen more. Mercury SRM 2-7502. $5.98 (two Doctor My Eyes,hit album, hit talent). discs). Tape: . MCI 4-2-7502, $6.95; *1 John David Souther is equally good and al- ERIC ANDERSEN: Blue River. Eric An- MCI 8-2-7502, $6.95. ready one track,White Wing,from this debut dersen, vocals, guitar, piano, and bar- album isreceiving airplay. Souther's ori- monica; vocal and instrumental ac- companiment. Is It Really Love at All; This two -record set is an ambitious package entation is young and country. His voice and designed to convert soul star Jerry Butler into approach are not unlike that of Jackson Pearl's Goodtime Blues; Faithful; Blue River; Florentine; Sheila; More Often soul star Isaac Hayes. The use of the full or- Browne, but more country. Souther sings clear chestra,the complicated arrangements-even and clean. Country singing is a disaster when Than Not; Round the Bend. Columbia KC 31062, $6.98. Butler's subdued, sexy approach-are all vari- the intonation is shaky and it's a pleasure ations of the style that Hayes has utilized on when the pitch is pure. Souther's is pure, like the road to superstardom. Unfortunately, the James Taylor's. Eric Andersen's debut album on the Colum- bia label is a masterful same techniques do not work for Butler. Souther sings all his own background voices one-simple. tasteful, and warm. It'sa departure from the country- There is just too much production and not as well. and sometimes, as inWhite Wingand enough imagination on these discs. The tunes How Long. and-western music that has marked several of they are fascinating. The har- his previous recordir In "Blue River" An - wash each other out and Butler does not have monies are clustered and intricate, unortho- enough vocal variety to maintain interest dox and intuitive. His songs are easy and throughout. Nevertheless, the star does have simple, graceful in melody, young and real in flashes of soulful genius. lyric, covering such subjects as leaving home, He does best with two Bacharach/David kind women, and Jesus. numbers,(They Long to Be) Close to Youand The best place in town for a young artist All Kinds of People.Those who have sworn to right now is Asylum Records. John David shoot themselves upon hearing one more ver- Souther is there and deserves to be. Winners sion ofClose to Youshould listen to the way are fun to watch. Winning corners are friendly Butler handles the tune. It is a truly tasteful places. Keep on keepin' on. M.A. and sensitive performance and one has diffi- culty remembering its equal among the many other recordings of this song that are currently KENNY RANKIN:Likea Seed. Kenny available. Rankin, vocals,guitar, and songs. In addition to these favorites, Butler also Rhythm accompaniment. Stringman; I handles many r & b selections of his own com- Was Born; Sometimes; eight more. position includingWhat's So Good About It Little David 0598, $5.98. ( You're My Baby), A Prayer,andIf I Could Remember (Not Ever Having You).Surpris- Welcomeback, Kenny Rankin. No artist is ingly, these cuts are among the least memora- more deserving of another chance. Rankin's ble on this two -record set. The singer does first album appeared in 1968 and though the better with current pop favorites likeBaby I'm album bombed commercially, everyone in a Want Youand Carole King'sSo Far Away, music knew and loved it. Mercury did not help and he does an amazingly pleasing job with Rankin much. He made another album for the traditional pop standard,I Only Have them in1970, another well -kept secret. Eyes for You. Rankin has now switched over to Little David, "The Spice of Life" has been designed as a which is distributed by Atlantic, and Atlantic Eric Andersen-masterful debut large, ambitious, expensive showcase for the DECEMBER 1972 1 2 1.