Posts: 560
From: Iron Mountain-Kingsford, in Michigan's U.P.!
Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 01/21/2021 10:33 AM
For those of you that might have missed this news due to all of the political talk, according to Jeff Larson, Gerry's new album is due in March. Two CD's and a vinyl set on the way with new mixes and 5 new songs. Packaging is done up very well via Elan. "Norman" is indeed one of the new songs. Some of you will remember that Jeff recorded "Norman" back in 2002 for his "Fragile Sunrise" album. Gerry did backing vocals on that one. Otherwise, the only other recorded version of the song was via a July 1978 show in Los Angeles that was recorded by the radio program "The King Biscuit Flower Hour." That full show was available about 10-12 years ago and is certainly a keeper of a concert if you can get your hands on it.
SteveO
"You are one more posse to pass in the night, one more card to conceal..."
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 01/24/2021 07:14 PM
I downloaded the whole song from Amazon and I'm liking it more. The bridge in the middle sort of knocks the tempo out of place.
I know Perspective wasn't liked like by a lot of fans because of it's clinical electronic feel but I quite liked it. I won't say it's my favourite America album but I play it quite often.
Posts: 560
From: Iron Mountain-Kingsford, in Michigan's U.P.!
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 01/24/2021 07:54 PM
I was probably one of the few who liked "Perspective." The song "Can't Fall Asleep To a Lullaby" is the albums best song in my opinion. Too bad it didn't become a bigger hit considering Steve Perry was a part of that one. I also like the opener "We Got All Night." I'll pick up the new collection. I'm glad he's adding some new material including "Norman."
SteveO
"You are one more posse to pass in the night, one more card to conceal..."
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 01/28/2021 04:44 AM
Keeping the Light On, the new Best of Solo Gerry Beckley, is a little disappointing for the fans who already have all of his solo albums. As it contains five previously unreleased songs, it's not really a Best Of, and do we have to buy all these songs again just for the five new songs?
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 02/26/2021 09:34 AM
I got a download link today with the whole of Keeping The Light On in mp3 format from Blue Elan.
Sounds pretty good except I'm not keen on the song Calling You!
I do like the song How Can I Turn You Away. I wonder if this is from the BLW era?
(I'm Your) Heart Slave has a nice Celtic feel to it with Jeff Larson singing in the middle. Probably my favourite of the new songs.
Edited by expresssunrise on 03/02/2021 03:16 PM
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 03/03/2021 10:14 AM
I ordered it, but have not had the chance to REALLY listen to it- work gets in the way most days and I am too tired at the end of a 9+ hour day on the computer to give it a real honest listening. I AM looking forward to having the collection. I do love the song "Norman" I remember hearing it at a show in 1978 in Los Angeles, which may or may not be the recorded on SteveO mentions, it was certainly that "run" - remember when bands did two or three nights at a venue? I was so curious about Norman bel Geddes I did some research. I read his autobiography "Miracle in the Evening" which was a wonderful look into that era, I do recommend it as a "should read" if you get a chance ( did you know his daughter, Barbara was Miss Ellie on Dallas? I'm SO dating myself here) I love the fact that Blue Elan ALWAYS had a t-shirt in the package. I am a sucker for "concert t-shirts and this fills the bill!
Posts: 560
From: Iron Mountain-Kingsford, in Michigan's U.P.!
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 03/03/2021 11:01 PM
I did not pre-order the disc yet either, but I will. I'm not sure how often "Norman" was performed; the only recorded version I'm aware of came from 1978, and recieved airplay via the syndicated radio show "The King Biscuit Flower Hour." Years later that full show was offered to fans and I remember getting a copy of it. To those that follow Jeff Larson, you'll recall that he recorded it for his 2002 album "Fragile Sunrise." Gerry did backing vocals on it and I believe he played an instrument or two(I'd have to look at the albums liner notes again). I'm looking forward to hearing his version, which never made any of their studio albums...
SteveO
"You are one more posse to pass in the night, one more card to conceal..."
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 03/22/2021 08:11 PM
My cds- all three of them, including a "tribute" album where members of
the Blue Elan label cover their favorite tunes. So far, I rally like Roan Yellowthorn's Daisy Jane, Mary Scholz' Only in your Heart and Cindy ALexander's Carousel. the rest probably need a more intensive listening until I talk about them at length. I will crack open Gerry's two CDs in a while and try to listen while I am working. Anyone else get them? I got a cool t-shirt as part of the package. I am a t-shirt nerd!
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 03/27/2021 10:10 AM
Got mine this week and am enjoying it. While it needs a few more listens so far Emma and Goodbye Highway are still my favorite Gerry solo songs, but there is a lot of good material on the CDs. While his other solo releases are good, IMHO his best solo work is still his first Van Go Gan. It shudda been a hit and it is a shame that it did not receive widespread commercial release in the US when it was first released back in 1995!
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 03/27/2021 10:15 AM
I love Norman. One of my favorite Beckley tunes. I plan on giving it a real listen this week as I am on vacation and don't have to pay attention to anything this week!
Re: Gerry's new solo album
Posted on: 04/06/2021 07:56 PM
I listened to both and it's hard to say which I like more. I love Jeff's voice and he truly nuances some of the more delicate phrasing in the song. Gerry's version takes me back to hearing it here in LA around 1979 (?) I loved it so much I looked up everything I could on Norman Bel Geddes. I think I need to re-read "Miracle in the Evening" his autobiography, published after his death. A fascinating look at his life among the most storied people of the first half of the century
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