David Ackles - David Ackles (1968)

Artist...............: David Ackles
Album................: david Ackles
Genre................: Rock
Source...............: Cd
Year.................: 1968
Ripper...............: Exact Audio Copy
Codec................: FLAC
Information..........: TntVillage
Covers...............: Front
Total Size...........: 197 Mb


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Rewiev
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Ackles' self-titled debut LP introduced a singer/songwriter quirky even by the standards of Elektra

records, possibly the most adventurous independent label of the 1960s. Ackles was a pretty anomalous artist

of his time, with a low, grumbling voice that was uncommercial but expressive, and similar to Randy

Newman's. As a composer, Ackles bore some similarities to Newman, as well in his downbeat eccentricity and

mixture of elements from pop, folk, and theatrical music. All the same, this impressive maiden outing

stands on its own, though comparisons to Brecht/Weill (in the songwriting and occasional circus-like tunes)

and Tim Buckley (in the arrangements and phrasing) hold to some degree too. This is certainly his most

rock-oriented record, courtesy of the typically tasteful, imaginative Elektra arrangements, particularly

with Michael Fonfara's celestial organ and the ethereal guitar riffs (which, again, recall those heard on

Buckley's early albums). As a songwriter, Ackles was among the darkest princes of his time, though the

lyrics were delivered with a subdued resignation that kept them from crossing the line to hysterical gloom.

"The Road to Cairo," covered by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger, and the Trinity, is probably the most famous

song here. But the others are quality efforts as well, whether the epics tell of religious trial, as in

"His Name Is Andrew," or the mini-horror tale of revisiting an old home in "Sonny Come Home."



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Tracklist
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01. The road to Cairo [0:05:16.52]
02. When love is gone [0:03:20.25]
03. Sonny come home [0:02:59.30]
04. Blue ribbons [0:04:37.60]
05. What a happy day [0:02:14.23]
06. Down river [0:03:57.25]
07. Laissez-faire [0:01:36.00]
08. Lotus man [0:02:49.72]
09. His name is Andrew [0:06:11.03]
10. Be my friend [0:04:48.40]