Wednesday, March 4, 2009

not quite summer



photograph by jill krementz, USA.




UA 35 585.


They don't come any cheesier than this. Written by Florida's Bobby Goldsboro with a seasoned twist of Jim Webb, but served up with such a generous side order of homogenized slush it is enough to make one back off sheepishly like a dog stung on the nose by a clockwork bee.

Arranged by Timmy Tappan; produced by Bob Montgomery and Bobby Goldsboro.

Oh. And possibly one of the most atmospherically arranged introductions ever to adorn the hit parade. I would like to think the writing on this one is informed more by Peter Bogdanovich's "The Last Picture Show" - or Jim Thompson's pulp noir - than Paul Anka and Norman Rockwell. Feel free to tear and shred as you will.

Solicitions, siblings.

BOBBY GOLDSBORO: SUMMER (THE FIRST TIME) from "Summer (The First Time) b/w Marlena" 45 (UA) 1973 (US)

6 comments:

WZJN said...

I agree with it being cheesy. Just like his 'Honey' and 'Green Apples'.

But, there's something refreshing and honest about a song being quite upfront and honest about it being schmaltzy as opposed to a track you hear that's weighted down with glittery, contrived sincerity.

It's the difference between actually crying, and crying in front of the mirror.

ib said...

Well said, WZJN. I could not possibly disagree. Thanks for the comment.

Peewit said...

Guilty secret time. One of the few vinyl albums I kept was Goldsboro's greatest hits. This and "Honey" just stay like a worm in the brain and say "play me, play me" on a worryingly regular basis

ib said...

We are in harmony. Definitely a guilty pleasure; but all the better to see the guilt part of the equation communally vanquished.

Blank Stares and Cricketclaps said...

I like this,its very pleasurable, and I don't feel guilty.

The glory of smooth music is free for all to drift off in with abandon, and if it gets too choppy, i know where i left The Ramones.

ib said...

A pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled. Glad to hear you liked this one, Blank Stares & Cricketclaps.