Vern and Rex Gosdinbrothers sang harmony on Gene Clark's first solo album With The Gosdin Brothers in late '66, just after he quit The Byrds (who play on the album, sans Jim-Roger, tellingly). It doesn't enjoy the rep it deserves, both as a high-quality recording and a signpost for country rock as a genre, and that's maybe due to Clark's generous co-billing for a couple guys nobody heard of, diluting the impact of his own name. But anyway.
Vern n' Rex eventually got their own album to do in '68, the presciently-titled Sounds Of Goodbye, sporting a cover design and haircuts straight outta '65. These guys looked pretty cool on the back of the Gene Clark album - what the fuck happened here? The DJ-penned liner notes sound the death-knell: "This album should serve as a launching pad for the pair - the sound of hello to two of America's brightest new singers." Oh shi-it.It was produced by the legendary Gary Paxton, whose life burns up his wikipedia page, and here.
It's a beautiful album, but the turtleneck-n'-sideburns demographic was into Vic Damone -[right - Ed.] and any Byrds fan would leap into moving traffic to avoid being seen on the same side of the street as Sounds Of Goodbye. It was the sound of sayonara, auf wiedersehen, and au revoir to sales, credibility, and (temporarily) the music business, and we can blame the beyond-shit cover, credited to Capitol Photo Studio.
Vern n' Rex Gosdinbrothers recorded enough for another album, and you can read about it here, but this here cover [top left - Ed.] is fresh outta the False Memory Foam© Department Of Art Department Dept. and presented to you, Mr. and Mrs. Customer, as a free gift with no obligation - a small token of my appreciation for your continued mild interest.
This post funded in part by Tommy Tuttle's Turtlenecks, Tullahoma, Tennessee.
To qualify for this three-way country-rock Nite of Forbidden Lust, simply give the correct answer to this question: Neil Young or Mike Nesmith?
ReplyDeleteBoth
DeleteWelcome back, Mr. Jazzy.
DeleteNeil Young, by a considerable margin.
ReplyDeleteBig Neil Young here, but I'm guessing the correct answer is Michael Nesmith. As a Byrds fan, I'm looking forward to Vern n' Rex.
ReplyDeleteOff-topic: I'm putting the finishing touches on the screed I promised. How and where do I submit?
You can copy-paste it - not attach it - into an email to me elsonquick at gmail dot com, Babs. Don't bother formatting it except for para breaks (no indents, double spacing etc). I'll reply from my boney fido email account. Forward-looking!
Deletei think you meant Anthony Newley?
ReplyDeleteSome correct answers here, and a few wrong ones. It's kinda disheartening that ... oh, never mind.
ReplyDeleteI'll upload the albumen as soon as I finish puttin' lard on the goat's teats.
Stealth Link©
ReplyDelete'
They look as if they're painted on the road.
ReplyDeleteShame, as STOP would have had way more charisma.
So with these guys they fucked it up two times, marketing-wise, and for a bunch of folks.
ReplyDeleteThe "generous co-billing" wasn't by the way in any way condoned by Gene Clark, it was a completely misbegotten 'crossover attempt' by manager and sometime producer Jim Dickson, where Clark's glory and sales were supposed to rub off on the Gosdins. Oh well, no glory, no sales, and a bunch of puzzled Clark fans...
Really fine album(s) though...
Ah ... thanks for clearing that up.
DeleteThe Reverend Dr Baz
ReplyDeleteThe consensus of my congregation is that they would prefer to spend an evening at the local with Mr Nez. All thought that Mr Nez seems to be affable, has a sense of humour & would no doubt provide intelligent & erudite conversation.
On the other hand popular opinion was that Mr Yung would disappear whilst the host was at the bar, leaving a note to say he had decided to reform all his previous combos, make an album with Hank B Marvin, finally release that album of him playing with his train set (3 CD + DVD) & catch up with Mr Nash to compare notes on leaving your wife of 40 years to take up with a younger person.
Also, Mr Nez had the good taste to sign Chris Darrow to his record label.
I wouldn't want - or need - to choose between their music (especially when I can have it all) but Nez would be my choice of company, too. I get the impression that all Neil wants is to be with people who don't question him or call him out or ask anything of him. Nez would want all of that. Plus, he said in a recent interview "take the psychedelics" which would be a great platform when he runs for President.
DeleteThe Reverend Dr Baz
ReplyDeleteThe consensus of my congregation is that they would prefer to spend an evening at the local with Mr Nez. All thought that Mr Nez seems to be affable, has a sense of humour & would no doubt provide intelligent & erudite conversation.
On the other hand popular opinion was that Mr Yung would disappear whilst the host was at the bar, leaving a note to say he had decided to reform all his previous combos, make an album with Hank B Marvin, finally release that album of him playing with his train set (3 CD + DVD) & catch up with Mr Nash to compare notes on leaving your wife of 40 years to take up with a younger person.
Also, Mr Nez had the good taste to sign Chris Darrow to his record label.
Hey! We heard ya th' foist time!
DeleteThat would have a been a fine album cover if they left the two dorks off of it, moved the writing to the back, zoomed in a bit and done even the tiniest bit of color correction. As it stands, it's one of the worst I've seen that's not in the "so bad it's good" bin. It's just plain awful. This is definitely something I never would have sucked down and spun up on the old hard-drive without your endorsement. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI resisted giving it the makeover it needs, because the point I'm making - it's a small one - is that album covers are more important than usually credited, and can make and break careers. How this one ever got approved is jaw-dropping. Major label, big studio investment ... and they might just as well wiped their corporate butts with their money. How many people saw this in the racks and thought - "sayyy, this looks swell!" - I can tell you. None. None many people.
DeleteOh I forgot about Nez vs. Neil...I'd say Neil's best bests Nez's, but Nez hasn't nearly produced as much random crap as Uncle Neil either....so, uh, draw?!
ReplyDeleteWhat's interesting about both of these is that they're a bit of an acquired taste, or should be, because they're both goddamn weird, yet somehow Mr. Young became a megastar despite that whereas Mr. Nesmith...did not.
Dear Mr Throckmorton III
ReplyDeleteApologies for the repetition, possibly Google`s fault or the fact that your mention of goat teats prompted an attack of nostalgic reverie, recalling my first job in Australia (1973) gluing labels on containers of bovine teat dip.
The Reverend Dr Baz
Isn't that required by the immigration department? I understand you get a choice between that and clearing the sludge tanks at the government Vegemite plant.
Deletejust a quick follow up, thanks for these!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteHere's a link to Big Beat's booklet with lots of clues about Clarence White and Gib and Gary S. and Jim Dickson, and whatnot... More megabytes and sloppier reproduction than absolutely necessary, but it is legible, so enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete