|
This one has
always puzzled me in that many reviews label it a concept piece. If
1967's "Triangle" is a
concept album, then the plotline is totally lost on me. Stan Corney's
cryptic liner notes don't exactly clarify the story. Having said
that, I'll readily admit that this may be the best thing these guys ever
recorded. In fact, it's probably worthy of being dubbed as a lost
classic; made even more appealing by the fact it remains readily available
and affordable.
Down
to a trio of guitarist Ron Elliott, bassist Ron Meagher and singer Sal
Valentino, the Lenny Waronker produced album was a major change from the
band's earlier top-40 orientation. That change in direction was
probably a disappointment to pop fans (helping explain the resulting lack of
sales), but propelled by Valentino's instantly recognizable voice and
Elliott's surprisingly bizarre lyrics ('Painter of Women', 'The Keeper of
Time' and 'The Wolf of Velvet Fortune'), the set's experimental edge more
than made up for the lack of top-40 orientation. Musically tracks such
as ''Are You Happy?, the title track and 'The Wolf of Velvet Fortune'
offered up a fascinating blend of prototype Americana (two decades before it
became popular), country-rock. folk and even lite-psych influences.
Van Dyke Parks guested, providing harpsichord on 'Magic Hollow'.
Backed by 'Lower Level', that also happens to be the track Warner Brothers
tapped as an unsuccessful single (Warner Brothers catalog number 7079).
"Triangle" track listing:
(side 1) 1.) Are
You Happy? (Durand - Ron Elliott) - 2:17
2.) Only
Dreaming Now (Ron Elliott - Sal Valentino) - 2:06 3.)
Painter of Women (Durand - Ron Elliott) - 2:51 4.)
The Keeper of Time (Durand - Ron Elliott) - 2:09 5.)
It Won't Get Better (Ron Elliott - Sal Valentino) - 2:20
(side
2)
1.) Nine Pound Hammer (Travis) - 3:19 2.)
Magic Hollow (Ron Elliott - Sal Valentino) - 2:52 3.)
And I've Seen Her (Durand - Ron Elliott) - 1:59 4.)
Triangle (Ron Elliott - Sal Valentino) - 2:17 5.)
The Wolf of Velvet Fortune (Ron Elliott - Sal Valentino) - 4:52 6.)
Old Kentucky Home (Randy Newman) - 2:05
|
