Billie Joe Becoat
Band members Related acts
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line up x (1969-) - Billie Joe Becoat -- vocals, guitar, bass
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- none known
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Genre: soul Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Let's Talk for Awhile Company: Fantasy Catalog:
8401 Country/State: Alton, Illinois Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened) Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $
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Trying to learn a little about singer/songwriter Billie Joe Becoat I couldn't find much about his second studio album - 1970's "Let's Talk for Awhile". In fact, I couldn't find a single review of the album. I did stumble across a YouTube comment referencing the album: "This is one of my grandad's albums." LOL - who wouldn't buy an album based on that comment?
Becoat's
second and final release for Fantasy, the Jesse Osborne produced "Let's
"Let's
Talk for Awhile" track listing: 1.) Wonder If He Cares (Billie Joe Becoat) - 2:40 rating: *** stars I've got to admit to being charmed by Becoat's warm voice - imagine a laidback, slightly country-tinged Sam Cooke. I'm pretty sure Becoat would sound good singing a phonebook, but when matched up with a breezy melody like this one, he was impressive !!! 2.) Before This Time Another Year (Billie Joe Becoat) - 4:10 rating: ** stars "Before This Time Another Year" offered up a slice of electric blues with then-contemporary lyrics referencing a host of social challenges including name checking Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, the ongoing civil rights struggle, Vietnam and economic inequity. Nice early-'70s timepiece though it hasn't aged all that well. 3.) Firmly on the Ground (Billie Joe Becoat) - 2:35 rating: **** stars Opening up with a funky little guitar riff, "Firmly on the Ground" went by in a flash. Was it groundbreaking? Nah, but I liked the song's low-keyed charm. 4.) Shadrack, Meshech And Abednego (Billie Joe Becoat) - 2:23 rating: *** stars Opening up with a jazzy vibe, "Shadrack, Meshech And Abednego" shifted into a bouncy folk tune. The track was seemingly based on the biblical tale - the three principles refusing to worship a golden statue erected by King Nebuchadnezzar II. They were then thrown into a fiery furnace, but their faith in God saw them survive unharmed. Once again Becoat's bright vocals were the prime selling point. 5.) You Can't Hide (Billie Joe Becoat) - 3:11 rating: **** stars The breezy, keyboard powered "You Can't Hide" was another tune where Beacoat's performance recalled Sam Cooke. Sweet performance with a nice refrain.
(side
2) A
short, funky piece with speak-sing vocals, at least "Confusion In the
Revolution" showed Becoat had a sense of humor. Life in the hood ... I'm guessing "(Eli) World's Greatest Pretender" was biographical (not autobiographical) based on one or more folks he knew growing up and living in Alton, Illinois. A tale of redemption? My pick for the album's standout performance. Which it had been longer. 3.) Honey Pie (Billie Joe Becoat) - 2:10 rating: ** stars Back to folk moves. 4.) Let's Talk For Awhile (Billie Joe Becoat) - 3:10 rating: ** stars The album's most country-oriented number ... 5.) Fireflies (Billie Joe Becoat) - 3:25 rating: **** stars The sound, structure and down home vibe of "Fireflies" has always reminded me of something Bill Withers would have written and recorded. Simply charming. I've always wondered if this was the same song that Fantasy released as a 1970 single under the title "Firefly".
- 1970's "Firefly" b/w "You Can Slip, You Can Slide (You Can't Hide)" (Fantasy catalog number 654)
Shot by one of his nephews, YouTube has a fascinating short documentary on Becoat at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwsHz10UKfE
© Scott R. Blackerby October 2025
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BACK TO BADCAT PAYMENT INFORMATION
Talk for Awhile"
featured a collection of ten Becoat originals. Musically it was a
varied effort including
stabs at electric blues ("Before This Time Another Year"), country
(the title track), folk ("Honey Pie") and Sam Cooke-styled soul
("Wonder If He Cares"). The Sam Cooke comparison was
actually a good baseline, especially if you loved Cooke on his more social
activist catalog (think along the lines of "A Change Is Going to
Come"). Take Cooke's smooth voice, add a touch of Richie Havens
activist folk and underlying "black power" themes
("Before This Time Another Year") and you'll get a feel for the
project. While some of the lyrics came across as dated, if not the
underlying themes (check out the funny "Confusion In the
Revolution"), the
big selling point here was Becoat's voice. That voice was warm,
comfortable and a pleasure to hear, even on some of the less impressive
songs. Best of the lot were the Bill Withers-styled closer
"Fireflies" and "Confusion In the Revolution" which
captured Becoats' dry, sarcastic sense of humor. 