- Curt Boetcher (RIP 1987) -- vocals, guitar, keyboards

  supporting musicians:
- Web Burrell -- 
- Roc DeLong -- bass
- Skip Konte -- keyboards
- Willis Masonheimer -- tuba
- Red Rhodes -- steel guitar
- Tessie -- congos, percussion
- Les Thorton -- tuba
- Wayne Yentis -- synthesizer

- Ballroom

- The Goldenbriars
- The Millennium
- Sagittarius

Genre: pop

Rating: *** ( 3 stars)

Title: There's An Innocent Face

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EKS 75037

Year: 1973

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: white label promo copy; promo sticker on cover; credit sheet insert; original inner sleeve

Available: SOLD

Price: SOLD$30.00

The late Curt Boetcher was one of those guys who is little known to most music fans (today he's all but forgotten), yet commands immense respect among a cult following and those interested in 1960s pop music.  I'm a big fan of his bright, multi-layered production and arrangements work and writing for acts such as The Association, as well as his own work with Ballroom, The Goldenbriars, The Millennium and Sagittarius.  Ironically I didn't even know he'd recorded this solo set until I stumbled across it at a yardsale.

Even though he'd been part of the music industry since the early-1960s, Boetcher didn't release his first true solo effort until 1973. Co-produced by Boetcher and Web Burrel, to be honest the first time I listened to "There's An Innocent Face" I was mildly disappointed.  In creative terms Boetcher was all but anonymous; only credited with co-writing two of 11 tracks. Even more disappointing, much of the set suffered from a bland country-rock sound. Material such as "I Love You More Each Day", "Such a Lady" and "I've Been Wrong" could have passed for something out of the Poco catalog. Elsewhere the acid-tinged "Wufferton Frog" was just plain weird.  Luckily Boetcher was far too talented to waste an entire album and subsequent spins made it clear the LP had it's share of delights. Highlights included the sparkling "Malachi Star", "Bobby California" and "Lady Down" (the latter one of his prettiest melodies). Also kinda' cool, "She'll Stay with You" which included a nice nod to Frankie Lymon's "Why Do Fools Fall In Love". Not a masterpiece, but not a total washout either ... A commercial disappointment, the set vanished without a trace, effectively ending Boetcher's solo career. (Original copies included an insert sheet carrying credits.)   As Curt Becher (spelling it the way it was pronounced), he returned to studio work, supporting The Beach Boys and others. Sadly, virtually broke and unable to afford adequate health care, Boetcher died in 1987.

"There's An Innocent Face" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) I Love You More Each Day   (D. Gene - Curt Boetcher) - 2:36
2.) Such a Lady   (R. Naylor - C. Gusias) - 2:03
3.) She'll Stay with You   (D. Gene) - 
4.) Love You Yes I Do   (J. Netkin - Curt Boetcher - Wes Bureel) - 3:14
5.) Without Her   (C. Gusias) - 1:23
6.) Bobby California   (D. Gene) - 4:34

(side 2)

1.) The Choice Is Yours   (M. Rootes - Tony Romeo) - 2:08
2.) Malachi Star   (R. Wachtel - J. Pulver) - 2:44
3.) Lady Down   (D. Gene) - 3:21
4.) I've Been Wrong   (D. Gene) - 3:34
5.) Wufferton Frog   (J. Netkin - M. Schwimmer) - 4:02

Rating: 

Title: Misty Mirage

Company: Poptones

Catalog: 5007

Year: 2000

Grade (cover/record): --

Comments: CD format

Available: SOLD

Price: SOLD