Genre: pop
Rating: 2 stars **
Title: Wonderful Deeds and Adventures A Collection of Stirring Scene and Moving Accidents
Company: Epic
Catalog: BN 26510
Year: 1970
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $50.00
Along with the likes of Jackie DeShannon, Joni Mitchell and others, Susan Carter was part of the late-1960s Laurel Canyon scene.
Carter somehow captured the attention of Epic Records, which teamed her with producer Les Carter and arranger Dick Halligan (of Blood, Sweat and Tears fame). Recorded in New York, her 1970 debut "Wonderful Deeds and Adventures A Collection of Stirring Scene and Moving Accidents" was certainly something of an era timepiece. It was also kind of interesting in that with backing from Randy Brecker and most of BS&T, material such as 'Young Girl Blues', 'Medley for Billie Holiday and 'Brighten Your Day with My Night' found Carter working in the blues and jazz genres years before Joni Mitchell and other competitors made such a move. Carter certainly had a versatile voice, capable of handling a wide variety of genres and her crystalline voice occasionally recalled Laura Nyro. While the blues and jazzy material was interesting, it had a tendency to sound precious and pretentious. At least to my ears, Carter was actually better on her more commercial numbers such as 'Temptation 'Bout To Get Me' and the killer closer 'Jam Session: Cruising with the Blues'. So what else is worth mentioning? The opener 'Bluebird' found Carter turning in the strangest cover of a Buffalo Springfield song you'll ever hear.
"Wonderful
Deeds and Adventures" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Bluebird (Stephen Stills) - 3:40
2.) Young Girl Blues (Donvan Leitch) - 5:11
3.) Temptation 'Bout To Get Me (J. Diggs) - 3:00
4.) Medley for Billie Holiday - 8:21
Billy's Blues (Laura Nyro)
Lady Sings the Blues (Billie Holiday)
Lonely Woman (Laura Nyro)
(side
2)
1.) Brighten Your Day with My Night (James Taylor) - 2:03
2.) I Need a Good Man Bad (L. Carter - Susan Carter) - 2:45
3.) I'm So Tired (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 2:50
4.) Old Country (N. Adderley) - 4:00
5.) Illinois (Randy Newman) - 1:59
6.) Jam Session: Cruising with the Blues (L. Carter - Susan Carter) - 6:22