Genre: pop
Rating: 1 stars *
Title: Roy Clayborn
Company: Guinness
Catalog: GNS
36066
Year: 1977
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened)
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5695
Price: $20.00
Released by Guinness Records, 1977's cleverly-titled "Roy Clayborn" is another tax loss label mystery release. It's even more interesting/confusing in that it was produced by Louis Lofredo for Mandala International Ltd. I have no idea who Lofredo was and don't know if there's a true corporate relationship here, but Mandala Records was another tax scam label, reportedly operated by Bob (Robert) Gallo (who recorded a couple of LPs for Guinness himself under the name Robert John). Confused? Welcome to the club.
Having listened to this one a couple of times I'm torn between labeling it pop, or country. Clayborn had a decent voice, though on singer/storyteller tracks like 'Son of Arizona' and 'Arizona Highways' he frequently sounded kind of old school - imagine Harry Chapin trying to sound self-righteous. Elsewhere tracks like 'Bring Back the Raindrops', 'Slippin' Away', and 'I Will If You Will; were probably best described as MOR-country. Heavily orchestrated, this was the kind of stuff you'd hear playing as background music in a dental clinic. Was there anything worthwhile here? Surprisingly there was - mind you this wasn't going to change you life in any fashion, but Clayborn turned in a nice jazzy cover of the Everly Brothers chestnut 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' '. Unfortunately otherwise this one of the few albums I've ever heard that was best described as being thoroughly forgettable.
"Roy
Clayborn" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Son of Arizona (Roy Clayburn - Libby Clayborn) - 2:35
2.) Bring Back the Raindrops (Roy Clayburn) - 3:25
3,) Arizona Highways (Roy Clayburn) - 3:57
4.) You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' (Phil Spector - Barry Mann - Cynthia Weil) - 4:01
5.) Slippin' Away (Roy Clayburn) - 2:42
6.) I Will If You Will (Roy Clayburn) - 3:34
(side
2)
1.) It's Over (Roy Clayburn) - 2:40
2.) '21' Inch T.V. (Roy Clayburn - B. Borcha) - 2:00
3.) Mary Gets Around (Roy Clayburn) - 2:03
4.) You and Me and Him (Roy Clayburn) - 1:49
5.) Banker In a Barroom (Roy Clayburn)- 3:29