Genre: pop
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Pamela Polland
Company: Columbia
Catalog: KC-31116
Year: 1972
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: some dummy scribbled with magic market on Pamela's right cheek (not shown in picture above); scratch along A1 and A2, but doesn't effect play
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4498
Price: $20.00
Cost: $66.00
It's weird, but the day after I sold my copy of "The Gentle Soul" I found this album at a Salvation Army store. The name sounded vaguely familiar to me, so I figured I could afford to take a chance on an album like this for a dollar. Naturally, when I got home I discovered that singer/songwriter Pamela Polland had been one of the creative mainstays of The Gentle Soul.
It's interesting how a couple of years can make for such a major change in musical direction. Anyone expecting to hear another collection of lite-psych (a-la The Gentle Soul) is likely to be disappointed by 1972's "Pamela Polland". That's not to say that the album's bad, rather Polland's style's simply evolved into a much more personal singer/songwriter genre. To my ears, original material such as 'In My Imagination', 'Out of My Heads (Still In My Heart)' and 'Lighthouse' recalls the likes of Carole King, Tracy Nelson or Laura Nyro. Note, that comparisons to such company are meant as a compliment. Polland's voice is a little huskier than her contemporaries and she's a little more willing to explore diverse musical genres (a plus). That said, there isn't anything here that particularly jumps out at you. I guess my pick for standout track would be 'In My Imagination' which was released as a single with the 'B' side 'Lighthouse' (Columbia catalog number 4-45627).
"Pamela Polland" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) In My Imagination (Pamela Polland) - 3:08
2.) Out of My Heads (Still In My Heart) (Pamela Polland) - 3:21
3.) Sing-a-Song Man (Pamela Polland) - 2:50
4.) And When I Get Home (Pamela Polland) - 3:03
5.) Please Mr. D.J. (Pamela Polland) - 2:25
6.) Abalone Dream (Pamela Polland) - 3:37
(side 2)
1.) The Rescuer (Pamela Polland) - 3:07
2.) Sugar Dad (Pamela Polland) - 3:08
3.) The Teddy Bear's Picnic (instrumental) (J.W. Branton) - 0:37
4.) The Dream (for Karuna) (Pamela Polland) - 3:16
5.) Texas (Pamela Polland) - 3:06
6.) Lighthouse (Pamela Polland) - 3:07
Polland continued to work as a sessions singer, backing a host of name acts. She subsequently relocated to Hawaii where she fronted a small jazz band, while becoming interested in native music and arts. That interest led her to form Makamaka which specializes in Hawaiian language material. Polland's also taught dance and voice.
In case anyone's interested, she has an interesting website located at:
http://www.kula.com/pamelapolland/index2.html
personal life at that time.