line up 1 (1977)

- Elliot Apter -- keyboards 

- Jason Babit -- drums, percussion

- Frankie Carr -- lead guitar, backing vocals

- Drew Ross -- bass 

- Teddy Strom --  

- Frankie Carr's All Natural Band (Frankie Carr)

- The Naturals (Frankie Carr)

- The Tea Company (Frankie Carr)

Genre: progressive

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  Goodnight

Company: Tribute

Catalog: LR 1004
Year: 1977

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5749

Price: $200.00

By their nature most tax scam releases are fairly obscure, but this one's in a league by itself ...  Released by the short-lived Tribute label, 1977's "Goodnight" simply isn't listed in any on-line references.  Moreover, as far as I can tell there are no reviews for this one.  As such, about the only bibliographical info I can find comes from the back cover ...  

"The natural sound is what I strive for." says Teddy.  "Being from the city with all the traffic noise, pollution, and direct I'm glad my music didn't suffer."  Teddy's career started at 16.  He, as an accomplished musician, played the New York and New Jersey area as a solo performer.  While appearing at the Cafe-Wha in the West Village, he was heard by an official of Cash Box Magazine and gained a great review for his show.  He is presently appearing on the Dod curcuit [sic] in New Jersey awaiting his present album release."

Sonically the album sounded surprisingly good - much better than you'd expect for what was certainly a quickie vanity project.  Strom had a decent voice and assuming he wrote all of the material (no songwriting credits in the liner notes), wasn't a bad writer.   

"Goodnight" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Nothing Else You Can Do

Perhaps not the best choice, but 'Nothing Else You Can Do' started the album out with a sensitive singer/songwriter ballad.  Luckily about 30 seconds in the track started to build up some speed and energy.  It was pretty, but ultimately nothing really special.   rating: *** stars  

2.) Why're You So Blue?

'Why're You So Blue' was a pretty ballad that recalled someone taking a Bob Dylan song and adapting it to an early-1960s Phil Spector song structure.  Nice acoustic guitar from Frankie Carr.   rating: *** stars

3.) Donbi Donbi Doobie Song

Kicked along by barrelhouse piano,  'Donbi Donbi Doobie Song' sported one of the dumbest titles and song refrains you've ever heard.  That said, the track had kind of a likeable sing-along friendliness.  Couple of beers and I could probably be convinced to sing  'Donbi Donbi Doobie Song'.   rating: *** stars

4.) Lately I've Been Giving You the Blues

A droning ballad with an irritating synthesized horn solo, 'Lately I've Been Giving You the Blues' found Strom falling victim to his Elvis Presley/Roy Orbison demons (complete with Jordinaires-styled backing).  This one won't have a great deal of appeal for most rock fans.   rating: ** stars

(side 2)
1.) Comin' Out of Westport

As a pretty country-rock flavored number, side two's 'Comin' Out of Westport' was probably the most commercial track on the album.  rating: *** stars

2.) Two Road Rock 'n' Roll (or Gotta Get Out of New York City)

While it demonstrated Strom could actually handle an up tempo rock song, 'Two Road Rock 'n' Roll (or Gotta Get Out of New York City)' sounded like a rote copy of one of those 1950s-era rock songs.  Yeah, the chorus was kind of catchy.   rating: ** stars

3.) I Guess I Have To Say Goodnight (To Myself)

'I Guess I Have To Say Goodnight (To Myself)' found Strom falling back into sensitive singer/songwriter acoustic mode.  Yawn ....     rating: ** stars

Not exactly a lost classic and not something you'd wake up wanting to hear in the middle of the night.