Inventive, smart, and stylish (other than the haircut--yikes
J. C Clark | Overland Park, KS United States | 07/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I cannot imagine how I first learned of this two-sided vinyl LP back in the early 80s, but living in Boise, Idaho, I had to order it via paper letter delivered by the US mail to a real-live brick and mortar record store in far-off Kansas City. Wow, lots of fading technolgies in that one acquisition! I loved it upon its first trip around my turntable, and have never lost my affection, despite the demise of all the things that brought it to me or the B&O beauty it played it on.
Mary is a unique talent, an amazing instrumentalist and memorable vocalist with a knack for uncovering the unseen in pop music. She has recorded several Beatles' tunes over the years, with incredible results. On this LP, she plays a number of covers, making each one distinctly hers, including the startling "You Keep Me Hanging On." I have heard Diana zip through this several times since and I've always felt bizarre. Why does she sound so happy? Because Mary takes the lyric and turns it into a poignant and painful demand, which is what the words actually say. A sad song, sadly performed. This is the supreme interpretation.
There are no weak cuts, the musicians are all delightful, and all I can say is that I wish the re-released version (at this price!) included a bit more than the contents of the LP. But a treasure restored. Sounds great; way better than my homemade CD complete with innumerable scratches and a skip in Shelley's Blues that I am now finally learning to not anticipate. The most satisfying of her recordings that I own.
"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1