When The Association's "Windy," reached the #1 position in July 1967, writer Ruthann Friedman didn't just score a hit single, she also achieved a milestone: Ruthann was the third female songwriter to compose an American #1 record without a cowriter. In 1999, BMI desig- nated the infectious smash the 61st most played song of the 20th century. But the story doesn't end there.
Produced in 1969 by JOE WISSERT (The Turtles, Lovin' Spoonful, Jackie DeShannon) Constant Companion is Ruthann's only LP released during the first chapter of her career. An intimate folk album replete with lysergic lyrical imagery, Constant Companion will intrigue fans of Joni Mitchell and Judee Sill.
Also included is a full album's worth of previously unreleased material cut during the Constant Companion era. Some of these tracks feature the participation of Ry Cooder, Van Dyke Parks, and Byrds members Clarence White and Gene Parsons. The booklet includes rare photos and extensive liner notes featuring the participation of Ruthann herself!
CD Liner-Notes
The songs on Constant Companion cover a range of styles, from Simon and Garfunkel style folk (“People”) and Mitchell-inspired psychedelic ruminations (“Fairy Prince Rainbow Man,” “Danny”) to jazz-inflected pop (“Morning Becomes You”). The arrangements are sparse, consisting solely of Friedman’s acoustic guitar and voice, with the exception of lead guitar by Peter Kaukonen (brother of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna’s Jorma, and creator of Constant Companion’s cover art). Friedman’s wide stylistic range suggests that the suits at Reprise may have been a little too eager to force her into the role of “the next Joni”; several of her songs cry out for further orchestration (the fingerstyle guitar intro to “Looking Back Over Your Shoulder” being one case in point).
While they work as acoustic compositions, they may have benefited from more complex arrangements, as does the post-album single “Carry On (Glittering Dancer),” a quirky track that indulges in Van Dyke Parks-style baroque orchestrations (apparently Parks and Friedman were briefly an item, and he executive produced the track.) Given the fact that Friedman hasn’t recorded anything since, Constant Companion can hardly help but evoke imaginings of what might have been had she stayed in the business longer. As it stands, though, the album is a fine effort, and its rescue from the archives is certainly to be applauded.
by Michael Cramer
Tracks
1. Topsy-Turvy Moon (Charles Shaw, Dick Kuhn, Jerry Kanner) - 0:38
2. Piper's Call - 3:40
3. Fairy Prince Rainbow Man - 3:04
4. Too Late To Be Mourning - 2:53
5. Ringing Bells - 3:08
6. Looking Back Over Your Shoulder - 3:35
7. People - 3:35
8. Morning Becomes You (Peter Kaukonen) - 3:12
9. Peaceable Kingdom - 4:23
10.No Time - 3:10
11.Danny - 1:49
12.Look Up To The Sun - 3:25
13.Carry On Through (Glittering Dancer) - 2:26
14.Off To See The World - 2:41
15.When You're Near - 3:59
16.Traveling Around (Peter Kaukonen, Ruthann Friedman) - 2:36
17.Chocolate See (Peter Kaukonen, Ruthann Friedman) - 2:09
18.Ginger - 3:32
19.Song For My Brother - 2:24
20.I Understand (Pamela Polland, Ruthann Friedman) - 3:18
21.World's End (Peter Kaukonen, Ruthann Friedman) - 3:02
22.The Sky Is Moving South (Peter Kaukonen, Ruthann Friedman) - 4:04
23.Have A Good Time - 2:08
24.Windy - 1:58
All compositions written by Ruthann Friedman except where indicated
Personnel
*Ruthann Friedman - Vocals, Guitar
*Peter Kaukonen - Electric Guitar
*Van Dyke Parks - Piano, Keyboards
*Michael Botts - Drums
*Lyle Ritz - Bass
*Ron Elliott - Guitar
