Paring Marvin, Welch & Farrar down to a duo of Hank Marvin and Olivia Newton-John producer John Farrar results in "So Hard to Live With," an opening track which sounds more like the Beach Boys than that veteran band did in 1973. John Farrar's original "Music Makes My Day" could be England Dan & John Ford Coley imitating Paul McCartney. "Skin Deep" changes identity yet again, but these consistent minstrels are true craftsmen and the pretty acoustic guitars match their harmonious vocals delivering music as satisfying as their discs with Bruce Welch, who co-writes the final tune, "Lord How It's Hurting" with Hank Marvin.
The melancholy "If I Rewrote Yesterdays" is as good a tune as it is a title, it has elements of the Beach Boys and McCartney, an exquisite track for lovers of pop music. The failure of both Sire and EMI to break hit records from this crew is sad, and a loss for the music world. Progressive and psychedelic are the only way to describe "Galadriel (Spirit of Starlight)," it's just a gem of a tune deserving rediscovery. There are so many layers of sound, smart lyrics and shimmering vocal beauty that demand repeated listenings. It's a monster, and this album by two veteran musicians is an absolute find.
by Joe Viglione
Tracks
1. So Hard To Live With - 3:34
2. Music Makes My Day (John Farrar) - 3:50
3. Skin Deep - 4:28
4. If I Rewrote Yesterday - 2:16
5. Galadriel (Spirit Of Starlight) - 6:20
6. Love Oh Love - 4:17
7. Help Me Onto Your Wagon (John Farrar) - 3:15
8. Small And Lonely Light (John Farrar, Peter Best) - 3:15
9. You Can Never Tell (Hank Marvin) - 3:37
10.Nobody Cares (Hank Marvin) - 4:52
11.Lord How It's Hurting (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin) - 0:36
All songs by Hank Marvin, John Farrar except where stated
Musicians
*John Farrar - Guitar, Mellotron, Piano, Vocals
*Hank Marvin - Guitar, Mellotron, Piano, Vocals
*Brian Bennett - Percussion
*Trevor Spencer - Drums, Percussion
*Alan Tarney - Bass
*Bruce Welch - Vocals
*Richard Hewson - Conductor, Orchestral Arrangements
