| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| lemonade kid |
Posted - 21/09/2016 : 14:59:12
Three Elektra masterpieces..and a final CBS classic by
David Ackles...
© Elektra
...opened for Elton John for his American debut at the Whisky. Elton fizzled on his first set. On his second set he decided to dump the soft piano man persona for the hard rocking Elton and garnered rave reviews as the most exciting artist to debut on the American scene in years.
Prior to his debut, Elton was even more excited (and awed) at his opening act....his hero David Ackles. He could not believe that America had not discovered Ackles' immense talent as England had. Much of England had known and revered Ackles for some time.
Even after that Whisky stand, Ackles remained a cult favorite if little known, never receiving the rewards & fame his music deserved.
His short time in England while recording "American Gothic" was a happy time. Produced by Bernie Taupin -- recommended by Elton who got to know Ackles after that Whisky stand. He may have been better served to remain in England where he was appreciated and revered. But he was homesick and returned for one last album before disappearing from the music scene. His last chance came at CBS with Clive Davis as president-Clive admired Ackles. Ankles left the studio and recorded the album at home on a four track recorder-and brought in the simply elegant record, on-time and under budget. But Clive was abruptly fired by CBS (not sure why) before "Five & Dime" was released...so with little interest in promoting Ackles latest effort and NO interest in financing a promotional tour, CBS torpedoed "Five & Dime" and Ackles last recording effort disappeared from view before ever getting a chance.
Ackles, hurt and disillusioned, didn't bother to pursue a recording contract elsewhere.
Our loss.
He pursued his career, writing musicals (never took off), and wrote a few TV scripts (Karl Malden starred in Ackles' "Word Of Honor"). But Ackles was in a horrific auto accident in 1981. In hospital his wife was said to have screamed at doctors that he played piano, "don't cut off his arm!" They didn't. His recovery was long --wheel chair bound for months...after recovering, he could only play piano for short periods--the nerve damage & pain was terrible.
He went on to USC as administrator and then teaching music theatre. In the 1990's he wrote "Sister Aimee" for musical theatre and was in talks to record it. He was involved in LA's fundraisng as executive director for National Association of Fundraising Professionals, and was part of the Lehman Engel Theater Workshop.
He never left music. Jac Holzman was his champion for a while, as was Clive Davis for a short while. David ankles died from lung cancer in 1999 at 62.
.....Today Ackles is still a cult hero and still revered in England, far more than he is here in his native land. Still trying to get the word out on Ackles genius, here are the peers and artists that still worship the great gifts of David Ackles.
---Lemonade Kid Sept, 21, 2016
Elton John and Elvis Costello performing Elton's hero's "Down River"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxt0Z1BL06k
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The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lemonade kid |
Posted - 21/09/2016 : 15:10:54
Some nice links and reads....
10 WIERD ALBUMS WE LOVED IN THE 1970'S YOU NEVER HEARD -- RS
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-weird-albums-rolling-stone-loved-in-the-1970s-youve-never-heard-20150723/david-ackles-american-gothic-20150722
DAVID ACKLES-AMERICAN GOTHIS REVIEW- Stephen Holden, Rolling Stone, 9/14/72.
http://www.superseventies.com/spacklesdavid.html
Interviews and reviews from Rock's Back Pages
http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Artist/david-ackles
________________________________________________
The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK
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| lemonade kid |
Posted - 21/09/2016 : 15:06:55
For "FIVE AND DIME" Ackles withdrew from the studio and recorded this spare and beautiful album at home...on a four track recorder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOfINiaIyTM
Excellent...
________________________________________________
The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK
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| lemonade kid |
Posted - 21/09/2016 : 15:05:23
AMERICAN GOTHIC 1972
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEHJIbDFvZU
All tracks composed by David Ackles.
"American Gothic"
"Love's Enough"
"Ballad of the Ship of State"
"One Night Stand"
"Oh, California!"
"Another Friday Night"
"Family Band"
"Midnight Carousel"
"Waiting for the Moving Van"
"Blues for Billy Whitecloud"
"Montana Song"
________________________________________________
The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK
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| lemonade kid |
Posted - 21/09/2016 : 15:02:07
SUBWAY TO THE COUNTRY 1970
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-_XRh8mBuw
All tracks composed by David Ackles
"Main Line Saloon"
"That's No Reason to Cry"
"Candy Man"
"Out on the Road"
"Cabin on the Mountain"
"Woman River"
"Inmates of the Institution"
"Subway to the Country"
________________________________________________
The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK
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| lemonade kid |
Posted - 21/09/2016 : 15:00:47
So let's start with David's first Elektra masterpiece...
David Ackles 1968 Elektra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBVBYlhO56M
so fine.
All songs composed by David Ackles.
"The Road to Cairo" Ð 5:16
"When Love is Gone" Ð 3:20
"Sonny Come Home" Ð 2:59
"Blue Ribbons" Ð 4:37
"What a Happy Day" Ð 2:14
"Down River" Ð 3:57
"Laissez-Faire" Ð 1:36
"Lotus Man" Ð 2:49
"His Name Is Andrew" Ð 6:11
"Be My Friend" Ð 4:48
________________________________________________
The actual writing of a song usually comes in the form of a realisation.
I can't contrive a song. Ð GENE CLARK
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