PHIL WEBB:Private SoCal AOR Acid Archives Psych

$

52

PHIL WEBB PRESENTS A COLLECTION FORTHE FUTURE (Phil Webb Productions PW-001/1977)

My review in The Acid Archives (for which this copy was used) describes this best:

An odd manager’s or producer’s demo LP that appears to highlight artists he represents. The only info we get are the song titles, writing credits, and it’s produced by Webb. Each songwriter appears to represent a different artist, or at least singer; the back-up band is likely the same throughout.

Of most interest would be the four songs by the Alexander brothers, Tim & Terry, which take up more than half the album. The sound is breezy SoCal AOR . Thought I normally don’t go for the 70's SoCal sound, I find these tracks quite affecting. The songs are catchy with good hooks. The band excels throughout. The rhythm section is solid. There are two guitarists who trade off solos that have occasional psych flashes.

Tim and Terry (presumably) share the lead vocals, taking the lead on the songs they penned (two each) with the other providing harmonies. Both sings high pitched, at times approaching Chipmunks or Bee Gees range. Terry’s solo vocals sound like Al Stewart after inhaling helium (otherwise known as Leo Sayer). They could have been annoying, but the high quality of the overall sound smooths them over. The Alexander brothers should have found some success.

On the other hand, R. King’s obscurity is well deserved. A traditional sounding singer-songwriter, his first track is generic country rock with a pedal steel in the lead. His second offering, a ballad meant to be haunting, musically and lyrically (“here’s to the queen of my tomorrows”) threatens to veer into song poem territory, drenched in bass synthesizer.

Finally, we have two songs written by Phil Webb himself. “Munchies” is good-timey rockin’ & rollin’ stupidity and would be easily dismissed if not for the solid work from the band. However, Webb redeems himself with the LP’s finale, “Fools....”, which has a heavier Alexanders-like sound.

Adding to the puzzle is the handwritten front cover. It features a note from “Cary” to his mom & dad, proudly proclaiming that he’s on every song except one. Alongside is a small crude drawing of a stick figure behind a drum kit. One can presume Cary was the drummer, but unless we find Phil Webb, we’ll likely never know.

One of two known copies, the other being in a plain cover.

The cover is VG+ (light hint of ringwear; some creasing & 2" split on bottom seam near spine; tiny bit of cardboard showing on bottom seam near opening; some wear on spine).

The record is VG+ (moderate amount of light scuffing; intermittent crackling on several songs; couple of low pops near beginning of last track).

See my other auctions for more LP's featured in the Acid Archives books. Many of the ones included are the actual review copies. 

GENERAL INFO

SHIPPING: Shipping costs will be quoted based on cost for estimated weight plus $1.00 to cover most of the cost of packing materials.

All records are packed in in between two cardboard filler pads and shipped in professional cardboard mailing boxes. All unsealed  12" records are taken out of their covers to prevent seam splitting. If there is a custom inner sleeve, the record will be put in a separate white inner. If a 7" record comes in a picture sleeve, the same procedure is followed.

GRADING: I grade records both visually and audibly. As grading is so imprecise and subjective, I don't have a set grading description like you see listed in many auction and collector magazines. My grades for  records and covers are based on the overall conditions I describe in each auction; I will note any visual defects and (for the vinyl) any non-musical sounds (pops, clicks, skips, etc.).