Jackie DeShannon “Laurel Canyon”

I really like the overall feeling of this record, kind of loose and informal, sounds like friends playing together—it even strikes me a bit like it’s on the verge of collapse, falling apart—though that might have to do with the poor condition of the vinyl (though it still plays, and mostly sounds great). I get the sense that it’s about the songs, which I like, because that’s my focus, first of all. It’s somewhat lofty, but escapes pretension, at least to my ears—there’s plenty of seriousness, but it’s also a lot of fun. 12 songs, five by Jackie DeShannon—and based on this record, she’s a fine lyricist. I know very little about her (JDS)—this is the first record by her I’ve heard. She’s a good singer, emotional and soulful. Well, I did know she wrote “Bette Davis Eyes” (a much earlier version, prior to Kim Carnes’ hit) and had a huge hit with “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” (co-wrote and sang), which I believe came out just after this record. That song is one of those of those that’s ingrained in my mind like a Pepsi ad or my first “girlfriend’s” phone number. And even earlier, say 1965, while even Pop-Tarts didn’t assuage the breakfast-table-tension as my parents shipped me off to some horror called Kindergärtn—it was Jackie DeShannon singing that burrowing Bacharach-David-worm “What the World Needs Now Is Love”—that will no doubt be the song I’m listening to when I “go home” (like Edward G. Robinson in Soylent Green). Of course, by now, I’ve forgiven all involved, and I do wish I’d scored a copy of this LP, at Ontario (department store), age 9, to play on my Show’N Tell (which I used as my first “hi-fi”) for an adult perspective to counteract the Partridge Family, and Tommy Roe’s “12 in a Roe” teeny-bopper version of male chauvinism. I still love those records, so I’d probably love this one—I love her singing—and the playing on this one is nice—killer bass, relaxed drums, soulful backing vocals (including Barry White!), acoustic and electric guitars and pianos—including one “Mac Rebbenack” (who sounds suspiciously like Dr. John).

I might even have hung the album cover on the wall—it’s one of those that opens up, and arranged vertically, makes a life-size (well, if she was 2 feet tall) poster of Jackie DeShannon enmeshed in some tree branches (holding what looks like an iPhone in mirror-selfie pose—but not obscuring her face) (of course, it’s pre-smart-phone, so she’s probably holding a rescued, small, animal). It’s really striking, this photo! It’s much better than the photo on the cover which looks like she’s taking a smoking break at a warehouse job. The  back cover has four snapshot size photos—the different looks of JDS—on some steps in a fur coat; red and white gingham dress (same as inside), in some weeds; hitchhiking (don’t get in that Corvair!); and inexplicably sitting among shopping carts wearing a leather jacket with fringe, in front of a sign that says “Slow to 20” (a sly reference to Ralph Nader?) Liner notes in poem form (!) by JDS.

My favorite songs? Well, the title song, “Laurel Canyon”—is there a long running TV show with this as the title song that I don’t know about? I’d watch that show! (As long as it’s not on a streaming service I don’t get—which is, at this point, all of them.) Really, I love this song—it makes me want to do a (sworn-off) rabbit-hole JDS history and cross-reference with the specific names dropped in the lyrics. Or else, just write my own, fictional version based on these lyrics. But I probably should ask her if it’s okay, first? Also, it occurred to me that Laurel Canyon would make a great stage name for, say, a singer, if it’s, that is, not already (of course it is). “Crystal Clear” (Ray Trainer)—beautiful, mostly acoustic song—the kind of song, if that was about me, I’d just about die. (Also, see what I said previously re: “stage name for singer.”) “She’s My Best Friend” (Don MacAllister)—not as good as the similarly named Velvet Underground song (nothing is), but a fine song nonetheless. “I Got My Reason”—not the Velvet Underground song (well, that’s “I Found a Reason,” I guess)—this song’s about freedom, equality, and so forth—it’s by Barry White (but doesn’t have one of those seven-minute-intro monologues that we’ll grow to love). “Holly Would” is nice, if a little folky and overwrought, works a pun hard—but, focusing on the lyrics—good lyrics. Also, it’s the inadvertent (or maybe advertent) inspiration for me to write a song called “Holly Wouldn’t” (if someone hasn’t already done it—which, of course, they have—and this song would overshadow it anyway). “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”—is that some Barry White?!—nice. A decent version of the, of course, great (The Band) song, “The Weight.” Paul Williams-Roger Nichols’ “Bitter Honey”—better title than song (if it’s not, it should be a band name) (of course it is). “L.A.” (great song by JDS) is so inevitable sounding, you have to figure it must be the theme song of a TV show that ran for about 34 years and is still in syndication (that I somehow don’t know about, ha!) And finally, the gospel closer, “Too Close”—way too worldly for 26-year-old JDS—is she aging backwards, or what?

10.4.24