Boetcher, Curt

Band members               Related acts

- Curt Boetcher (RIP 1987) - vocals,
- Web Burrell - 
- Roc DeLong - bass
- Skip Konte - keyboards
- Willis Masonheimer - tuba
- Red Rhodes - steel guitar
- Tessie - congos, percussion
- Les Thorton - tuba
- Wayne Yentis - synthesizer

 

 

 - The Goldenbriars
- The Millennium
- Sagittarius

 

Rating: *** ( 3 stars)

Title: There's An Innocent Face

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EKS 75037

Year: 1973

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: white label promo copy; promo sticker on cover; credit sheet insert; original inner sleeve

Available: 1

Price: $30.00

 

 The late Curt Boetcher is one of those guys who is little known to most music fans (today he's all but forgotten), yet commands immense respect among a cult following and those interested in '60s pop music. We're big fans of his bright, multi-layered production and arrangements work and writing for acts such as The Association, as well as his own work with The Goldenbriars, The Millennium and Sagittarius (see separate entries). 

Even though he'd been part of the music industry since the early-'60s, Boetcher didn't release his first true solo effort until 1973. Co-produced by Boecther and Web Burrel, to be honest the first time we listened to "There's An Innocent Face" we were mildly disappointed. In creative terms Boetcher was all but anonymous; only credited with co-writing two of 11 tracks. Even more disappointing, much of the set suffered from a bland country-rock sound. Material such as "I Love You More Each Day", "Such a Lady" and "I've Been Wrong" could have passed for something out of the Poco catalog. Elsewhere the acid-tinged "Wufferton Frog" was just plain weird. Luckily Boetcher was far too talented to waste an entire album and subsequent spins made it clear the LP had it's share of delights. Highlights included the sparkling "Malachi Star", "Bobby California" and "Lady Down" (the latter one of his prettiest melodies). Also kinda' cool, "She'll Stay with You" which included a nice nod to Frankie Lymon's "Why Do Fools Fall In Love". Not a masterpiece, but not a total washout either ... A commercial disappointment, the set vanished without a trace, effectively ending Boetcher's solo career. (Original copies included an insert sheet carrying credits.) As Curt Becher (spelling it the way it was pronounced), he returned to studio work, supporting The Beach Boys and others. Sadly, virtually broke and unable to afford adequate health care, Boecher died in 1987.

"There's An Innocent Face" track listing:
1.) I Love You More Each Day (D. Gene - Curt Boetcher) - 2:36
2.) Such a Lady (R. Naylor - C. Gusias) - 2:03
3.) She'll Stay with You (D. Gene) - 
4.) Love You Yes I Do (J. Netkin - Curt Boetcher - Wes Bureel) - 3:14
5.) Without Her (C. Gusias) - 1:23
6.) Bobby California (D. Gene) - 4:34
7.) The Choice Is Yours (M. Rootes - Tony Romeo) - 2:08
8.) Malachi Star (R. Wachtel - J. Pulver) - 2:44
9.) Lady Down (D. Gene) - 3:21
10.) I've Been Wrong (D. Gene) - 3:34
11.) Wufferton Frog (J. Netkin - M. Schwimmer) - 4:02

 

Rating: 

Title: Misty Mirage

Company: Poptones

Catalog: 5007

Year: 2000

Grade (cover/record): --

Comments: CD format

Available: SOLD

Price: SOLD

 

 Released by the small Poptones label (the set was originally released by the Japanese Dreamsville label), 2000's "Misty Mirage" pulled together material recorded in the wake of Sagittarius' breakup. Apparently intended for a Boetcher solo project, the 18 track compilation pulled together alternate versions of material previously recorded by The Millennium ("I Just Want To Be Your Friend"and "To Know It All") and Sagittarius ("Another Time"), as well as outtakes, instrumental backing tracks, both sides of an obscure Boetcher single ("Share with Me" and "Sometimes") and even a couple of commercial jingles (witness "Stretch Levis" - guess he had to pay those bills). Be forewarned, some of the material is relatively raw. lacking Betcher's trademarked highly orchestrated arrangement. At the same time, that's one of the set's most attractive features ... Well worth buying !

"Misty Mirage" track listing:
1.) Tumbling Tumbleweeds
2.) Baby It's Real
3.) Misty Mirage
4.) Sometimes
5.) Share with Me
6.) That's the Way It's Gonna Be
7.) Astral Cowboy
8.) I Just Want to Be Your Friend
9.) You Know I've Found a Way
10.) Another Time
11.) The Know It All
12.) Stretch Levis
13.) Wearing Levis
14.) Tumbling Tumbleweeds
15.) Misty Mirage
16.) Astral Cowboy
17.) Meanwhile Back at the World
18.) Dreamworld Fantasy #11 (Instrumental)

 

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