Genre: rock
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Mike Corbett & Jay Hirsh with Hugh McCrackin
Company: ATCO
Catalog: SD 33-361
Year: 1971
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG
Comments: minor ring and edge wear; small cut out notch top edge; name and initials on cover; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4835
Price: $9.00
Here's another example of the old adage about judging a book by its cover ... I found this one at a yard sale, but was so put off by the Hirsh-drawn cover (is it a turkey?) that I put it back. I eventually went back to get it. Thank goodness it was still there.
Mike Corbett and Jay Hirsh had previously recorded an album as part of Mr. Flood's Party and while some references describe this as Mr. Flood Part 2, it's anything but. Co-produced by the pair, 1971's cleverly-titled "Mike Corbett & Jay Hirsh with Hugh McCrackin" abandoned the formers' mild psych moves in favor of a first-rate collection of CSN&Y-styled folk rock. Largely penned by Hirsh (Corbitt's credited with co-authoring two tracks), tracks such as 'Gypsy Child', 'Uncut Diamonds' and 'The Mighty Emerald' were full of great melodies and wonderful vocal harmonies that withstood a comparison to such stalworths as CSN&Y. Hirsh had a voice that was quite attractive and even the trio's occasional forays into country-rock such as 'Seashore' and 'Goodnight My Lady' were enjoyable. The secret ingredient may well have been guitarist McCrackin whose tasty guitar ensured that the other two never got overly goopy (okay 'Swan Song' was kind of lame) - check out his slide work on 'Sweet Virginia' and the blazing rocker 'Agatha's Raven'. One of my favorite recent discoveries and (at least to my ears) better than their Mr. Flood work.
Elsewhere ATCO pulled a pair or singles from the album:
- 'Gypsy Child' b/w 'Butterfly Day' (ATCO catalog number 45-6826)
- 'Broken Sky' b/w (ATCO catalog number 45-)
"Mike
Corbett & Jay Hirsh with Hugh McCrackin" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Gypsy Child (Jay Hirsh) - 2:58
2.) Uncut Diamonds (Jay Hirsh) - 3:14
3.) Ply with Me (Jay Hirsh) - 5:30
4.) Seashore (Jay Hirsh) - 2:19
5.) Agatha's Raven (Mike Corbett - Jay Hirsh) - 2:14
6.) Goodnight My Lady (Jay Hirsh) - 2:49
(side
2)
1.) The Mighty Emerald
(Jay Hirsh) - 3:44
2.) Annie's a Wizard (Jay Hirsh) - 1:25
3.) Baltimore Ladies (Jay Hirsh) - 3:17
4.) Sweet Virginia (Jay Hirsh) - 4:15
5.) Butterfly Day (Jay Hirsh) - 1:23
6.) Broken Sky (Mike Corbett - Jay Hirsh) - 2:53
7.) Swan Song (Jay Hirsh) - 3:31