Genre: pop
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Angel of the Morning
Company: Bell
Catalog: 6020
Year: 1968
Country/State: Seattle, Washington
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor ring wear
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4657
Price: $10.00
Cost: $66.00
Perhaps because 'Angel of the Morning' is one of those oldies station favorites, I have to admit that I'm as surprised as anyone that the parent album is so good. Over the years I've seen dozens of copies of the LP, but never bothered to buy a copy (until I found this one for 50 cents at a yard sale. My mistake.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington Merrilee Rush's musical background was as a classically trained pianist. She was apparently bitten by the rock and roll bug early. As a 13 year old she was a member of the Aztecs, followed by stints in Merrilee & Her Men and Tiny Tony & the Statics (Tony was a 300 pound R&B singer). In 1965 she decided to form her own band - Merrille Rush and the Turnabouts. In addition to husband Neil on sax, the original line up consisted of bassist Tony Gregg, former The Liberty Party guitarist Vern Kjellberg, drummer Karl Peters and ex-The Trolley drummer Peter Sac
A 1967 spot opening for Paul Revere and the Raiders on several southern dates put the group into contact with songwriter/producer Chips Moman who was working with The Raiders on a forthcoming album. Moman took a liking to Rush's voice inviting her record a demo in Memphis. Released as a single 'Angel of the Morning' b/w 'Reap What You Sow' (Bell catalog number 705) promptly went top-10. As was standard marketing procedure, the single's unexpected success saw Bell rush the band into the studio to cut a supporting album.
1968's cleverly "Angel of the Morning" was credited to Rush and the Turnabouts, but with co-producers Moman and Tommy Cogbill effectively sidelining The Turnabouts in favor of local sessions players, for all intents and purposes it was a Rush solo effort (see any band members on the cover sleeve?). Musically the set showcases Rush's attractive voice on what's largely a pop-oriented collection. With the exception of a couple of throwaway efforts (including two from mentor Mark Lindsay), most of pop material's pretty good. Sure, the title track is annoying after you've heard it five hundred times, but 'It's Worth It All' and 'Working Girl' (with a non-too-subtle sexual harassment commentary) are worth hearing. That makes you wonder why Bell tapped 'That Kind of Woman' b/w 'Sunshine & Roses (Bell catalog 738) as a follow-up single. That said, Rush really shines on harder-edged material like 'Sandcastles', 'Billy Sunshine' (which even sports a modest psych feel) and an early cover of Joe South's 'Hush'. Bottom line is this is one of the more pleasant surprises I've heard this year.
"Angel
of the Water" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) It's Worth It All (Mark James - Wayne Jackson) - 2:35
2.) Sandcastles (Chips Moman - Spooner Oldham - Dan Penn) - 2:45
3,) Billy Sunshine (Chip Taylor - Al Gorgoni) - 3:07
4.) Handy (Dan Penn - D. Carter - Spooner Oldham) - 2:14
5.) San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) (John Phillips) - 2:51
6.) Angel of the Morning (Chip Taylor) - 2:58
(side
2)
1.) That Kind of Woman (Donna Weiss - Mary Unobsky) - 2:40
2.) Working Girl (Chip Taylor) - 3:12
3.) Observation from Flight 286 (in 3/4 Time) (Mark Lindsay) - 2:22
4.) Hush (Joe South) - 2:03
5.) Do Unto Others (Mark Lindsay) - 2:30