KUDU KU-912 Grover Washington, Jr.
Where Is The Love (Part I)
RVG 522 /
Where Is The Love (Part II) RVG 523 CB rvw December 23, 1972
SALVATION
SA 300
B. C. & M. Choir
Hello Sunshine (2:27)
RVG 524 /
I've Got A Testimony (2:18)
RVG 525
In Wax:
RVG 524-1 VAN GELDER /
RVG 525-1 VAN GELDER
CB rvw January 13, 1973 Previously
CREED
C 5189
DJ THB 400 White label Blue Canadian Rocky Dream (4:20) /
Blue Canadian Rocky Dream (4:20) In Wax: RVG 540-1 / RVG 540
DJ 45s stamped April 23 and May 26, 1973 BB rvw May 26, 1973
DJ CTI OJ-14 Gabor Szabo It's Going To Take Some Time (4:15) / It's Going To Take Some Time (4:15)
B/S RVG 541 CB rvw May 19, 1973
CTI OJ-15 Airto Parana (3:30) RVG 542 / Merry-Go-Round (2:40) RVG 543 In Wax: RVG 542-1 / RVG 543-2 CB rvw July 21, 1973 BB rvw July 28, 1973
DJ THB 400 Gray label Blue Canadian Rocky Dream RVG 543 (3:16 Edited Version) /
Blue Canadian Rocky Dream RVG 540 (4:20) In Wax: RVG 543-1 / RVG 540-1
DJ THB 401
Gray Label
Cassandra Morgan
Isn't It Hard To Tell The Truth
RVG 544 (3:45) /
Isn't It Hard To Tell The Truth
RVG 546 (3:20 edit)
In Wax:
RVG 544 THB 401 #1 /
RVG 546 THB 401 #2 BB rvw July 28, 1973
Lou Christie sings America The Beautiful and Wilma Lee And Stoney at original Ryman Grand Ole Opry September 1973, as per THB Bio BB Oct 27, 1973 CB Oct 27, 1973 CSR May 1974
Christie In Country Mold On Three Brothers CB December 1, 1973
In 1973, somewhere between London, England & Pittsburgh, PA, something changed for Lou Christie.
It was more than his label, from Buddah to Three Brothers, a newly created division of jazz indie CTI Records. That may have been part of it. But there was more. Much more.
He was back in Pittsburgh after a decade-long odyssey on which he earned five Gold records & lost more than five million dollars.
He saw Pittsburgh with new eyes -- the eyes of his six-month-old daughter, Bianca. Suddenly, the music of his own childhood gave impetus to his next artistic incarnation.
And so rock maverick Lou Christie recorded a series of Country-flavored songs with producer Tony Romeo (d. June 23, 1995). Romeo had penned Lou's international smash "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" & recently directed Richard Harris' influential Slides LP (Dunhill 50133, November 1972).
Lou's first single on Three Brothers, "Blue Canadian Rocky Dream" / "Wilma Lee And Stoney," led to a September 1973 appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
Lou then recorded a refreshing new arrangement of the 1930 standard "Beyond the Blue Horizon" (Cash Box #72, Billboard Pop #80, RPM Canada #57). It entered Billboard's Easy Listening chart the week ending January 5, 1974 & peaked at #12 the week ending March 30, 1974.
"Beyond The Blue Horizon" re-entered the charts in March 1989 on the Rain Man Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Capitol 91866, Billboard #31).
It was also heard in the films Dutch (June 1991) & A Home Of Our Own (November 1993), the South Korean MBC-TV drama You And Me (October 1997-May 1998), & promotional spots for cable TV's Travel Channel (1998).
Although NBC-TV failed to broadcast 'Beyond The Blue Horizon,' viewers of the Midnight Special, May 17, 1974, saw a bearded Lou Christie deliver uncompromising renditions of "Lightnin' Strikes" & "The Gypsy Cried."
Lou Christie, the Three Brothers album, was released in June 1974. Showcasing the exquisite "Hey You Cajun," Copyright August 1, 1973 & the serene "Morning Rider," Copyright April 30, 1971, the LP was greeted enthusiastically.
Cash Box: "One of rock's most cherished performers is back with a blockbuster of an album." Record World: "Christie may have had Two Faces previously, but the one shown here possesses a peaceful, country-oriented aura, sure to keep any Gypsy from crying." Rolling Stone: "Christie's tremulously appealing vocals and fine arrangements sustain listener interest and enjoyment."
After the Three Brothers label fell victim to CTI's disastrous Motown distribution, Lou worked with Tony Romeo on Slipped Disc, Lightning Records & Lifesong ("Theme From People" magazine CBS-TV series, September 1978).
Today, Lou Christie performs more than 100 live dates a year. Billboard, People & a host of major market newspapers & radio stations applauded his latest album, Pledging My Love (VSD-5839).
Lou Christie is still searching, still risking & still conquering. Look to the sky; there's more Lightnin' on the horizon.
11. Little Bit Of God
(Lou Christie-Twyla)
Previously Unreleased, Three Brothers 1973
11. Wheel Of Fortune
(Bennie Benjamin-George Weiss)
Previously Unreleased, Three Brothers 1974
13. There'll Never Be (A We Like You and Me)
(Tony Romeo)
Previously Unreleased, February 1975
14. Two Little Clouds Passing By
(Tony Romeo)
Previously Unreleased, 1975
Track #s 1-10 originally issued as Lou Christie, Three Brothers THB / THC / TH8 2000, RVG 65433, June 1974
Track #s 11-14 are bonus cuts
Produced And Arranged by Tony Romeo
Recorded at the Record Plant, NYC
Shelly Yakus and Carmine Rubino,
Engineers and Remix Engineers
Mastered by Tom Rabstenek at the Cutting Room
"They make me feel like an old friend's around again" ~ Wilma Lee And Stoney
Former member of THE TROUT Cass(andra) Morgan is an actress, a writer, and a director. Pump Boys and Dinettes, which she co-wrote and
starred in on Broadway, was nominated for a Tony Award in 1982. She was most recently seen on Broadway in Beauty and
the Beast. Among her many New York credits are Hair, The Human Comedy, Merrily We Roll Along, Inside Out, La
Boheme, The Knife, Another Paradise and dozens of workshops and staged readings. Regional favorites include Das
Barbecü, Children of Eden, 1776 and Annie Warbucks. Cass has directed Pump Boys around the country, the original
production of King Mackerel and the Blues Are Running, and Cowboys Dream. As a member of the Board of Directors at
the New Harmony Project she directed Brimstone and The Library, which she’ll direct this spring at Stamford Theater
Works. She is currently at work on a theatre piece called True Story which she’ll develop at this years’ New Harmony
Project.
Lou Christie Three Brothers Sources:
Cash Box August 18, 1973, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 13, June 22 & December 28, 1974; Billboard July 14, October 27, December 1, December 22, 1973, June 22, 1974, March 4, 1989; Record World June 8, June 29, July 6 & December 21, 1974; Country Song Round-Up May 1974; Zoo World May 9 & August 15, 1974; Rolling Stone January 2, 1975; AP Newsfeatures, 1974; National Examiner May 16, 1989.
Country Music Magazine April / May 2002
ICE The CD News Authority September, October & December 1998
DisCoveries September 1998, December 1998 & January 1999
Tower Records' Pulse! December 1998-January 1999
Knoxville News-Sentinel Friday December 11, 1998
Both Sides Now #49, October-December 1998
Q March 1999
Hi-Fi News & Record Review March 1999
Record Collector March 1999
Pittsburgh Magazine March 1999
Country Music Magazine April / May 2002
LOU CHRISTIE Beyond The Blue Horizon (Varese Sarabande)
The falsetto singer who immortalized such great pop-music moments as "The Gypsy Cried," "Lightin' Strikes," "Two Faces Have I" and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" always cited country music as one of his boyhood inspirations. In 1974 he finally got around to cutting his only country-flavored LP.
The result was an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry to sing "Wilma Lee And Stoney," the presentation of Christie as a country songwriter with "Hey You Cajun" and a big A / C hit with the ballad "Beyond The Blue Horizon," a track later used prominently on the soundtrack of Rain Man.
These pop-country songs are delicately arranged, impeccably produced and tenderly sung. The album was reissued in 1998 with four previously unreleased tracks.
Originally issued in 1973 on the Three Brothers label as Lou Christie, this
is Lou's first dabble into doing something that could get play on a country radio station. The big hit, of
course, is the title tune, now a soundtrack mainstay of Rain Man, Dutch, A Home Of Our Own and cable tv's
Travel Channel. But Christie's interpretations of Tony Romeo's original material (in addition to producing and
arranging everything, eight of the 14 tunes on here are Romeo's, who also wrote "I'm Gonna Make You
Mine" for Lou) brings spark to songs like "Saddle The Wind," "Blue Canadian Rocky Dream," 'Sunbeam"
and "Morning Rider." In addition to the 10 original album sides, bonus tracks--all previously
unreleased--include Christie and long time collaborator Twyla Herbert's "Little Bit Of God," "Wheel Of
Fortune," and a pair of tunes written by Romeo, " Two Little Clouds Passing By" and "There'll Never Be (A
We Like You And Me)." Another hidden gem in the highly underrated career of Lou Christie. -- Cub Koda,
All-Music Guide
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, TN)
December 11, 1998, Friday
SECTION: Weekend; Pg. T13
BYLINE: Wayne Bledsoe
LOU CHRISTIE (BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON/HEY YOU CAJUN), LOU CHRISTIE
(VARESE VINTAGE)
In 1973, classic rock 'n' roll performer Lou Christie took an odd turn into
country music.
Country was not an entirely illogical path for folkier artists such as Bob
Dylan and the Byrds, but for a singer of such lusty teenage melodramas as
"Lightnin' Strikes" and "Rhapsody in the Rain" it seemed completely crazy.
As it turned out, though, Christie had a natural affinity for the form -- not
that his album exactly fit in with the country market.
"Lou Christie" is an odd and striking mix of sweet folksy numbers,
bluegrass-tinged foot-stompers and pretty covers of classic pop songs (including
"Mack the Knife" and "Wheel of Fortune").
Several tracks, including "Saddle the Wind," "Wilma Lee and Stoney," and
Christie's sweet revival of "Beyond the Blue Horizon" rate among his best work.
This reissue of "Lou Christie" contains four previously unreleased bonus
tracks, including the sweet "Two Little Clouds Passing By."
Christie remains one of the most unusual, lovable and underappreciated
singers to emerge from the '60s. And it's a blessing to have "Lou Christie"
available again. Grade: B+
GRAPHIC: Lou Christie
Hi-Fi News & Record Review March 1999
LOU CHRISTIE BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON / HEY YOU CAJUN Varese Vintage VSD 5947 (47m 02s)
Still more off-the-wall Christie, this time early 1970s material which had a new lease on life because the title track keeps appearing on major soundtracks. Again, this is a case of an artist having a 'hidden' career in his post-hit period. Country-flavoured in a Nesmith-y way, and too good to ignore. A:1 ~ Ken Kessler
Record Collector March 1999
LOU CHRISTIE Beyond The Blue Horizon / Hey You Cajun US Import: Varese Vintage VSD 5947 (47:04)
Early 60s teen idol, late 60s pop experimentalist, Lou Christie remade himself the early 70s, cutting this 1974 album of intelligent country-pop. He was no more of a natural born country singer than any of the other Nashville imports of the era, but he brought a mellow perfection to his vocals that not only outstripped the likes of John Denver and Olivia Newton-John, but deserved more success.
Most of the album was composed by its producer, Tony Romeo, best known for his work with David Cassidy and the Partridge Family, but don't expect teenybop anthems. While Romeo's tunes are strictly pleasant, the real keepers come from elsewhere. Christie had obviously been studying his Michael Nesmith records as, like the ex-Monkee, he revived "Beyond The Blue Horizon," while his expert reading of "Wilma Lee And Stoney" has a First National Band feel.
But perhaps the most intriguing track here is one of four previously unissued bonus cuts, "Little Bit Of God," which sounds as if the Beach Boys had decided to follow their "Holland" album with a country record. (PD)
Pittsburgh Magazine March 1999, page 16
Two Albums Have I
Good news for Louheads: two new re-mastered, repackaged re-issues of Lou
Christie cuts on compact disc. The Complete Co & Ce / Roulette
Recordings (Taragon) contains a number of Christie classics, including
"The Gypsy Cried" and "Two Faces Have I," as well as the young Christie
tearing up on "Stay," "Tears On My Pillow" and the previously unreleased
"Money (That's What I Want)." All were recorded between October 1962 and
January 1964 (a month before the Beatles played Ed Sullivan and changed
the music world forever), a majority of them here in Pittsburgh. Fans of
the early Christie will not be disappointed with this 21 track treasure,
although I would recommend that the neophyte Louhead not attemptto listen
to the whole CD at once and risk "falsetto overloadus."
Actually, Christie has a beautiful tenor voice that shines on the
easygoing collection Beyond The Blue Horizon / Hey You Cajun (Varese
Vintage), a country-ish collection of tunes originally released in 1974.
These songs, written mostly by producer Tony Romeo, marked a departure for
Christie, whose brief foray into country even included anappearance at
the Grand Ole Opry. The album made little noise, although "Beyond The Blue
Horizon" did reach No. 12 on the Easy Listening charts and later found
new life when it was featured in the film Rain Man. This is not a
hard-core country album but more along the lines of Kenny Rogers or B.J.
Thomas. You can't go wrong with either CD. Advice for theLouhead: Get both.
--Philip Harris
Tony Romeo wrote & recorded MR. HUNKACHUNK for Columbia Records & Go Johnny Go for Lifesong.
Tony Romeo songs have been recorded by Lou Christie (Three Brothers LP, I'm Gonna Make You Mine, Waco, The Best Way To See America, Summer Days, The One & Only Original Sunshine Kid, Theme From People), Sacco (The People Theme), Bubba Davis (Home For A Little While), Richard Harris (Slides LP), Al Martino (Walking In The Sand, One More Mile & Darlin' I'll Be Home), Wayne Newton (Anthem, Walking In The Sand), Alex Chilton (I'm Gonna Make You Mine), The Trout (Trout LP), Andy Williams (I Think I Love You), the Everly Brothers (Milk Train), Brooklyn Bridge (Welcome Me Love, Your Kite, My Kite), Camel Drivers (I'm Gonna Make You Mine), Larry Evoy (I'm Gonna Make You Mine), Changing Scene (Real Good Woman), Cowsills (Indian Lake, Poor Baby, Candy Kid, Path Of Love), Good & Plenty, Jo-El Sonnier (Come On Joe), Girls Next Door (Walk Me In The Rain, You're The Rock You're The Rebel, I Can Hear My Heart Begin To Cry), Jim Ed Brown (Don Junior), Diana Trask (Oh Boy), Brotherhood Of Man (Oh Boy), The Partridge Family (I Think I Love You, It's One Of Those Nights [Yes Love],
Point Me In The Direction of Albuquerque,
Summer Days, My Christmas Card To You,
Together We're Better [composed w/ Ken Jacobson] +), New Christy Minstels (You Are Always On My Mind), Peaches & Herb (I Will Watch Over You, Count On Me), Dr. Wishbone's Revival (Indian Lake / Wishwater), Jerry Vale (Hello & Goodbye), 6 7/8 (Ski-Daddle / Everybody's Got A Home But Me), Paco Barron y Sus Nortenos Clan (I'm Gonna Make You Mine ~ Mia Te Voy A Hacer), Voice of the Beehive (I Think I Love You) & Less Than Jake (I Think I Love You).
Duane Michals also did the cover for In The Flat Field:
The Clams: First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Chesley MacCaull) RVG 587 Three Brothers single THB 404-F, October 1974 Produced by Tony Levin
The Clams: Close To You (B. Bacharach-H. David) RVG 586 Three Brothers single 404-F (B), October 1974 Produced by Tony Levin
In 1973-74, rock maverick Lou Christie, known for falsetto hits like "Lightnin' Strikes" and "Two Faces Have I," recorded a series of Country-flavored songs for Three Brothers Records, a division of fusion jazz independent CTI.
Lou's intriguing "Beyond The Blue Horizon" soon became a #12 Easy Listening hit. It later surfaced in the films Rain Man, Dutch and A Home Of Our Own, as well as NBC News Overnight, the South Korean TV drama You And Me and 1998 spots for cable TV's Travel Channel.
Now, due to popular demand, Varese Vintage presents the entire Lou Christie (Three Brothers) album, adding revelatory bonus cuts that clarify the full scope of the original project.
The Lou Christie LP was an artistic and critical success. In June 1974, Cash Box enthused, One of rock's most cherished performers is back with a blockbuster of an album. Record World: Christie may have had Two Faces previously, but the one shown here possesses a peaceful, Country-oriented aura, sure to keep any Gypsy from crying. Rolling Stone: Christie's tremulously appealing vocals and fine arrangements sustain listener interest and enjoyment.
Lou Christie and Twyla Herbert wrote many Country tunes in the mid-1970's, notably Free Beer's "Queen Of The Purple Sage." But due to political considerations, only the exquisite "Hey You Cajun" and the previously unreleased "Little Bit Of God" were recorded for Three Brothers.
Instead, the Lou Christie album included Tony Romeo songs reminiscent of "Waco" and "The Best Way To See America" on Lou s pivotal Paint America Love LP (Buddah Records, May 1971).
Tony Romeo wrote 'Saddle The Wind,' 'Sunbeam,' and 'Good Mornin'' specifically for the Three Brothers project. The Dixieland jazz 'Blue Canadian Rocky Dream' was drawn from Richard Harris' Slides LP. And Lou's majestic 'Morning Rider' left an earlier Partridge Family version in the dust.
The Lou Christie album sessions also featured powerful new arrangements of 'Mack The Knife' (Moritat Vom Mackie Messer, 1928), 'Beyond The Blue Horizon' (1930), 'Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah' (1947) and the previously unreleased 'Wheel Of Fortune' (1952).
'Wilma Lee And Stoney' reflected the raw Country jamborees Lou heard as a child in Pittsburgh on WWVA, Wheeling, West Virginia. In September 1973, Lou performed 'Wilma Lee And Stoney' and 'America The Beautiful' on the Grand Ole Opry, an event described in Country Song Round-Up magazine.
Lou also appeared on NBC-TV's Midnight Special May 17, 1974.
The previously unreleased 'Two Little Clouds Passing By' was recorded in the June 1975 sessions that yielded the Slipped Disc single 'The One And Only Original Sunshine Kid.' 'Two Little Clouds' is especially touching in light of the untimely death of composer/pianist Tony Romeo (June 23, 1995).
Today, Lou Christie performs more than 100 live dates a year. He is still searching, still recording and still conquering. Look to the sky; there's more Lightnin' on the horizon.
