Valerie Carter's The Lost Tapes, recorded ?

Stay tuned because I have a huge backlog of stuff to post, as as result of which I'll start presenting albums daily for a little while, until it lasts.  

So, unlike the state of the world today, lots to look forward to in the future here.

Album databased here. 

I posted 3 of hers from the 1970s back here including the ever-lovely Wild Child.  Requested was her Live in Tokyo album recorded in 1994, does anyone have it--?  I don't.

Despite the review posted there on discogs though, I don't think this unreleased leftovers collection is all that bad, starting with the Allee Willis song The Blue Side that I once posted in her demo version long ago-- man do I love that underrated collection of songs by Allee!

Possibly the standout track is Labor of Love about a poor (single?) mom and her kids, written by someone called Michael Gallant:

Of course, in general, the songs are not as strong as Wild Child-- but that would be obvious, right, otherwise these unreleased recordings would probably have seen the light of day earlier.

The discogs review:

Buyers beware: These 'Lost Tapes' are poorly sourced cassette recordings found in storage—hardly the professional archival release fans expect. For the true Valerie Carter experience, look for the 2002/03 double live album 'Midnight Over Honey River' (VRP Music).

Unlike these tapes, that album was a professionally engineered project recorded by Perception Audio Architecture during a rare 14-date headlining tour. It captured Valerie at a pivotal moment when VRP Music stepped in to support her career, resulting in her most acoustically superior and essential work!

And the beautiful Valerie Carter:

Valerie Carter (born February 5, 1953, Winter Haven, Florida, USA – died March 4, 2017, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA) was an American singer-songwriter. She was perhaps best known as a back-up vocalist who worked with many artists including James Taylor (2) and Jackson Browne.

Sites:	Wikipedia

Poppsykosen, 2 albums by request, limited time only

 

Though the covers recall Samla MM, it's not really similar musically.

I think the online description of symph. neoprog is also not quite right, it's more basic rock incl. vocals for the most part with some 1980s influences, and then occasionally progressive playing for ex. with classical chord structures or similar ideas, but no dissonance, etc.  I suppose you could describe it as a simplified version of Fruupp perhaps.

Note that this page tells you all you need to know, and they've even posted their music to listen to.

An example from the Exit CD, is the track called Forbi:

While a track called Pandora's Box, you'd certainly expect would be very symphonically prog, which it kinda is:

 

Henry Franklin's The Skipper at Home LP from 1974 [FLAC limited time only]

 

I posted 2 of his albums in the past, not so long ago back here.  Style of music is that typical 1970s 'hard bop' with fusionoid accompaniment, that is, electric piano with angular horn section playing interesting long-winded riffs, etc.  Typically the melody played by combined sax/trumpet in unison, advanced harmonies, not the usual circle of fifths jazz standard drivel.  

Anyways, I should have been more thorough with the discography, because it turns out this one is his best. Information discogged here.

The cool jazzy sound of Soft Spirit is just indescribable:

Another one, his Waltz for Boobuss which reminds me a lot of the slow and classic Miles Davis compositions like Little Church:

Note that the 1985 release is still outstanding, this one.

Francis Lockwood in 2 1981 Debbi, 1983 Home Sweet Home

 

Mentioned before recently, in connection with Jean-Pierre Alarcen.  He is, of course, the brother of violinist Didier, posted back here (that post was a popular one-- more than 5k views!)

Information for brother Francis here.  The first album from 1981 is great keyboards-driven instrumental fusion with some ingenious solo pieces, but the second one moves directly into the unwelcome commercial territory. As a result, both samples from the Debbi album, Don't Forget Him:

And the 'piano stylings' of Good Luck, Part 2:

Roche - La Valise de Reve, 1972

 

Here's some adorable SSW stuff from France, typical of the early 1970s, at least there's no chanson styling.  Information here. A one-off for this particular grouping, the main songwriter is Patrick Roche, who didn't release any other LPs.

Oh Viens

Final