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Ol' Paint - Ol' Paint (1971)

Track listing:
  1. Always in The Way 2:44
  2. She Leaves Free 2:45
  3. It´s My Birthday 3:44
  4. All For Love 3:11
  5. I´m A Natural Man 3:02
  6. Was I Surprised 4:05
  7. Mogitah 3:23
  8. Victims of The Sex Revolution 2:59
  9. Up From the Sea 4:02
  10. You Are My Friend 3:48
  11. Good-Bye 3:03
  12. Down So Long 2:17

Notes

This superb collection of psych-tinged power pop first appeared in 1971 and has languished in undeserved obscurity ever since. The band are thought to have come from New York, and display a clear Beatles influence, covering similar ground to that which Big Star would make its own a couple of years later. This is their only album, and it makes its long-overdue CD debut with this edition.

Little is known about this quintet, whose lone, eponymous LP was released in 1971, possibly on RCA (it was engineered at RCA Studios). The band is believed to have originated in New York (the LP was mixed at Electric Lady and co-produced by pre-fame Rupert Holmes – remember “The Pina Colada Song”?) The album is comprised of a dozen band compositions, evenly divided between singer Tony Caputo’s light pop tunes on Side 1 and guitarist/organist Andy Mendelson’s more proggy workouts over on the flip; rhythm guitarist Phil Zeppetello contributes a couple of nice tracks as well. The composers also share the vocals, so pleasant harmony pop is also present, particularly on Caputo’s more radio-friendly side. There’s also a faint country air to some of the tracks, with bassist John Bujak providing animated, throbbing bass lines to tracks like the jolly “It’s My Birthday,” and Mendelson also contributes some tasty Garcia-like licks throughout “All For Love.”

Soaring harmonies and a catchy chorus lift “I’m A Natural Man” above the mundane; its swaying, easygoing melody suggest this could have been a hit single. I also like Mendelson’s proggy organ flourishes in the background. Zeppetello’s “Was I Surprised” is another pop psych lite confection, with a hint of Billy Joel in his vocals. And while “Victims of The Sex Revolution” is admittedly an unusual title for the proggy pop trappings that the lyrics are wrapped in – predating some of the poppier elements of Queen – Mendelson’s “Up From The Sea” is a full-fledged prog winner, which is reminiscent of both contemporary Yes, especially the poppier efforts on their earlier releases, but also pre-figures the prog-flavored pop of Styx. So if you are interested in a pleasant mix of pop, light psych and progressive rock, don’t let Ol’ Paint slip through the cracks again, especially since I’ve seen originals listing for nearly $70! [Jeff Penczak]