If you've been listening to song-poems for any length of time, you've probably noticed that almost every Sammy Marshall record fits into one of a limited number of categories - rockin' 1960's party anthem, happy love song, sad love ballad, etc. - provided by the Globe Records factory which provided Sammy records to a seemingly endless number of ssmall labels.
But today's offering, "Picture in the Fire", doesn't fit into any of those categories, being a sort of spooky meditation of a song, with appropriate accompaniment and production. Perhaps it comes from early in Globe's song-poem work, or perhaps the song-poet submitted the song complete, words and music, leading to this interesting performance. Whatever the story, it's definitely worth a listen: Play:
(By the way, one online discography indicates that this label - Crescendo - is the same label as the GNP Crescendo label which was a significant force for a time in the 1960's singles market. This does not appear to be the case - for one thing, it would mean this record came out in about 1956, which is unlikely, and for another, it would mean that the label both changed its name and went legit at some point in the early 1960's, which is even more unlikely.)
The flip side is fairly unfocused, in both construction and performance (have a listen to that backing!), in addition to a clunky name. Here's Kris Arden with "Ever (Modern Fantasy)":
Play:
2 comments:
Wow. no comments on this very special record, let me rectify that! THANK YOU for posting this so long ago, I have loved this Sammy song since you first shared it. The flip side is good too: it's total song-poem! Sounds like normal music....but something is just "off"! Luckily we know what that "something" was!
But the "Picture In The Fire" is definitely a special recording. And also....what a beautiful looking label! One thing about song-poem labels: they didn't scrimp on the label designs!
Dear J Dub... I agree with your offering some feedback regarding this single. Yet, I slightly lean more towards the Kris Arden side of her splashingly brilliant effort of "Ever". And Sir Roberto, I agree with your analysis of the label mystery... for I do believe that GNP Crescendo was always based in Los Angeles, and not New York, as is indicated on the printed text of the label. I could only imagine a magnificent law suit causing uproar & tumultuous scandal throughout the entertainment industry, resulting from this unprecedented occurrence.
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