Stardancer
Encyclopedia
Stardancer was the second solo album credited to American singer-songwriter Tom Rapp
, the leader of folk-rock group Pearls Before Swine
, and his first for Blue Thumb Records
. It was recorded and first released in 1972.
, and five albums for Reprise Records
which increasingly acknowledged his solo status, Rapp signed for Blue Thumb as a singer-songwriter, ironically around the same time as Pearls Before Swine had at last begun to perform as a regular touring group. The group, including Art Ellis, Harry Orlove and Bill Rollins, appeared on three of the tracks on Stardancer, but on most of the songs Rapp was supported - as he had been two years earlier on The Use of Ashes
- by Nashville session musicians, led by Charlie McCoy
and supported by Steve McCord (who had previously been a member of one of Lou Reed
's first bands, The All Night Workers).
Rapp stated that Stardancer was the first album since the first Pearls album One Nation Underground
over which he had full control. Although Allmusic gives Stardancer a mediocre rating, this is not supported by other critics, nor by Rapp himself, who has rated the album as one of his finest. The fierce anti-war song "Fourth Day of July", with its references to "the broken children of Vietnam", was widely played in "underground" circles of the time. The lighthearted "Summer of '55" contains some of Rapp's cleverest aphorisms, such as "When the day breaks / the pieces fall on you". Two of his other songs, "Stardancer" and "For The Dead In Space", reflect on themes of loss against a background of space travel and can be seen as reworkings of Pearls Before Swine's earlier "Rocket Man". Several of the arrangements hark back to the psychedelic style of his earliest albums, such as Balaklava
, with use of bell overtones and phasing.
Like most of the Pearls Before Swine albums, the sleeve design used classic art works, in this case the painting "Descent of the Rebel Angels" by Pieter Brueghel the Elder
on the front sleeve, and a William Morris
background design on the reverse.
Stardancer was not reissued on CD until June 2009, when it was released on the Lemon label, a subsidiary of Cherry Red Records in the UK. The rights had been held by Universal Music, who administered the properties of the former Blue Thumb label.
Tom Rapp
Thomas Dale Rapp is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the leader of Pearls Before Swine, the psychedelic folk rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. More recently he has practiced as a lawyer.-Life:...
, the leader of folk-rock group Pearls Before Swine
Pearls Before Swine (band)
Pearls Before Swine was an American psychedelic folk band formed by Tom Rapp in 1965 in Eau Gallie, now part of Melbourne, Florida. They released six albums between 1967 and 1971, before Rapp launched a solo career.-Early years, 1965-68:...
, and his first for Blue Thumb Records
Blue Thumb Records
Blue Thumb Records was an American record label founded in 1968 by Bob Krasnow, along with former A&M Records executives Tommy LiPuma and Don Graham. Krasnow had been in the record business for a number of years, working as a promotion man for King Records and also working for Buddah/Kama Sutra...
. It was recorded and first released in 1972.
Background
After two Pearls Before Swine albums for ESP-DiskESP-Disk
ESP-Disk is a New York-based record label, founded in 1964 by lawyer Bernard Stollman.From the beginning, the label's goal has been to provide its recording artists with complete artistic freedom, unimpeded by any record company interference or commercial expectations—a philosophy summed-up by the...
, and five albums for Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
which increasingly acknowledged his solo status, Rapp signed for Blue Thumb as a singer-songwriter, ironically around the same time as Pearls Before Swine had at last begun to perform as a regular touring group. The group, including Art Ellis, Harry Orlove and Bill Rollins, appeared on three of the tracks on Stardancer, but on most of the songs Rapp was supported - as he had been two years earlier on The Use of Ashes
The Use of Ashes
The Use Of Ashes was the fourth album made by American psychedelic folk group Pearls Before Swine, and the second on Reprise Records after their move from ESP-Disk....
- by Nashville session musicians, led by Charlie McCoy
Charlie McCoy
Charles "Charlie" Ray McCoy is an American musician noted for his harmonica playing. In his career, McCoy has backed several notable musicians including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Astor, Elvis Presley and Ween. He has also recorded thirty-seven studio albums, including fourteen for Monument Records...
and supported by Steve McCord (who had previously been a member of one of Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
's first bands, The All Night Workers).
Rapp stated that Stardancer was the first album since the first Pearls album One Nation Underground
One Nation Underground (Pearls Before Swine album)
One Nation Underground was the debut album by American psychedelic folk group Pearls Before Swine. It was released on the ESP-Disk label in October 1967....
over which he had full control. Although Allmusic gives Stardancer a mediocre rating, this is not supported by other critics, nor by Rapp himself, who has rated the album as one of his finest. The fierce anti-war song "Fourth Day of July", with its references to "the broken children of Vietnam", was widely played in "underground" circles of the time. The lighthearted "Summer of '55" contains some of Rapp's cleverest aphorisms, such as "When the day breaks / the pieces fall on you". Two of his other songs, "Stardancer" and "For The Dead In Space", reflect on themes of loss against a background of space travel and can be seen as reworkings of Pearls Before Swine's earlier "Rocket Man". Several of the arrangements hark back to the psychedelic style of his earliest albums, such as Balaklava
Balaklava (album)
Balaklava was the second album recorded and released by psychedelic folk group Pearls Before Swine, in 1968.For the album, original group members Tom Rapp, Wayne Harley and Lane Lederer were joined by Jim Bohannon, who replaced Roger Crissinger. Like the group’s previous LP on ESP-Disk, "One...
, with use of bell overtones and phasing.
Like most of the Pearls Before Swine albums, the sleeve design used classic art works, in this case the painting "Descent of the Rebel Angels" by Pieter Brueghel the Elder
Pieter Brueghel the Elder
Pieter Bruegel the Elder was a Flemish renaissance painter and printmaker known for his landscapes and peasant scenes . He is sometimes referred to as the "Peasant Bruegel" to distinguish him from other members of the Brueghel dynasty, but he is also the one generally meant when the context does...
on the front sleeve, and a William Morris
William Morris
William Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
background design on the reverse.
Stardancer was not reissued on CD until June 2009, when it was released on the Lemon label, a subsidiary of Cherry Red Records in the UK. The rights had been held by Universal Music, who administered the properties of the former Blue Thumb label.
Track listing
- "Fourth Day Of July" - 4:55 (Rapp)
- "For The Dead In Space" - 4:05 (Rapp)
- "The Baptist" - 5:10 (Rapp)
- "Summer Of '55" - 2:13 (Rapp)
- "Tiny Song" - 2:33 (Rapp)
- "Stardancer" - 5:42 (Rapp)
- "Marshall" - 2:15 (Rapp)
- "Why Should I Care" - 2:54 (John OsborneJohn OsborneJohn James Osborne was an English playwright, screenwriter, actor and critic of the Establishment. The success of his 1956 play Look Back in Anger transformed English theatre....
, John AddisonJohn AddisonJohn Mervyn Addison was a British composer best known for his film scores.Addison was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire and at the age of sixteen entered the Royal College of Music. He studied composition with Gordon Jacob, oboe with Léon Goossens, and clarinet with Frederick Thurston. ...
) - "Touch Tripping" - 4:55 (Rapp)
- "Les Ans" - 1:50 (Rapp)
Personnel
- Tom RappTom RappThomas Dale Rapp is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the leader of Pearls Before Swine, the psychedelic folk rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. More recently he has practiced as a lawyer.-Life:...
: Vocals, Guitar - Charlie McCoyCharlie McCoyCharles "Charlie" Ray McCoy is an American musician noted for his harmonica playing. In his career, McCoy has backed several notable musicians including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Astor, Elvis Presley and Ween. He has also recorded thirty-seven studio albums, including fourteen for Monument Records...
: Guitar, Dobro, Organ, Banjo, Harmonica, Toy Piano, Session Leader - Mike Leech: Bass Guitar, String Arrangements
- Steve McCord: Guitar, Musical Advisor
- David BriggsDavid Briggs (American musician)David Briggs is an American keyboardist, record producer, arranger, composer and studio owner....
: Piano - Bobby Wood: Piano
- Jim Isbell: Drums, Percussion
- Buddy SpicherBuddy SpicherBuddy Spicher is an American fiddle player.Spicher started in the late 50s as part of the backing band for Audrey Williams, the widow of Hank Williams, later with Hank Snow, the Charles River Valley Boys....
: Fiddle, Electric Viola, Electric Violin - Weldon Myric: Steel Guitar
- Florence WarnerFlorence WarnerFlorence Warner is an American singer who has worked mainly in recordings of TV commercials, including the Hello News image campaign from Gari Communications....
: Vocals - Reggie YoungReggie YoungReggie Young was lead guitarist in the American Sound Studios Band , and is a leading session musician. He played on various recordings with artists such as Elvis Presley, B.J. Thomas, John Prine, Dusty Springfield, J.J...
: Electric Guitar - Jim Colvard: Electric Guitar
- Pearls Before Swine (on tracks 3, 6, 7):
- Art Ellis: Flute, Wind Chimes, Congas, Vocals
- Harry Orlove: Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
- Bill Rollins: Cello, Vocals
- String quartet (on track 10):
- Brenton Banks: Violin
- Gary Van Osdale: Viola
- Sheldon Kurland: Violin
- Byron Bach: Cello
Other credits
- Recorded at Quadrafonic Sound and Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville, August 29 - September 12, 1972
- Produced by Peter H. Edmiston
- Engineers : Rex Collier, Gene Eichelberger