HARVEY ANDREWS/FRIENDS OF MINE 2326 027 (-73) GERMANY

For background check posts on his debute "Places And Faces" and second album "Writer Of Songs". I initially bought those for different reasons - first for the label and its part heavy arrangements making it very cozy listening, second for carrying the epic "Hey! Sandy", but now they also stay for the poetry. He's not just adding words to the melodies as much as telling stories embellished by music. Songs on this partly co-written with Graham Cooper (British singer-songwriter of which I know very little other than he was a friend and collaborator to Andrews and also issued a couple of LP:s under own name). Styles varies - "Friends Of Mine" good pop, "To My Father" baroque to a string quartet, "Focus Hocus Pocus (One Night Stand)" rock'n'roll, "The Otter Song" a live sing-along accompanied by handclapping and the rest guitar/vocal with only sparse arrangements. All very warm and sincere, kept together by his personal and emotional vocals. Favorite tracks - "Friends Of Mine" and the cute "Sweet Little Fat Girl". Even if subjects not entirely bright a good mood record both fitting for serious listening and as positive background. Premiere UK on Cube (HIFLY 15). Also issued on vinyl Downunder (Cube 2326027). UK CD on Haska Music (HASKA:CD:002). UK LP reissue on Beeswing (LBEE 003) came with other sleeve design. First German had label as shown here, fully laminated cover, lyric/pic/info insert and Fly inner. (GÖXÄ*) (MÖRS*) (FXÖ*)