A Fool's Paradise is the second studio album by the American band Lazarus. It was released in January 1973 by Bearsville Records, distributed by Warner Bros. Records.[1] All of the songs were written by Bill Hughes with the exception of "Oklahoma Boy" written by Carl Keesee.[2][3] The album was produced by Peter Yarrow and Phil Ramone.[4][5] It received significant national airplay on leading progressive FM stations.[6][7][8][9]
| A Fool's Paradise | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Lazarus | ||||
| Released | 1973 | |||
| Studio | A & R Recording, Bearsville Studios, Sound 80 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Bearsville Records | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Lazarus chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from A Fool's Paradise | ||||
| ||||
"Ladyfriends I (Sing a Song to Your Lady)" was issued as the first single. It is included, with "Baby, Baby", in the Bearsville Bear Pack No 1 compilation of tracks considered collectors' items released as a Vinyl LP by WEA, originating in the UK in 1977. The album featured Bobby Charles, Hungry Chuck, Paul Butterfield, Jesse Winchester and Lazarus.[10]
The album was released by Pony Canyon in Japan on September 6, 1995.[11] It was reissued by Rhino Records on CD and digitally.[12]
Critical reception
editHolly Spence for the Lincoln Journal Star called the songs “soft easy rockers” describing the tunes as “harmonious” with “solid orchestrations” adding the “delivery and tunes are equally impressive”.[13]
Billboard's Top Picks called the album “Beautifully done in every aspect, from fine songs, beautiful harmony vocals to superb instrumental arrangements.” Hughes and Keesee “have excellent voices” and “Hughes, who penned all the material, is a top writer.” The review commended the group for it’s ability “to combine rock and orchestral instruments without gimmicks and without sounding pretentious…condense its material so it doesn't drag,” and its authenticity, remarking “A bit of many styles but a copy of none.”[14]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Bill Hughes, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ladyfriends II" | 2:33 | |
| 2. | "Ladyfriends I (Sing a Song to Your Lady)" | 3:25 | |
| 3. | "When Will the Home of Me Begin?" | 3:20 | |
| 4. | "A Fool's Paradise" | 3:19 | |
| 5. | "Baby, Baby" | 2:26 | |
| 6. | "Thoughts of You" | 2:40 | |
| 7. | "Take Me High" | 2:48 | |
| 8. | "Oklahoma Boy" | Carl Keesee | 3:48 |
| 9. | "This Is a Song" | 3:25 | |
| 10. | "Poets and Lovers" | 4:29 |
Credits and personnel
editAs listed in the liner notes.
Lazarus
- Bill Hughes – vocal, guitar, piano, harp
- Carl Keesee – vocal, bass
- Gary Dye – vocal, piano, organ
Production
- Phil Ramone – producer
- Peter Yarrow – producer
- Nick Jameson – drums, percussion
- Chris Dedrick – orchestration
- Peter Yarrow – musical director
- Phil Ramone – recording engineer
- Nick Jameson – additional production, remix
- Jim Maxwell and Susan Lee – special thanks
- Tom Zetterstrom - photography
- Tim Luft - design and illustration
- William C. Klein, Jr. – color tinting
References
edit- ^ "Bearsville Records". 2009-06-20. Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
- ^ "Album Search for "a fools paradise"". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ A Fool's Paradise - Lazarus | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-06-01
- ^ Lazarus/A Fool's Paradise - Lazarus | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-05-03
- ^ "New Releases" (PDF). RPM. October 20, 1973. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-05-03.
- ^ "FM Action Picks". Billboard. September 29, 1973.
- ^ "FM Action Picks". Billboard. October 6, 1973.
- ^ "FM Action Picks". Billboard. October 13, 1973.
- ^ "FM Action Picks". Billboard. October 20, 1973.
- ^ "Music Week, Collectors' items from Bearsville and Grapevine" (PDF). Dooley News. June 11, 1977. p. 3.
- ^ "Lazarus | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
- ^ "Deep Dive: Lazarus, A FOOL'S PARADISE | Rhino". www.rhino.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ "Album Reviews by Holly Spence - Easy Rockers Lazarus A Fool's Paradise (Bearsville)". Lincoln Journal Star. 1973-12-05. p. 42. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "Top Album Picks" (PDF). Billboard. 29 September 1973. p. 55.