Format Details: Jewel Case
Release Date: 27 October 2003
Label: Big Beat
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 029667423526
Genres:
Description
With a rootsy style, hip songs, and harmonies of pure heartbreak, Vern and Rex Gosdin were unwitting country rock pioneers, as evidenced by their lone album, the fabulous "Sounds Of Goodbye". This, its first-ever reissue, compiles the duos 1966-68 sessions, including the country hit 'Hangin' On', rare folk-rock singles, and some stunning outtakes, upon which the Gosdins' are backed by the Byrds, and Clarence White and the Bakersfield International gang. By Alec Palao Once you've heard them, how can you not like the Gosdin Brothers? Their 1968 album SOUNDS OF GOODBYE is one of the most satisfying blends of country, pop and folk-rock that the era produced, yet because it was aimed at the country market rather than the hip scene, the record, and indeed the act's importance, has been overshadowed by the frankly more copy-worthy Byrds and Burritos. As charter members of the country rock brotherhood that included Clarence White, Gib Guilbeau and Gene Parsons - all of whom provided the sparkling musical support for the duos studio recordings - Vern and Rex Gosdin brought a knowing savvy to the music that was tempered by the innocent freshwater sensibilities of their stunning harmonies, and the unsurpassed warmth of Vern's lead vocal. With its array of fine songs, and sympathetic production by maverick Gary S Paxton, SOUNDS OF GOODBYE is a true jewel of early country rock. On a personal level, this reissue has been a very long time coming. It was probably about 1982 that I first forked over a portion of my meagre student income to Alie at Rhythm Records in Camden High Street, in order to secure an original copy of SOUNDS OF GOODBYE. Like most neophytes, I knew the Gosdins only from their credit on Gene Clark's eponymous debut, a favourite record that even at that stage I had worn out almost as much as my treasured Byrds LPs. With its country-cool cover graphics and an intriguing tracklist, I reckoned this rarely-espied Gosdins album had to at least be worth a listen. I certainly wasn't prepared to fall so deeply in love with the voices, the songs, the sound. And in my amazement at Rex and Vern's complete lack of visibility in the vintage country-rock milieu, I felt just had to spread the word about this incredible duo. In subsequent years I endeavoured to track down more of that magic Gosdin Brothers sound. I picked up copies of their mid-60s 45s, including the 1967 country hit Hangin' On, and the rare 1966 Edict Records single, produced by Chris Hillman. I somehow acquired lo-fi copies of unissued material from the same period. And most importantly, I learned of Vern Gosdin's enormous stature in the back to basics 'hard' country movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s, where he had numerous number ones and became known amongst his legions of fans as the Voice, all without altering one iota the style or sound he had espoused with brother Rex in the late 1960s. Which brings us to this compilation, of which I am most proud. It collects togethe
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