Dave Perryman Sincerely Yours Pearce Records Year Unknown

Dave Perryman Sincerely Yours Pearce Records Year Unknown CAT #7632

Dave Perryman looks like quite the honky tonker on his album cover and his LP starts out that way, although its the heartbroken kind of honky-tonk. Pretty typical of regional country that's removed from Nashville, the LP is all covers and depends on the school of Hank Williams.

However, Perryman blows the door off a traditional song, "Hookin' on Crawdad," that employs some sounds not found in country music. There's a fuzzed out blues guitar riff and a moog line that runs throughout. It's a highlight and in a sea of sappy covers, makes the album for a collector.

This album was put out on the Kansas City custom label, Pearce Records. It's was also produced by the "caveman" at Cavern studios in Independence, MO. It appears that Perryman is actually closer to Springfield, MO than he is Kansas City, though. The address to reach Perryman lists Niangua, MO which is south and in between Kansas City and St. Louis.

Bureman & O'Rourke Strawberry Pickin's Pearce Records 1974

Bureman & O'Rourke Strawberry Pickin's Pearce Records 1974 CAT# 42550

This is a solid LP put out by Pearce and, like most Pearce Recordings, it was done in the Cavern Studios of Independence, MO. The band's later release was discussed here, but this is the more sought after of the two. The LP has sold for hefty amounts thanks to buzz terms like "Rural Folk," "Psych Folk", and "Acid Archives" in which the album is discussed, however, it's a little more basic than all that. It's a well done country rock album, a bit more rural than something like the Eagles, and a bit more mellow than the stuff the Byrds were doing in the 70's. It's value is probably also aided by the Pearce label which collectors have seemed to latch onto.

On the top of the back cover, Bureman & O'Rourke indicate to the listener that the songs featured here are were selected by fans at Putche's Strawberry Patch (clever title now, right?) in Kansas City. It's a collection of some well thought out covers and decent original material. Like other bands that frequented the Strawberry Patch, they do play through some bluegrass at speed, but these guys keep it pretty mellow otherwise. The original song, "Genevieve", is a good example of what the two were capable of. Solid harmonies, haunting melodies, and desire to story tell with their songs.

Other highlights include the cover of "Fox and the Run" as a bluegrass number. The adapted version of "K.T.A." by the group with Kansas towns thrown in throughout is fun. The band's tune "86 Proof" is a spirited attempt at a rock song, it's amusing but falls a bit short. They get all yacth rock with a Kenny Loggins "Love Song," which isn't as bad as it should be, kind of pleasant. Their original tune, "Chanson de L'Oiseau", has some teeth to it and one of their strongest original tunes on the LP, despite the idea of the song being about the middle finger.

Genevieve

Kay Dennis S/T Pearce Records 1969

Kay Dennis S/T Pearce Records 1969 CAT #H-1118

This is cute.  It's Kansas City lounge from the late 60's, so it is mixed with moments of Playboy jazz, rock, and to an extent, psych.  The cover is incredibly stylistic for Kansas City, the mod art is well done, the colors pop, it looks amazing.  It was recorded in the Cavern Studios outside of Kansas City which was an actual underground cave.  It was a large, natural, open studio so everything recorded there sounds live.  The recording is top notch, the players are capable and play well together, overall, it's a surprisingly well done package.

The LP itself has developed a collector's market around it.  It's been discovered in two scenes, beat junkies and people exploring the world of private press LPS.  There are some pretty absurd drum breaks, a goofy outro on a 7 minute rendition of the Doors' "Light My Fire," Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" has some jazzy breaks that would make a good samples, and there is a huge dance floor scorcher on Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By".  The Private Press guys are always stoked on quality and the LP does have that.  Most covers on the LP are enjoyable due to the players.  Kay Dennis' vocals are unique.  She's got a very childish tone and recalls 1950's white, female jazz vocalists, it's very endearing.  However, it should be noted that these Private Press guys might be disappointed to find out Pearce Records was a small, regional label that released other Kansas City artists.

However, despite all these attributes, it's still a lounge album and there's a reason Kay Dennis wasn't performing far outside of Kansas City.  Every song is a cover and doesn't stray far from the originals.   The rarity of the LP and it's good moments cloud the vision of collectors.  You can read the reviews of the LP online and most will praise it's attributes, but if you get past the highlights, there's no reason for a 7 minute rendition of "Light My Fire". The hit versions of songs like "What the World Needs Now," was all anybody ever needed.  And, nobody in the history of music ever needed lounge act version of the "Impossible Dream."

Sunny

The Singers Traveling Light Pearce Records Year Not Listed Cat #42270

So, my dad got this.  Admittedly, had I seen three girls on motorcycles on what appears to be a private press LP I would've have looked at it, too.  But, I would have quickly discarded it due to the religious subject matter.

My dad, though, he saw Kansas City plastered all over it and thought I had to have this.  Thanks Dad, but this is fucking awful.  First, they aren't just Christian, they're Jews for Jesus.  Being Jewish, that whole scene is just offensive.  Seriously, you're Christian and we all think it's cool you're finding a way to incorporate Jewish practices into your Christianity, that part we get.  However, kindling Shabbat candles and spitting out some Hebrew doesn't make you Jewish.  Whatever, motorcycle ladies, do your thing, though.

Admittedly, there is a record collecting scene centered around private press religious recordings.  I'm not sure what triggers collectors to search out certain albums, I assume it's a lot of word of mouth.  There are moments on this LP that aren't half bad.  Killer moog breaks on "I've Got Confidence," "Bright Sunshiney Day" done up as a Jesus cover isn't half bad, there's some unexpected fuzz guitar, and the last song "God's Might Spirit" is all out country rock jam, but outside of that, it is what you'd expect from private press, creepy white people, Gospel music--I don't think this album is going to hit Popsike.com anytime soon at astronomical price points.

Also of note and to the excitement of my father, Jim Wheeler recorded the LP at the Cavern in Independence, MO.  Jim Wheeler did some cool stuff after moving away from Kansas City with the likes of James Brown and John Hartford in Denver as sound engineer.  He had a solid career in the biz and it started in KC with albums like this.