Listening to Penguin
 

For the past several days, I’ve been listening to PENGUIN, sometimes straight through, other times (and more frequently) by track jumping.

My uncle, who is a huge fan of the Peter Green-era Mac, has repeatedly told me the only album from the 1971-74 era that he really digs is PENGUIN. I think it’s a much, much better album than common opinions suggest. The first three and last four songs hang well together. Walker’s two songs are GOOD. They don’t fit in well with the other tunes (at least I don’t think so) but the man can sing and the backing track on Roadrunner is pretty cool. Even The Derelict is pleasant, if out of place.

There’s something about the way it was recorded that is so much more pleasing than MYSTERY. There’s a lot of space and a warm, organic sound. (The speakers on MYSTERY sound too close.)

Those first three songs fit really well together—and Christine really sounds like Christine here. She found her style. Her voice pn Did You Ever Love Me is crazy good.

Revelation has heat but I’ve always preferred Night Watch which, production-wise, sounds so much more sophisticated than anything on BARE TREES. The harmonies slay me and the moodiness of the mid-section earns the descriptor “mystical.” And those harmonies near the end (around 5:45) are so resonant. Love it.

But the real surprise for me is rediscovering Caught in the Rain. I used to love this song when I was young but have pretty much forgotten it in favor of Kirwan’s instrumentals—at least until these past few days. It’s so simple and sweet, an effective piece of program music. The overdubbed harmonies are irresistible.

There’s very little on PENGUIN that I don’t prefer to HEROES and about 1/2 of MYSTERY. And as a follow up to BARE TREES, it feels like a big leap towards what the band would become.

I rank PENGUIN higher than TANGO, MASK, or TIME, and think it better than most of what is on MIRAGE…

Ok! I'm going to listen this morning to the entire album. Great coffee/morning music.

I’ve always loved this one and singing along.

Jim Ladd used to play it late at night on KMET and added it to his 1979 Stevie Innerview when she’s talking about being recognized vs. being appreciated for her songs.

I did not know this! Thanks for that tidbit.

I used to listen to those Jim Ladd late nights on my Uncle's bed. He worked 3rd shift.

One time he (Ladd) did all moon songs. Lots of Pink Floyd and such, then he played Sisters of the Moon.
The Stevie and posse interviews were fantastic.

I love this album. The new remastered version makes it even better to pick up the acoustics and great vocals. Great album!

That's because its so much better than anything else on the album...

Have you ever reached out to David Walker? He was very friendly with Ledgies when he did the Q and A with us years ago.

Do you like Magnesium Fire, my friend?

I try not to let the blindness scare me.

Well it's as real as the evening wind!

…said a man in a raincoat.

well then Don't let waters of caution remove you from this thread.

It’s taking long but I’m getting strong as I read through it

How can I make the sunshine through?
So we can be happy again