Wilcox, Sullivan, Wilcox - An Album of Original Music (1973)

...There are a few songs that have a very nice acidic (if low-key) edge to the guitar, and the acoustic playing has a feel that somehow seems more English than American (which is generally a good thing, since it avoids any subliminal style references to Hootenanny-ism). The vocals are pretty ‘mersh, but pleasant, and the lyrical religious references (of which there are plenty) don’t fall into the mawk-pit that mars many similar efforts. There’s also a distinct country vibe at certain points, but it definitely seems to stem from a ruralist (rather than shit-kicker) impulse, so the aural effect is more like ’73 Terry Reid than ’73 Charlie Pride or something. I was a bit disappointed to not find a single drug reference (unless “Dylan blew my mind” means something other’n what I think), but there are two-three excellent folk tracks with non-offensive lyrics and vocals, and frankly, that’s more than most such albums can boast.

Is it almost totally better than any Don McLean album? I say, YES!!!--Byron Coley