Harlequin Melodies

Untitled

Harlequin Melodies is the 1968 debut album by singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury. At the time, Newbury was a making an impact as an incredible and successful songwriter in Nashville, signed by Acuff-Rose Publishing, at one point he had four #1 hits on different charts for Eddy Arnold, Solomon Burke, Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, and Andy Williams, and he had written hits for several others. Produced by Elvis Presley producer Felton Jarvis, Harlequin Melodies concentrates on Newbury's versions of his hit songs, nearly every song on the album has been covered by other artists, these include "Here Comes The Rain, Baby" (Eddy Arnold), "Funny Familiar Forgotten Feelings" (Don Gibson, Tom Jones), "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" (Kenny Rogers & The First Edition), "Mister, Can't You See" (Buffy Sainte-Marie), "Time Is A Thief" (Solomon Burke), "Sweet Memories" (Andy Williams, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson).

Sonically, the album is drastically different than anything else Newbury would record. The artist largely disowned the album, considering its successor Looks Like Rain his true debut. In contrast to the subtle expressiveness of Newbury's prime work, Harlequin Melodies is overproduced and packed with often distracting instrumental touches, shifting tempos, and strange production effects. As a result of his dissatisfaction with the album and recording sessions, Newbury ended his RCA contract. Some of the songs on Harlequin Melodies would be re-recorded by Newbury for later albums, with very marked differences. "How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)" was a highlight of Frisco Mabel Joy, "Good Morning, Dear" and "Sweet Memories" were on Heaven Help The Child, "Here Comes The Rain Baby" on A Long Road Home, the last album Newbury released during his lifetime.

Seven of the songs on Harlequin Melodies were repackaged for Sings His Own where they would be joined by another oft-covered Newbury song "Sunshine" and two of his RCA singles "The Queen" and "Got Down On Saturday." Most CD versions add these songs as bonus tracks to the complete Harlequin Melodies album.

Track listing

1. "Sweet Memories" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:19
2. "Here Comes The Rain, Baby" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:27
3. "Mister Can't You See" (Mickey Newbury/Townes Van Zandt) - 5:45
4. "How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:13
5. "Are My Thoughts With You" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:06
6. "Harlequin Melodies" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:53
7. "Funny, Familiar, Forgotten Feelings" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:58
8. "Time Is A Thief" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:02
9. "Good Morning, Dear" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:52
10. "Weeping Annaleah" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:34
11. "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:52

Sings His Own Bonus Tracks

Most CD issues of Harlequin Melodies combine the intact album running order with the three tracks substituted on 1968's Sings His Own.

1. "The Queen" (Mickey Newbury/Townes Van Zandt) - 3:08
2. "Sunshine" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:43
3. "Got Down On Saturday" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:48

Raven Records Edition Bonus Tracks

A 2003 Raven Records edition combined Harlequin Melodies, the three tracks from Sings His Own with a b-side and seven tracks from the 1985 compilation Sweet Memories.

1. "Organised Noise" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:05
2. "Remember The Good" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:58
3. "The Future's Not What It Used To Be" (Mickey Newbury) - 4:10
4. "How I Love Them Old Songs" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:44
5. "If You Ever Get To Houston" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:41
6. "She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye" (Mickey Newbury/Doug Gilmore) - 3:57
7. "Dizzy Lizzy" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:58
8. "An American Trilogy" (Mickey Newbury/Traditional) - 4:48

References

All Music Guide http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifrxqygldte

All Music Guide (Raven Edition) http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:azfuxqeald6e

http://www.mickeynewbury.com/pdf/MicklistPrint.pdf