You've Come This Way Before

Nancy Priddy

Modern Harmonic Records, 2020

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Priddy

REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 03/09/2020

Although she might be best known as an actress, appearing on shows like Bewitched, Matlock and The Waltons, among many others, Nancy Priddy actually released a lone album in 1968, the psychedelic, folk cult classic record You've Come This Way Before.

Now, this disc is available again on vinyl for the first time in 50 years. Given the reissue treatment here, the '60s Greenwich Village folkstress makes us all wonder just how this effort tanked when it initially came to life so many decades ago. my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

“Epitaph” gets the album off to a piano-fueled start with dreamy storytelling from Priddy that mixes singing and talking, and “We Could Have It All” follows with soft horns and a hazy atmosphere of singalong fun that's both charming a little off kilter.

Further along, the title track is a fine display of harmonic baroque folk, while “And Who Will You Be Then?” offers a quirky pop tune that's got plenty of soul to go around. “Christina's World” (not about her daughter, but more on that later), one of the album's best, then glides with a smooth delivery of orchestral influenced pop.

Near the end, “O Little Child” brings horns back as spirited guitar work helps illuminate the subdued psyche-rocker, and “Mystic Lady” exits the listen initially dark and mysterious, while building into an eccentric, retro-rocker that even approaches gospel territory.

While I think everyone would agree that Priddy's biggest accomplishment is her daughter, Christina Applegate, this uniquely textured, distortion friendly and experimentally obscure record has got to be next in line. This version even comes in a gatefold jacket and thankfully retains the stereo mix that Phil Ramone, who recorded the album, expertly laid down.

If you missed this one the first time – and I feel pretty confident saying that just about everyone did – you're in luck, cause this lost treasure is ready to be found again.

Rating: B+

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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