Patsy Peters - Down Country Roads (1979)

Looking for all the world like Cher in Sheffield on the back sleeve, Irish-born Patsy Peters here delivers an incongruously sincere selection of pop country favourites. As I've noted previously, solo female artists are something of a rarity in the fags- and booze-strewn world of 70s cabaret that forms the beating heart of this blog, but I'm always gratified to come across apparent labours of love like this. Of particular note is her langorous 6-minute treatment of Ode to Billy Joe, the wonderful Bobbie Gentry song that inspired the 1976 gay guilt film that touched my young heart, for better or worse.

The wonderfully sparse sleeve notes offer nothing more than a 21 word testimony from one Paul Toscani that rather tentatively assures quality within, so I can't add much more colour to this synopsis. But this is another one of those albums that bears testament to the wonderfully liberating, pre-punk, moment when committed artists came to realise that there were other distribution channels for their talents.

SUCCEEDED COMPLETELY

Patsy Peters in Down Country Roads
MAM Records TPR 260

SIDE ONE
1. Country Roads
2. Crazy Arms
3. Follow Me
4. Stand By Your Man
5. Ode to Billy Jo

SIDE TWO
1. Snowbird
2. Me and Bobby McGee
3. You've Got a Friend
4. My Man
5. Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues

This beautifully orchestrated album attempts to capture the range, warmth and versatility of Miss Patsy Peters, and they have succeeded completely.

Paul Toscani

Printed and made in Great Britain by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd