Patrick Campbell-Lyons Me and My Friend Review by Gary Hill
This is a new reissue of Patrick Campbell-Lyons' 1973 album. It has two bonus tracks added to it. There is a cool folk rock vibe to the bulk of this. A majority of the set makes me think of something Ringo Starr might do. However you label this, I like the set quite a bit. It's accessible and fun.
Out of Nowhere This instrumental has a lot of killer rock and roll merged with jazz and more. It's a classy track.
Friends With a prominent piano part, this is a classy rocker with a real folk and rock styled sound to it. It definitely makes me think of the Grateful Dead to a large degree.
Mother of England A bit like something Ringo Starr might do, this is bouncy and fun. The organ lends a real old-time texture to it. The harmonica brings something special to it, too.
Everybody Should Fly a Kite Another folk rock based cut, this is classy and classic. It's quite effective and has some psychedelia built into it.
Tomorrow I'll Make You Smile There isn't a huge change here, but this is another effective piece of folk rock.
Me and My Friend There is a bit of shuffling element to this number. It has an old-time music vibe in the mix along with some hints of jazz. It's a playful cut. In some ways it makes me think of Donovan. Some children singing (which had been heard at other points on the song) serve as the closing.
Jesus Christ Junior The introduction to this cut is almost a minute long and essentially a processional. It works to another playful folk rock song from there. This is another that makes me think of Ringo Starr to a large degree.
I Think I Want Him Too
Another bouncy Ringo Starr like cut, this is a fun one. It's quite catchy.
1974 Piano leads this out. As the other instruments join, this becomes a bluesy rocker. I can also hear Ringo Starr type stuff on this cut, too.
Watch out Cassius Clay This actually sounds more like The Beatles than it does Ringo Starr. It's a bouncy and fun little number.
Bonus Tracks
Out on the Road
This song was originally released as an A-side of a single. It's a folk turned rock and roll kind of piece. There is definitely a glam rock kind of vibe to it. The slide guitar lends some bluesy elements.
Everybody Should Fly a Kite (Single Version) Another A-side single, this is a version of the song we heard earlier here. I like it as well as I do the main album version. It's classy and rather psychedelic.
