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LP
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TLR 038LP
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"Long in the works reissue of this amazing and little known gem, Beautiful People, from 1972. Born in Miami, Florida to an American father and Venezuelan mother, Bill split the USA to Madrid, Spain in the early '70s. Once there he quickly landed a recording deal with famous producer Alain Milhaud of the Explosion label, and set to work on this, his sole LP release. Sessions went down with an impressive cast of up to eleven players in the studio, including Salvador Dominguez & Chema Pellicó (Cerebrum), Jess Lam (Jess & James), and Frank Rojas (Sangre). One of the album's real hidden treasures, though, was the assistance of unknown Texan Mark Gottschall, who co-wrote the title track and adds perfect vocal harmonies as well a second acoustic guitar. A finely balanced mix of sounds that drifts between throbbing electric full band groove and gentle acid folk. When Bill wants to rock, things get downright funky, with a wickedly hard-hitting rhythm section, pumping organ, scorching electric leads, and flipped-out acoustic guitars all locking into some seriously tight jams. Then the next minute, the mood swings and you're deep into some beautifully fragile and introspective folk meditations; often just two acoustic guitars, Bill's lyrics, and huge, angelic, vocal harmonies all weaving together into lush tapestries of sound. A few tracks fill out a more folk-rock vibe with flute, autoharp, piano, slide guitar, banjo, and more. Bill's lyrics (all in English) and vocals always feel deeply sincere, which combined with his unique voice, unusual accent, and loose delivery, make for one hell of a cool singer. The whole album has an air of mystical psychedelia, yet never strays far from pop craft, and there's a real sun-blasted quality to it all that just makes you want to crank the volume. Nothing amateur or lo-fi about this one; it's a pro recording and these guys have serious chops. It's hard to image why it didn't become a hit at the time. The album was released only in Spain and Brazil, to very little interest, and quickly became yet another great album lost to obscurity -- at least until now. Reissued here for the first time, with the collaboration of producer & Explosion label owner Alain Milhaud. Packaged in a heavyweight gloss coated exact reproduction of the original cover, including the original double-sided insert, as well as a huge new full color fold-out insert which reproduces at nearly full size the totally different Brazilian version of the album art. Plus extensive notes by album musicians Salvador Dominguez & Mark Gottschall, and Alex Carretero (Guerssen Records, Spain). Also a small photo of some rare picture sleeves 45s, promotional inserts, lyric sheets, etc. Even the LP labels reproduce the original psychedelic full color explosion label art. Pressed on 180gm audiophile grade vinyl & limited to 1000 copies."
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CD
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GUESS 015CD
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The mysterious Bill Quick: this guy was the son of a North American dad and Venezuelan mum, and landed in Madrid in the early '70s, spending most of his time playing music and manufacturing leather belts and other stuff that he later sold at the popular Rastro flea market in Madrid, a meeting point for all hippies of the time. He somehow got in touch with famous producer Alain Milhaud, who was really impressed by his work and quickly offered him a deal to record a long-play to be released in Milhaud's own Explosion label. Then Bill recruited some top studio musicians and foreign friends who were also living in Madrid at the time; the list of people who play on the recording is impressive: up to eleven musicians joined Bill in the recording studio including Salvador Dominguez and Chema Pellicó (ex-Cerebrum), Rafa Gálvez (later on Vainica Doble's backing band), Frank Rojas (Sangre) and Jess Lam (Jess & James). As a result, Maravillosa Gente ("Beautiful People") was recorded. Ranging from beautiful, introspective, acoustic solo tracks like "Beautiful People," "Only the Weather" or the acid-folk of "Winter's Gonna Come," to full backing-band hard-edged ones like "Take Me Away," "Somebody" and the folk-rock sounding "With You, Lord" or "I Sing This Song." The album is a real treat from start to finish with an awesome sound and amazing production (it was recorded at one of the most advanced Spanish recording studios at the time), along with top musicianship and Bill's amazing songwriting. This album is a real big ticket that was absolutely ignored in Spain at the time of its release, and even today remains unknown to most folk-rock collectors and fans. Curiously enough, the album was released in Brazil as well (with poor sales again), with different cover art. With carefully remastered sound, this is now reissued for the first time. Includes a booklet with pictures and detailed liner notes telling the wonderful and strange story of this mysterious musician.
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