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It would be easier to write a 25-page essay than a short review on this CD compilation. Lind's lyrics could provide grist for the mill of the good part of a semester-long course on either poetry or rhetoric. That said, the early kiss of death he received at the hands of some long forgotten critic who once proclaimed him the next Bob Dylan does not in any way diminish his achievement. More a folkie type than Dylan, Lind's songs do not resemble Dylan's other than in the facility of his use of metaphor, and the density of some of his texts, which one can have difficulty keeping up with without paying very careful attention. [For an interesting comparison, listen to "Elusive Butterfly" along with Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man"--this will give a rudimentary idea of the different directions these two artists travel from similar starting points, [though noting that a good number of Lind's songs are lyrically more dense and potent than 'Butterfly'].

In his best lyrics, Lind tends to dwell in the realms of the waking dream while describing things going on around him, and/or actually happening to him. The rhetoric of his vision blends the imaginative with the everyday. In addition to a much less lyrical style of autobiographical 'reportage', Dylan has a wider repertoire of strategies by which his song/poems present themselves. These include, among others, old style balladry and prophetic dream poems (such as "Gates of Eden" and "Desolation Row"). In very many situations he is most facile/skillful in employing sometimes profuse helpings of allegory (conscious or subconscious) to make his points and to serially shift the attention [sometimes impetuously/tempestuously] of the listener. Compared with him, Lind the lyric poet is generally less mental, and thus somewhat more direct in his musings/meanderings, though no less profound. Among folksingers and pop artists of the mid-sixties, he is master of the lyrical/pastoral genre of song-poems.

Probably the most rewarding way to experience these songs, while admittedly painstaking, is to transcribe the words while listening, since the CD package does not contain the lyrics. In spite of this omission, the executive producers of this CD did put together a very nice product. This includes a four page biography/history, a complete discography which even lists the names of every song on his several albums, and finally four pages of Lind evaluating himself, his career, and offering personal hindsights [c. 1993] on each of the 25 songs. Some of these 'takes' are quite humorous--providing useful nuggets of information and insight about the man, his life, and his art and craft.

Most of these 25 songs are from his first two studio albums (not counting 'The Elusive Bob Lind', which was released without his blessings by Verve Folkways). Some of the tunes (e.g. #'s 4 and 8) which are rather limp melodically/musically, are nevertheless saved in large part by great lyrics. The best tunes from the 'first album', in addition to " . . . Butterfly", are #'s 2, 7, and 10-12. Again, careful listening will likely reveal a number of the others for the gems which they are.

Lind stretches out a little bit musically [and otherwise] on the '2nd album'. On several of the tunes, the lyrics aren't coming at you nearly so quick, so they're more like normal songs (I prefer his former style, actually). There are a couple of lighthearted jug band/ragtime stylings, plus the hilarious "Go Ask Your Man". At this point, I believe that the best ones here are #'s 16 through 18, and also the last number on the CD, which is like early 'world music' with island-sounding accompaniment parts including well-played bongos.

Please note that some folks may find the string arrangements a bit annoying, but they are actually very tasteful compared with what was done later to Glen Campbell.

We all remember Bob Lind as a "One Hit Wonder" for his "Elusive Butterfly"-- one of the shames in American music. His "Remember the Rain" cut from the "Best of Bob Lind" album is an up tempo, but still haunting reminder of that song. The entire CD includes song after song marked by Lind's clear, direct vocal talent. If you are a rare Bob Lind fan like I am join me in requesting someone to cut a CD from his "The Elusive Bob Lind" album. This was produced by Verve records in the late sixties. It included songs like "Peggy-O", "Hey, Nellie Nellie" and "The Swan". The blend of Lind's workman like voice and many-stringed orchestras may seem incongruous at first, but fit together so beautifully that you have to play, and replay for hours on end.

To whom he's popularly known, Lind is a one-hit wonder who fluked his way on to the charts with the sensitive folk-rock gem, "Elusive Butterfly." But like so many one-hit wonders, there was a career both before and after his brief rush of fame.
Previous to recording, Lind had kicked around the Denver folk scene before moving on to Los Angeles. Once there he inked a deal with World Pacific (a subsidiary of Liberty) in surprisingly short time, and followed with a hit on the B-side of his first single. The A-side, "Cheryl's Going Home," probably also deserved to be a hit, with its slightly more muscular Neil Diamond like sound. Jack Nitszche's production, liberally utilizing members of Spector's Wrecking Crew, is spot-on, treading the folk-rock line between coffee-house acoustic and radio electric.

World Pacific's flip-flopping choices for follow-up singles squandered the momentum of "Elusive Butterfly," and Lind's chart success vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. Perhaps it's not so unusual, but given the high quality of Lind's songs and Nitszche's productions, it's a real shame. Lind's debut LP, "Don't Be Concerned" (reproduced here on tracks 1-12) most fully capitalizes on the talents that sent his single to #5. The follow-up LP, "Photographs of a Feeling" (reproduced here on tracks 13-22) is a more varied affair, and lyrically reflective of the counterculture demons that would further neutralize Lind's career.

The disc is rounded out by the single, "It's Just My Love," a pair of unreleased tracks from 1967 ("I Fall to You" and "English Afternoon"), detailed liner notes, interviews with and song notes by Lind, and a discography. Collector's note: the second verse of "Don't Be Concerned" was deleted on the debut album's original release; the version here is unedited.

I have a deep love of music. My collection includes well over a thousand cd's, tapes and lp's of all types. The Best of Bob Lind may be my favorite. His poetic lyrics are profoundly insightful, sensitive, and clever. His music, and the arrangements, are a delight to hear. I find it quite difficult not to sing along.

I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviews. This is the first time I have taken the time to write a review for Amazon,but I felt compelled to do so when reading Peter Fay's request for others to join him in asking that The Elusive Bob Lind album be re-released. (I would add the Since There Were Circles album as well.)

If you decide to purchase this cd, I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

Bob Lind captures folk mixed in with strings very well. His CD is very beautiful and the sound quality is the best around for an oldie act. SOngs like 'I Fall to You' and 'Truly Julie's Blues' are great standouts. My Favorite has to be 'Dale Anne' a sad beautiful tune produced by legend Jack Nieszche. It is very complete, containing every song off his 2 main albums plus bonus tracks.

Bob Lind contributed to the liner notes, from which it would appear that he lived live to the full and learned all about life's ups and downs. He put all his experiences into his very poetic songs. The only song he is remembered for is his solitary hit, Elusive butterfly.

Elusive butterfly is one of my all-time favorite songs and it's by far the most catchy song here, but the rest of his music is well worth a listen - if you give it your undivided attention, as I do when I listen to it. The problem is that most people only want music as a background to what else they are doing, so (unlike some people) I find it easy to see why he was a one-hit wonder.

This is a great collection of songs (many of which are very deep, complex and thought-provoking) which will provide many hours of listening pleasure if you can afford the dedicated time this collection undoubtedly deserves.

Absolutely brilliant music-Can't stop playing the CD.I bought his DON'T BE CONCERNED LP (can anyone remember LPs?)back in the swinging 60's and have been a fan ever since.

This is one of my all-time favorite albums. I hadn't played it in quite a few years since my copies were on vinyl. I enjoyed immensely being able to listen to both albums in CD form. Although these albums were made in the mid-to-late 60s, the songs still resonate and the actual recordings themselves hold up pretty well, thanks I suspect to Jack Nitzsche musical additions. I reject some of Bob Lind's disparaging remarks in the liner notes. I believe the Don't be Concerned album was a great and very underrated work. I think it will appeal especially to the thinking person who loves music. So Bob, be proud! I know I am to have this compilation in my CD collection.

BOB LIND PROVIDED A POETIC/FOLK VOICE FOR US IN SMALL TOWN AMERICA! WE YEARNED TO FEEL, TOUCH AND SMELL PICKADILLY SQUARE & BRITTANIA IN OUR VILLAGE SQUARE!

MOST TIMES (AM) RADIO WAS ELUSIVE AND (FM) WAS JUST A DISTANT DREAM!
WE ONLY GOT AM RADIO FROM OKLAHOMA AND DENVER...USUALLY LATE AT NIGHT AND IT WOULD STATIC IN AND OUT!

NOW ALL THE OLDIES COME TO ME FROM SATILLITE RADIO 24/7---I WRITE THEM DOWN AND QUICKLY ORDER! BACK TO THE FUTURE OR FUTURE TO THE BACK?? KEEP PEACE AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE....IT IS NOT ELUSIVE:)

Bob Lind from Baltimore wasn't quite a "one-hit wonder." In addition to his mega-hit, Elusive Butterfly [b/w Cheryl's Goin' Home], which reached # 5 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in early 1966 for the World Pacific label [surrounded by the likes of We Can Work It Out, The Sounds Of Silence, Barbara Ann, Uptight (Everything's Alright) etc), he had a double-sided hit later that spring with Remember The Rain (# 64) and Truly Julie's Blues (I'll Be There) which finished at # 65.

The problem with this folk-rock singer/songwriter was that he was quickly perceived as just another Dylan wanna-be with his poetic lyrics set to soft music and, truth be told, there just wasn't much room on the charts for such music outside of Dylan and Donovan what with The Beatles, Stones, etc. in full invasion mode.

His first album, Don't Be Concerned, was well-received, but after that his efforts at Verve and then Capitol, where he cut Since There Were Circles in 1971, hardly made a dent. He soon faded out of sight.

If you like this style of soft music you will enjoy the album as he had a pleasant, mellow voice. If you're a collector of hit singles this has all four sides. And for that alone it's a 5-star collection.