Customer Reviews

Say It Ain't So

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album was Murray Head's biggest, and best shot at stardom. Sadly, it didn't make as much of a splash as he'd likely hoped, and subsequent albums were more popular in the Francophonic world than in Britain or the U.S.A.

"Say It Ain't So" is still a very strong record, with strong ballads and a uniquely 1975 rock sensibility, notably the David Gilmour-esque guitar playing on "Boy on the Bridge".

The centerpiece of the album is the title track, "Say It Ain't So Joe", as haunting a ballad as ever appeared in the 1970's, featuring Murray's alternatingly smooth, raspy, and finally agonized voice in a quietly escalating song about Josef Stalin.

Other strong tracks are the steel drum tinged "Boats Away", "Boy on the Bridge", "When I'm Yours", and "Never Even Thought". One track keeps this from being a five star record, the bizarre dixieland trombone filled "Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat". It breaks the continuity of the (otherwise almost early Peter Gabriel like) record, and just isn't a very good song. Luckily for Murray's reputation, it's a cover song.

The liner notes state that most of the songs were written for a musical called "Atlantis". The musical appears to have sunk into the ocean, but "Say It Ain't So" remains. Murray Head had one of the best voices in rock. It's sad that inept management kept him from having the standout career he deserves.

murray head is my all-time favorite singer. i loved his vocals in jesus christ superstar and chess. of course i was thrilled to find he released a solo album. i was somewhat surprised by the smoothness and quietness of the vocals on this outing. he rarely wails as he does on superstar, and the rough edges that make his voice so appealing have been smoothed out by overdubbing and the like. in fact, he sings in falsetto for much of the album. however, it is still murray head, and i was certainly pleased with the quality of the songs themselves. i didn't know the guy could write like that! the title track is worth the price of the cd alone. haunting and powerful, it stirs me like only a few songs can, and the vocals on this track are perfect. needless to say, this album may surprise some listeners who are familiar with murray's theatrical work, but it will no doubt be a pleasant surprise!

According to the liner notes, this album was the soundtrack for a musical called "Atlantis," which to my knowledge has never been produced for the stage. While lyrics are included, you can only guess what plot Murray had in mind when he was writing this album.

Acoustic numbers dominate (including the famous title track), along with the plaintive, "When I'm Yours," "Never Even Thought," and the hopeful anthem, "Boats Away." Electric guitar fans can enjoy "Boy On The Bridge," "Don't Forget Him Now," and the over-the-top sensuality of the duet "You're So Tasty" with Vicky Brown. SIAS breaks out of its dreamy, swooning feel with the scorchingly gay, "She's Such A Drag," a song that must have literally been a scream to record.

All songs written by Murray with the exceptions of "Silence Is A Strong Reply," co-written with Bob Weston, and "Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat." The Rene, Scott, Rene standard gets a 1970's updating with Murray crooning his way through most of it, before a sassy trombone/clarinet/trumpet trio join in for a dixieland finish. Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith, who also worked with Murray on the album "Voices."

This cd will either astound and permeate you or perhaps ethereally float above your mind, ears and heart. Murray Head delivers the most electrifying and penetrating vocals of his career. This solo project, with a dynamism and urgency not seen in the past decade or two, relies heavily upon the vocal power and range of emotions that Head delivers with authority. Each track could stand alone and be considered a complete work, but together they combine to make a masterpiece. Head, whom you may recall hearing as a tormented chess genius in Bjorn Ulvaeus' "Chess," (One Night in Bangkok) is a talented and passionate performer. His band has equal talent, and upon hearing the cd for the first time you will perhaps wonder why this music isn't on the radio in the United States, and hasn't been, with minor exceptions "Say it Ain't So," an "Never Even Thought," which are still fairly popular in Europe, espeicially France, England, and Ireland. This album is easily my favorite, but I would be hard-pressed to stratify it into any one category. It isn't hard rock, but some tunes have backbeat and intensity. It isn't opera, although, arguably, Head has the star power to make it so at a whim. It is empassioned and silky and penetrating, vibrant, life-affirming, and important. If you order this cd, and have the ability to think and feel, you will consider yourself to have made a wise investment and feel lucky to be one of the few who knows the latent treasure that is Say It Ain't So by Murray Head.

Nick Drake is a good comparison, here. A slightly later period but the same simple accoustic and the same touching sensitive voice. They should have both been so much bigger. Check out the 4 cd set of Nick Drake if you like this. You will never ever regret it! Say it aint so is one of the best songs of its time. I'm so glad I found it again after all these years. Peter Chelsom.

Most of the songs on 1976's "Say It Ain't So" were actually written in 1974, apparently intended for a follow-up to his 1973 debut "Nigel Lived". Unfortunate, that album's lack of sales (so much for debuting with a concept album), saw Head quickly lose his recording contract, hence part of the reason for the three year delay in releasing a follow-on.

Released by Island in the UK and A&M in the States, "Say It Ain't So" was produced by Paul Samwell-Smith. With Head responsible for all of the material, the ten tracks were apparently written to accompany the play "Atlantis" (which is a complete unknown to me). Ah, another concept album ... and as you'd expect, the plotline was totally lost on me. Regardless, backed by an impressive all star cast of friends including members of Bad Company and Yes, this set sounded pretty good which probably went a long way to explaining why so many of the tracks were picked up as covers by other acts:

- Roger Daltry and The Hollies each cover the title track
- Cliff Richard covered 'Never Even Thought'
- The Hollies also covered 'When I'm Yours'

- You'd think that 'Say It Ain't So Joe would be the song Head was best known for (not 'One Night In Bangkok'), but then what do I know. Actually, as much as I like the Head original, I'd give the nod to Roger Daltry's cover, which avoided the fey mid-song section found here. Regardless, it was easy to see why Island tapped this one as a single. As for the song's meaning, according to a blurb I found on Head's website, "the was provoked by a seventies documentary on Richard Nixon prior to his resignation. The presenter was asking the editor of a small town newspaper outside Washington, how, in the face of conclusive evidence and proof, his readers could still show such undying support for the president they elected. The editor likens the situation to a scandal in the twenties, when Joe Jackson, the famous baseball player, was rumored to have taken a bribe to sink his team in the final of the World series. His fans hung around the stadium chanting "Say it ain't so Joe". rating: *** star
- As much as I'd like to say something nice about 'Boy On The Bridge' the song irritates me. I certainly enjoyed Bob Weston's lead guitar, but Head's screechy falsetto sent shivers up and down my spine (not shivers of delight). rating: *** star
- A pretty acoustic number with Jim Cregan, Alan Davies and Bob Weston all contributing acoustic guitar), 'Boats Away' actually sounded like an Al Stewart outtake. The vaguely folk-rockish sound and the literate lyrics served to reinforce the comparison. Yes, the steel drums were somewhat unexpected. rating: *** star
- The ballad 'When I'm Yours' was another number that bore a resemblance to Al Stewart. Weston and Head turned in some nifty acoustic guitar and the song was pretty in a television commercial kind of fashion. rating: *** star
- The lone non-original, 'Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat' featured one of those 1930s-styled English Vaudevillian numbers that folks seem to adore (and drive me crazy). Yech !!! rating: * star
- Side two opened up with the album's most commercial number. A tasty rocker, 'She's Such A Drag' actually sounded a little bit like a Marc Bolan number;. Catchy, though not quite glam, the mid-section sounded like something off of a Meatloaf album. rating: **** star
- Another pretty ballad with Cregan, Davies and Weston, providing some classical acoustic guitar 'Never Even Thought' may have sported the prettiest melody. It certainly would have made a nice single. rating: **** star
- Co-written with Bob Weston, 'Silence Is A Strong Reply' was another track that sounded like a cross between Donovan and a Marc Bolan/T-Rex outtake. (Interestingly T-Rex alumnus Micky Finn played rhythm guitar on several other tracks.) Yeah, it had kind of a dated hippy-dippy feel, but I have to admit a fondness for the song. rating: **** star
- An atmospheric. mid-tempo rocker, 'Don't Forget Him Now' was my choice for standout performance. rating: **** star
- A duet with Vicky Brown (who sounded a bit like Minnie Ripperton), 'You're So Tasty' was a catchy ballad, though the steamy lyric probably ensured mid-1970s radio wouldn't ever touch it. For me the highlight came in the form of Bob Weston's lead guitar. rating: *** star

As mentioned above, the title track was tapped as a single:

- 1976's 'Say It Ain't So Joe' b/w 'Don't forget Him Now' (Island catalog number WIP 6252)
- 1976's 'Say It Ain't So Joe' (mono) b/w 'Say It Ain't So Joe' (stereo) (A&M catalog number A&M 1796-S)

Not his best album, but still quite entertaining and worth looking for since you can find it fairly cheap.

"Say It Ain't So" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Say It Ain't So Joe (Murray Head) - 4:36
2.) Boy On The Bridge (Murray Head) - 3:48
3.) Boats Away (Murray Head) - 4:18
4.) When I'm Yours (Murray Head) - 4:04
5.) Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat (Leon Rene - Emerson Scott - Otis Rene) - 2:44

(side 2)
1.) She's Such A Drag (Murray Head) - 4:17
2.) Never Even Thought (Murray Head) - 5:02
3.) Silence Is A Strong Reply (Murray Head - Bob Weston) - 2:49
4.) Don't Forget Him Now (Murray Head) - 4:26
5.) You're So Tasty (Murray Head) - 3:27

I bought this on cassette when Murray was on A&M so many years ago. Poignant pieces and moving ballads underscored by Head's plaintive and emotional voice, and a musical arrangement that is at once subtle and passionate. Tripped my trigger when I was a teenager and still does today. Of note; the title track, "When I'm Yours", "Never Even Thought" [*shiver*], and I even liked "...Dreamboat", a good song to sing along to after a glass or two of wine. [Anthony Stewart Head from "Buffy" is Murray's younger brother. Their singing voices are VERY similar.]

I am not a professional audio reviewer but a friend who knows every old rock song there is was stumped by this but loved it. Murray Head is a great album and a must for anyone who likes the music of this genre.

Just to express my own deep feelings that song made on me. I liked this for years. Recently, a Spanish Music Group called 'Tahures Zurdos' made a spanish version of it. And, beside I didn't use to like remakes, I loved it too. I saw that group singing that song (called 'Dime que no') with the same Murray Head on a TV program mixing both versions. Lovely!.

I've been listening to this LP, then CD, since the late '70's and it still works for me. I even saw Murray in concert at the Club Blue Note in Toronto circa 1983. Back in high school, the ones we especially liked, in addition to the two the first reviewer mentioned, were "Boy on the Bridge" and "Boats Away" with its steel drums. I'm also partial to "Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat" (personal preference). Has Murray's excellent 3rd LP ever appeared on CD? (This is his 2nd.) Not that I have seen. The title was "Between Friends", I believe. I have been looking for Murray's 1st LP now for nearly 20 years without seeing or hearing of a copy. According to reference works, its title was "Nigel Lived". Other classic LPs from the '60's and '70's have been appearing on CD this year -- I'm thinking of the Strawbs and the Pretty Things at the moment -- so perhaps Murray will be surfacing soon as well.