Customer Reviews

Unborn Child

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was a high school sophomore in 1974. At that time, I had not thought much about abortion and I hadn't yet chosen sides. I don't remember even being aware of Roe v Wade. Nevertheless, I found the song Unborn Child very compelling. The music and arrangement are soulful. The chorus (Mama stop! Turn around ...) is dramatic and builds into a short but sorrowful guitar solo. The music really matches the subject matter of the lyrics IMO. I think the song is art ... good art.

This song made me temporarily pro-life. I changed my mind when I was older, but I don't hold the pro-lifers in low esteem, and I think that's partly because of this song.

I'm not crazy about most of the other tracks on the CD, but Unborn Child alone makes it worth the price for me. I've thought of this song many times since the last time I heard it probably 30+ years ago. I was so disappointed that I couldn't buy it on iTunes. I could never quite remember the melody or the guitar intro, and that was really aggravating because I did remember that I really liked it. I'm so glad they finally released it on CD and so annoyed they didn't do it earlier.

It was 1974 and Seals and Crofts was at their commercial peak! "Diamond Girl" was their 1973 masterpiece and "Summer Breeze",(1972) was the LP that really jump-started their career. Things were really going their way! Or were they?
I bought this album in late January of 1974 and thought at the time that "Unborn Child" was somewhat of an odd title for an album. The cover was sort of eerie with those sad, forlorn eyes looking out of a sillouette of blue skies and a odd-shaped rainbow. I had loved "Diamond Girl" so much, I couldn't wait to get this one on the record player! All I can say is that I loved this album. Even on the first listen-through, I liked it better than "Diamond Girl" and much better than "Summer Breeze".
Now, being 18 years old at that time, I gave little thought to the message of the title song. I actually was a pro-choice person, but that didn't sour me one bit on the title track. It's a beautiful and powerful song and it really makes you think. The instrumentation is fantastic and the song bleeds with emotion. How can anyone hate this song? Unfortunately, it was a pretty big log in the road for Seals and Crofts because the title hit stalled in the 60's on Billboard and they had to quickly release the excellent tune, "King of Nothing" that spring. "King of Nothing" did better but it wasn't the hit that "We May Never Pass This Way Again" from the previous Fall.
Now, the album. "Unborn Child" was by far my favorite Seals and Crofts album. YES! The CD does contain the title track, "Unborn Child" (THANK-GOD!!) I have the CD and it sounds great!! I think the quality is better on this CD than it was on "I'll Play For You" (1975) Their follow-up record to "Unborn Child". It starts with the haunting, "Windflowers", a very unusual piece with spoken word and orchestration. It does go into some classic Seals and Crofts harmonies with that trademark mandolin strumming throughout. "Desert People" is another interesting tune that has some strange lyrics but the music is great and the upbeat, but laid-back feel of the song puts you in a pleasant mood.
"Unborn Child" follows and the it goes to "The Story of Her Love", another pleasing but distant sounding piece with some nice mood-setting instrumental fills near the end of the song. "Dance to the Light of the Moon" is a jazzy, off-beat, rocker all mixed into one song. The rhythm changes several times and check out the boys getting down with the heavy guitar that ends the song.

Before I forget, the album features one half of the Musicians that will make up the group "TOTO" in 1978! Louie Shelton plays guitar and produces them as he did on "Diamond Girl". The second side leads with a cute little one minute piece called "Rachel". Once again, very unique vocals. "King of Nothing", the CD's only true radio hit is next. "29 Years From Texas" is one of my favorites that really portrays the story of them growing up. (I think) "Ledges" is a fantastic song with a laid back sax in the background. It should have been a hit!

Finally, there's "Follow Me" and the only song that I didn't care for as much, "Big Mac".

If you like Seals and Crofts, especially during their TOP 40 years, you will love this album. It is well produced and it features great studio musicians. It's a crime that the political issue of pro-life, verses pro-choice marred the greatness of the album. Regardless of your beliefs, just enjoy the music, it's worth it.

Outstanding performances by a premier duo with the courage to proudly speak to their opinion on the murder of unborn children. Unborn Child should be the anthem for any pro-lifer. Buy it...............listen and enjoy.

It is good to see Seals and Croft's albums FINALLY being released on CD, it is looong overdue. This is a solid effort and was a minor hit when it was released in the early 1970's. Sales were probably hurt some by the strong, anti-abortion statement of the title song, which was a minor hit. It also includes another minor hit The King of Nothing. A nice album from one of the 1970's forgotten stars.

Unborn Child followed the immensely popular Diamond Girl project which sported 2 big hits: The title song and "We May Never Pass This Way Again".
As an album though Diamond Girl was a bit inconsistent, and this follow-up is actually the better one. However it tanked and failed miserably on the charts and the reason is purely political.
The 1973 Roe vrs Wade decision legalizing abortion had just been handed down months earlier. It was not only hot topic/hot debate, but the landmark ruling caught millions by shock and surprise. In the wake, Seals & Crofts were brave. Courageous enough to voice their view in opposing it. The title cut is all about giving that unborn child a chance at life. It's not full of hate, nor is it condemning. Rather it simply allows the duo to express their viewpoint. Isn't that what free speech is all about?
None-the-less the radical early day PC elite were chagrined. Rolling Stone and the way-too-cool establishment of counter culture types were totally condemning. How DARE Seals and Crofts offer their perspective on the issue? (Never mind that scores of other artists constantly promote their own liberal agenda!)

It's a shame that so many people caved in to the critics and stayed away from this album. It's loaded with top drawer S&C songs (even if you can't handle the one song) Windflowers, Desert People, The Story of Her Love, King of Nothing (ESPECIALLY King of Nothing) and Ledges are some of the finest compositions in their canon.

It's a shame that this Seals & Crofts album got tossed aside by so many due to its controversial title song, because the whole disc is truly a beauty, with much to love among the grooves (now on CD, among the pits?).

I look back on this musical era with much fondness and having this album on CD brings it all back. I find that the impeccable mixes and production give these tracks the clarity and support they deserve, and as such, they're a joy to listen to. The writing, playing, arranging, and singing are superb, possibly exceeding prior albums. If you're a Seals & Crofts fan, you're really missing out on some great music if you fail to add this gem to your collection.

What can I say? Thanks, Wounded Bird Records, for this excellent release on CD! And thanks to Jim, Dash, and all connected to this release for some great music!

This is Seals and Crofts at their peak. Just like the unborn child in the title song, they were cut down "before they were ripe" by the venomous wrath of the minority who think that an older generation has the right to kill human beings in the helpless state from which we all emerged--that of what they like to call "fetuses," as if this scientific-sounding term could prevent people from recognizing that the victims of abortion are simply pre-born human beings. There is not a weak song on this album. "29 years from Texas" explains the origins of this wonderful musically eclectic, instrumentally virtuosic group: "Good country pickin' goin' down every night, good clean livin' underneath the starry sky; 28 years from Rankin Texas, but I really haven't gone anywhere at all..."

Does any popular music today come from "good country pickin'" or "good clean livin'"? I'm afraid not.

The wonderful "King of Nothing" is on this album; a bittersweet evocation of adolescent longing. I was at a S&C concert when someone in the audience requested this song, but unfortunately they could not play it, because the ensemble had not rehearsed it.

Unborn Child is one of Seals and Crofts lessor known albums. It has my favorite song:
"Windflowers," on it. Thought I would never hear it again as I no longer have an old fashioned stereo with a turntable--to play it on. Then I got a new iMac and discovered the iStore! Thought for sure I could find it there as I found many of my old favorites..but alas, no. So, just as a last resort I thought I would try Amazon and sure enough, there it was! Thanks Amazon for carrying this treasure. It's really special Seals and Crofts. I think one of their sweetest. Ok, so there is that one song that may offend some, but others will praise it. This is a heartfelt album of songs, well worth adding to your collection if you like Seals and Crofts and 70's music.

I'd forgotten how much I like almost all of these songs on this album... it is too bad we live in a country where PC has become more important than freedom of speech and free thought... regardless of your opinions about abortion, this song, Unborn Child, is a superior musical offering, with top notch production value, lyrical poiniency and soaring guitar solos... and the rest of this album is produced just as high in terms of quality and I recommend this CD to all!

I was aching to hear the songs on this album again. Good memories of traveling the US with this tape in the deck.