Music And Dreams - Robert Lester Folsom (1976)
Folsom had been part of local band, but decided to borrow enough money to record his own solo record. He didn’t find a label at the time. With only 1000 copies originally pressed, this album languished in obscurity for some thirty years.
Maybe because he had no commercial ambitions or label guys involved, the sound is refreshingly both of its era and distinctive from it.
The synths, occasionally buzzing, occasionally shining, are a nice counterpoint to the folky acoustic guitar that you wouldn’t hear much in the 1970s.
The opening title track is a subtle and sad country ballad with a psych edge that’s really great.
While everything that’s not a synthesizer stays acoustic, you get some heavy Pink Floyd vibes in April Suzanne.
The second side owes a lot (like, a lot) to America and The Eagles, but it’s still good stuff. Spanish Lady should have been a classic of the era.
The record was rescued from the collector’s item bin when it was rediscovered and reissued. I love the fact that music from all eras can find new audiences in the modern world, and this album is as deserving as any of that new audience.
