The last of
Van Dyke Parks' classic early trio of albums for Warner Brothers – and possibly the straightest of the bunch!
Parks continues the exploration of ersatz Americana explored on his previous two records – but his approach here is sometimes a bit gentler, almost sentimental at times – as if he's been pulled more strongly into the matrix of history and geography that's always informed his work. Production is still great – although not handled by
Van Dyke this time around – and instrumentation includes a fair bit of steel drums, showing
Parks' continuing love of the form. (He was one of the instrument's biggest mainstream champions in the early 70s.) Titles include "Soul Train", "Cannon In D", "You're A Real Sweetheart", "Another Dream", "Pass That Stage", "City On The Hill", "Iron Man", and "Love Is The Answer".
(Japanese white label promo, with insert. Cover has a Sample sticker, some ringwear, bumped corners, clear tape over a sticker spot at the top right, and a bit of fraying at the spine.)