Frisco Mabel Joy - MICKEY NEWBURY***

An American Trilogy/How Many Times/Interlude/The Future's Not What It Used To Be/Mobile Blue/Frisco Depot/You're Not My Same Sweet Baby/Interlude/Remember The Good/Swiss Cottage Place/How I Love Them Old Songs

Frisco Mabel Joy was the most highly regarded album from the Houston country singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury. It opens with his best known song American Trilogy, later covered by Elvis Presley. (US:58)

“Mickey Newbury was one of the finest songwriters/artists in an era filled with great writers, and Frisco Mabel Joy would be the crown jewel of any artist's oeuvre. The record is the music equivalent of a painting, on first hearing the guitars and a few distinctive songs get noticed, soon the pieces fall into place and the richness of the details emerge. As a singer, Newbury communicates his songs better than any of the many cover versions, with a beautiful voice that grabs your attention and compels you to listen.”

“The album opens with Newbury's arrangement of American Trilogy, a suite containing three songs that have their origin in the Civil War. Newbury's version, full of soft strings, guitars, haunting harmonica bleeding into a muted brass section, is full of drama and pathos.”

“Frisco Mabel Joy moves into a series of songs that talk of dislocation, emptiness, and endless searching through regret, remorse, and ultimately acceptance and resignation. Newbury's vocal abilities are just astonishing; he has a different voice for literally every song.”

“Overwhelming walls of sound contrast with skeletal but beautiful songs in this amazing album that is rooted in country but transcends genre.”

“You've got to be in the mood because this is one downbeat, mellow and atmospheric affair, but if you get into his head, I can't imagine a much better album. It has very little to do with country music.”

“A treasure and lost classic. Despite having written countless hits for others Newbury ranks right up there among those who paved the way, but never received their due in terms of media attention.”

“Keep in mind that this is a work very rooted in country music, which to even some folkies is a turnoff. But his soulful voice and fine guitar work should be enough to move you if you have a pulse.”