Description
The Cottage Tapes – Book One: Where the Woodbine Twineth is a compilation album by the American singer and songwriter Larry Norman, released on Solid Rock Records in February 2000. The tracks are basically lifted from Larry Norman’s two custom albums released in 1970 and 1972 respectively, Street Level and Bootleg, as well as Randy Stonehill’s debut album Born Twice released in 1971. The second part of the anthology, simply entitled The Cottage Tapes – Book Two, was released in 2004.
Featuring Larry Norman on piano, guitar and vocals, Randy Stonehill on guitar and vocals, backed by White Light – Fred Bova on guitar, Glenn Salwitz on bass and Hilly Hillman on drums. (The session band referred to as White Light actually was known as Joy, a band that released two singles in the late 60s/early 70s featuring Michael Bolotin – later known as Michael Bolton – as lead singer.) Engineered by Roger Dollarhide. All songs produced and arranged by Larry Norman, except track 16.
Heavy hints dropped by Larry Norman indicate Y2K could prove worth celebrating since it has been suggested that all the old Solid Rock albums could be released on CD with some surprises thrown in for good measure. ‘The Cottage Tapes’ is one of those pleasant surprises. These recordings actually date from 1970 and from Larry’s previous independent label One Way Records. Four of the 16 tracks are taken from Randy Stonehill’s debut ‘Born Twice‘ LP, while the Norman songs are mostly taken from the second version of ‘Street Level‘ and ‘Bootleg‘, both from 1971. A couple of previously unreleased outtakes from the sessions have been thrown into the mix too. We’re talking vintage stuff here as the earliest demo versions of «Righteous Rocker», «I’ve Searched All Around», «Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus» are wheeled out for the first time. A couple of the other songs from this era provide some of Larry’s most fondly remembered tracks from his extensive back catalogue, with «Baby Out Of Wedlock», and a band performance of «Blue Shoes White». Stonehill’s compositions also sparkle. Alongside the joyous «Alright Now», we have the original version of «I Love You», Randy’s zany re-write of «Christmas Time» and the wonderful account of Uncle Rand’s conversion in «Norman’s Kitchen». There is a great spirit about this edgy collection. CCM has rarely been so upfront in its proclamation, nor as cavalier, succinct, crazy, or fresh sounding in its execution. Oh, and the sound quality’s surprisingly good and the 16 page booklet by Larry is both interesting and informative. [Dougie Adam, Cross Rhythms, February 2001]
CD tracklist:
01. Randy Stonehill & Larry Norman – I Don’t Want To Lose You (Alternative mix, originally on Street Level)
02. Randy Stonehill & Larry Norman – Blue Shoes White (from the album Street Level)
03. Larry Norman – What Goes Through Your Mind (from the album Bootleg)
04. Larry Norman – Righteous Rocker (Alternative mix, originally on Bootleg)
05. Larry Norman – I’ve Searched All Around (from the album Street Level)
06. Larry Norman – Up In Canada (Previously unreleased version)
07. Larry Norman – Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus (from the album Street Level)
08. Larry Norman – Taking My Time (from the album Bootleg)
09. Larry Norman – You Knew What You Were Doing (Alternative mix, originally on the second version of Street Level)
10. Randy Stonehill – Alright Now (from the album Born Twice)
11. Randy Stonehill – I Love You (from the album Born Twice)
12. Randy Stonehill – Norman’s Kitchen (from the album Born Twice)
13. Randy Stonehill & Larry Norman – Song For A Small Circle Of Friends (from the album Bootleg)
14. Randy Stonehill & Larry Norman – He’s The One (Previously unreleased)
15. Randy Stonehill & Larry Norman – I Ain’t Gonna Sing The Blues No More (Previously unreleased)
16. Randy Stonehill – Christmas Time (from the second version of Born Twice)
Note: Solid Rock Records’ Cottage Tapes were actually made from the original master tapes of the respective sessions covered by the two compilation CDs. Available at Bandcamp: https://larrynorman.bandcamp.com/album/the-cottage-tapes-book-one
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