Real to Reel

Description

Real to Reel is a live album by the American singer and songwriter Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary fame, released on Neworld Media in 1977, manufactured and distributed by Sparrow Records. The album was recorded March 1976 live at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia. Engineered by Dave Connor, Malcolm Devenish, Neil Packer, and Peter Best, mixed by Stu Davis, with Noel Paul Stookey producing.

Noel Paul Stookey is a funny man – and this live recording proves it. Real To Reel is an entertaining mix of songs and monologues featuring just Paul, his guitar and a cooperative audience. In the humor category are «Puff The Magic Dragon» (who’s now on trial for drug charges), a zany version of «Old Lady» (i.e., “I know an old lady who swallowed a fly…”), instructions for the audience to do some kind of head-and-arms contortion («The Exercise»), and an account of an incident with the Japanese president of Toshiba regarding a sneeze. Still plenty of serious songs, including «23rd Psalm», «Turn It Over», «Miracles», «The Winner» and a cover of Arlo Guthrie’s «Gabriel’s Mother’s Hiway Ballad #16 Blues». Recorded in Australia at the Sydney Opera House in March 1976. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/real-to-reel/203650140)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “23rd Psalm” – 3:53
A2. The Henhouse (monologue) – 4:13
A3. “Building Block” – 3:18
A4. “Puff The Magic Dragon” – 5:37
A5. “Old Lady” – 3:09
A6. The Exercise (monologue) – 1:55

Side Two
B1. “Gabriel’s Mother’s Hiway Ballad #16 Blues” – 4:39
B2. “Turn It Over” – 3:47
B3. “Miracles” – 5:03
B4. “The Winner” – 3:42
B5. “Irish Blessing” – 2:02
B6. “Rashowa” – 3:37

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Neworld Media. Later re-issued on CD.

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