Description
Motorola Corolla 2 is a compilation album by the American singer and songwriter Larry Norman, independently released on Solid Rock Records in 2007.
The hippie-era American psychedelic hard rock act Agape was founded by Fred Caban who actually had been the room mate of Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill. Stonehill, who had not yet recorded his debut album Born Twice (1971), would sometimes open for Agape when they were on tour, and Norman actually did record a few demos featuring Agape. The five tracks listed as numbers on the Motorola Corolla 2 CD, eg “1-0411-7-4” are early 1970 demo recordings which Larry Norman did with Fred Caban’s Agape band with no vocals recorded. After the session Larry and Agape went their separate ways. These songs are resurrected on Corolla 2 with Larry’s vocals on them. (Mike Jungman, Agape’s drummer: “Worked with Larry early days at the Salt Company. He was the first to want work with us, Agape, in 1968. Talented and deep believer in Jesus!“)
Many of the songs on this collection were contenders for a Birthday For Shakespeare musical and are inspired by scenes or events from Shakespeare’s plays – however, there are no “these” and “thous” to be found – you’d be hard pressed to see the inspiration if it wasn’t for the extensive liner notes that Larry wrote for this 2007 release. He had the ability to tape demos that saw his sense of humour and skill shine through despite (or even because of) the rough quality of the recording. However, as is often the case with compilations of demos and half songs, the results are mixed and often infuriating – some are fully fledged songs recorded with the band that would have been great to hear well produced, while others are fragments of ideas that fade out just as they’re getting interesting. Still others are 15-30 second clips of ideas and practices that sound like they were recorded underwater. As an insight into Larry’s writing and recording and idea sessions (there are quite a few that by his own admission Larry doesn’t ever remember creating), there’s some interesting stuff here – the barnstorming «1-0411-7-7» sees Larry embarrassed about the twee lyrics but it could have been a classic rock-and-roller. So, a release with some gems (a very early demo of «Nothing Really Changes» with some alternative lyrics) amongst the dirt, ‘Motorola Corolla 2’ will likely get collectors and completists salivating, but may leave the casual Larry listener frustrated at the quality, inconsistency and lack of continuity. [Ewan Jones, Cross Rhythms, August 2008]
Solid Rock Records promo
Does this even have to be explained? It’s along the same lines as the first Motorola Corolla… except that it’s better. It has full length songs and nine other songs that you’ve never heard of. Okay, maybe you’ve heard of a couple of them but they are presented here in their infancy stage. For instance «Nothing Really Changes» has a few different lyrics… “Would Hedda Gabler choose Russian roulette” is one of them. We will leave the others for you to find on your own. Eventually he rewrote the song so thoroughly to make sure that most listeners would understand every character mentioned.
An extensive booklet comes with the CD. It gives historical background on both Larry in early Hollywood, and the background to the musical, Birthday For Shakespeare, written at that time. Extra information is given with each song. And the history or mythology of each song as it fits into the various Shakespeare scenes. This album rocks!
CD tracklist:
01. Sinking In Deep Blue
02. My Mind’s Made Up
03. I’m A Prisoner Of Love
04. Falling Asleep
05. Be Aware Of Your Breathing
06. 1-0411-7-4
07. 1-0411-7-5
08. 1-0411-7-6
09. 1-0411-7-7
10. 1-0411-7-11
11. …All I See Is You…
12. I Want You To Know
13. Change Into A Girl
14. Berkeley Barb
15. Being What I Am
16. The Bases Are Loaded With Men
17. Wedding Gifts
18. Your Name In Lights
19. Nothing Really Changes
20. 1-0411-7-13
21. 1-0411-7-15
22. Nickel In The Pasture
Note: An extensive booklet comes with the CD. It gives historical background on both Larry in early Hollywood, and the background to the musical, Birthday For Shakespeare, written at that time. Extra information is given with each song. And the history or mythology of each song as it fits into the various Shakespeare scenes. Available at Bandcamp: https://larrynorman.bandcamp.com/album/motorola-corolla-2
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