Gerry Goffin "It Ain't Exactly Entertainment" (Adelphi AD 4102) 1973
Before Carole King made her landmark Tapestry album in 1971, she had already been a successful songwriter in the '60's. Her partner in that endeavor was her then-husband Gerry Goffin, from whom she was divorced by the time she found her own fame. King and Goffin were masters of what is known as Brill Building pop. They were among many professional songwriters who worked at the famous New York block of music publishing houses. They wrote hits for numerous artists, including the Shirelles ("Will You Love Me Tomorrow"), Little Eva ("The Loco-Motion"), and Aretha Franklin ("(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman"). Brill Building pop went out of fashion after the coming of the Beatles. After it became fashionable for musicians to write their own songs, King was able to join and stand out among the multitude of singer-songwriters, but Goffin has since achieved far less fame than his ex-wife. He has had continued success as a lyricist, having written #1 hits for Diana Ross ("Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To?)") and Whitney Houston ("Saving All My Love For You"). But his own recording career consists of only two albums that were released two decades apart. The first of those, the 1973 double album It Ain't Exactly Entertainment, is out of print.
Contrary to its title, the album is fairly entertaining, though it ain't exactly commercial, and it certainly doesn't resemble Brill Building pop. It contains folk-rock similar to that of Bob Dylan, though Goffin's lyrics are more quirky. Goffin has an offbeat and somewhat boozy-sounding sense of humor, as evidenced by the first two tracks and "The Last Cha Cha on Jackson Highway". The songs "Maryland Again" and "It's Not The Spotlight" effectively convey a feeling of longing. Goffin and his backing musicians stretch out comfortably on the 12-minute jam "Set Job". The gospel-inspired "Sister Henry" is another standout track. The album is inevitably dated by its politics, which concern Watergate ("Cherokee Medicine", "Everything and Nothing") and Vietnam ("Rainy Day Flying", "Honorable Peace"). Anyone who is not well-versed in the politics of that time may be puzzled by the lyrics of "Chicago (You)", though political junkies should find that song to be an interesting snapshot of its era's discourse. Overall, It Ain't Exactly Entertainment is very nearly a lost classic. It is recommended most highly to aficionados of Dylan-esque folk. (Note: this album was once available as a 2-CD set in Japan, with packaging designed to resemble a miniature 2-LP set. That set has also been discontinued).
Track Listing:
1. Down On The Street 2. Reverend Bottom's Tojo Saloon 3. Cherokee Medicine 4. Chicago (You) 5. Sail Away Ladies (P.D.) 6. Maryland Again 7. The Last Cha Cha on Jackson Highway 8. It's Not The Spotlight 9. It's Alright To Be Alive 10. Everything and Nothing 11. Set Job 12. What Am I Doin' Here 13. Sister Henry 14. Your Precious Ears 15. Honorable Peace 16. Rainy Day Flying 17. Zebulon Pike
