Ken Sharp: The Philadelphia Beach Boy Who Loves The Beatles
Written: Nov 16 '02 (Updated Jan 15 '06)
Product Rating:
Pros: Music similar in style to The Beatles, Beach Boys, Raspberries and ELO.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: For people who miss trips down Penny Lane while listening to the Good Vibrations of the 1960s, this album should appeal to Beatles and Beach Boys fans.
Don_Krider's Full Review: Happy Accidents by Ken Sharp
Ken Sharp's second album, the first U. S. release for the Philadelphia musician, is a sweet mixture of pop music with melody, with large does of Beatles '67-'68 psychedlia mixed with layers of Beach Boys harmony.
Sharp's first CD, the Japanese-only release "1301 Highland Avenue" on M&M Records, was something of a cross between uptempo '60s bubblegum and '70s power pop, featuring backing vocals from power pop legends The Rubinoos on two tracks.
On his second album, "Happy Accidents" (his first U. S. release for Not Lame Recordings), Ken has brought a number of co-conspirators together to create one a sound that makes one forget that the Swinging '60s ever ended.
The pop conspirators for this outing include: Scot Sax (ex-Wanderlust), Rob Bonfiglio (ex-Wanderlust; married Brian Wilson's daughter, Carnie (of Wilson-Phillips fame), in 2000); most recently with the Los Angeles band Robby), Ritchie Rubini (ex-The Caulfields), John Wicks (ex-The Records), Stewkey Antoni (ex-The Nazz, a '60s band that also featured Todd Rundgren) and Jason Scheff (bass player and lead singer in the band Chicago).
Toss in plenty of cello, Wurlitzer electric piano, clavinet, maracas, tambourine, Hammond B-3 organ, Coral sitar, mellotron and sleigh bells mixed with the traditional guitars-bass-drum-vocals combo and you have a sound-rich environment. Ken even ices this delicious cake with handclaps on several tracks to complete the '60s flashback feel.
The album has been praised by former Beach Boys' guitarist Al Jardine and former Raspberries' lead singer Eric Carmen, among others. Carmen said of the album (according to the Not Lame Recordings website) that it is "a breath of fresh air wafting across Strawberry Fields."
Among the songs:
"Beautiful":
On the perfectly adoreable lead-off track "Beautiful," Sharp's smooth lead vocal caresses the gentle melody as he sings "into these weary arms, you know you're safe with me, but the world's revolving 'round and 'round."
The Beatles' feel is perfect "Sergeant Pepper" revived, accented by Tony Pirollo's cello with backing vocals by Sharp, Stewkey and Rubini.
Sharp proves his ability as a musician on the track by singing both lead and backing vocals, while playing electric and acoustic guitars, 12-string, bass, Wurlitzer electric piano and harmonium. He also wrote the tune and co-produced it (with Ralph Deal). Amazing.
"Mr. Sun":
"Mr. Sun" has a Bee Gees/Beatles feel (with Ken's wife, Terri, and Susan Ries adding background vocals) with some great Hammond organ and piano work from Sax and Bonfiglio. Sax's drum fills and high hat work are also exceptional.
"Wrecking Ball":
"Wrecking Ball" sounds like an out-take from The Beatles' "Magical Mysetery Tour," very John Lennon-ish in sound and feel.
Sharp asks, "...so take a look inside yourself / and tell me what you see / are you a lot like me..."
This track is followed by a track entitled "Happy Accidents," which is "Wrecking Ball" played backwards, apparently a "happy accident" in the studio (or a deliberate one ala The Beatles' backwards recording on the "White Album" LPs?).
"Floating On A Cornflake":
"Floating On A Cornflake" is kind of The Beatles meet Enuff Z'Nuff, a lil' bit '60s pop with '80s glam overtones. Sharp plays nine instruments (if you count "paper slaps" as an instrument) and sings all the vocals here, aided only by Rubini on drums (as well as on "paper slaps"!).
Ken's mysterious lyrics state, "...floating on a cornflake / exploding through the Milky Way / closer than a heartbeat / I can hear the music play and play..."
"You Said You'd Love Me":
"You Said You'd Love Me" is the album's standout ballad, very '70s in feel, with Ken's lead vocal accented by backing vocals from Chicago lead singer Jason Scheff and cello by Tony Pirollo.
Ken sings "...and now the moral to this story must be done / seems a lifetime of love has just begun..."
"Room For Two":
Ken sounds like The Raspberries circa their "Side 3" album and proves he can rock hard on this track.
The track features some great power chording and non-stop drumming as he pleads with the girl he's singing to: "...is there room enough for two? Do you feel the way I do? Tell me it's true..."
"Girl Don't Tell Me":
The one song Ken didn't write, his cover of The Beach Boys' classic "Girl Don't Tell Me," may be Ken's best performance on the album.
Ken offers the Brian Wilson classic with a more acoustic feel. He is the only musician on the track, playing electric and acoustic guitars, bass, vibraphone and sleigh bells while singing all the vocals.
One of my favorite Beach Boys' tunes, Ken becomes a Philadelphia Beach Boy as he lovingly reproduces the harmony-filled tune, singing:
"Hi little girl, it's me / don't you know who I am? / I met you last summer / when I came up to stay with my grand / I'm the guy who left you with tears in his eyes / you didn't answer my letters / so I figured it was just a lie / ... / girl don't tell me you'll write me again this time..."
Recommendation:
Ken Sharp may be a name you've heard --- he has written books about power pop, The Beatles, Cheap Trick and The Raspberries. Among his CD credits are writing the liner notes for the recent Kiss box set (as well as exclusive interviews with the group during their reunion tour for Goldmine magazine).
Writing for various music magazines, he has interviewed many of his idols, including members of The Raspberries, The Who and The Beatles.
Ken was also the man behind the outstanding three-volume Rhino Records' "Poptopia: Power Pop Classics..." compilations.
The first time I heard Ken was in 1993 when his track, "Break Down The Walls," appeared on "Yellow Pills Volume One," a power pop music compilation. His music is miles beyond that fine track now and I recommend this disc to anyone who loves mid-'60s/mid-'70s pop (fans of The Beatles and the Electric Light Orchestra should love this).
The CD:
Ken produced or co-produced all the tracks with several other producers and engineers. Notable among the engineers is Shelly Yakus (engineer on all The Raspberries' albums, as well as albums by Three Dog Night and Grand Funk, among others; he also has worked with acts such as Cutting Crew and Tom Petty).
Contains 13 tracks: "Beautiful," "See Through My Eyes," "Mr. Sun," "Wrecking Ball," "Happy Accidents" (which is "Wrecking Ball" played backwards), "Brand New Day," "Unconditionally," "Tea And Sympathy," "Floating Like A Cornflake," "You Said You'd Love Me," "Room For Two," "Girl Don't Tell Me" and "You Ain't Foolin'".
The CD booklet
Very professional, 8-page, color-illustrated booklet, with lyrics to all the songs (except "Girl Don't Tell Me"). He dedicated the album to the late Pete Ham of Badfinger and to the late Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys.
Ken can be reached via sharpk@aol.com if you're interested in his books and this album is available through various sources, including his record label at: http://www.notlame.com
Just released
"Raspberries TONIGHT!" by Bernie Hogya and Ken Sharp with photography by Gene Taylor --- a full-color, 100-page paperback book about the 2004-2005 Raspberries reunion tour: http://www.epinions.com/content_217001201284
Also of interest
"Eric Carmen: Marathon Man" by Bernie Hogya and Ken Sharp, the official book biography of The Raspberries' lead singer was released in July of 2004: http://www.epinions.com/content_153762500228
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