The Smiley Smile Message Board

It seems Gary Usher’s later work after his early/mid 60s days has only been sporadically touched upon here so I thought I’d start a new thread for discussing his work. Personally, I think his work with the Hondells, Sagittarius, the Byrds etc. from this period blows his earlier stuff out of the water, good as it is.

I’ve been listening to a lot of his stuff these last days after I finished reading the fourth volume of Stephen McParlands Gary Usher biography. Sadly, it’s the only volume I’ve been able to track down since Stephen has sold out the print run. If any member here has volumes 1,2 or 3 that they’d be willing to sell me, please PM me.

With the periodical discussions on Brian’s LA contemporaries on here, I thought I’d once again raise the flag for Gary’s unreleased Beyond a Shadow of Doubt recording project from the early 70s. This is a set of songs that somehow struck a chord with me when I first heard it 5-6 years ago and I’ve found myself going back to it again and again. I just love it! The ‘album’ has been discussed very briefly on here earlier in a ‘blink-or-you’ll-miss-it’ thread. In my opinion it’s a great collection of songs that more people should know about, hence this post. Here’s the earlier thread I’m referring to: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,9518.0.html

In short, Beyond a Shadow of Doubt was an ongoing project undertaken by Gary and his friend, singer/songwriter Dick Campbell who sang on quite a few of the tracks. Curt Boettcher also sang on a few. The overall sound is very enjoyable and warm – like soft sunshine pop mixed with mellow country. The songs are basically demos and not full productions but nevertheless sound quite good. I wish Gary and Dick had finished them, but then again, - perhaps the spark in these rough recordings would have been lost in more polished versions? Bottom line is that these songs never came out – until they were released in Japan in 2001. Read more about the album here: http://www.allmusic.com/album/beyond-a-shadow-of-doubt-mw0000456600

Now, some kind soul has uploaded two of my favourite tracks off the project on to Youtube, so here are two prime examples of the Usher/Campbell magic in fairly good sound quality:

Ships
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlD_ajP2FdQ

So Long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tGULOG0yAE

If you like this, it’s also worth checking out a similar set of songs issued under Dick Campbell’s name, ‘Blue Winds Only Know’. It features demos of a similar nature, many of which has Gary’s involvement. When all is said and done, it’s probably impossible to discern where the Beyond a Shadow of Doubt project stops and Blue Winds Only Know starts…

Here’s Share with Me from the Campbell disc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeCvYH-tG64

Happy listening… :-)

A few other obscure Usher favourites from the late 60s. Seems appropriate to post them here:

Saggittarius - In my Room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iNcV-2PvuQ

This is from the second Sagittarius album, ‘The Blue Marble.’ Curt Boettcher on lead here. The album definitely has some clunkers and those who dislike Gary’s croaky voice and moog will want to stay faaaar away. But when it hits, it hits hard. Here are two other great tracks from the album.

Gladys (Ex-Hondell Chuck Girard on lead)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0oRL_Jf894

The Blue Marble (Gary on lead)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCwJFejCz-Q

There’s also some good stuff to be found among his last productions for the Hondells. Here’s Just One More Chance, - the sound on the youtube vid could be better though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-7jYJeoas

Hey Kwan - Stephen McParland is going to be releasing e-copies of his stuff later this year, so look out for that.

He mentioned this in a brief email response to an enquiry I made a couple of weeks ago; I don't have any further details, but keep an eye on his site - cheers - A

Usher was everywhere! Thanks for the links.

 I'm perpetually grateful for his work with Firesign Theatre... I asked Phil Proctor about that and the mystery of Austin's Usher-produced epic...

DUCKMAN!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrxxEC9P7BY

Whoah, that is GREAT news!!! That fourth volume was the last one Stephen had lying around and when I was in contact with him some months ago, it didn't sound like he was seriously considering e-publishing. It will be fantastic to have online access to his other books.

Actually there were 5 vols. - the last being an extensive discography.

Yep, I know. I was referring to the fact that the fourth volume I bought from Stephen apparently was the very last one he had for sale. The fifth volume must be extensive given how much stuff Gary had a hand in in the 60s alone. Stephen attention to detail continues to impress me!

Why is this still here and not in general music discussion? 
Gary Usher wasj ust another Brian hanger-on