Preston, Billy
I Wrote A Simple Song
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1971 US Gatefold Original; Tan Label Monarch Pressing. Self-Produced By Preston, This Was His A&M Debut That Features The Likes Of George Harrison, Quincy Jones And David T. Walker. Jacket Shows Light Shelf Wear, Nice VG+. Glossy EX Vinyl. "Considering His Church Background And Strong Spiritual Beliefs That Result In Songs Titled "God Is Great" And "God Loves You" On Both Of These Albums (Remastered And Reissued As A Double Disc Under One Cover At A Bargain Price In 2010), Keyboardist/Singer Billy Preston Was As Much A Proponent For The Secular Rock, Pop, And Jazz Of Little Richard, The Beatles, The Stones, And Ray Charles, All Of Whom He Worked With. The Latter Eclectic Soulman Provides The Basic Blueprint For Preston's Voice, And Some Of The Songs On His 1971 A&M Debut, I Wrote A Simple Song, Right Down To A Version Of "My Country ‘tis Of Thee" Modeled After Charles' Similar Take On "America The Beautiful." He Visits His Religious Roots On A Funked-Up "Swing Down Chariot," But The Album Finds Its Surest Footing On The Funky "Should've Known Better" (Not To Be Confused With The Beatles' "I Should Have Known Better"), The Political Yet Bubbly "The Bus," And Especially The Percussive, Impossibly Catchy Instrumental "Outa-Space," Preston's Biggest Single To Date. String And Horn Arrangements By Quincy Jones, David T. Walker On Guitars, And George Harrison On Occasional Lead Guitar Ensure That This Is A Professionally Recorded Session, Even If It Is Somewhat Scattered In Its Direction. Some Tunes, Such As The Preachy Let's-Make-The-World-A-Better-Place Platitudes Of "The Looner Tune," Don't Help Matters, But Preston Is Always Committed To The Material With Vocals That Are Energized, Honest, And Passionate." AMG