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"Califia: The Songs Of Lee Hazlewood" is the latest addition to Ace Records' high-profile Songwriter series. Comprising fan favourites and obscure collectables in equal measure, the set spans Sanford Clark's Top 10 hit of 1956 `The Fool' (built on a memorable contribution from guitar wizard Al Casey) to 1970's German language interpretation of `And I Loved You Then' by transcontinental pop princess Peggy March (a song from Hazlewood's "13" LP).
Hazlewood enjoys a strong cult following, lauded by hipsters such as Primal Scream, Nick Cave, Beck, the Jesus & Mary Chain, Pulp and Sonic Youth. His performance at London's Meltdown Festival in 1999 found him backed by members of Stereolab and the High Llamas, while the "Total Lee!" tribute album of 2002 had the indie cognoscenti tripping over each other to record his compositions.
One of pop's genuine originals, Hazlewood was a brilliant and endlessly versatile songwriter, equally at home with twangin' rock'n'roll (dig Don Cole's wild `Snake Eyed Mama'), country, psychedelia, R&B, folk, easy listening, burlesque or blues. His songs are truly beyond categorisation. He was also a pioneer in the mysterious art of record production and taught a thing or two to the young Phil Spector, who hung around paying close attention while Hazlewood crafted magnificent guitar instrumentals for Duane Eddy. Of the 25 tracks on "Califia", Hazlewood wrote each one and produced all but four.
As a performer, he possessed an instantly recognisable bass drawl perfectly suited to his lyrical tales of low-rent heartache, self-deprecating comedy, picturesque nostalgia and mystical cowboy psychedelia. He sings on four cuts on this collection, including the folksy Shacklefords' recording of `The City Never Sleeps At Night', a song written for Nancy Sinatra. As Dionne Warwick was to Burt Bacharach, Petula Clark to Tony Hatch and the Shangri-Las to Shadow Morton, Nancy was Lee Hazlewood's perfect muse. The lushly orchestrated opening duet `Lady Bird' - one of the dozens of pop masterpieces that resulted from their partnership - was personally selected for this compilation by the lady herself.
A companion volume of Hazlewood-penned instrumentals is also in the Ace pipeline, so watch this space. Meanwhile, check out the rest of Ace's Songwriter series, which includes compilations based on the works of Randy Newman, Jackie DeShannon, Neil Diamond, Goffin & King, Burt Bacharach and many others.
Tracklist
1 LADY BIRD - Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood
2 NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET - Suzi Jane Hokom
3 SWEET RIDE - Dusty Springfield
4 THE REBEL KIND - Dino, Desi & Billy
5 THE FOOL - Sanford Clark With Al Casey
6 HAVE LOVE, WILL TRAVEL - The Sharps
7 SNAKE EYED MAMA - Don Cole
8 THE GIRL ON DEATH ROW - Lee Hazlewood with Duane Eddy
9 THE DIP - Hal Blaine & The Young Cougars
10 HOUSTON - Sanford Clark
11 YOU TURNED MY HEAD AROUND - Ann-Margret
12 THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS AT NIGHT - The Shacklefords
13 GUITAR ON MY MIND - Duane & Miriam Eddy
14 CALIFIA (STONE RIDER) - Lee Hazlewood & Suzi Jane Hokom
15 MY BABY PLAYS THAT SAME OLD SONG ON HIS GUITAR ALL NIGHT LONG - Duane Eddy & The Rebelettes
16 TWELVE FEET HIGH - The Hondas
17 (I'M AFRAID) YOU'LL HURT ME - The Darlenes
18 THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN' - Rose & The Heavenly Tones
19 WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO IN '64? - The Wildcats
20 YOU CAN'T STAY HERE - The Barker Brothers
21 NOT THE LOVIN' KIND - Dino, Desi & Billy
22 (GOT THE) TEEN-AGE BLUES - Al Casey & The Bats
23 DON'T LOOK NOW, BUT I'VE GOT THE BLUES - B.B. King
24 GUITARS, GUITARS, GUITARS - Al Casey With The K-C-Ettes
25 DAS IST ZAUBEREI - Peggy March