Chris Robison & His Many-Hand Band - Chris Robison & His Many-Hand Band

The real walk on New York’s early 70s wild side

During the early 70s emergence of gay culture in New York after the 1969 Stonewall riots, artists such as Lou Reed and Jayne County presented transexually-boosted decadence in a fashion perfect for the likes of Bowie to translate into major success. As the gay disco scene remained staunchly underground, the truly brave statement came from a singer-songwriter called Chris Robison, who looked like any downtown rocker but celebrated his bisexuality in breezily-innocent pop form; titles the likes of Looking For A Boy Tonight were boasted without guilt or angst.

Immersed in the late 60s Greenwich Village scene, Robison became an in-demand multi-instrumentalist, which led to stints with Velvert Turner (allegedly Hendrix’s male lover) and the John Lennon-associated Elephant’s Memory, who backed him on catchy one-off single I’m Gonna Stay With My Baby Tonight (included here). After Robison’s open declarations of his sexuality proved too strong for record companies at a time when even Elton John had yet to come out, he hired a run-down studio and recorded his songs, playing everything himself and overdubbing choral vocals like a low-rent Brian Wilson. Released on his tiny Gypsy Frog label, this album was destined for cult obscurity but now reappears as an enjoyable snapshot of another, once taboo, side of 70s New York life.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Chapter Music | CH 67

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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