Bob Lind - Elusive Butterfly: The Complete Jack Nitzsche Sessions

The place to start with Mr Lind

Bob Lind working with Jack Nitzsche was one of those fortuitous 60s combinations that brought out the best of both parties. Lind’s songs, strong in their own right, presented an Arcadian world of midsummer madness where love remained mercurial but desirable. Nitzsche’s arrangements and production set them well ahead of other folkrock directions through imaginative use of high string lines and banks of acoustic guitars.

It was a world of sparkling highlights where, over two wonderful albums, the feel of the music was unique. The hit Elusive Butterfly nearly didn’t happen, as it was the last of four choices for the first single, competing against Cheryl’s Goin’ Home, Truly Julie’s Blues and You Should Have Seen It. The wealth of strong songs from these first two albums were soon leapt on by others, but Lind’s voice always seemed to nail the real meaning and romanticism. He benefited from Nitzsche’s ability to call upon the top LA session players to provide a soft bed for him to describe his world, and the results have more than stood the test of time, with many modern musicians relating to his work. Three bonuses and extensive Lind quotes in the booklet all enhance this recommended reissue.

Big Beat | WIKD 265

Reviewed by Kingsley Abbott
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