Beautiful Lies You Could Live In
Encyclopedia
... Beautiful Lies You Could Live In was the sixth album credited to American psychedelic folk group Pearls Before Swine
, and their fourth on Reprise Records
. It was released in 1971.
Like its predecessor City of Gold, the album was credited to Tom Rapp
and Pearls Before Swine, rather than solely in the group's name. By this time, Rapp was usually recording as, in effect, a solo singer-songwriter, supported by his wife Elisabeth and by session musicians. Ironically, however, the move towards presenting Rapp as a solo artist happened at the same time as the group Pearls Before Swine - which, since its formation in 1965, had never previously appeared live - was beginning its first concert tour in 1971. The other members of the 1971 touring band - Mike Krawitz (piano), Gordon Hayes (bass) and Jon Tooker (guitar) - all played on Beautiful Lies, but were not specifically differentiated as band members from the session musicians. The sessions took place in New York and Woodstock, presumably in early 1971, and featured musicians of the calibre of Amos Garrett
(guitar), Bob Dorough
(piano), and Billy Mundi
(drums).
The album has a more orthodox folk rock (or country rock) sound than earlier Pearls Before Swine records, with electric guitars and drums more prominent. It also contains several of Tom Rapp's most beautiful and evocative songs, such as "Snow Queen", "Island Lady", and "Freedom", together with a cover of Leonard Cohen
's "Bird On A Wire
". The album concludes with a brief setting of A.E. Housman's poem, "Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries", sung by Elisabeth.
Reverting to the group's practice of using classic art images on their album covers, the sleeve design shows the 19th century Pre-Raphaelite painting "Ophelia
" by John Everett Millais
.
Beautiful Lies was in effect the last album recorded by Rapp for the Reprise
label, although a further album, "Familiar Songs", was issued by the company without Rapp's knowledge or approval. Beautiful Lies was issued on CD in 2003 as part of the Jewels Were the Stars compendium of Pearls Before Swine's first four Reprise albums.
Pearls Before Swine (band)
Pearls Before Swine was an American psychedelic folk band formed by Tom Rapp in 1965 in Eau Gallie, now part of Melbourne, Florida. They released six albums between 1967 and 1971, before Rapp launched a solo career.-Early years, 1965-68:...
, and their fourth on Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
. It was released in 1971.
Like its predecessor City of Gold, the album was credited to Tom Rapp
Tom Rapp
Thomas Dale Rapp is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the leader of Pearls Before Swine, the psychedelic folk rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. More recently he has practiced as a lawyer.-Life:...
and Pearls Before Swine, rather than solely in the group's name. By this time, Rapp was usually recording as, in effect, a solo singer-songwriter, supported by his wife Elisabeth and by session musicians. Ironically, however, the move towards presenting Rapp as a solo artist happened at the same time as the group Pearls Before Swine - which, since its formation in 1965, had never previously appeared live - was beginning its first concert tour in 1971. The other members of the 1971 touring band - Mike Krawitz (piano), Gordon Hayes (bass) and Jon Tooker (guitar) - all played on Beautiful Lies, but were not specifically differentiated as band members from the session musicians. The sessions took place in New York and Woodstock, presumably in early 1971, and featured musicians of the calibre of Amos Garrett
Amos Garrett
Amos Garrett is a Juno Award-winning American-Canadian musician, performer, and author. He holds dual citizenship and was raised in Toronto and Montreal...
(guitar), Bob Dorough
Bob Dorough
Bob Dorough is an American bebop and cool jazz pianist, composer and vocalese singer.He worked with Miles Davis and Allen Ginsberg, and his adventurous style was an influence on Mose Allison, among other singers...
(piano), and Billy Mundi
Billy Mundi
Billy Mundi is an American drummer, who has played a multitude of sessions and been a member of countless bands, most notably The Mothers of Invention and Rhinoceros. He sometimes used the name Tony Schnasse.A former Hells Angel, his career dates back to the late 1950s, when he majored in music at...
(drums).
The album has a more orthodox folk rock (or country rock) sound than earlier Pearls Before Swine records, with electric guitars and drums more prominent. It also contains several of Tom Rapp's most beautiful and evocative songs, such as "Snow Queen", "Island Lady", and "Freedom", together with a cover of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
's "Bird On A Wire
Bird on the Wire
"Bird on the Wire" is one of Leonard Cohen's signature songs. It was recorded 26 September 1968 in Nashville and included on his 1969 album Songs from a Room. A May 1968 recording produced by David Crosby, entitled "Like a Bird", was added to the 2007 remastered CD...
". The album concludes with a brief setting of A.E. Housman's poem, "Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries", sung by Elisabeth.
Reverting to the group's practice of using classic art images on their album covers, the sleeve design shows the 19th century Pre-Raphaelite painting "Ophelia
Ophelia (painting)
Ophelia is a painting by British artist Sir John Everett Millais, completed between 1851-52. Currently held in the Tate Britain in London, it depicts Ophelia, a character from Shakespeare's play Hamlet, singing before she drowns in a river in Denmark....
" by John Everett Millais
John Everett Millais
Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Baronet, PRA was an English painter and illustrator and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.-Early life:...
.
Beautiful Lies was in effect the last album recorded by Rapp for the Reprise
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
label, although a further album, "Familiar Songs", was issued by the company without Rapp's knowledge or approval. Beautiful Lies was issued on CD in 2003 as part of the Jewels Were the Stars compendium of Pearls Before Swine's first four Reprise albums.
Track listing
- "Snow Queen" - 4:00 (Rapp)
- "A Life" - 2:57 (Rapp)
- "Butterflies" - 2:46 (Rapp)
- "Simple Things" - 2:55 (Rapp)
- "Everybody's Got Pain" - 2:47 (Rapp)
- "Bird On A WireBird on the Wire"Bird on the Wire" is one of Leonard Cohen's signature songs. It was recorded 26 September 1968 in Nashville and included on his 1969 album Songs from a Room. A May 1968 recording produced by David Crosby, entitled "Like a Bird", was added to the 2007 remastered CD...
" - 3:33 (CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
) - "Island Lady" - 4:01 (Rapp)
- "Come To Me" - 2:57 (Rapp)
- "Freedom" - 3:03 (Rapp)
- "She's Gone" - 2:11 (Rapp)
- "Epitaph" - 1:24 (Housman / Elisabeth Rapp)
Performers
- Tom RappTom RappThomas Dale Rapp is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the leader of Pearls Before Swine, the psychedelic folk rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. More recently he has practiced as a lawyer.-Life:...
: Vocals, Guitar - Morrie E. Brown: Bass
- Steve Alan Grable: Piano, Organ
- Jon Tooker: Guitar
- Elisabeth (Rapp): Vocals
- Gordon Hayes: Bass
- Michael Krawitz: Piano
- Billy MundiBilly MundiBilly Mundi is an American drummer, who has played a multitude of sessions and been a member of countless bands, most notably The Mothers of Invention and Rhinoceros. He sometimes used the name Tony Schnasse.A former Hells Angel, his career dates back to the late 1950s, when he majored in music at...
: Drums - Bob DoroughBob DoroughBob Dorough is an American bebop and cool jazz pianist, composer and vocalese singer.He worked with Miles Davis and Allen Ginsberg, and his adventurous style was an influence on Mose Allison, among other singers...
: Piano - Stu Scharf: Electric Guitar
- Grady TateGrady TateGrady Tate, , is a hard bop and soul-jazz drummer and singer.He has played with Lional Hampton, Jimmy Smith, Grant Green, Lena Horne, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Blossom Dearie, Chris Connor, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Cal Tjader, Peggy Lee, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Count...
: Drums - Amos GarrettAmos GarrettAmos Garrett is a Juno Award-winning American-Canadian musician, performer, and author. He holds dual citizenship and was raised in Toronto and Montreal...
: Electric Guitar - Herb Lovell: Drums
- Gerry Jermott: Bass
Other credits
- Produced by Peter H. Edmiston
- Executive Producer : Charles R. Rothschild
- Recorded at A&R Studios, New York; Aura Sound, New York; and Bearsville Studios, Woodstock
- Engineered by Mark Harman