Take a Picture
Astrud Gilberto,Mama Cass,Julie London, and many others recorded Margo Guryan's great songs back in the day. When Guryan released her own wonderful album,Take a Picture, in 1968, it didn't receive a lot of attention, but this once-lost treasure provides timeless pop pleasure. Its tracks possess a musical sophistication that's akin to the best work of theFree Designand theBeach Boys. Guryan's striking vocal melodies are complemented by excellent arrangements that often pair the rough edges of a rock rhythm section with the smooth sounds of strings, horns, or a flute. Jazz and classical influences and restrained experimentation also come into play here. "Sun" is a delight that's both lighter than air and full of sonic detail. On "Don't Go Away," an engaging two-minute slice of proto prog-rock, electric violin dances over inventive, jagged rhythms. The easygoing title track sounds like a dreamy show tune fleshed out with splashes of harpsichord, touches of flute, and effective strings.Take a Pictureis a '60s orchestral pop classic.--Fred Cisterna