Margo Guryan
Singer, songwriter, producer and composer Margo Guryan released her one and only album, Take A Picture in 1968. A gem of 60’s California soft pop (recorded on the east coast), the album pretty much fell into obscurity until it was unearthed and reissued again in the early 90s as the indie-pop wave began to gain steam (the Siesta label from Spain did an excellent reissue on CD and LP, with extra songs). As the story goes, Guryan was a budding jazz pianist and composer in her youth until she heard “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys and immediately redirected her career towards the sunshiney California sound. The performance shy Guryan’s recording career didn’t get far, but her career as a songwriter and producer was successful, with her songs performed by the likes of Mama Cass, Harry Nilsson, Dion, Astrud Gilberto and more. These tracks are demo versions from Take A Picture, and as a bonus I found the recently recorded “16 Words” she wrote about the beginning on the Iraqi war.
Margo Guryan - Sunday Morning
Margo Guryan - Timothy Gone
Bonus:
Margo Guryan - 16 Words (video)
January 18th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Mark-excellent choice! one of my favorites for sure. i did not know other performers, especially those of that caliber, performed her songs. i must have missed that somehow. the video is truly a bonus-good to know she is still out there kickin’. i dig this little music site-keep up the good work
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:06 am
Excellent tracks. Ms. Guryan’s work was totally unknown to me, so thanks for the introduction. This blog’s fast becoming one of my favorites.