FRIEDMAN, RUTHANN - White Dove/Motorcycle Madness

"Ruthann Friedman wrote the early bubble-pop anthem Windy for The Association while crashed out on Crosbys couch, swung with Zappas crew, and she almost got that Jefferson Airplane vocalist slot before bitch goddess Grace slunk in. Ruthanns 1970 LP, Constant Companion is a recording of sublime beauty and abstract folky ruminations which shouldve sent ol Joni running to Essra Mohawk and Judee Sill for consolation (and inspiration!) -- but sadly recognition was a long time in coming. Friedmans lone 45, Carry On (Glittering Dancer) is another bit of genius, fleshed out by captivating Van Dyke Parks arrangements a la Smile or Song Cycle. The two tracks on this single arent as densely arranged as that, certainly more of a piece with Constant Companion than the Hurried Life demos collection that came out in 2006 on Water. Still, any further recordings from this era should be recognized as a godsend... like these two! The A side, White Dove, is Ruthann naked amongst spiraling acoustic beauty, while the B is a rip-snortin west-coast style groover that sounds like Moby Grape or Big Brother (or late West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band!) backing one bad-ass biker mama. - Ether.