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After a recent concert, a UCLA football player
came backstage and brought me a rose! Right away, I knew either I was in trouble, or the
world was out of it. It seems range after so many years of suppressing our feelings of
warmth toward our fellow men that suddenly it's considered quite safe and sane to shake
somebody's hand. Could the victorian era really be over? In this album, I have gathered together some your favourite stars, Dame Madelyn
Barefoot, soprano, Percy Protest, Flowers R. Goodforyou. The extraordinary sitar player
Moltan Lava, (who learned everything he knows at the feet of the master, George Harrison,)
Pablo Bernstein's Rubber Band, members of the until now artistically submerged Soho
Symphony Orchestra (billed in London as the First Underground Symphony because they
practice in the subway between Kensington Station and Marble Arch,) and a vocal group made
up of soloists in themselves, whom we call "Members of the Original Cast."
Naturally, with such an array of talent at my disposal, I
endeavoured to create something a little different than the "tear-in-the-beer"
type of song I am noted for. Thus I give you THE LOVE MOVEMENT.
For Reader's Digest fans, I offer "The Complete Madame
Butterfly" in a minute and a-half, for devotees of East Indian music, there is
"The Raga Rag," and finally, a composition dedicated to Dylan, Donovan, Oaks and
folks, entitled "The 83rd Psalm," which will be remembered, I hope, for its
unique use of 5-11, 7-4, 2-12 and 9-31/2 bar phrases. In an attempt to alienate everyone I
have wisely included the 14-tone composition, "Salvation Army Workers Don't Belong in
Bars," and a Renaissance protest song entitled, "Methinks Thou Doth Protest Too
Much."
Here and there you will even find some real music thrown in
just to make sure you're listening. In that department, I hope you will enjoy, "I'm
Strong But I Like Roses," "Who Kills a Butterfly on a Wheel," (the title
was taken from a London Times editorial defending "pot stars"), and a selection
from the Third Movement of my "Concerto. for Four Harpsichords" (no kidding!).
I would particularly like to acknowledge the contributions
made by the gifted Cockney arranger-conductor, Arthur Greenslade, who did just that,
arranged and conducted - superbly - and Flo Bennett, who went beyond the written notes on
the page.
Your complaints and/or praise should be directed to me at
Box 2783, Hollywood California 90028. Perhaps your comments will help in the completion of
the sequel to this album, entitled, "Son of the Love Movement."
In conclusion, let me say that I love San Francisco, hate
Ashbury. Sleep warm, love well, and carry a big stick!
Rod McKuen, September 1967 |
