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Curt Boetcher was a West Coast musical genius involved with The Ballroom, Millenium and, most famously, production duties with the Association when they were at their most hip. On 'There's an Innocent Face' the gentle soft-rock and country-pop could be perceived as the link between Brian Wilson and theEagles.



Curt Boetcher and accompanying cohorts were professional Californians. The vocal blend is incredibly similar to Buckingham/Nicks-era Fleetwood Mac as is the guitar sound. Even Nicks' cooky Californian-style mysticism features in the story. Two years in the making and Boettcher (as was) feels it prudent to see if the aspects are right. He visits a famous LA showbizz numerologist and is informed that things will go better with the record's release if he drops one of the 't's from his name. It is also suggested that Curt's main sidekick Web Burrell loose an 'l'. Despite such infallible guidance the record bombed commercially. Fame however did eventually follow. This is a most welcome re-release for this legendary album only available recently as an expensive CD import. The eclecticism of much recent indie rock, (the fondness for Beach Boys melody and harmony, the blending of country with psychedelia), must surely mean that this reissue has happened at no better time than now. It is surely a very lightweight album but one that stays with you like a not unwanted strange but sweet dream.

Stephen Ridley
March-April 2003

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