STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - LOBO - OF A SIMPLE MAN

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Good morning audiophiles and welcome back to the Friday edition of Stuck In The Vinyl Again. Today we gleefully celebrate the 77th Birthday of Roland Kent LaVoie , known the world over as simply the singer-songwriter Lobo. Happy Birthday Lobo ! Born in Tallahassee and raised right here in Polk County's town of Winter Haven, Lobo would find early success with local soon to be legends, such as Jon Corneal, Gram Parsons, and Jim Stafford in the band, The Rumours. It is his solo work, specifically his sophomore release, Of A Simple Man, that is our subject of focus today.  Of A Simple Man was released October 1972 on Big Tree Records and produced by Phil Gernhard. It peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200, spawning three singles ; "A Simple Man" (#56 Hot 100, #17 Easy Listening), "I'd Love You To Want Me" (#5 UK, #2 Hot 100, #1 Easy Listening) and  "Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend" (#8 Hot 100, #1  Easy Listening). This LP was purchased last year at The Wax And The Needle.

1. "Intro" 0:24
2. "There Ain't No Way" 3:14
3. "A Big Red Kite" 4:06
4. "Recycle Sally" 3:10
5. "Don't Expect Me to Be Your Friend" 3:38
6. "A Simple Man" 3:05

Side B

7. "I'd Love You to Want Me" 4:04
8. "Let Me Down Easy" 2:45
9. "Pee-Ro Juan Valdez Sam Quixote" 4:04
10. "Running Deer" 3:25
11. "Gypsy And The Midnight Ghost" 3:08
12. "Am I True To Myself" 3:33

Acoustical guitars - Lobo

Electric guitars - Lobo, Barry Harwood, Phil Benton

Drums - Roy Yeager

Bass - John Mulkey

Keyboard - Ben Lanzarone, Steve Feldman, Lobo

Flute, recorder, sax - George Marge

Congas, vibres - Steve Feldman

Australian Marching drum - Thumpy 

Vocal Harmonies - Lobo, Robert John, Mike Gately, Ellie Greenwich, Steve Tadanger, Barbara Sipple

String Arrangements - John Abbott, Phil Gernhard

Producer: Phil Gernhard
Engineer: Bob Richardson
Photography: Marion Moorman