Community
Here’s a track from someone who worked overtime in the House of the Bizarre, the great Tiny Tim. From his second record, produced by Richard Perry, who went on to be Nilsson’s right hand man. Someone who recognized him as the force of nature he was. Not just a novelty act. God Blessed Tiny Tim in 1968 with his first album, cut in 68 in Los Angeles. Tiny arrived by train. He was scared of flying but he took us to the stratosphere on that record. Next came Tiny Tim’s 2nd Album. The release was said to have been undercut commercially by the bootleg record Concert in Fairyland, which was recorded years prior to the first album under many different contracts, using many different names. It was shrewdly compiled and marketed by none other than Richard Perry’s father in law. Perry was apparently so upset by this, he ended his relationship with the guy, and sued him. When you hear the real second record, you can understand why. Masterful arrangements, dynamic song choices and inventive production which showed that Tiny was serious about his interpretations of both classic and contemporary songs, and communicated them in a way that was as relevant to 1969 as the goddamned Jefferson Airplane. I mean, listen to this song. The lyrics, written by Brill Building writer Roger Atkins (who also wrote words to It’s My Life by the Animals and The Kind Of Girl I Could Love by the Monkees), talk about a wealthy and well known man in the community, who bankrupts small businesses “like the perfect gentleman.” There’s a river and a street that bare his name and every stitch and inch of the community is his. The cover of the record features Tiny with his parents, Butros and Tillie.
-Brian