A debut album is often an unattainable career peak, for the reason identified by singer-songwriter Paul Curreri in an interview he once gave me: "I had 26 years to write the first record and only six months to write the second". This holds especially true for singer-songwriters: think of the eponymous offerings by John Prine, Loudon Wainwright, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Jackson Browne etc. But Bob Dylan's first was his most dispensable offering until Empire Burlesque came along thirty-one years later. There have been other dud debuts. Here are a few examples of talent squandered or misused. These are the Ten Greatest False Starts in Music History.
1. David Bowie - 'David Bowie' (1967)
Before Iggy Pop, there was Anthony Newley. Well, not even Anthony Newley: Michael Crawford seems to be the dominant creative influence, with the cheeky chappie remark at the fade of 'Love Me Til Tuesday'. "Might make it to Wednesday," eh? 'The Laughing Gnome' is more embarrassing, but not by much. On the whole, very revealing about the Brit B-movie source of Bowie's theatricality.
2. Townes Van Zandt - For The Sake of The Song (1968)
Hamstrung by misconceived arrangements and the song Talkin' Karate Blues, which this writer took for evidence of failing powers when Townes revived it for his 1987 UK tour. Immortal songs like Tecumsah Valley and Waitin' Around To Die had to wait awhile for their definitive versions.
3. Tom Waits - Closing Time (1973)
Not irredeemable, but the sentimental barfly schtick hasn't worn as well as the malformed polka and voodoo schtick.
4. Jimmy Webb - Jim Webb Sings Jim Webb (1968)
Produced, according to Webb, "by a bunch of ruffians from some old demos of mine and tarted up to sound like MacArthur Park. It was quite a piece of crap and received with… crushing disappointment."
5. Duffy Power - Leapers and Sleepers (2002)
A double CD set of Duffy Power sides from 1962-1967. Larry Parnes exerts a deadening influence until at least halfway through disc two, when Little Boy Blue and Mary Open The Door reveal true greatness.
6. Man - Revelation (1969)
Pretentious proto-prog that traces the history of Man(kind), complete with a prolonged and quite off-putting orgasm and Grieg (is it?) quotations. This, from the group that made Merthyr Tydfil ring to the sound of 'Spunk Rock'.
7. The Humblebums - First Collection of Merry Melodies (1969)
As a folk singer, Billy Connolly makes a great comedian.
8. Aretha Franklin - Soul Sister (1966)
The textbook case of a hidebound major label misusing and abusing notable talent. The LP includes the Queen of Soul's interpretations of 'Ol' Man River' and 'Swanee'.
9. Acoustic Ladyland - The Jazz on 3 Session
From 2003, when Acoustic Ladyland were a Jimi Hendrix tribute band and unplugged.
10. The Beatles - The Sheik of Araby, Like Dreamers Do, Three Cool Cats…
The failed Decca audition, 1st January, 1962. The false start to end all false starts.
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