The Good Book is a 1971 album released by Melanie and featuring the Top 40 hit "Nickel Song". The album also features "Birthday of the Sun", a track Melanie originally performed at Woodstock in 1969.
The album was the last 'official' Melanie release from Buddah Records - she left the company to form her own label; however several Buddah albums were later issued featuring 'leftover' material from earlier sessions; in addition to several compilation albums.
Reception Cashbox called the album "her best recording to date. Her songwriting reflects a new maturity and vision; each of her new pieces is wonderfully crafted and performed in the inimitable Melanie fashion."
In a mixed review, Allmusic stated that the album "seemed like a case of two steps forward, one step back" however conceding that "it's worth noting there's no such thing as a Melanie album without a bit of emotional excess, and she speaks her heart and mind with clarity and gentle force on these numbers."
Track listing All songs written by Melanie Safka except where noted.
"Good Book" "Babe Rainbow" "Sign on the Window" (Bob Dylan) "The Saddest Thing" "Nickel Song" "Isn't It a Pity" "My Father" (Judy Collins) "Chords of Fame" (Phil Ochs) "You Can Go Fishin'" "Birthday of the Sun" "The Prize" "Babe Rainbow (Reprise)"
Personnel Melanie - nylon guitar, banjo, vocals Vinnie Bell - electric guitar Sal DiTroia - classical and steel guitar Hugh McCracken - classical guitar Eric Weissberg - fiddle Joe Mack - bass Ron Frangipane - keyboards Margie English - banjo Buddy Saltzman, George Devens - drums, percussion Dave Melaney - accordion George March - woodwind The Pennywhistlers - backing vocals John Abbott, Lee Holdridge, Ron Frangipane - arrangements
Charts Album ChartsPeakpositionU.S Billboard Charts 80U.S Cash Box Charts 45U.K. Album Charts9Australian Album Charts29Canadian Album Charts26Norwegian Album Charts20 German Album Charts29Swedish Album Charts17Austrian Album Charts 6
Singles ChartsTitlePeakpositionU.S Billboard Hot 100"Nickel Song"35U.S Cash Box Charts"Nickel Song"25U.S Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart"Nickel Song"30Australian Charts"Nickel Song"74Canadian Charts"Nickel Song"27U.S Cash Box Charts"The Good Book"78U.S Record World Charts "The Good Book"60
References