Continental American is the third studio album by Peter Allen, released in 1974. The album was his first for A&M Records, and is notable for the inclusion of Allen's version of his co-authored hit for Olivia Newton-John, among others, "I Honestly Love You".
History Allen's previous two studio albums, Peter Allen (1971) and Tenterfield Saddler (1972) had been released on Metromedia Records, with modest results. Prior to the release of Continental American, Allen had assumed residency in New York City and had become a regular performer at the Reno Sweeney nightclub, owned and operated by composer Lewis Friedman between 1972 and 1977.Overview of Lewis Friedman ; www.artistswithaids.org. A portrait of Allen, taken at Reno Sweeney's, is featured on the back cover of Continental American.
The album was later described by critic William Ruhlmann as involving a "retrospective, world-weary concept" and a "mood of desperate nostalgia", concluding that the album was "a dour singer/songwriter collection that used show business clichés in music and words to express a world view of regret and resignation."William Ruhlmann, Review of Continental American. AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
Metromedia Records had ceased operations as of 1974, resulting in Allen's earlier albums becoming largely unavailable. He used the Continental American and later A&M releases as an opportunity to reintroduce some of his music. "Just Ask Me I've Been There", was originally recorded on the Tenterfield Saddler album. "Harbour", included on his follow-up Taught by Experts album (1976), was also originally from Tenterfield Saddler.Peter Allen discography; www5d.biglobe.ne.jp.
Track listing
Side One "Just a Gigolo (Schöner Gigolo)" (Irving Caesar, Leonello Casucci, Julius Brammer) 3:14 "Everything Old Is New Again" (Peter Allen, Sager) 2:35 "The Natural Thing to Do" (Allen, Sager) 4:11 "Pretty, Pretty" (Allen, Hal Hackady) 3:32 "Continental American" (Allen, Sager) 5:15
Side Two "Just Ask Me I've Been There" (Allen) 4:35The song is generally credited to Allen alone, though AllMusic lists Leonello Casucci as co-author, as here. "I Honestly Love You" (Allen, Jeff Barry) 3:32 "This Side Show's Leaving Town" (Allen, Sager) 7:38 "Just a Gigolo (Schöner Gigolo)" (Reprise) (Caesar, Casucci) 3:15With background vocals by well-known cabaret performer Frances Faye.
Personnel
Peter Allen - keyboards, percussion, vocals Julien Barber - viola Seymour Berger - trombone Alfred Brown - viola Garnett Brown - trombone Sam T. Brown - guitar James Buffington - French horn Francisco Centeno - bass Arthur Clark - saxophone Selwart Clarke - violin Harry Cykman - violin Joseph DeAngelis - French horn Jonathan Dorn - tuba Sue Evans - percussion Jon Faddis - trumpet Jeff Fura - project coordinator Steve Gadd - drums Paul Gershman - violin Peter Gordon - French horn Emanuel Green - violin John Gruhler - project coordinator Anthony Jackson - bass Jack Jeffers - trombone Arthur Jenkins - keyboards Jack Jennings - percussion Howard Johnson - tuba Walter Kane - saxophone Harry Kohn - violin Barry Korkin - project coordinator Phil Kross - percussion Beverly Lauridsen - cello Charles Libove - violin Bob Liftin - engineer Harry Lookofsky - violin Keith Loving - guitar Ralph MacDonald - percussion Joseph Malin - violin Dawn Maze - project coordinator Daniel Moore - trumpet Kermit Moore - cello David Nadien - violin Gene Orloff - violin Romeo Penque - clarinet Seldon Powell - clarinet, saxophone Matthew Raimondi - violin George Ricci - cello Ernie Royal - trumpet Bill Salter - bass guitar Sol Schlinger - saxophone Billy Slapin - clarinet, flute, saxophone Andrew Smith - drums David Spinozza - guitar Marvin Stamm - trumpet Tony Studd - euphonium Richard Tee - keyboards Brooks Tillotson - French horn John Tropea - guitar Emanuel Vardi - viola Harold Vick - saxophone Bill Watrous - trombone Frank Wess - flute, saxophone Joseph B. Wilder - trumpet
Charts The album entered the Australian top 100 in October 1977. Chart (1977)PeakpositionAustralian (Kent Music Report)87
References