HOLLINS AND STARR - SIDEWALKS TALKING (OVATION 1970)

This is a perfectly produced and arranged popsike concept, an ode to the free mind structured by intelligent reconsiderations. It is an album that grows in depth with each listen. The songs are working on a different, almost meditative level, at times directing towards awareness in advance of a conscious dream state, with gateways of instrumentals like paths that direct this way, with a fundament of strummed guitar and flute improvisations, and lots of arrangements. “Hard Headed Women” is one of the most ambitious and longest tracks, starting with a more rockier singing, and with parts of almost classical & contemporary classical arrangements of brass with and without percussion, and another part with drums and kettle drums, while turning this again into something (prog)rockier, on “Home?”, in a progressive and ever changing way. This is followed by another flute part which sounds like a baroque improvisation, which is a Bach composition returning to a classical foundation. “Digress” is more up tempo and rockier as well, is almost avant-garde with its lyrics, like an anti-intellectual-chitchat song, powerful again, just like an ode to real expressions, evolving over a sound collage of thunder and street noises to a somewhat jazzier laid back song. The whole albums is mixed like a perfect musical story with lots of facets hanging together on many levels from a variety of experiences..[review]
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The sole album by this Chicago based duo is a treasure trove of strong melodies and dreamy vocal harmonies, which originally appeared in 1970 on the Ovation label. Expect a gorgeous, ethereal blend of psychedelic folk and offbeat pop
supported by an odd assortment of instruments including flute, bells and fuzz guitar.
‘Sidewalk Talking’ is sure to appeal to all fans of overlooked acid folk and popsike.
No wonder it has been sampled by DJ Shadow.
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