Just call her Angel of the Morning...
Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 01/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Merrilee Rush's biggest hit "Angel Of The Morning" ironically describes her impact in popular music. Per the free love era, where the hippies slept with whomever without commitment, that song reached Billboard #7 and Cashbox #3 in 1967. The song was also covered by P.P. Arnold, Juice Newton, and Olivia Newton-John. There is a lilting gentle quality in Rush's version that reflects the quiet independence of "just touch my cheek before you leave, then slowly turn away from me." The song was nominated for but didn't win a Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for 1969, losing to Dionne Warwick.
Coming as it does after her cover of Scott MacKenzie's "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)" this is a back-to-back treat. The gentle guitar and backing chorus make this soothing listening, no doubt making her one of those gentle people one might find were she to live there. My favourite track after "Angel."
Like all the tracks, the gentle 60's guitar and keyboards, muted chorus, and relaxing air characterize "Handy" of someone who is a "plaything to step on, to take it when you're down." Yes, handy is a better title than, say, doormat, but that's what the girl in the song is basically. That same theme is covered in "It's Worth It All," the girl being a plaything on the man's convenience, but she can't break away.
The organ and catchy rhythm of the summery psychedelic "Sandcastles" recall a Lovin' Spoonful-type number, while "Billy Sunshine" has a quick "Day Tripper"-type tempo and a Nancy Sinatra/Fifth Dimension-type sound. The followup single to "Angel," "That Kind of Woman," only got as high as #76 on the charts. With its summery orchestra strings and soul-type female backups, it seems a close cousin to Nancy Sinatra's "You Only Live Twice." A pity, as she sounds really great here.
Apart from "Angel," she does another Chip Taylor-penned tune. A more somber country-tinged tune, "Working Girl" details the hardship of a working girl, from getting up at eight, rushing off to work. "Here come the weekday blues," she sings, and waiting for someone to give her heart a home. The difficulties of harassment by the boss, who threatens her with dismissal if she doesn't play ball is also encountered.
"Observation From Flight 285" is a country-pop tune on the perspective of being on a plane. I originally heard Milli Vanilli do "Hush" on their remix album, but here's Merrilee doing it years before, although Deep Purple's rendition, done earlier that year, is probably the most famous. With a harmonica, piano, and organ, there's a poppy Doors or Lovin' Spoonful sound to it.
Merrilee takes things to a moral dimension, calling for others to open their eyes on their suffering brothers on "Do Unto Others," on deeds that won't be recorded in the papers and will only have a brief moment.
The edition I have contains nine bonus tracks, including "Angel"'s B-side, "Reap What You Sow." She also does a great cover of the Four Tops' "Reach Out," Eddie Rabbitt's "Sign on for the Good Times," and Jackie DeShannon's "What The World Needs Now," featured in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.
Vocally a cousin to Nancy Sinatra and Jackie DeShannon, Merrilee Rush's brief glint was voluntary, as she felt she'd done all she could and only recorded sporadically in the 1970's. Still, this is a worthwhile mix of mostly mellow summery sixties sounds with a teensy bit of country mixed in.
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Track Listings (12) - Disc #1