Bobby Goldsboro – “Honey”
So, I think at this point it’s pretty safe to say that I am back at writing my little music blog thing. Now, this one is relatively new in my collection, I bought it about 8 years ago and I was just starting out on Instagram when I met these two wonderful people and we would constantly have playful banter back and forth about such things like Danny Bonaduce, Mason Reese and Bobby Goldsboro – for some reason, Bobby Goldsboro being the one we spoke about about the most, and at that point I had never heard of, seen any or knew who Bobby Goldsboro is, then one day a friend of mine had a bunch of records she wanted to get rid of, this was one so I brought it home and put it on the shelf – until now.
The album opens with the song the title track, “Honey” and it starts slowly, and you know, Bobby does have a nice voice, but I feel like this song isn’t all that interesting for me. But what’s this, the seems to pick up tempo some and he really starts delivering on this one. Next up is “Run to Me” and it does have that 60’s pop vibe, and it definitely is a stronger place to lead up to from the first track. Solid track, pretty good. Next comes, “With A Pen in My Hand” and this one seems to go back to slower pace of the album, and I definitely enjoy Bobby doing more of the up tempo songs. It is a touching song, so far this album has been pretty good, and we’re only three songs in. “Pardon Me Miss” comes next, and I think besides maybe the titular track, this is the second one that I haven’t really vibed with, so right now we’re batting two for two. The A-Side closes out with “Why Don’t You Believe Me” and we go back to that slower style again, and I don’t find it is the best way to close out the A-Side, it’s not the most interesting of songs.
The B-Side opens with “Pledge of Love” and it has that 60’s pop vibe again (obviously) and it does seem to be off to a bit of a stronger start than the A-Side closing. Bobby does give a tremendous album to us here however, I just feel if he would’ve done more of these uptempo songs the album could be more enjoyable (for me, at least) – “Little Green Apples” comes next, and we slow down again and I’m not 100% if I’m fully committed to Bobby Goldsboro or not. “Love Arrestor” comes next, and the opening bass line is pretty great, and this song seems to be pretty good and more of a rock style pop song. The bass is the standout touch. We slow back down again with the song “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and my personal opinion is that Glen Campbell is the master of this song. “Beautiful People” comes next, and I keep getting mixed emotions about this album because some songs (like this one) are pretty great, then the others just don’t interest me. It makes me keep asking myself if I want to keep it or pass it on? The backing vocals “la la la la la la” kind of ruined the vibe. There is no need for those la’s. Lastly, the album closes with, yes, a slow song again, “A Woman” closes out the album. We could’ve ended it with the previous song (albeit, the la’s ruined it.) All in all, not an awful album. Bobby does have a good voice.
I definitely expected more from an album that has liner notes from Roy Orbison, and producer credits to Ray Stevens, but they don’t say it be like it is, but it do.
Will I keep it? Yes.
Will I swap it for another Bobby Goldsboro album if the opportunity presents itself? Absolutely.
Catalog Number:
UAS 6642
Credits:
Produced by Bob Montgomery
Produced by Jack Gold (B1)
Arranged by Bill Justis (B1)
Arranged by Don Tweedy (A1, A3, A5, B2, B4, B5 & B6)
Arranged by Ray Stevens (A2, A4 & B3)
Released:
1968
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