My Boy (Richard Harris album)

My Boy is the third studio album of Richard Harris, released in 1971 by Dunhill Records. The album is about a love story between two people, which in time, develops from something platonic to a lost romance in their couplehood. They are only four Jimmy Webb songs on this album.[1]

My Boy
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 1971
StudioChapell's Studios and Advision Studios
GenreVocal, baroque pop, rock
Length40:15
LabelDunhill
ProducerJohnny Harris, Bill Martin / Phil Coulter
Richard Harris chronology
The Yard Went On Forever
(1968)
My Boy
(1971)
Slides
(1972)

Origins of the album

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In the year 1971, during a visit to Britain, Dunhill Records president, Jay Lasker, completed a record deal negotiations with Richard Harris. His first single release My Boy, which entered a music contest at Radio Luxembourg Grand Prix.[2]

Reception

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The album received mixed reviews, with William York from AllMusic describing it as "another difficult (and depressing) concept album".[3] He further notes that this album is not for those seeking standard Harris fare, and those who want to introduce themselves to his art should start with A Tramp Shining or one of the "best-of" offerings.[3] A review by Jean Ehmsen of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch focused on the strengths of Harris' voice, along with the romantic and paternal aspects of the album while ignoring any darker overtones.[4]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [3]

Track listing

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The album concept and synopsis by Richard Harris.[5]

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beth"Jimmy Webb1:58
2."Sidewalk Song"Jimmy Webb3:21
3."Proposal"Bill Martin, Phil Coulter3:23
4."Ballad To An Unborn Child"Johnny Harris, John Bromley3:00
5."This Is Our Child"Bill Martin, Phil Coulter3:36
6."Like Father Like Son"Johnny Harris, John Bromley3:06
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Requiem"Jimmy Webb5:02
2."This Is Where I Came In"Jimmy Webb3:37
3."Why Do You Leave Me?"Richard Harris, Bill Whelan2:36
4."All The Broken Children"Richard Harris2:36
5."My Boy"Bill Martin, Phil Coulter3:18
6."This Is The Way"Johnny Harris, John Bromley4:42
Total length:40:15

Personnel

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  • Richard Harris – vocals
  • Johnny Harris – producer, arranger
  • Bill Martin and Phil Coulter – producer, side one track 3, 5 and side two track 5
  • Dermont Harris - executive producer
Technical

References

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  1. ^ ABC/Dunhill celebrated the actor-singer's new "My Boy" album - Billboard 27 Nov 1971
  2. ^ ABC-Dunhill Probe U.K Promotion - Billboard 30 Oct 1971
  3. ^ a b c "My Boy - Richard Harris | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  4. ^ Ehmsen, Jean (20 January 1972). "Record Reviews: Benefit For Refugess". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 5D – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Harris active in films, disks - Billboard 29 Jan 1972