Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too
Liberation Hall, 2024
8/10
Listen to Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too
A San Francisco artist who was quite active in the ‘70s, Patricia Gilbert, i.e. Pearl Harbour, penned this album after relocating to London with her boyfriend/Clash manager, who assembled an all-star cast for these rockabilly tunes.
“Alone In The Dark” starts the listen with a bit of atmosphere, before Harbour’s infectious vocals enter the rhythmic and energetic climate, and it isn’t long until “You’re In Trouble Again’” draws us in via Geraint Watkins’ animated keys and Paul Simonon’s bass acrobatics that suit Harbour’s frisky pipes.
Further along, the intimate “Losing To You” welcomes BJ Cole’s aching pedal steel that complements Harbour’s heartfelt singing, while “Rough Kids” is both gritty and melodic, where Gary Barnacle’s soulful sax helps illuminate the rich album highlight.
The original album exits with the thumping and punk friendly “At The Dentist”, and of the bonus tracks, “You Don’t Fool Me Now” is particularly raw and emits a scrappy, garage-rock flavor.
A really diverse record that hosts some amazing musicians (Nigel Dixon, Topper Headon, Steve Goulding and Mick Jones, to name a few), the label didn’t have much faith in the listen, and Harbour would switch labels multiple times until the mid ‘90s.
Available on CD officially for the first time, the 6 bonus tracks and new liner notes add even more intrigue to this overlooked gem in the area of rockabilly.
Travels well with: The Contractions- 1980; Shakin’ Street- Scarlet: The Old Waldorf August 1979