Chet Nichols - Time Loop (1972, 2022)

Artist: Chet Nichols
Title: Time Loop
Year Of Release: 1972 (2022)
Country: US
Label: Kamasutra Record
Genre: Folk Rock, Alt-Country, Singer-Songwriter
Quality: FLAC | lossless

If you're into smart and poetic Folky singer/songwriter stuff, then this obscure release is a must have because of the high quality of the songs and the driven yet pleasant way in which they are performed. But as several of these Chet Nichols songs also have doses of Rock, I guess the album could also be of interest to fans of Classic Rock and Folk Rock.
'Time Loop' has a pure and honest and at the same time slightly melancholic feel that's reminiscent of James Taylor or, to name someone more recent, José Gonzales. And it's just as good as the best material either of these artists released, which raises the question why this album didn't get the attention it deserved and why it didn't propel Nichols to stardom (*). One listen to the album highlights 'Electra' and 'Who stole the Ivy' is enough to make you understand what a gifted composer and lyricist he was. In fact, there's only one average track on the entire album (not counting the superfluous outro 'Quasar Sleeper'). Highly recommended.
In America and really worldwide in the early to late 70s the solo artist or if you like "Singer Songwriter" came into his or her own with classic releases by the likes of Emmit Rhodes, Carole King, Todd Rundgren, and lesser known masterful artists like Pete Dello and Clifford T. Ward who himself is only lesser known a bit in America. Now there didn't have to be a whole band it could be one person with a whole lot to say and a great melodic sense. If you take away the valuable content and the great melodic or creative sense you end up with some of the worst rubbish ever, but in my mind at least the vast array of early 70s solo artists could come up with some really brilliant and interesting results.

Tracklist:
1. Electra - 2:28
2. Water Sand Castles - 4:22
3. Who Stole The Ivy - 5:08
4. Lonely Women - 5:44
5. The Ballad Of Diamond Joe - 5:45
6. (Spinning On The) Time Loop - 3:18
7. Tell Me What The Count Is - 4:50
8. The Offing - 3:41
9. The Beetles Are Coming - 7:42
10.Quasar Sleeper - 1:42

Personnel:
Chet Nichols - All Instruments except
Nicky Hopkins - Piano
Dave Garibaldi - Drums
Pete Sears - Bass
Leo Collignon - Electric Guitar