SANDY ALLEN - ANTHOLOGY: "LIFE'S JUST SOMETHING THAT YOU DO IN BETWEEN THE DREAMS"

Anthology: "Life's Just Something That You Do In Between The Dreams" Artist: Sandy Allen Released: 2007 Genre: Roots/Americana Format: CD (Full Length) Label: Iris Music Group UPC: 829410877169

As a member of the groups Papa Nebo and Free Beer, Sandy Allen composed and recorded intimate, personal songs on universal subjects; the pain and disappointments found in ones search for self-knowledge and missed opportunities. Although some songs seem dark on the surface, there is humor and irony in Sandy Allen’s philosophy. There is hope, and an acceptance that each day brings a new opportunity, even if it seems like “the same old garbage in a brand new truck”. There are answers, even if “getting there is a drag sometimes.” This Anthology could be termed Sandy Allen’s survival story, an accounting explored as a young man and as a more mature artist. Or simply, it’s a commentary on a constant truth, that “life’s just something that you do in between the dreams”. Papa Nebo (1971) which ultimately morphed into Free Beer (1974-77) consisted of a female violinist, a jazz saxophone, classical piano, hard rock guitar and soft country rock harmonies. Two years later the group splintered into Free Beer headed by Sandy Allen and Michael Packer, two of the founding members of Papa Nebo, with an added vocalist/songwriter, Bob Potter. The first of the three Free Beer albums was produced by Papa Nebo guitarist Brendan Harkin and released on producer Alan Lorber's Southwind Records which was part of the Buddah Records group. Alan Lorber produced the second and the last albums for RCA which included specially written songs for the group by singer/writer Lou Christie and by Grammy winner and top-five Nashville songwriter, Hugh Prestwood.

1. Riding Shotgun On The Dream Wagon 2. Passing Through The Stages Of The False 3. Family Pie 4. Wind Chime 5. Coupe De Ville 6. Every Day I Wonder 7. Same Old Garbage In A Brand New Truck 8. Zanzibar 9. In The Bar At Christmastime 10. We Can Call It Home 11. Getting There Is A Drag Sometime 12. Initial Resignation 13. Wanna Get Back To You 14. Nouveau Chapeau