PIP PROUD - A Fraying Space

"Pip Proud, sui generis, could be considered an Australian outsider, with his untutored and uninhibited singing style, his primal guitar playing, his resolutely personal vision captured on recordings from 1967 to the early 70s -- except that, unlike most outsiders, he was loved and accepted, with two of his three album releases on a major label, with frequent television appearances and coverage in music magazines. Heralded in his native land though he was, he maintained a low profile from the early 70s, never made an impact overseas, and his recordings have been difficult to access. This collection has been selected by Prouds biographer David Nichols and will engender a new appreciation of Prouds music. Considered by some as a sort of Antipodean Syd Barrett, listeners will hear that Pip was clearing his own private and primal path, more poet than pop star, despite the media attention. Other than one Velvets-style band track, all songs here feature Pip solo, some with appealingly primitive overdubs. Fans of ramshackle, oddball, weirdo portastudio, lo-fi bedroom pop of the 80s, 90s and beyond, whether of the NZ, UK or U.S. varieties, will find a precursor here. CD includes with three bonus tracks and features a 20-page booklet with liner notes by David Nichols as well as Prouds lyrics." - EM