TULLY - Loving Is Hard

"Luminous third and final album, Loving Is Hard, originally released in 1972, is the latest in Chapter Musics reissue series of Australian psychedelic icons, Tully. This follows the 2010 release of Live at Sydney Town Hall 1969-70 (CH 076CD), and 2012s reissue of the solemn, dreamy 1971 surf soundtrack Sea of Joy (CH 080CD/LP). Even before they began recording Loving Is Hard in late 1971, Tully had officially broken up. Over the previous 12 months, they had shifted from the towering, organ-driven rock dynamics of their 1970 self-titled debut, to a serene, contemplative folk-psych sound. Show-stopping drummer Robert Taylor and original vocalist Terry Wilson had departed, replaced by guitarist Colin Campbell and singer Shayna Stewart, both of cult folk heroes, Extradition. Although the change created music of stark, unearthly beauty, Tully had been massively popular in Sydney as a rock band, and their spiritually-driven transformation left many fans scratching their heads. Audiences declined steadily, response to the Sea of Joy soundtrack was muted, and by the end of 1971 they realized they could no longer continue. Still, they had one more album owing on their record contract, and decided to make a final statement before going their separate ways. Thankfully for us, in hindsight Loving Is Hard is an elegant triumph, all the more affecting for the turmoil that went into its making. The records centerpiece is Colin Campbells seven-and-a-half minute masterwork Ice," originally recorded by Extradition for their 1971 album Hush, and later covered by Margret Roadknight. Shayna Stewarts voice is sublimely dispassionate, while the string arrangement by keyboardist Michael Carlos gives the song an imposing grandeur. The title-track, with lyrics by Campbell and music by bassist Ken Firth, is a summation of what the band were going through at the time, and for that reason is perhaps the most emotionally resonant track on the record. Stewarts gentle vibrato matches Carlos pulsing Hammond organ, and the resignation in Campbells lyrics is reinforced by Firths slow, haunting melody. Saxophone, clarinet and flute player Richard Lockwood opens the album with the stately "Love Can Make You," and sets a poem by fellow Meher Baba-devotee Francis Brabazon to solo piano accompaniment. As bonus tracks, this reissue appends Tullys one and only single, the sparse and somber 1971 release Krishna Came/Lord Baba. Like Sea of Joy before it, Loving Is Hard possesses a profound, serene beauty worlds removed from anything else happening in Australia at the time. Along with Tullys other albums, it has had to wait far too long to be rediscovered." -Chapter.