The Real Thing RCA LSP 4420

Liner notes by Jack Clement ...he's doing much more than singing, He's communicating   There are as many different reasons for the popularity of various singers as there are singers. Some fans prefer singers who observe so-called "rules" - like those who concentrate on building into a violent vibrato while they hold long notes, for example. Some fans are partial to "crooners." Some favor the freedom of "soul" singers or the work of hard- or acid-rock performers.   But I like Bobby Bare's singing because, in my opinion, he's doing much more than singing, He's communicating. He gets the song across to me. He's not trying to convince me that he's mastered every vocal technique that's ever been developed. He gets the song's message to me, clearly and very effectively. If it's a sad song, Bobby lets me know in a very personal and private way that he's having a pretty rough go if it.   When I hear Bobby sing, I'm not visualizing a "star" in the unnatural setting of a concert stage with spotlights and backdrops and greasepaint and choreography and all that stuff. To me, all that seems artificial when compared to the real closeness of communication that exists between friends or among people who really, thoroughly understand each other.   People constantly talk about a singer's "style." To me the word "style" is almost dangerous, because it stands for a concept that can - and often is - carried too far. A singer that's confined to rigid performance rules - even if they're self-imposed rules - may come to find himself so restricted that he loses the vital communication with his audience. This doesn't happen with Bare.   Sure, his voice has distinct characteristics, tonal and otherwise, and he has very distinctive phrasing habits. But never does he force himself into a vocal technique that doesn't fit him 100%. So, with Bare, there's nothing fancy or contrived - his ease, sincerity, honesty and instant believability conceal his superb professional musical skill. We's sung to, but we's more aware of beingcommunicated with, and that's where the ultimate entertainment satisfaction lies, where Bobby's great talent shows up. It's Bare's "real thing," it's Bare's "style."   Like a good, well-prepared, healthy, basic meal of meat and potatoes, Bare satisfies the appetite, but as we're getting our fill, we never have to worry about suffering heartburn or indigestion afterwards from fancy or exotic experimentation that doesn't agree with the system.   I guess that's why I've always enjoyed working with Bare professionally. He gives us a good, clean, and very strong musical approach to work with. Since what he's doing is so natural and real to him, it becomes natural and real for us, too.   It's been an honor to work with Bobby Bare, the artist. It's also been a very great honor to be his friend.