Records From Shelf

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Archive Record

Ice On Ice

Jerry Butler

Original Liner Notes

TO MAKE IT AS A SINGER THE WAY JERRY BUTLER DOES, YOU’VE GOT TO BE VERY MUCH INTO THE SUBJECT AT HAND. INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE IS CALLED FOR. JUST AS BOB DYLAN SINGS ABOUT DESOLATION ROW BECAUSE HE’S STROLLED THOSE STREETS, JERRY BUTLER SINGS OF LOVE BECAUSE THAT’S HIS TRIP. THE WAY JERRY TELLS IT TO YOU IN SONG, YOU GET THE IMPRESSION THAT HE’S BEEN THROUGH THE ROMANCE MILL WITH ALL ITS INEVITABLE UPS AND DOWNS. THERE’S AN UNMISTAKABLE HONESTY AND FAMILIARITY IN WHAT HE DOES—AN INTENSE RAPPORT WITH THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE.

IT IS VERY GRATIFYING THAT JERRY IS FINALLY GETTING THE SORT OF ADMIRATION AND RESPECT WHICH HE DESERVED ELEVEN YEARS BACK, WHEN HE FIRST GROWLED INTO A STUDIO MICROPHONE. “ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE,” HIS FIRST MILLION SELLER, TOOK HIS SOUND TO MANY UNFAMILIAR EARS, JUST AS THE TWO SUBSEQUENT SINGLES—“MOODY WOMAN” AND “WHAT’S THE USE OF BREAKING UP?” (BOTH OF WHICH ARE INCLUDED HEREIN) HAVE ALSO DONE.

FOR MANY OF US, THE STRIKINGLY INDIVIDUAL TONES OF JERRY BUTLER GO BACK A LONG WAY BEFORE THAT, AND EVEN BEFORE THE BEATLES. THERE MUST BE MANY OTHERS LIKE MYSELF WHO TREASURE THEIR COPIES OF “FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE,” “HE WILL BREAK YOUR HEART,” “MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF,” AND “NEVER GIVE YOU UP.”

A TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA WAS THE CATALYSTIC EVENT FOR JERRY BUTLER OF MORE RECENT YEARS. ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, WHILE JERRY WAS PERFORMING AT A PLACE CALLED PEP’S, HE MET KENNY GAMBLE AND LEON HUFF. THIS PAIR OF THEN—NOVICE PRODUCERS WERE THE EXACT INGREDIENTS FOR THE PERFECT BUTLER MUSICAL EQUATION. PROOF OF THIS CONTINUING SUCCESS, IS THE ADJACENT ALBUM CONTENTS. LEON AND KENNY DOUBLE AND TRIPLE AS CO-WRITERS, PRODUCERS, AND ARRANGERS WITH JERRY.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN ALBUM WHICH YOU CAN DROP ON THE PHONO AND USE AS BACKGROUND MUSIC, PUT THIS BACK ON THE SHELF. BUT IF YOU WANT AN ALBUM WHICH WILL ENTICE YOU, LIKE A SPIDER, INTO ITS BEAUTIFUL SILKY WEB—A COLLECTION OF SONGS WHICH DEMAND TOTAL INVOLVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY’RE SUNG, YOU ARE AT THE RIGHT SPOT.

CLICHES ASIDE, THEY MAY CALL THIS ALBUM ICE ON ICE, BUT IT HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST TENDER AND MELTING ESSAYS ON LOVE THAT I’VE HEARD IN A LONG TIME. BUT IT’S NOT AT ALL SURPRISING BECAUSE JERRY HAS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT HE’S INTO.

– RITCHIE YORKE

Track Listing

Side 1

  1. Moody Woman (2:21) Gamble (writer); Bell (writer); Butler (writer)
  2. A Brand New Me (2:31) Gamble (writer); Bell (writer); Butler (writer)
  3. Been A Long Time (2:35) Gamble (writer); Huff (writer); Butler (writer)
  4. Close To You Love (3:08) Gamble (writer); Huff (writer); Butler (writer)
  5. Since I Lost You Lady (2:53) Gamble (writer); Bell (writer); Butler (writer)

Side 2

  1. What’s The Use Of Breaking Up? (2:36) Gamble (writer); Bell (writer); Butler (writer)
  2. When You’re Alone (2:34) Gamble (writer); Huff (writer); Butler (writer)
  3. I Forgot To Remember (2:44) B. Butler (writer); J. Butler (writer)
  4. Got To See If I Can’t Get Mommy (To Come Back Home) (3:15) H. Miller (writer); R. M. McCoy (writer)
  5. Don’t Let Love Hang You Up (2:26) Gamble (writer); Huff (writer); Butler (writer)
  6. Walking Around In Teardrops (3:59) Harris (writer); Butler (writer); Broomer (writer)

Album Information

  • Artist: Jerry Butler
  • Catalog Number: SR-61234
  • Catalog Numbers: SR-61234
  • Label: Mercury
  • Liner Notes: RITCHIE YORKE
  • Source: SR-61234
  • Format: Stereo
  • Playback Note: Playable on Modern Monaural Equipment
  • Publisher: Assorted Music—Parabut Music Corp. (BMI); Infinite Music (ASCAP); Chevis Music—McCoy Music (BMI)
  • Price Sticker: #23 $2-