Rock Archeologia

Terry Melcher - Royal Flush (1976 RCA Victor)

Artist: Terry Melcher
Title: Royal Flush
Company: RCA Victor
Catalog#: BEL1-0948
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Year: 1976
Country: US
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Duration: 00:31:19

• Released by Melcher's own RCA Victor's affiliated Equinox label, 1976's "Royal Flush" was challenging. Apparently intended as a concept piece, the set was built around a Western theme (gambling, girls and Mexico). Like the debut, Melcher's voice remained an acquired taste. Sounding like a cat with its tail caught in a door, or think of Neil Young at his least tuneful ("High Rollers" and "Rosarito") and you'll get a feel for what Melcher sounded like. The fact his voice was so limited probably explains why the album had an odd, muffled sound - Melcher's vocals frequently sound treated ("Down In Mexico"). While Melcher was clearly interested in scoring a commercial hit, material such as "Fire In a Rainstorm", "Take It To Mexico" and "Rebecca" sounded listless and unenthusiastic. Like it's predecessor, the collection proved a commercial nonentity. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.).

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 • Side One:
A1. Fire in a Rainstorm (Mike Hazelwood) - 3:58
A2. L. A to Mexico (House - Terry Melcher) - 2:50
A3. High Rollers (Terry Melcher) - 2:55
A4. Down in Mexico (Lieber - Stoller) - 4:43
A5. Take It to Mexico (Tulsa County Blue) (Polland) - 2:06
 • Side Two:
B1. Freeway Close (House - Terry Melcher) - 2:03
B2. Rebecca (Albert Hammond - Mike Hazelwood) - 3:55
B3. Rosarito (House - Terry Melcher) - 3:18
B4. So Right Tonight (Terry Melcher) - 2:14
B5. Card Game (Polland) - 3:38

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