Verities & Balderdash
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Verities & Balderdash is the fourth studio album by the American singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, released in 1974. (see 1974 in music). "Cat's in the Cradle" was Chapin's highest charting single, finishing at #38 for the year on the 1974 Billboard year-end Hot 100 chart. The follow-up single, "I Wanna Learn a Love Song," charted on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart at #44, and Billboard Adult Contemporary at #7. A promotional single, "What Made America Famous?", was released to radio stations as a 45. The album was certified gold on December 17, 1974.[2]
The album was advertised with the slogan: "As only Harry can tell it." [3]
The album was the only work by Chapin to exclusively use professional studio musicians, rather than his touring band, as had been the case in previous projects.
Track listing
Side One
- "Cat's in the Cradle" (Sandy Chapin, Harry Chapin) – 3:44
- "I Wanna Learn a Love Song" (Harry Chapin) – 4:19
- "Shooting Star" (Harry Chapin) – 4:02
- "30,000 Pounds of Bananas" (Harry Chapin) – 5:45
- "She Sings Songs Without Words" (Harry Chapin) – 3:31
Side Two
- "What Made America Famous?" (Harry Chapin) – 6:53
- "Vacancy" (Harry Chapin) – 4:00
- "Halfway To Heaven" (Harry Chapin) – 6:10
- "Six String Orchestra" (Harry Chapin) – 5:25
Personnel
Band
- Harry Chapin - guitar, lead vocals
- John Tropea - acoustic guitar, sitar
- Don Payne - bass
- Allan Schwartzberg - drums
- Don Grolnick - piano, electric piano, harpsichord
- Ron Bacchiocchi - synthesizer
- Irving Spice - concertmaster
- George Simms - background vocals
- Frank Simms - background vocals
- Dave Kondziela - background vocals
- Zizi Roberts - female vocals
Production
- Ron Bacchiocchi - recording engineer
- Paul Leka - mixing
- Fred Kewley - mixing
- Glen Christensen - art direction
- Bill Hofman - illustration
- Ruth Bernal - photography
- Shiah Grumet - design
Charts and certifications
Charts
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Billboard 200 | 4 |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 4 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2x Platinum | 2,000,000 |
| Canada | 2x Platinum | 200,000 |
| Australia | Diamond | 500,000 |
References
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ SuperSeventies.com Verities & Balderdash
- ^ http://www.anyoldkindofday.com/album_VeritiesandBalderdash.html
- ^ Original LP 1974 Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records 7E-1012
- ^ Original LP 1974 Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records 7E-1012