So I'm at a yard sale when I stumble across an Genre: pop
Rating: 2 stars **
Title:  One Tree or Another
Company: Rare Earth
Catalog: R-539L
Year: 1972
Country/State: Kent, UK
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: --
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6124
Price: $15.00

album by an obscure British singer/songwriter who somehow got signed to a Motown subsidiary ... yeah that instantly caught my attention.

Good luck finding much online information about Keef James (aka Keith Felstead). Born and raised in Kent, England, he seemingly had a lifelong interest in music, but his professional training was as an accountant. As a result I don't have a clue how he ended up working with Rolling Stones manager/producer Andre Loog Oldham, let alone how he came to be signed to Motown's Rare Earth subsidiary. Judging by the album's overarching sound and the fact it was co-produced by Oldham, I'm guessing that the album wasn't actually recorded for Rare Earth, rather these reflected sessions that had been recorded prior to 1972 and were picked up by Rare Earth as part of a broader distribution deal (probably the same deal that saw Motown acquire rights to The Pretty Things).
Showcasing ten James penned originals, 1972's "One Tree or Another" offered up a collection of heavily orchestrated English pop songs. Judging by these tracks James certainly didn't have the best voice you've ever heard. Fragile and somewhat awkward, imagine a Donovan wearing a tie that was slowly choking him. In spite of those limitations he knew how to apply his limited vocal talents to the best effect and was certainly the beneficiary of sympathetic production from Oldham. The fact he was able to survive some of Bill Sherperd's over-the-top orchestral arrangements ('Pieces'), spoke well of his talents.

- 'Once In Your Life' showcased James fragile, high pitched voice on a pretty, almost fey melody. The song was also a perfect example of how Bill Sheperd's arrangements threatened to drown James out. rating: *** stars
- 'Life Is A Knight' started out with some tasty fuzz guitar and served as one of the album's few up tempo numbers. Not sure what the title pun was about, but the song actually generated quite a bit of energy in spite of the MOR horn arrangement. rating: *** stars
- A sappy ballad, complete with oboe solo, 'Fly Away' was dull and plodding. The key also stressed James voice giving the track an uncomfortable edge. rating: ** stars
- In spite of a brittle vocal, heavy orchestration (including a harp), and some all-too-conspicuous female backing singers, 'Pieces' was one of the album's prettiest numbers. This one actually wouldn't have sounded bad on top-40 radio. rating: *** stars
- Side one closed with the epic sounding 'Somewhere'. The song literally started out sounded like it had been written for a movie soundtrack before settling back into another pretty, but forgettable ballad.
- The title track started side two off with some nice uncredited acoustic guitar (James ?), gradually unveiling one of the album's better melodies. Unfortunately, this was one of the tracks where the orchestration all but wiped James shaky vocals off the tape. Multi-tracking and female backing singers couldn't save the performance. rating: *** stars
- Opening up with an elaborate string arrangement, 'Find Your Own Way' unexpectedly turned into one of the album's most enjoyable rockers. Complete with tasty country-rock tinged lead guitar and a drum solo that actually improved the song, this was one of two performances that stuck with me well after the album was over. rating: **** stars
- An acoustic ballad, 'Changing Days' had a pretty melody and hook, but suffered under one of James shakier vocal performances. This would be a great tune for someone to cover ... rating: ** stars
- 'Turn Back' was another song that had considerable commercial potential. Easy to imagine a cover version doing well on the charts. rating: *** stars
- Another atypical rocker, 'Feel Free To Come Home' found James trying to tough-up his voice with mixed success. The effect was certainly more likable than his wimpy balladeer stylings, but there was no way you were about to mistake him for Robert Plant, or even Roy Harper. rating: ** stars

James clearly has some talent, but on this set he was simply bulldozed by those around him. The absence of a standout song, the overabundance of highly orchestrated slower tunes, and his vocal limitations all combined to undermine the album. That said, this will appeal to some folks out there.

Wonder what was with the diving rod cover photo ... Rare Earth clearly had no idea what to make of the album and apparently did little or no promotion. Needless to say the album did nothing commercially and James quickly retreated back into obscurity. Back in the UK he spent several years playing in the country cover band Tequila Nights. Only 59, James died of cancer in December 2005.

"One Tree or Another" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Once In Your Life (Keef James) - 3:382.) Life Is A Knight (Keef James) - 3:193.) Fly Away (Keef James) - 2:55
4.) Pieces (Keef James) - 3:42
5.) Somewhere (Keef James) - 5:38

(side 2)
1.) One Tree Or Another (Keef James) - 3:532.) Find Your Own Way (Keef James) - 2:323.) Changing Days (Keef James) - 2:41
4.) Turn Back (Keef James) - 3:03
5.) Feel Free To Come Home (Keef James) - 4:42


James son Paul Felstead set up a MySpace website for his late father, though it doesn't seem to have been updated in several years.

http://www.myspace.com/keefjamesmusic