Rare Earth - Ma
Hey! Hello! What about this?
release - 1973
album art - Des Strobel / Frank Frezzo
Jim Britt / Leandro Correa
Jonh LePrevost
cover front
The amazing illustration of the front is drawn by Frank Frezzo. It depicts 'Ma' - the lady of the title song.
The best way to explain Ma are the coresponding lyrics of the this song:
Born in a log cabin in the back woods - The back woods of Mississippi - She drank moonshine, chewed tobacco - Raised 13 children all by herself - Never looked much like a lady - You see she was too busy providin' to raisin' her babies - Spend her evenings sitting in a rockin' chair - Never had much o' nothin but was always willin' to share - Talking 'bout ma ,talkin' 'bout ma - Every once in awhile when ma would get depressed - She'd go to the cabinet and get paw's guitar - Sit herself down in the rockin' chair - Start hummin' and strummin', ha ha, yeah - That was ma's way of lettin' off steam - In plan old English you could see - That ma was doin' her thing - Every once in awhile she'd shout, "Let it all hang out"
cover back
On the back cover the Rare Earth logo by John LePrevost.
inside sleeve
The inside of the sleeve shows a photographs of the bandmembers on the left. On the right a photograph in the studio of Motown. Photos are shot by Jim Britt & Leandro Correa.
Around the 'logo-picture', the songtracks and other trivia of the album.
artist
Rare Earth is an American blues rock band formed in 1960 as The Sunliners.
After recording an unsuccessful debut album, Dream/Answers, on the Verve label in 1968, they affiliated with Motown's Rare Earth record label (named after the band), from 1969 to 1972. Rare Earth was the first big hit-making act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members.
Rare Earth had a number of Top 40 hits including their greates hit Get Ready which was a cover of The Temptations. It was even more successful than the original. This disc sold over one million copies and received a gold record award. Their 1973 album, Ma, is considered one of their best overall work.
After many line-up changes (and returns) Rare Earth still continues to perform at corporate events and on the oldies circuit. Gil Bridges is the only original and constant member.
also in gallery
