Felix Pappalardi - Don't Worry, Ma (1979)

(U.S 1964 - 1983)

As a producer, Felix Pappalardi is perhaps best known for his work with British psychedelic blues-rock power trio Cream, beginning with their second album, Disraeli Gears. Pappalardi has been referred to in various interviews with the members of Cream as "the fourth member of the band" as he generally had a role in arranging their music. He also played a session role on the songs he helped them record. He also produced The Youngbloods' first album.

As a musician Pappalardi is widely recognized as a bassist, vocalist and founding member of the American hard rock band/ heavy metal forerunner Mountain, a band born out of his working with future bandmate Leslie West's soul-inspired rock and roll band The Vagrants, and producing West's 1969 Mountain solo album. The band's original incarnation actively recorded and toured between 1969 and 1971. Felix produced the band's albums, and co-wrote and arranged a number of the band's songs with his wife Gail Collins and with Leslie West.

Mountain

Pappalardi was forced to retire because of partial deafness, ostensibly from his high-volume shows with Mountain. He continued producing throughout the 1970s and released a solo album and recorded with Japanese hard rock outfit Blues Creation.

In 1978 there were rumours that Pappalardi was reuniting with former Mountain drummer Corky Laing and joining Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson in a new supergroup. If that had happened it would have been fantastic but sadly it was pure rumour. Instead he did something completely unexpected: he made a soul album.

William Ruhlmann writes: '1979's Don't Worry, Ma was a Pappalardi solo effort, the follow-up to his 1976 album Felix Pappalardi & Creation, in which he teamed with a Japanese rock quartet. 

This time, he employed a bunch of New York super-session musicians, only acting as singer with a basic band consisting of guitarist Eric Gale, keyboardist Richard Tee, bassist Chuck Rainey, and drummer Bernard Purdie (who also, amazingly, was the credited producer instead of Pappalardi), plus a collection of strings, reeds, and horns, as well as a trio of female backup singers.

'Nor had Pappalardi, as he usually did, co-written original material with his wife and lyricist, Gail Collins. Instead, this is a collection of covers including the leadoff track, the folk-blues standard "Bring It with You When You Come," the folk standard "Water Is Wide," Tommy Tucker's 1964 R&B hit "Hi-Heel Sneakers," and, in a funk arrangement, Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" (for which Pappalardi produced the original recording). The arrangements are in a bluesy, funky style, for the most part, suggesting Memphis soul or James Brown's band”.'

Wife Kills Pappalardi

Pappalardi was married to Gail Collins. She contributed lyrics to many Mountain songs and co-wrote Cream’s “World of Pain” with Pappalardi and “Strange Brew” with Pappalardi and Eric Clapton. Both songs are in Cream’s Disraeli Gears.

As Gail Collins, her artwork appears on the album covers, Climbing!, Nantucket Sleighride, Flowers of Evil, Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On, Twin Peaks and Avalanche.

Gail Collin's Artwork

On April 17, 1983, Gail Collins shot Pappalardi once in the neck and killed him. She claimed it was an accident. On September 21 of that year, a jury found her guilty of criminally negligent homicide. She was sentenced to four years, however she only served two years of the sentence in the end.

The judge in the case seemed annoyed by the verdict, making a point of reminding jurors, "She called her attorney instead of calling for help -- she was concerned with her own well-being," and giving her the maximum sentence under the law.

Collins died on December 6, 2013 in Ajijic, Mexico, where she had apparently "lived as a recluse" while "undergoing experimental cancer treatments." [extract from ultimateclassicrock.com]

For a full account of the story, including statements by Leslie West and Corky Laing, take a look at musicdayz

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my cassette tape (still plays faultlessly) and includes full album artwork for all media (vinyl, CD, tape).   This album was a real surprise when I first heard it - some essence of Mountain still exists but musically this is a refreshing collection of funky, soulful covers. In particular, his remake of Cream's megahit "Sunshine Of Your Love" is a highlight.  

Track Listing

01. Bring It With You When You Come (Traditional) - 3:43

02. As The Years Go Passing By- 4: 11

03. Railroad Angels - 4:35

04. High Heel Sneakers - 4:45

05. The Water Is Wide - 3:00

06. Sunshine Of Your Love - 4:34

07. Caught A Fever - 4:35

08. White Boy Blues - 3:59

09. Farmer's Daughter - 4:12

 

The Band:

Vocals - Felix Pappalardi

Bass – Chuck Rainey, Felix Pappalardi

Drums, Timpani, Tambourine – Bernard Purdie

Guitar – Eric Gale

Piano, Organ – Richard Tee

Felix Pappalardi Link (266Mb)

New Link 06/09/2023