I never would have imagined that one of the summer's best releases was going to be a compilation of recordings from the actress who nearly pushed Jack Nicholson's character over the edge in Five Easy Pieces (1970). Dreaming of You 1971-1976, out now via Mexican Summer, collects the work of the late Karen Black. That the set serves as a cohesive sampler of folk-infused AOR from a golden age of pop is a plus.
Opener "Sunshine of Our Days" suggests that we're in Margo Gruyan territory, though the rougher "You're Not in My Plans" indicates that Karen could have given Nancy and Lee a run for their money had she wanted to. Working with producers Bones Howe and Elliot Mazer, Karen Black cultivated a persona in these recordings that is part Laura Nyro, part Joni Mitchell, but wholly removed from the work of those legends. At her best here, like on "If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind", Black straddles genres with ease, imbuing the sweetest of songs with enough menace to suggest something far more complicated than lots of the AOR of the era. And while a cover of "Question" by The Moody Blues surprises, Karen's approach is as sincere as it is artful. The entirety of this Cass McCombs-cultivated collection is good enough to blow minds, especially those of us who were fans of Karen Black's on-screen performances. Dreaming of You 1971-1976 is proof that she had another career waiting for her.
Dreaming of You 1971-1976 is out now via Mexican Summer.