Rod attained new artistic heights with his 1970 release New Ballads. It’s a masterful collaboration with ace arranger Don Costa, whose subdued, sublime instrumentation sets the perfect tone for McKuen’s intimate, romantic musical ruminations. Among the highlights is one of Rod’s celebrated collaborations with Jacques Brel, “I’m Not Afraid,” while “As I Love My Own” is a signature McKuen exploration of the tension between love and lust, set to his beloved nature imagery. New Ballads was the highest charting of Rod’s studio albums during his decade with Warner Bros., and rightly so…it’s arguably the most consistent and coherent of all of his collections, and sets quite the mood. Joe Marchese contributes liner notes to this CD debut, punctuated by period photos. Newly remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision…wear headphones for the full effect! 1. Statement: Before I Loved No One 2. As I Love My Own 3. All I Need 4. Thank You For Christmas 5. And Tonight 6. I Looked At You a Long Time 7. Im Not Afraid 8. Resolution: Before I Loved No One 9. Rock Gently 10. Philadelphia 11. Gone With the Cowboys 12. Tomorrow and Today 13. In Someones Shadow 14. Hit Em In the Head With Love 15. A While More With You
