U.F.O. (album)

U.F.O. is the debut album by psychedelic folk singer-songwriter Jim Sullivan, released in 1969. The album was unpopular upon release, but has gained a cult following in part due to the mysterious disappearance of Sullivan. While it is commonly known as "U.F.O.", a 1970 pressing titled the album as simply Jim Sullivan.[2]

U.F.O.
Studio album by
Jim Sullivan
Released1969
Genre
Length28:45
LabelMonnie
ProducerAl Dobbs, Chad Dulaney, Norman Skolnik
Jim Sullivan chronology
U.F.O.
(1969)		 Jim Sullivan
(1972)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Background

The album was released on a private label in 1969 and received little attention at the time. Actor Al Dobbs founded the Monnie record label to press Sullivan's album. The artist enlisted session musician ensemble The Wrecking Crew to help fill out the songs, and it was recorded and released later that year. Sullivan would follow the album with a self-titled release in 1972 before disappearing.[3]

The album is notable not only for its obscurity, but also for its eerie lyrics that seem to predict Sullivan's own paranormal disappearance.[4]

After years of obscurity, Light in the Attic founder Matt Sullivan (no relation) discovered the record while surfing obscure music blogs. He was transfixed by the cover art and Sullivan's voice and eventually got the album repressed on his label in 2010.[4] Record club Vinyl Me, Please partnered with the label in 2019 and repressed the album on colored vinyl as part of their monthly subscription series.[5]

Reception

As the album was released on a private label, the album garnered little critical attention upon release. Due to the 2010 reissue and the record's hazy history, modern reviews have reappraised the album. James Allen of AllMusic called the album a "lost classic" and praised the atmospheric and orchestral feel of Jimmy Bond's string arrangements.[1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jim Sullivan.

No.TitleLength
1."Jerome"2:47
2."Plain As Your Eyes Can See"2:27
3."Roll Back the Time"2:14
4."Whistle Stop"2:37
5."Rosey"3:21
6."Highways"2:51
7."U.F.O."2:50
8."So Natural"3:02
9."Johnny"4:05
10."Sandman"2:31
Total length:28:45

Personnel

Adapted from LP liner notes of the 2010 Light in the Attic reissue.

  • Jim Sullivan – writer, singer,
  • Earl Palmer – drums
  • Lyle Ritz – bass guitar
  • Max Bennett – bass guitar
  • Don Randi – keyboards
  • Lee Kiefer – technician
  • Jimmy Bond – producer, arrangements, double bass
  • Peter Abbot – engineer
  • Al Dobbs – executive producer
  • Chad Dulaney – executive producer
  • Norman Skolnik – executive producer

References
  1. Allen, James. "AllMusic Reivew by James Allen". AllMusic. AllMusic, Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  2. "Jim Sullivan - Jim Sullivan (1970, Gatefold, Vinyl)". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  3. Mass, Jennifer. "The Jim Sullivan Story". Vimeo. Vimeo. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. NPR Staff. "Jim Sullivan's Mysterious Masterpiece: 'U.F.O."". NPR. NPR. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  5. "Jim Sullivan 'U.F.O.' - Vinyl Me, Please". Vinyl Me, Please. Offbeat Ventures. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
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