Geronimos Cadillac (50th Anniversary)

After all of Michael Martin Murphey's material is taken into consideration, Geronimo's Cadillac comes out on top as one of his finest albums, even though his "cosmic cowboy" persona was yet to be developed. The title track was Murphey's first Top 40 hit, later covered by Cher and Hoyt Axton, while the Monkees eventually sang their own version of "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" But the most relevant aspect of Geronimo's Cadillac is the fact that it merges Murphey's slight left of center country sound with a little bit of gospel in a few places, giving his material greater depth and a genuine "reflective" quality that was often absent from commonplace country music. Tracks like "Backslider's Wine," "Calico Silver," and "Boy From the Country" all contain a unique musical complexion inspired by Murphey's voice and by the simplicity of the harmonica and mandolin. Later albums expose more of Murphey's penchant for being pensive and openly contemplative but, as a debut, Geronimo's Cadillac, with its three parts country to one part AM rock, is an enjoyable album as well as a worthy indication as to what kind of artist Michael Martin Murphey would soon become. ~ Mike DeGagne