Ted Lucas Extended
Happy 50th birthday, baby
Wake up babe, new esoteric psychedelic folk just dropped. In my February 3x3, I plugged Ted Lucas’ “Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby Does,” a never-before-heard single that was originally excluded from Lucas’ 1975 self-titled cult classic, teasing a 50th-anniversary reissue. It had the potential to be my Superbowl. That reissue, aptly named Ted Lucas Extended, was released February 21 with the nine original tracks, plus “Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby Does” and three other singles that were left off the original self-titled. Meet the cast:
“You’ve Got the Power”
With an intro that’s reminiscent of Paul Simon—a bouncy little jaunt consisting of a flute, bongos, and Lucas’ light vocals, this one floats in the clouds above the rest of the tracks, which tend to remain anchored to the earth. It’s alright, if maybe a little bit on the Kumbaya side of things.
“Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby Does”
Previously mentioned as featuring a “rogue recorder solo in a couple places,” This track captures what I love so much about Lucas’ work: simple words about love bundled up in an equally simple package. It’s like a scenic overlook off the highway: intrinsic to the world, waiting to be stumbled across and savored.
“Love Took A Trip”
An easy contender for song I’d play on the radio while I snuck away to the bathroom. It’s just shy of 15 minutes long. Worth it? Absolutely.
Guided by the album’s original tracks, I associated Lucas’ discography with sweet little folk riffs paired with comfortingly simple lyricism. This behemoth begins with dynamic fingerpicking that rivals John Fahey’s, running between erratic arpeggios and the slow and soft backing rhythms of the Lucas we already know. Around the seven-minute mark, gentle lyrics enter: somber musings of fleeting love that only dissolve into more intricate—though more intense this time around—fingerpicking three minutes later.
“Head in California”
A more whimsical tune backed up with similar Fahey-coded picking. This live recording marked with audience coughs and chuckles is probably the closest match to the original tracks.
Overall, the extended version shows listeners a more breadth from their favorite crate dig folksinger. After one listen to the original record, anyone can tell that the pared down, intentional harmonies are backed up with serious talent, but these tracks bring out not just an added level of technical ability from Lucas, but also a healthy dose of whimsy.