This is Jimmy Curtiss’ (The Hobbits) solo album “J.C.” released in 1969 under the artist name J.C. Life, an excellent album from start to finish containing some excellent original tunes including “Child Of Clay”, “San Francisco Do You Remember Me”, “Francesca“, ”Sunday Son“ and the anti-war cuts ”Lack O Testicle Blues“ and ”Johnny Get Your Gun“.The album features Jimmy on vocals, rhythm guitar and wah wah pedal, he is joined by Billy Elmiger (bass), Howie Wyeth (drums) and Bob Abrahams (acoustic guitar leads). Other musicians include John Trivers (bass on tracks 4 & 8), Jan Williams (rhythm guitar on track 4) and Jerry Vance (piano on tracks 1 & 5).”In 1969 Perception Productions turned into Perception Records. Now Mr. Curtiss had his own record label. The New Hobbits LP bears the catalogue number PLP-10. But with the number PLP-1 appeared – probably a bit later – the Jimmy Curtiss solo album “Life”. I’m not sure about the year of release. There’s no date on the cover or record. Though most likely it came out in 1969 still. On this record J.C. is miles away from the early doo wop 7″45s but also from the Hobbits’ psych pop or from “Psychedelic Situation” for that matter. Folk, singer/songwriter pop, blues in nine songs. All of them written by Jimmy Curtiss alone or in co-operation with people like Marcia Hillman, who was a co-writer for The Hobbits already.The album’s opener “Child Of Clay” had been a US TOP 40 hit for Jimmie Rodgers in 1967. This was J.C.’s biggest success as a songwriter. Unusual were the mostly critical and serious lyrics. Really thrilling sometimes. The musical arrangements with wah wah sounds, with strings set rather economically grab one’s attention. The album cover is really anti commercial sporting a primitive black & white photo layout. It’s message rather unclear. The meaning of life? – Whatever. Jimmy Curtiss’ backing band made another album for Perception under the name of Albert. Drummer Howie Wyeth worked as a session musician for Bob Dylan and others“. (Prairie Prince Minsky)..
