Continuing along this path of privately pressed loner/downer folk records, here’s one from a San Antonio, Texas native named William C. Beeley. Self-produced and released on a label called North Park Records, Gallivantin’ has actually drawn comparisons to Bob Dylan, whose “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” was recorded by Beeley and included as the first track on this record. There is a bit of a country feel to some of the numbers, but it’s still a somber affair. It’s not as hopeless as Bob Desper or Dave Bixby, but there is definitely an undercurrent of failure. It is an entirely solo effort; all one hears is Beeley’s voice and his guitar.
“Even with my days so near / I’ll be dead in just a year / I know not the lonely fear of laughter,” Beeley sings on “Summer Colored Skin,” is the kind of lyric that will bring an early ’70s private folk album the “loner” label, but I wouldn’t say that these songs are all downers. It’s not at all like yesterday’s Bill Clint album. By comparison these songs are light. Fingerpicked guitar, strong voice, standard lyrical themes…Gallivantin’ is more like a good folk/country record than a desperate, depressed, tortured songwriter’s record. I’ve heard he released a second album for another small label, but I have yet to track that one down.
This one hasn’t gotten the re-issue treatment yet, but Mr. Beeley definitely deserves it. I don’t know how many copies of this LP are circulating right now, but it can’t be very many. Recent copies have sold for as much as $900.
William C. Beeley
Gallivantin’
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Tracklist:
01. You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere [Dylan]
02. Galivanter
03. Summer Colored Skin
04. Walk
05. And Then I’ll Be Gone
06. Carol
07. Easter Sunday Song
08. Seasons Are Of Never
09. Weathered Lady
10. Little Wheel Spin & Spin & Codine
October 30th, 2009
Hi, Thanks for the very nice review on the album. I recorded it almost 40 years ago (January/February 1970) and it surprises me every time I see or hear of any interest in it. Only 200 copies were pressed and I guess that’s what surprises me the most. With only that many copies pressed I’ve heard from people in Europe and all over the country–it makes me wish I had pressed up more copies. And to think I sold it from the stage and out of the back of my car. I did recorded a second album called “Passing Dream” in 1977 & released in 1979 with a company out of Jackson, Ms named Malaco. I recorded it with a great 5 piece studio band–pretty much live and with very little over-dubbing and all cut in a week. I seldom write or play anymore—but with the Gallivantin’ album fetching as much as $900 I might start again—hell I’ve still got a sealed copy. If you’d like a copy of the Passing Dream album, send me a mailing address and I’ll look for a clean copy for you–I don’t have that many left. Thanks again for the review and interest. Will
November 28th, 2009
Hi, my name is Julie and me and my brother love your music. My brother is Steve Brunson and he knew you when he lived in SAN ANTONIO. I wanted album Passing Dreams for him for Christmas but don’t know how to find it. He had a album from you that you signed for him and it got warped and we couldn’t listen to it anymore. Is there anyway or anywhere that I can get one? Julie Tidwell
January 4th, 2010
I just read the review of Gallivantin. I didn’t know Mr. Beeley had another album out aside from Passing Dream. I bought Passing Dream from him in a club where he was playing outside Lackland AFB in San Antonio in 1980. He really can sing. Wish he had done more. I still listen to Passing Dream from time to time.
April 22nd, 2010
I met Mr. Beeley once at Cold River Cattle Co. in San Antonio back in 1987. Passing Dream has always been one of my favorite albums–too bad the ex-wife took it. I’ve been trying to find another copy since 1991.
December 5th, 2010
I have been trying to re-establish contact with Will. Is he still around and if so please contact J. T. Thomas (I used to play with Will) at islandjt@yahoo.com
December 5th, 2010
I just re-read the comments and one is from you, Will. So you better get in touch with me. JT