Like the title to this 1978 Vancouver indie classic says, there is an innocence to this folk rock song cycle that can't be corrupted. Songs from the heart to the heart.

13 MP3 Songs in this album (39:51) !
Related styles: FOLK: Folk-Rock, BLUES: Blues Vocals

People who are interested in Bob Dylan Randy Newman Jesse Colin Young should consider this download.


Details:
1978 Tom Harrison Georgia Straight review for 'HARD-COVER VIRGINS' ouch!

âThe note scribbled upon the shrink wrap of the album that was perched upon my typewriter when I walked in one morning a few weeks ago said, âHow about a review for my record?â and it was signed John Lyle.

Seems like a reasonable request. We do that kind of thing all the time at the (Georgia) Straight, donât you know? I donât know much about John Lyle except that he recorded this album all by himself with the help of a few friends and is handling the distribution and promotion independently. The lpâs called âHard Cover Virginsâ (get the pun?) and the amateurish cover art warns that Lyle âmakes the Sex Pistols sound like music.â

The equally haphazard back cover has the lyrics printed for you perusal and they hint at the irreverence of the man-heâs at once a cornball and an overwhelmingly self-conscious cynic. The songs have promise but the inconsistency of this budget production ruins a few good ideas or at least does not show off Lyleâs strong songs to their best advantage. Thereâs a lot of lame humour and aggravating asides thrown in that might have seemed like a good idea at the time but barely hold up after the first listening, never mind a second.

Having said that, Iâd like to point out that with a little more thought this could be a really pleasant album to listen to. It has a nice folksiness and enough original wit to give Lyleâs songs-which are in a middle of the road folk/country/pop vein-some character. Likewise John Lyle has a fine voice with fairly distinctive phrasing. But the in jokes and other bits just clutter the lp. âLife Is A Breeseâ might make a solid MOR single.â

'I may have over-reacted.' - Tom Harrison email (2007)

Another, nicer opinion-

'What can I say about 'Hard-Cover Virgins'? Itâs one of those records I carry with me through my life, reminding me of a time when music reached out in all directions. John Lyle loves so many different styles of music and tries them all on this record. Folk, blues and ROCK!

And whatever you do, donât forget the jokes!

One of the great features of this record is the work of John Murray, late of the Poppy Family and Pappa Bearâs Medicine Show. He absolutely rips it up on lead guitar and bass.

Warner Brothers said they loved it in 1978, but couldnât find a pigeonhole. So he went ahead and put it out by himself, which he does to this day.

Also, check out his new stuff. If you want hear an artist who has matured like a fine wine, listen to this guy all the way down line.' -Tenny Howard.

Bio-
Headed for a career as an English professor in the mid 1960âs, John Lyle was âbroadsidedâ by Bob Dylan and The Beatles. His degree went out the window, and so did he, playing in a series of bands and then performing on Canadian network television and radio as a solo act. He was also signed to two record labels during this era, but realized that because of his highly sensitive nature he was not cut out for the performing life. John returned to his home in the Vancouver area, and devoted himself to his family, supporting them with a career that may have been more dangerous than the perfomance stage. He became a postman. John Lyleâs wonderful body of work is evidence of a life lived on the streets and in the home, filled with all the love and loss and joy and despair that are part and parcel of being alive. The songs are vital, not written to imitate a commercial trend or to fulfil a contract, but to reflect the intensity of experience and to remain sane.......... 'John's songs are amazing!' Frazee Ford (The Be Good Tanyas).......... 'We love John Lyle. We listen to him all the time.' The Sumner Brothers.......... 'There's lots of nice stuff on there!' Paul Rodgers (Bad Company; Free; Queen)......... âMagnificent!â Robert Altman.......... John Lyle will take you gently to your safe place, and then sneak up on you with a song as uncompromisingly ferocious as a grizzly in a maternity ward.â Dennis Albo, in his reality novel âOne Bullet Left'.......... 'The James Joyce of folk.' Heywood Banks........ .'Super passionate stuff!' Mark Smith