England Dan & John Ford Coley

The first track on Fables, "Simone," got some airplay on underground radio -- a paradox for Top 40 staples England Dan Seals and Jon Ford Coley, who found fame four years after this pleasant and well-constructed album on A&M was released. "Simone" is one of the more original titles on a disc that draws from the many influences in vogue at the time. "Matthew" nicks the melody right from Elton John and Bernie Taupin's "Country Comforts," though the chorus takes a different turn, and is quite stirring as well as appealing. Maybe it is that familiarity that makes "Matthew" as memorable as "Simone," and though there is nothing here as striking as "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," the album is an important and entertaining document of a talented duo before they fell into the confines of commercial formulas. One can hear the similarity to England Dan's brother Jim Seals' successful Seals & Crofts on "Free the People," which isn't the Delaney & Bonnie minor hit from this same time period. Seals & Crofts hit in 1972, when Neil Young had "Heart of Gold" and when Carole King reigned supreme -- England Dan & John Ford Coley slip right into the mix with no problem. A song like "What I'm Doin'" shows the duo at their best. In fact, it more closely resembles almost any track off of America's 1972 debut -- piano, guitar, harmonies, and a very appealing collection of melodies with words that aren't abrasive. "Casey" is absolutely uplifting -- its conclusion is haunting, with echo on the voices and tasteful strings. Their lyrics repeat themselves -- they talk about yesterday and tomorrow in "What I'm Doin'," then carry the theme further with a song titled "Tomorrow." America sang "Don't Cross the River," but England Dan & John Ford Coley advise to "Stay By the River," while "Candles of Our Lives" would be a nice cover for Dan Fogelberg. Every track has that mature folk-pop attitude so important in the post-Everly Brothers/Simon & Garfunkel radio world. The album has a classy texture to the touch, and portrays the two young musicians as minstrels. Despite the derivative nature of the project, Fables stands as a sincere and very satisfying musical work by two men whose voices would become highly recognizable through the six Top 25 hits they would accumulate between 1976 and 1979. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide