Mike & Pam Martin: Fernwood Pacific
Before giving in completely to my soft side a couple years ago I often felt seriously conflicted about records like this. I’d sit listening with an odd mixture of emotions; somewhere between “Well this is nice” & “Jesus Christ where the fuck have my balls gone?!?”. I just hadn’t quite fully ascended to the higher plain of pure soft occupied mostly by high rolling Japanese & South Koreans. It’s nice up here. Like a room made of pillows.
But anyhow, personal neurotic hangups aside, this is an undeniably pretty record. All anxieties over having been tricked into buying yet another scorched honkytonk loser or new grass turd are quickly put to rest by the opener “Do It Right”. It’s like stumbling upon a clear mountain stream housed inside a somewhat unassuming package. The same pure, refreshing quality, tempered by a melancholy note of the lonesome highway, turns up again on the best tracks. And the somewhat darker “Lonesome Entertainer” has a pretty killer faux-CSNY thing going. An overall strong listen marred only slightly by a couple of weaker tracks & something I’d recommend to anyone seeking the softer side of rustic.
“Do It Right”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
“Stay As Sweet As You Are Now”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
“Lonely Entertainer”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
7 Comments
Hi,, My daughter found your site and forwarded it to me. I was more than surprised and touched by having the album in your possession and your comments. I am going to look further into your site to see what else you have. Pam (Martin) Friedman
I just found this record in a NJ thrift Store just 2 days after Pam Martin left her comment-It looked intriguing.I didnt even know about this Lp & not much info except on this site. – It is a nice mellow West Coast styled country rock Lp- I really like it- very pro sounding & solid songs that stick to you. More people should hear this. Any chance we can get some more info on this recording ? What year is it from? any other insight/history would be great! Thanks!
Is this the Pam and Mike I knew in Vail when I was playing there with my brother Steve and the band Dakota Morning/?? And then with Dale and Marilyn Barcellos in Great Wizard Band?
We wondered where you were!
Love ya!
Comet Haraldson Sioux Falls South Dakota
We just found an autographed copy of the LP in my sister in laws belongings. Difficult to research. This copy originally came from NJ.
Hi,
Yes this was the Pam and Mike you knew in Vail. A long time has passed and not doing much singing now and living near Sedona, AZ. Mike is near our daughter in Scottsdale. Great to see your comment. What are you doing?
To Jeff,
Thanks so much for your comments. This album was recorded on 1975 in Denver. Mike and I were married at the time and were a duo called Fernwood Pacific. Jim Ibbotson from the Dirt Band was in town at the time and was able bring the musicians together for the sessions. The album was financed by our daughter’s godfather, Truman Anderson. I hope this info helped.
To My Own:
I am very curious to know who your sister is. We played near my home town and sold quite a few copies in the mid 70′s.