Composed RSM All tracks rec. 1978 (177 Park St. 3rd Floor, Montclair NJ), except where noted * (Nashville TN homes) Mark Cudnik = mailed TN drum tracks (1-5, 14, 20-22, 25) Irwin Chusid = drums (11) Mike Hopper = flute (6) Billy Anderson & Roger Ferguson = shoop-shoops (6) Nelson Riddler Orchestra Record = (19, 24) All other performances singlehandedly by Moore. Tailored for lathe in NYC = JON CHILD at Clack Studio. Front cover design = RSM Doll photo = IC. Thanx to Szzn G, Margaux, Erica, Max Wermuth, Ira, Jim Price, George Flores, WFMU, Charlie Stoddard, Johna Lynn, Bob Moore, Victor Lovera, Mike Burroughs, Gene Lazo (WMSC), Mel Cheplowitz (KALX), Chris Bolger and Jimmy & Dawn Coffman. Cordelia CD reissue coordinated & designed by Alan Jenkins, who also conducted & edited the 2004 email interview in the expanded 12 page booklet. (Complete unedited version here.) Personal Injury Records 2013 LP Reissued Dedicated to Harry Palmer forever.

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[THE
EXACT TEXT
AS DISPLAYED DIAGONALLY
ON THE ORIGINAL FRONT JACKET,
LINE BY LINE:]


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from la fidelidad matrimonial, que unido a perversion forma
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.

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I suppose it's not really kosher my review-
ing Delicate Tension, seeing's how my name
appears on the album cover. But since Ira
Robbins, J.D. Salinger, Don Knotts and
Sonny's Chevrolet are similarly disqualified,
who's left? Besides, I was an admirer of R.
Stevie Moore's fractured pop stylings way
before he was aware of my existence, and am
not likely to revise that estimation.

I can only urge some latently adventurous
Major Label to bestow a few of those hot dogs
in the satin baseball jackets up off their A&R
asses and out to Verona, New Jersey, for a
reminder of what actual talent sounds like. I
mean, here's R. Stevie, bereft of the requisite
beans to book himself some stretch-out time
in a legit studio, and Fleetwood Mac's been
dicking around with their "long awaited"
next album for what, two, three years? Is
there no fucking justice?

Until the Verona Visionary's turned loose
in a real studio, though, we can be truly
satisfied with Delicate Tension, a broadly
eclectic album unified by a seductive pop-
rock logic, and distinguished by some of the
most accurate and animated overdubbing
you're likely to hear coming from any
quarter. Vocally, Moore--who played
virtually all of the instruments here--most
closely resembles Syd Barrett during his
Madcap Laughs phase, especially on
"Norway," with its lilting acoustic guitar
strums, Beatle-ish oohing and delicately
catchy refrain, and the gloopy-voiced "I Go
Into Your Mind," which sounds like it was
sung at the bottom of a vatful of jello. But
the witty "Apropos Joe"--even though taken
at a pace that might leave the Ramones
winded--recalls the lead wheezler with the
Residents, while "Oh Pat" is pure folk rock,
complete with ringing guitars, Byrdsy bass
and, for spice, a sourly whimsical lyric fil-
tered through an Enoesque limey slur. On the
other hand, "Cool Daddio"'s thick mix and
drolly detached vocal captures perfectly the
spirit of early-'70s English art rock.

I could go on, particularly about the lyrics
(You like Debby Boone/He likes the Ra-
mones/I don't understand/Why you two
have a phone"). But why sit still for any
further babble when you can scamper out
and score a copy of this thoroughly idio-
syncratic disc for your very own? For what
few slumming mainstreamers may be
reading this, suffice it to say that Toto will
never sound the same after a few rounds
with the redoubtable R. Stevie.

Who is R. Stevie Moore and why is he destined to obscurity -- or, what great force in the universe will shape this raw genius into a commercially viable success? Wthe the release of Delicate Tension (a most intriguing album), we become ever more aware of an incredible talent rising up from the pits pf mediocrity. His vocal style is similar to that of Kevin Ayers (very much so). His technical prowess is as creative as Zappa or Rundgren. The self-produced quality of this album and his two previous releases, Stance (EP) and Phonography (LP), amuses and enlightens us to R. Stevie Moore's private world of sharp-witted cynicism. The music explores everything from improvisational jazz/pop to romantic folk ballads. It is essentially upbeat, a cross-weave of musical textures. If nothing else, R. Stevie Moore will be an important figure in the pop/rock annals of obscurity, but I would encourage all discerning ears to listen to Delicate Tension at least ten times. Can you take this maniacal intelligence? This is entertainment. All songs are great; however, my favorites are "Cool Daddio," "Delicate Tension," "Don't Blame The Niggers," "Funny Child," and "You Are Too Far From Me." Will someone take R. Stevie Moore from the obscurity of New Jersey and give him control of the world?(P.S. Who is H.P. Music, and are you reading this?) (Write: H.P. Music, 101 Harrison St., Verona, N.J. 07044).

––Quazimodo