This is the first article in Track By Track, a series I will be introducing for albums on this site with a richer history. A special thanks to Ed Kaplan for helping me fill out information concerning Nightbird's credits and performances.
Preamble:
Nightbird is The Kaplan Brothers’ third and final studio album. The album was released in 1975. The album is the first to feature Jack Kaplan, Larry Kaplan’s replacement. Sessions for the album commenced in early 1975 in San Diego, California. The group had been playing a multitude of shows around San Diego during this period. Initial sessions featured Larry Kaplan’s last contributions to the group before his mutual departure. Nightbird contains several tributes to Ed Kaplan’s son. These include the label name and production name.
The band, led by Dick, took a different direction on this affair. Dick decided to lean more into the group’s progressive rock influences and create a concept album concerning the life cycle of man. Whether or not you’d like to admit it The Kaplan Brothers were a progressive band.
The album features a multitude of interludes, effects, and strange arrangements with many original compositions done by Dick. According to Larry Andes and Ed Kaplan, the group was heavily inspired by The Moody Blues, so much so that they purchased an elusive mellotron in 1973. The band utilized it at live shows, but not to the effect it was used on this album. This album features the last lineup of the group before breaking up sometime prior to 1977:
General Lineup:
Dick Kaplan: Lead and Backing Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Production
Ed Kaplan: Backing and Lead Vocals, Flutes, Effects, Congas, Cymbal on "Love Is Life"
Jack Kaplan: Backing Vocals, Mellotron, Piano, Keyboard Bass, Synthesizers, Electric Piano, Harmonica on "He"
Larry Kaplan: Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar, and Mellotron on “Nightbird”
Track by track:
Ode To Life:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Dick Kaplan
Performed Live: 1975-1976
The opening track features a complicated chord progression in Dm that is unlike most of "Nightbird" and the group’s previous works. Ed stated that this song was written by Dick. The song addresses a relationship and its qualms, which is similar to other songs on the album. The mellotron that Jack utilized is front and center on this track with heavy use of the choir, horns, and string tape settings. This is the only song on the album (and any Kaplan Brothers recording) in which Dick sings by himself.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Mellotron, Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboard Bass: Jack Kaplan
Flute, Effects, Congas: Ed Kaplan
Vodka And Caviare:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Viktor Gusev (Original Lyrics), Lee Knipper (Arrangement), Paul Maurriat (Arrangement), Dick Kaplan (Rewritten Lyrics, Arrangement)
Performed Live: 197?-1976
This is an interesting track due to its rewriting history. The song is actually “Polyushka-polye”, a Soviet-era state anthem. The song was then retitled to “Vodka And Caviar” by Paul Maurriat. Dick utilizes Maurriat’s arrangement albeit slows the tempo. He then rewrote the lyrics to match the concept of the album. Due to the title, it is obvious he was inspired by Maurriat’s version and not the traditional folk version. The rewrite’s theme is the changing of seasons and nostalgia. Tons of the patented Kaplan Brothers harmonies, a beautiful tempo change at the 2:40 minute mark, and their patented mellotron once again front and center. This is the most rudimentary and simple track on the album, so this is the closest it would be to hearing this line-up in their live traditional setting.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Mellotron, Pianos, Keyboard Bass: Jack Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Effects, Congas: Ed Kaplan
Epitaph:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Peter Sinfield, Greg Lake, Robert Fripp, Ian McDonald, Michael Giles
Performed Live: 197?-1976
The group’s rendition of King Crimson’s Epitaph is the biggest draw for collectors. As stated, Dick thoroughly enjoyed progressive rock outfits and King Crimson was one of them. The song is pretty close to the original in terms of arrangement. This rendition is slower in tempo and has no drums. The song, I would guess, relates to adolescence in the concept of the album though the original message was anti-war. Lots of wah-wah on Dick’s guitar is notable on this song, as well as the first of many extremely impressive flute parts courtesy of Ed. Ed told me that this track drags on a bit, and I concur especially towards the ending.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Mellotron, Piano, Keyboard Bass: Jack Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Congas, Flute, Effects: Ed Kaplan
Listen To The Falling Rain:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Jose Feliciano, Janna Feliciano, The Kaplan Brothers (Arrangement)
Performed Live: 197?-1976
The group segues into a rendition of the folk anthem “Rain” which is consistently retitled to “Listen To The Falling Rain”. The original was performed by Jose Feliciano in 1968. The Kaplans’ version differs significantly, with a sped up arrangement and multiple solos in the middle. Each “brother” gets a solo on this track, with Ed performing a long flute solo, Dick having a whistling solo, and Jack playing a short synthesizer solo. Ed and Dick share the lead vocal. Ed’s flute solo is extremely impressive and very Ian Anderson-esque. Dick and Ed share the lead vocal.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Lead Vocals, Congas, Flute, Effects: Ed Kaplan
Mellotron, Piano, Synthesizers, Keyboard Bass: Jack Kaplan
Life And Me:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Dick Kaplan
Performed Live: 1975-1976
Side two begins with another Dick Kaplan original. Despite its simplicity, this track is the most accessible one for new listeners. Features a great bouncy bass line and some great keyboard solos courtesy of Jack. The theme of independence oozes throughout this number. Dick handles most of the vocals on this song with some very hard to hear backing vocals courtesy of Ed.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Mellotron, Piano, Synthesizers, Keyboard Bass: Jack Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Flute, Congas: Ed Kaplan
Love Is Life:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Dick Kaplan
Performed Live: Never
Another Dick Kaplan original. This track seems to have been written and constructed swiftly. When I talked to Ed Kaplan about these Nightbird tracks, he thought this was the worst and claimed that it was a filler track. Doesn't have the lyrical complexity that other songs have. The fast tempo in the middle and brighter chord structure also don't fit the theme. This track probably has the most keyboard layers but Ed's flute work is what stands out yet again, especially during the bridge.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Mellotrons, Electric Pianos, Synthesizers, Keyboard Bass: Jack Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Congas, Flute, Cymbal: Ed Kaplan
Nightbird:
Recorded (Early 1975)
Written By: Dick Kaplan, Larry Kaplan (arrangement), David Laflamme (?), Linda Laflamme (?)
Performed Live: 1971-1976
This track has origins dating back to as early as 1972 when Larry was still in the group. When written up in the local papers, “Nightbird” was consistently described as their hit and go to song. Surprisingly, it was left off their second album despite its prominence in their sets. The song is *eerily* similar to “White Bird” by It’s A Wonderful Day. The songs have near identical choruses. Lyrics are credited to Dick with a slight arrangement change by Larry. His contribution was specifically the tempo changes after each chorus. This is the only song in The Kaplan Brothers’ repertoire that features the group as a quartet.
Another track about independence (and possibly the struggles of adulthood), Larry complained about the overdubbing of additional keyboards after his departure which is something I strongly agree with. It’s way too much on this track. Larry’s bass playing is absolutely insane and makes this track so much fun to listen to. It carries the rhythm of the song through. It’s very likely the last 30 seconds of the track were overdubbed and added later since it's mostly synthesizer, piano, and effects.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar, Mellotron - Larry Kaplan
Flute, Effects, Congas: Ed Kaplan
Synthesizers, Piano, Electric Piano: Jack Kaplan
Happy:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Dick Kaplan, Traditional
Performed Live: 1971-1976
This track also has origins dating back to as early as 1972. This was another of the group’s popular originals. The song's lyrics are strikingly similar to a translated version of “Hava Nagila”. “Happy” was originally on the group’s second album and was the only single they released. Lyrics were credited to Dick who also arranged it but the song is basically a traditional folk song. This rendition is vastly different from the brothers' previous version. Lots of lengthy keyboard solos courtesy of Jack and a lot less whistling. As well, there are only two verses as most of the track is just instrumental. Ed and Dick share most of the vocal. I don't believe Jack sang on this one as I didn't hear a third voice on the isolated tracks.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Dick Kaplan
Lead Vocals, Flute, Congas: Ed Kaplan
Synthesizers, Piano, Mellotron, Keyboard Bass: Jack Kaplan
He:
Recorded (1975)
Written By: Traditional, Dick Kaplan (spoken word sections, arrangement)
Performed Live: Never
A strange cover and rearranging of the folk classic "He Was A Friend Of Mine". Features some odd spoken word interludes which were extremely common during their live sets as Larry told me. Features Dick speaking in an old western cowboy tone towards the ending. Also features an ominous synth intro a spoken word passage from Ecclesiastes 12:7, a passage from the bible about dying.
Obviously this song was included as the conclusion to represent death. Very different tone and arrangement on this track than others on the album. Lots of choir setting mellotron and a brighter arrangement. I believe this track was also filler like "Love Is Life". Features some cool harmonica work too.
Personnel:
Lead Vocals, 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Spoken Word: Dick Kaplan
Lead Vocals, Flute, Congas: Ed Kaplan
Backing Vocals (?), Mellotrons, Synthesizers, Pianos, Electric Piano, Keyboard Bass, Harmonica : Jack Kaplan
Conclusion:
Retrospectively looking at the career of the Kaplan Brothers, the final spoken word section on “He” seems like a tearful goodbye to Ed who soon left the group. Dick knew that the group was near it's dissolution considering Ed needed to slow down and raise his son. His last words on record are a reflection of his feelings:
“Here, I’ve known that boy ever since he a young whipper snapper
Two of us scratched the face of the Earth again
Come up with a pocket full of sand most of the time
I didn’t think there was anything that comes good out of hardship, other than friendship
And God only knows that’s all we ever had
He never had a dime, and hell, neither did I
But we had each other
And he truly was my friend”