When I heard this at a friend's house in 1972, it changed my life. ( )

Stunning debut by a guy who would become one of the best, most under appreciated, singer-songwriters ever. There are songs here that will just stop you in your tracks. Here is his description of addiction in Sam Stone: "There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes/Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose." A college professor of mine said, "I'd give my left nut to be able to write like that." First bought this as a cutout LP. Kris Kristofferson did the liner notes, and compares him to Dylan, which was at the time the kiss of death. ( )

1. Illegal Smile (LP Version) 3:13
2. Spanish Pipedream (LP Version) 2:41
3. Hello In There (LP Version) 4:32
4. Sam Stone (LP Version) 4:16
5. Paradise (LP Version) 3:15
6. Pretty Good (LP Version) 3:36
7. Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore (LP Version) 2:52
8. Far From Me (LP Version) 3:41
9. Angel From Montgomery (LP Version) 3:44
10. Quiet Man (LP Version) 2:52
11. Donald And Lydia (LP Version) 4:30
12. Six O'Clock News (LP Version) 2:51
13. Flashback Blues (LP Version)