The Good Book (album)

The Good Book is a 1971 album released by Melanie and featuring the Top 40 hit "Nickel Song". The album also features "Birthday of the Sun", a track Melanie originally performed at Woodstock in 1969.

The album was the last 'official' Melanie release from Buddah Records - she left the company to form her own label; however several Buddah albums were later issued featuring 'leftover' material from earlier sessions; in addition to several compilation albums.

Reception
Cashbox called the album "her best recording to date. Her songwriting reflects a new maturity and vision; each of her new pieces is wonderfully crafted and performed in the inimitable Melanie fashion."

In a mixed review, Allmusic stated that the album "seemed like a case of two steps forward, one step back" however conceding that "it's worth noting there's no such thing as a Melanie album without a bit of emotional excess, and she speaks her heart and mind with clarity and gentle force on these numbers."

Track listing
All songs written by Melanie Safka except where noted.


 * 1) "Good Book"
 * 2) "Babe Rainbow"
 * 3) "Sign on the Window" (Bob Dylan)
 * 4) "The Saddest Thing"
 * 5) "Nickel Song"
 * 6) "Isn't It a Pity"
 * 7) "My Father" (Judy Collins)
 * 8) "Chords of Fame" (Phil Ochs)
 * 9) "You Can Go Fishin'"
 * 10) "Birthday of the Sun"
 * 11) "The Prize"
 * 12) "Babe Rainbow (Reprise)"

Personnel

 * Melanie - nylon guitar, banjo, vocals
 * Vinnie Bell - electric guitar
 * Sal DiTroia - classical and steel guitar
 * Hugh McCracken - classical guitar
 * Eric Weissberg - fiddle
 * Joe Mack - bass
 * Ron Frangipane - keyboards
 * Margie English - banjo
 * Buddy Saltzman, George Devens - drums, percussion
 * Dave Melaney - accordion
 * George March - woodwind
 * The Pennywhistlers - backing vocals
 * John Abbott, Lee Holdridge, Ron Frangipane - arrangements