Nolan - No Apologies

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Review by Chuck Spidell

No Apologies by Nolan: A Funky, Soulful Trip Down Memory Lane (1970) Let’s cut to the chase: No Apologies is one of those albums that feels like it was beamed straight outta some cosmic jukebox stuck between rock, funk, soul, and even a splash of children’s music. Yeah, you heard me right. Children's music. Released in 1970 on Lizard Records (cool name, huh?), this gem from Nolan Porter straddles genres like a musical tightrope walker with a sense of humor. And trust me, it’s worth your time. First off, let’s talk about the dream team behind this record. You’ve got Lowell George shredding guitar like he just invented coolness itself, Roy Estrada laying down basslines smoother than butter on a hot biscuit, and Jimmy Carl Black keeping the beat so groovy you might forget where you are for a sec. Oh, and props to producer Gabriel Mekler, who clearly had his morning coffee before stepping into the studio because everything sounds crisp yet delightfully unhinged. Now, onto the tracks. If I had to pick two standouts, they’d be “Crazy Love” and “Let’s Burn Down the Cornfield.” Why? Well, buckle up, buttercup—here’s why these tunes burrowed their way into my brain. “Crazy Love” hits you like a warm hug from an old friend who smells faintly of patchouli. It’s got that soft rock vibe but with enough soul to make Clydie King and Sherlie Matthews’ backing vocals feel like church choir magic. The melody worms its way into your ears and sets up camp. Days later, you’ll catch yourself humming it while brushing your teeth or arguing with your cat. Don’t ask how I know. Then there’s “Let’s Burn Down the Cornfield,” which is basically what happens when someone says, “Hey, let’s mix fire metaphors with funky horns and see what sticks.” Tony Elisalda’s congas slap harder than your grandma’s famous biscuits, and the whole thing builds into this glorious mess of sound that makes you wanna grab a lighter and… well, maybe not burn anything down, but definitely dance like nobody’s watching. This track has more layers than my winter coat collection, and every single one works. The rest of the album? Solid gold weirdness. Tracks like “Don’t Make Me Color My Black Face Blue” hit hard—not just musically but emotionally too. It’s raw, real, and kinda uncomfortable in the best possible way. Meanwhile, songs like “Fe Fi Fo Fum” remind you that yes, this album does have a hint of kiddie whimsy sprinkled throughout. Go figure. Here’s the kicker though—the design and photography by Kira and Tom Gundelfinger give the whole package a trippy, artsy vibe that screams early '70s experimentation. Like, you can practically smell the incense wafting off the cover art. So, what’s the takeaway here? No Apologies isn’t perfect—it’s messy, quirky, and occasionally baffling—but dang if it doesn’t leave a mark. Listening to it feels like flipping through someone’s photo album from a wild road trip across the U.S. and Canada. Sure, some pictures are blurry, and others don’t quite fit, but together? They tell a story you won’t soon forget. And hey, if nothing else, now you’ve got something fun to play at your next dinner party when everyone’s had too much wine and needs a conversation starter. Just don’t blame me if someone starts trying to burn down actual cornfields.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: nolan-no-apologies.zip
  • MP3 size: 100 mb
  • FLAC size: 992 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Travelin' Song
Gwendolyn5:09
Fifth One
Travelin' Song4:40
Somebody's Cryin'4:45
What Would You Do If I Did That To You3:00
Crazy Love2:54
Let's Burn Down the Cornfield
The Fifth One3:06
Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum
Don't Make Me Color by Black Face Blue
Fe Fi Fo Fum2:35
Somebody's Cryin'
Iron Out The Rough Spots5:10
Somebody's Gone2:10
Iron Out the Rough Spots
Somebody's Gone
What Would You Do If I Did That to You?
Let's Burn Down The Cornfield2:55
Don't Make Me Color My Black Face Blue3:09

Video

iron out the rough spots Nolan Porter
NOLAN PORTER - Gwendolyn
B4 Burn Down The Cornfield - Nolan Porter - Nolan (1972)
B2 Crazy Love - Nolan Porter - Nolan (1972)
N F PORTER - DON'T MAKE ME COLOR MY BLACK FACE BLUE

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • A-20102
  • A20102, A-20102
  • A20102

Labels

Lizard

Listen online

  • ouvir online
  • online luisteren
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lytte på nettet
  • escuchar en línea
  • online anhören
  • écouter en ligne
  • lyssna på nätet
  • ascolta in linea

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • Stereo
  • Promo

Companies

RoleCompany
Distributed ByAmpex Records
Recorded AtWally Heider Recording Studio, Los Angeles
Published ByEast
Record CompanyAmpex Of Canada

Credits

RoleCredit
Backing VocalsClydie King, Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields
BassRoy Estrada
DrumsJimmy Carl Black, Richard Hayward
GuitarLowell George
HornsTony Elisalda
CongasTony Elisalda
Photography ByKira, Tom Gundelfinger
DesignKira, Tom Gundelfinger
PianoWilliam H. Payne
OrganWilliam H. Payne
ProducerGabriel Mekler
KeyboardsGabriel Mekler
VocalsNolan Porter
PhotographyKira, Tom Gundelfinger
Artwork ByKira, Tom Gundelfinger

Notes

  • This release has a song called "Travelin' Song" in position B1.
  • Label variation .
  • Publishers:
  • A1: East-Cotillion (BMI)
  • A2: January Music (BMI)
  • A3: Lizard Music (ASCAP)
  • A4: Lizard Music (ASCAP)
  • A5: Tamerlane Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
  • B1: Lizard Music (ASCAP)
  • B2: Cordon Blue-Red Mountain (BMI)
  • B3: Lizard Music (ASCAP)
  • B4: Lizard Music (ASCAP)
  • B5: Lizard Music (ASCAP)
  • Made in U.S.A.
  • Catalog# is printed as "A20102" on the cover and spine, and as "A-20102" on the labels.
  • Recorded at Wally Heider's Studio 3, Hollywood, except track B2 recorded live at the Troubadour in Hollywood.
  • Release year not stated on record.
  • B1: Van-Jan Music (ASCAP)
  • Recorded at Wally Heider's Studio 3, Hollywood.
  • The Lizard label was a short-lived subsidiary of Ampex that operated during 1971.
  • Recorded at Wally Heider's Studio 3 - Hollywood
  • Track B1 is a different song than the one on the original release
  • On spine and back cover: Category is A20102
  • Label variation where the durations appear in a straight column.
  • White sticker on front: "Promotional Copy. Not For Sale."
  • This white label promo copy says "D. J. Copy Not for Sale"

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, Runout): ARP 20102-A △14739
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, Runout): ARP 20102-B △14739-X
  • Matrix / Runout (A Side): A2012-A-RE-1 △14739
  • Matrix / Runout (B Side): A2012-B-RE-1 △14739-X
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, Runout): ARC 7̶5-2-0-0 8̶20102-A △14739
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, Runout): 8̶20102-B △14739-X
  • Matrix / Runout (A Side scratched out letter or number before the code): 2012-A-RE-1 △14739
  • Matrix / Runout (B Side scratched out letter or number before the code): 2012-B-RE-1 △14739-X

About Nolan

Nolan Frederick Porter (May 10, 1949  February 4 2021) was an American R&B singer and songwriter who recorded two albums and six singles in the early 1970s.

Real Name

    • Nolan Frederick Porter

Name Vars

  • N F Porter
  • N. F. Porter
  • N. Porter
  • N.F. Porter
  • Nolan
  • Noland Porter
  • Porter

Aliases

  • Frederick II

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the 1970 album *No Apologies* by Nolan Porter is a genre-blending masterpiece? It mixes rock, funk, soul, and even children's music. The album features legendary musicians like Lowell George on guitar and Roy Estrada on bass, both known for their work with Frank Zappa. Fun fact: the track "Let's Burn Down the Cornfield" appears twice, but it’s not a mistake—it’s two different versions! The album cover art and photography were done by Kira and Tom Gundelfinger, who gave it a distinct visual style. A true hidden gem from the US and Canada scene.

Comments

danahamzeh78
2025-03-14
great post Kev! not many know this is on t'other side of koko, luv it!!!
healthproma
2025-03-13
Thank you so much to upload this beautiful song from an amazing artist. :-) I wonder were i can find the lirycs.
vrijdenker
2025-03-13
Not a day goes by that I dont miss my hermano, Nolan.
ericaphood
2025-03-12
Little Feat is the band here.
austinbigbearrode
2025-03-12
Dare I Say I prefer Nolan's version (sacrilege I know)
saimon34
2025-03-11
Got the album. Good groove.
Nice one sir!
chiocarmona
2025-03-11
Nolan Porter the Gift that keeps giving :)