Avenging Annie
Encyclopedia
"Avenging Annie" is the sole single released by Andy Pratt
. This song, from the viewpoint of a "mythical heroine," (and based partially on Woody Guthrie
's "The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd" as interpreted by The Byrds
), is sung by Pratt mostly in falsetto
, accompanied by cat, piano and guitar (both forwards and backwards).
The song rides on Pratt's classically-influenced piano through the painful story of his first marriage, which he reworks as an American Outlaw West fantasy reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde
, or Annie Oakley
. At the end, the heroine finds "peace and release" on her own.
In June 1973 the single reached the top 15 on WRKO-AM
in Pratt's native Boston, but peaked at number 78 on the Billboard
Hot 100
, spending ten weeks on the chart.
The record, produced by John Nagy with additional production suggestions from Clive Davis, went to number one in New Orleans and Providence
. Rick Shlosser
played drums on the record.
Prior to the release of the record, a pirate tape circulated through Providence and was frequently aired on Brown University radio as one of the most requested songs. This is what led to an official overproduced recording, which lacked the punch and power of the original pirate tape of 1971.
The song was covered by Roger Daltrey
on his 1977 album One of the Boys
; it later appeared on all three compilations of his solo work. Daltrey's version shied away from taking the woman's part in the song and lacked the complex syncopation of Pratt's.
Andy Pratt (singer-songwriter)
Andy Pratt is an American rock music singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In the 1970s, he made a number of experimental records that were appreciated by small audiences, and scored a commercial hit with "Avenging Annie"....
. This song, from the viewpoint of a "mythical heroine," (and based partially on Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
's "The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd" as interpreted by The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
), is sung by Pratt mostly in falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
, accompanied by cat, piano and guitar (both forwards and backwards).
The song rides on Pratt's classically-influenced piano through the painful story of his first marriage, which he reworks as an American Outlaw West fantasy reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were well-known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression. Their exploits captured the attention of the American public during the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934...
, or Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley , born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Oakley's amazing talent and timely rise to fame led to a starring role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which propelled her to become the first American female superstar.Oakley's most famous trick is perhaps...
. At the end, the heroine finds "peace and release" on her own.
In June 1973 the single reached the top 15 on WRKO-AM
WRKO
WRKO is a radio station based in Boston, Massachusetts, currently owned by Entercom. Its transmitter is located in Burlington, Massachusetts, next to the Burlington Mall.-1920-1940:...
in Pratt's native Boston, but peaked at number 78 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, spending ten weeks on the chart.
The record, produced by John Nagy with additional production suggestions from Clive Davis, went to number one in New Orleans and Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. Rick Shlosser
Rick Shlosser
Rick Shlosser is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music, has been a member ofVan Morrison's band and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He's also been a varied sessions drummer.-Discography:* Andy Pratt - Records Are Like Life...
played drums on the record.
Prior to the release of the record, a pirate tape circulated through Providence and was frequently aired on Brown University radio as one of the most requested songs. This is what led to an official overproduced recording, which lacked the punch and power of the original pirate tape of 1971.
The song was covered by Roger Daltrey
Roger Daltrey
Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
on his 1977 album One of the Boys
One of the Boys (Roger Daltrey album)
One of the Boys is the third solo album by The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey. It was first released in 1977. The sessions were recorded at The Who's Ramport Studios during the winter of 1976 , and Daltrey allowed students from the local Battersea technical school to film them as an educational...
; it later appeared on all three compilations of his solo work. Daltrey's version shied away from taking the woman's part in the song and lacked the complex syncopation of Pratt's.