Margo Guryan is a relatively obscure American recording artist, songwriter and arranger best known for the 1968 release "Take A Picture." In the past, her work has been recorded by: Glen Campbell, Mama Cass, Astrud Gilberto and the Lennon Sisters. More recently, artists like Beck and Shirley Manson of the band Garbage, have cited her as an influence.

Guryan was raised in Far Rockaway, New York, and began playing piano and composing classical music in the first grade. She eventually studied jazz at Boston University and the Lenox School of Jazz in Massachusetts alongside greats like Ornette Coleman, Bill Evans and Bill Jackson. There, a classmate handed her a copy of "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys and Guryan was transfixed by the song "God Only Knows." The rest, as they say, was history, and Guryan began composing pop songs. In 1967, Chris Connor became the first artist to record one of her compositions. With "Moon Ride" on vinyl, her songwriting career was officially launched.

"Take a Picture" was released in 1968 to mostly positive reviews, but due to stage fright, Guryan did not tour to promote the album and her career as a performer was short-lived. Later Guryan works include the re-release of "Take A Picture" titled "Taking Pictures(Franklin Castle 2000)" that included 3 bonus tracks and "25 Demos (Franklin Castle/Oglio 2001)."

Guryan now lives in Los Angeles and works as a teacher. Though her original vinyl albums sell for upwards of $200 on Ebay she refuses to make a comeback or any public appearances. She's huge in Japan, I add, completely unironically.

Personally, my favorite Guryan songs are the groovy "Sunday Morning" and "8:17 Northbound Success Merry-Go-Round"(do give it a "spin"). Both songs exemplify Margo's talent for arrangement, layering and strict adherence to time signatures. In fact, she first felt the need to record her own music after growing frustrated when other non-musician vocalists would botch up her arrangements.

"8:17 Northbound" is lyrically clever, a suburban short story. I compare it to Edwin Arlington Robinson's Richard Cory taking a train. It has some of the snappiest snares ever recorded.

Some have criticized Guryan for being too blase, and having too many songs about love and daisies, but I believe it was a reflection of the culture of the time. She doesn't have a strong voice but a definite sense of style.

Oh, I could go on and on, but listen for yourself! Check out the "ethereal whisper pop goddess" and the album that influenced her to embark upon a pop career: Pet Sounds. And if you don't know about Pet Sounds, "God Only Knows" where you've been. I've also listed some of Margo's contemporaries, includingglamrival Claudine Longet(boooo..hiiisss). Enjoy.

Sources:
www.franklincastle.net/margo.html
www.sfweekly.com/issues/2001-03-21/music3.html
http://www.urbanhonking.com/greatestband/archives/2004/05/crying_in_the_s.html
http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/guryanmargo-25demos.shtml

'Take a Picture'
'25 Demos'
'Thoughts'
'The Easier Chopsticks Variations'

PET SOUNDS
'Pet Sounds'

OTHER CONTEMPORARIES/SIMILAR SOUNDING MUSIC:
'The Very Best of Claudine Longet'
'Not Going Anywhere'
'Just Another Diamond Day'
'The Best of Free Design'
'Genesis'
'Digitally Remastered Best'
'The Ultimate Jackie DeShannon'
'Classics & Collectibles'
'Life for Rent'
'Tender Buttons'