VIA PRESS RELEASE | Liberation Hall has announced an expanded edition reissue of Pearl Harbour’s 1980 album, Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too. The title will make its CD debut on March 22 alongside a new “purple grape” vinyl pressing. The vinyl will feature four bonus tracks while the CD will further add a pair of previously unreleased demos.
AllMusic writes “Harbour’s voice is loud and freewheeling on the rockabilly driven rumble of ‘Out with the Girls,’ ‘Fujiyama Mama,’ and ‘Alone in the Dark.’ There’s not a trace of hesitation in Harbour’s hiccups, whoops, and yelps; she sounds comfortable in a way listeners simply hadn’t heard before.”
Patricia Gilbert began her career in San Francisco’s burgeoning music scene in the 1970s, dancing on stage with the Tubes in 1976 before becoming part of another local act, Leila and the Snakes. In 1978, she adopted the stage name “Pearl Harbor” and formed Pearl Harbor and the Explosions alongside two of the Snakes.
They recorded a well-received, self-titled debut album for Warner Bros. Records and toured extensively. When it came time to record a second LP, the band split due to disagreements over musical direction. At the time, Pearl was dating Clash associate and sometime manager Kosmo Vinyl, and the couple relocated to London.
Pearl decided she wanted to go in a rockabilly direction for Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too, and Kosmo went about assembling an all-star studio band which included Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, and Mick Jones from the Clash; Wilko Johnson from Dr. Feelgood and Ian Dury & the Blockheads; Nigel Dixon from Whirlwind; Steve New from the Rich Kids; and Steve Goulding from Graham Parker & the Rumour.
Produced by Blockheads keyboardist Mickey Gallagher, the LP also features contributions from pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, keyboardist Geraint Watkins, and saxophonist Gary Barnacle. Since Pearl was now living in the UK, Warners’ London office insisted she update her name to the British spelling of “Harbour.”
Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too was released in December 1980, and despite being a crackling blend of rockabilly, country, rock ‘n’ roll, and Pearl’s own unique star quality, Warner Bros. failed to get behind the album. Within the year, she was touring as a special guest with the Clash, performing Wanda Jackson’s “Fujiyama Mama” as an encore with the band. In May 1982, she married Simonon and the union lasted for seven years.
The expanded CD and vinyl formats of Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too will feature new liner notes from Pearl alongside photos and memorabilia from her personal collection. In addition to “Fujiyama Mama,” Pearl’s interpretations of Billy Cox and Cliff Hobbs’ “Filipino Baby,” Ian Dury’s “Rough Kids,” and LaVern Baker’s “Voodoo Voodoo” are also included.
