John Dawson Read: “A Friend of Mind is Going Blind” (1975)
This song and I have a history. I wasn’t originally going to post it here because generally if a song is a hit single it doesn’t qualify as a “song you may have missed”. And I always thought this song was a hit–mainly because I heard it on the radio in ’75 and walked up to my local record store (probably Rags ‘n Records) and bought it. I still remember the green Chrysalis label and everything. I assumed everything I heard on the radio and purchased was a top 40 hit.
But no one else seems to remember this one which, it turns out, only peaked at #72.
The CD is either long out of print or was never in print. I had to write to Mr. Read himself through his website. He graciously sent along a personalized note with a CD-R copy of his 1975 album, mentioning my city (Pittsburgh) with affection.
An English gentleman is Mr. John Dawson Read. And still presumably singing to small audiences somewhere in England. This quiet little song was his four minutes of near-fame in America. I think it’s worthy of four minutes of your attention.
Every Moment Has A Song 