Uri Geller – Uri Geller

Who knows what paranormalist Uri Geller was thinking when he decided to transpose his unique fork-bending abilities to song -- just be glad that he did. This priceless nugget of mid-'70s marketing folly is a bizarre joy. Most of the tracks involve esoteric poetry segments written and recited by Geller, while others are simply Est-era instrumentals that bring to mind matte paintings of the solar system; big, leafy plants; and macramé. British soul singer Maxine Nightingale shows up on a few cuts alongside Geller's heavily accented musings and is forced to make the most of such lines as, "Her voice a thousand canary cries" ("This Girl of Mine") -- yikes. The results sound something like Peter Lorre doing a spoken-word album backed by the Carpenters. But in truth, Geller simply wants to instruct listeners in how to expand their own paranormal "abilities" and learn to do things like bend spoons. On "Mood" he instructs, "You are part of a fascinating effect that is really hidden in many of us/But if it didn't happen, please don't be disappointed, because it doesn't happen to everybody/Sometimes it doesn't even work for me." Geller could just as easily be talking about his recording career. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide