History:

Val Green is yet another unknown folkie. Green was most likely based in Colorado but could have been from Iowa. Green was a singer-songwriter who performed both original compositions and cover songs. She recorded and released one obscure album, titled both "In The Violet Of The Night" and "Val Green In Concert". 

The album features Val Green backed by an ensemble of mostly unknown musicians. These musicians include Bill Blount on guitar, T.R. Smith on guitar and harmonica, Bob Clark on piano, Ed Kreiger on upright bass, and Vince Cardone on cello. T.R. Smith was most likely the same one that released a country single in the late 70’s in Nashville. Cardone was a trained cellist from near Fort Collins, Colorado. 

Green herself most likely contributed guitar to the album as there appears to be three congruent guitars playing on several tracks. She also likely played harpsichord on the title track she wrote. The album is supposedly live, but fake audience applause looping at the end of the album begs to differ. Maybe the label was a way to compensate for the poor production, who knows.

Covers of blues, folk rock, and obscure folk tunes were recorded for the album, including an original composition set to the French poem “Le Pont Mirabeau” and two original songs on side two. The album was pressed in 1969 by Hitran in Iowa. Any additional information about the recording and Val Green would be greatly appreciated. 

Review:

In The Violet Of The Night / Val Green In Concert (1969, Not On Label)

Rating: 7/10

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Solid album overall. If you like Barbara “Barbie” Sipple or Mary Hopkin, you’ll be a fan of this cut. Green covers lots of territory including folk, folk rock, blues, and baroque pop. I like the folkier cuts more personally, especially “Both Sides Now”, “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” and “As I Fill My Mind”. Those are very beautiful renditions. “In My Life” is a standout as well. I found the blues tunes, of which there are three, to be just okay. I wasn’t a fan of “One Meatball”. That’s more of me not liking the source material though. I also thought the instrumentals were unnecessary, and I doubt it’s Green playing on those. Unsure as to why they were included. Overall a good folk affair that is extemeley obscure and unique.