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Margo guryan - 16 words
Following in the great traditions of satirical comedy (Monty Python, Spitting Image etc.), Margo Guryan’s 16 WORDS is a sublime journey into the modern world of devious politics. The 16 Words themselves are taken from President Bush’s “State of the Union” address in January 2003. The American government has subsequently disowned them.
With almost 75,000 YouTube viewings already of the wonderful video (directed by James Reitano – Madlib, Cut Chemist, Quasimoto) 16 WORDS was released on Pure Mint Recordings in 2017. 16 Words received airplay on 69 radio stations across the USA and at KQAL (Winona, MN) it charted at #5. It also hit the charts at WXAC (Reading, PA) at #8! Support also from KLSU (a core station in Baton Rouge, LA) – as of w/c 23rd July.
Margo was born in New York and graduated with a degree in composition from Boston University before signing to the legendary label BELL RECORDS. She released “TAKE A PICTURE” in 1968 – a record now rightly regarded as one of the classic Psychedelic Pop albums of the late 1960’s; original copies of Take A Picture have been seen changing hands on EBAY for upwards of $600.
In addition to Margo’s career as a recording artist, her songs have been covered by some of the world’s musical superstars; including Astrud Gilberto, (Mama) Cass Elliot (The Mamas and The Papas), Julie London, Harry Belafonte, St Etienne, Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell. Margo’s many fans include Beck and Shirley Manson (Garbage).
16 Words is backed with YES I AM, a track written in 1974 about President Nixon (but presciently relevant today….), which was remixed exclusively for Pure Mint. 16 WORDS was released as an Enhanced CD also featuring the video to 16 Words and Margo’s personal liner notes, photos and biography.
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Margo Guryan
Margo Guryan was one of those rare treasures. A fabulous psychedelic pop act from the late 1960’s, rediscovered at the turn of the millennium via a combination of Japanese piracy (of her super rare 1960’s album Take A Picture) and internet cool beans who rediscovered her wonderful charm and whimsical songs. We at Pure Mint were absolutely over the moon when Margo agreed that we could release her fantastic political satire “16 Words” in 2007, an honour we will cherish until our dying day. Sadly Margo passed away in November 2021 at the ripe old age of 84.
Thank you Margo for being a friend, a political ally and such an inspiration.
“16 Words” is a hauntingly effective anti war anthem that uses George Bush’s own words to condemn him. A listener of this song, so powerful in its stark simplicity, comes away understanding that the blood on Bush’s hands stems from the lies that came out of his mouth.”. Joe Wilson (former ambassador to Iraq)