Continental American

History

Allen's previous two studio albums, Peter Allen (1971) and Tenterfield Saddler (1972) had been released on Metromedia Records, with modest results. Prior to the release of Continental American, Allen had assumed residency in New York City and had become a regular performer at the Reno Sweeney nightclub, owned and operated by composer Lewis Friedman between 1972 and 1977. A portrait of Allen, taken at Reno Sweeney's, is featured on the back cover of Continental American.

The album was described by critic William Ruhlmann as involving a "retrospective, world-weary concept" and a "mood of desperate nostalgia", concluding that the album was "a dour singer/songwriter collection that used show business clichés in music and words to express a world view of regret and resignation."

Metromedia Records had ceased operations as of 1974, resulting in Allen's earlier albums becoming largely unavailable. He used the Continental American and later A&M releases as an opportunity to reintroduce some of his music. "Just Ask Me I've Been There", was originally recorded on the Tenterfield Saddler album. "Harbour", included on his follow-up Taught by Experts album (1976), was also originally from Tenterfield Saddler.

Track listing

Side One

1. "Just a Gigolo (Schöner Gigolo)" (Irving Caesar, Leonello Casucci, Julius Brammer) 3:14
2. "Everything Old Is New Again" (Peter Allen, Sager) 2:35
3. "The Natural Thing to Do" (Allen, Sager) 4:11
4. "Pretty, Pretty" (Allen, Hal Hackaday) 3:32
5. "Continental American" (Allen, Sager) 5:15

Side Two

1. "Just Ask Me I've Been There" (Allen) 4:35
2. "I Honestly Love You" (Allen, Jeff Barry) 3:32
3. "This Side Show's Leaving Town" (Allen, Sager) 7:38
4. "Just a Gigolo (Schöner Gigolo)" (Reprise) (Caesar, Casucci) 3:15

Personnel