Bill Puka

Bill Puka is an American pianist and singer-songwriter who released a self-titled album on Columbia in 1970.

The Album

Puka signed with Columbia and recorded an album of his own songs, comprised of voice, piano, and light string accompaniment.

Bill Puka appeared in November 1970 (US, Canada). It features 10 songs, including such titles as “Dry Spell,” “Hudson Day Line,” “Selling Yourself Out,” and “City Life.” The songs are minor-key, tender ballads with occasional swing moments, akin to labelmate Laura Nyro. The album was produced and arranged by Ed Freeman (Tom Rush, Tim Hardin, Carly Simon, Don McLean) and engineered by Pete Weiss (Hello People, Circus Maximus, Toad Hall, Blues Magoos).

“Nothing at All” appears on Different Strokes, a 1971 Columbia sampler with tracks by Nyro, Ballin’ Jack, Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Chambers Brothers, Dreams, The Flock, The Elvin Bishop Group, The Hollies, It’s a Beautiful Day, Johnny Winter And, Miles Davis, New York Rock Ensemble, Poco, Redbone, Soft Machine, and Spirit.

The cover shows Puka seated, silhouetted, at an industrial port. On the back cover, he stands before a windlass and thanks numerous people in the credits.

Columbia promoted Bill Puka with a half-page ad in Rolling Stone (issue #75, page 59, February 4, 1971). It states “If a song is too personal, and too real to perform for people, Bill Puka considers it a good song.” The ad goes on to state “In Bill’s songs, he says what he means. With a minimum of poetry, and few abstractions.”

Discography:

• Bill Puka (1970)

Sources:

• Discogs: Bill Puka
• Spotify: Bill Puka