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Vicki's next LP "Ships in the Night" was issued in Australia, Europe and Asia on Stateside/EMI Records and enjoyed a very limited pressing. The LP was recorded as the follow up to Vicki's smash 1973 hit LP. It was also recorded at United Western Studios. This project was also produced by Snuff Garrett and arranged by Al Capps. The album was going to be issued by BELL Records in the US on the 3rd of June 1974, but was held back due to BELL Records being phased out and sold to another label (ARISTA). The album was then shelved and was never pressed on vinyl for a US release. The single "Ships in the Night" was the last record ever issued on Stateside Records in mid 1974 before the company went out of business. The same single was issued in the US on May 5, 1974 on BELL Records (# 45409) and backed with "Sensual Man" from Vicki's first LP just before the final sale of BELL to ARISTA records.

Most of the material for the "Ships in the Night" album was recorded over two months time, mostly in March through April of 1974 according to ARISTA master tape archives, unlike Vicki's first LP which was put together over the course of two days in October of 1972. Some songs on the Ships LP were recorded during the "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" album session, such as the title cut- "Ships in the Night."

It's common for singers to "over record" songs during the recording of an album. Those extra songs are usually issued on the flip side of a single, as was the case for Vicki's 1974 EMI UK single. It contained "Old Home Movies" on side "A" backed with "The Light On The Back Porch Door." The "B" side came from the Ships album while the "A" side was a song recorded during the album sessions, yet it was not issued on the LP. Then the rest of the extra songs can be issued on the singers next LP or simply left in the master tape vault, never to be heard except by those present at the sessions. The "Ships in the Night" LP would be the most difficult to find of Vicki's 3 LPs.

After the "Ships in the Night" LP was shelved by BELL Vicki continued to scout other labels. She signed with Private Stock Records (who also had David Soul as an artist with the hit "Don't Give Up On Us Baby.") and began recording for them with Snuff Garrett again acting as producer on all but one of the singles. The single "There's A Gun Still Smokin' In Nashville" had been produced by Al Capps. During 1975 and 1976 Vicki released a number of singles for Private Stock. There is a rumor that Vicki cut an album for Private Stock, but the company went out of business before it could be packaged for sale in any country. Yet another blow to fans of Vicki's recorded work. Also when the owner of Private Stock Records passed away in 1983, all the master tapes produced for the label were simply tossed out!

Vicki Lawrence is an American actress, comedian, and pop singer known for the many characters she originated on The Carol Burnett Show, where she appeared from 1967 to 1978, for the entire series run. One such character, "The Family" matriarch Mrs.Thelma Harper, later was the central character of the television situation comedy series Mama's Family on NBC and, later, in first-run syndication.

1. vickilawrence.com
2. themusicofvickilawrence.webstarts.com