Saturday, January 13, 2024

Keith West - Wherever My Love Goes (1974 uk, good soft classic rock)



Having spent his entire career as a professional singer, songwriter, and musician, ‘Thinking About Tomorrow’ is the amazing tale of rock and roll survivor Keith West. From being inspired by Elvis in the 1950s to pop stardom and working alongside the greats of the music world in the 1960s, Keith was at the eye of the storm alongside peers including The Who, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Small Faces, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and many, many more.

Wherever my Love Goes was an experimental album which Ken Burgess and Keith had recorded for general release as a duo. Sadly, that didn’t happen, so it was decided to put it out under Keith's to perhaps secure more sales. Andrew Oldham had been involved in the making of this record and produced a couple of tracks. It never really took off and has become a bit of a cult item over the years. The standout tracks are The West Country, Sad Song, and the Andrew Oldham production of the Power and the Glory which it was written for Elvis, at the behest of Freddy Bienstock who owned Carlin Music.
by Klemen Breznikar
Tracks
1. The Power And The Glory (Keith West, Ken Burgess) - 3:25
2. West Country (Keith West, Ken Burgess) - 4:50
3. Liet Motif - 2:45
4. The Visit - 5:47
5. Hope You're Feeling Better - 5:30
6. Going Home Song (Keith West, Ken Burgess) - 4:30
7. Company (Keith West, Ken Burgess) - 4:05
8. Marshwood - 2:25
9. Wherever My Love Goes - 4:30
10.Sad Song (Ken Burgess) - 4:40
Songs written by Keith West except where noted

Personnel
*Keith West - Electric Guitar, Vocals
*Ken Burgess - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
*Lisle Harper - Bass
*Rod Coombes - Drums
*Ann Odell - Keyboards
*Roy Young - Keyboards
*Tommy Eyre - Keyboards, Flute
*Johnny Almond - Saxophone
*Glenn Campbell - Steel Guitar
*John Weider - Violin
*Twink - Drums
*Roger Sutton - Bass

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Thursday, January 11, 2024

Flow - Flow (1970 us, magnificent jazz blues brass psych rock, feat. Don Felder from Eagles fame)



Flow were an American sax-rock/psych band from Ocala, Fla., that released a self-titled album on CTI Records in 1970.  After graduation, Bill Ruff went on to become Road Manager for the Flow and co-authored the song “Chicken Farm”.

Flow formed by John Winter, keyboards, sax, flute, Mike Barnett, Drums (fellow members of Ocala High School Class of '66) Don Felder, guitar, and Chuck Newcomb, bass and vocals. They recorded this album on Creed Taylor Records.

Winter and Barnett were in The Incidentals, a British invasion cover band, and Felder was in The Continentals (with Stephen Stills, Bernie Leadon) and when Stills departed, they changed the name to the Maudy Quintet.

After the Maundy Quintet broke up, Felder went to Manhattan, New York City, were he  improved his mastery of improvisation on the guitar and learned various styles, the rest is history.  John Rogers Winter, died December 22, 2019 at the age of 71.
Tracks
1. Daddy (Chuck Newcomb) - 3:36
2. Here We Are Again (John Winter, Mike Barnett) - 6:51
3. Line'Em (Leadbelly) - 2:47
4. Gotta Get Behind Your Trip (Chuck Newcomb, John Winter) - 3:34
5. Chicken Farm (Bill Ruff, John Winter, Mike Barnett) - 2:55
6. No Lack Of Room (Chuck Newcomb) - 3:49
7. Summer's Gone (John Winter) - 5:50
8. Mr. Invisible (Chuck Newcomb, John Winter) - 3:59
9. Arlene (John Winter) - 5:10

Flow
*John Rogers Winter - Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Soprano, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Harmonica 
*Don Felder - Guitar 
*Chuck Newcomb - Bass, Vocals 
*Mike Barnett - Drums 
*Ed Shaughnessy - Tabla, Congas, Cowbell
*Angel Allende - Tabla, Congas, Cowbell
*Johnny Pacheco - Tabla, Congas, Cowbell

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

White Chocolate - White Chocolate (1973 us, groovy blues funky glam classic rock)



White Chocolate were a Fairfield County, CT based band that played predominately throughout the East Coast. The original line-up was Charlie Karp on Guitar, David Hull on Bass and Jimmy Maher on Drums. The name was later changed to Dirty Angels and a change was made to the line-up, with the addition of George Maher on Rhythm Guitar.
 
Charlie Karp has an impressive musical background. Starting out as a young teen with Buddy Miles, he has also performed with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Meatloaf, Arthur Lee, Charlie Karp and the Namedroppers, Buster Poindexter and is now a member of Slo Leak along with Danny Kortchmar and Harvey Brooks. His is an example of the finest Blues guitar as well as Rock. 

David Hull is equally an impresario of the Bass. He also started out as a youth with Buddy Miles. His credits include Arthur Lee, the Joe Perry Project, Ted Nugent, Farrenheit (he used the pseudonym of Dave Heit), and most recently Pete Droge and the Sinners. Jimmy Maher was an excellent drummer and his contribution to the band was sizeable. 
Tracks
1. Getting Ready To Rock 'n' Roll (Charlie Karp) - 2:50
2. Midnight Flight - 3:03
3. I'm Crying - 3:37
4. Past History - 3:04
5. Make It Easy (Charlie Karp, David Hull, Richard Gordon) - 3:38
6. Let's Get Funked (Charlie Karp, David Hull, Jimmy Maher) - 3:28
7. Outcast - 4:12
8. Sad Eyes (Charlie Karp) - 3:36
9. Looking For Love - 3:54
10.I'm Alive - 4:35
Songs written by Charlie Karp, David Hull except where noted

White Chocolate
*Charlie Karp - Guitar, Lead Vocals
*David Hull - Bass, Vocals 
*Jimmy Maher - Drums, Vocals
 With
*AndrĂ© Lewis - Keyboards 
*Maxayn Lewis - Background Vocals 
*Gene Hull - Saxophone 
*Jerry Mirliani - Trumpet 
*Candido - Conga 

Monday, January 8, 2024

Various Artists - Fading Yellow Vol.19 More Magic (1965-71 us, charming sunny pop psych trip, 2022 release)



Volume 19 contains artists only from USA, and it's another example of serious responsible work, an excellent release with an eight-page booklet containing information about the artists. Light ethereal sunny psychedelia.
Artists - Tracks
1. The Critters - You'd Better Slow Down - 2:14
2. Fragile Lime - Angie - 2:35
3. Shadow Casters - Cinnamon Snowflake - 2:39
4. Michael And The Trees - Nothing To Say - 2:28
5. His Majesty's Coachmen - Where Are You Bound - 2:20
6. Love Society - Drops Of Rain - 2:36
7. Bobby Langford - Love Seeds - 2:34
8. Rick And Ronnie - Misty Eyes - 2:08
9. Early Rock - Sunshine Sorrow - 2:53
10.Collection - The Good Times Are Over - 3:17
11.Barry Mann - She Is Today - 2:53
12.Tony And Terri - California L.A.- 2:40
13.Bobby Bond - Jennifer It's Goodbye - 2:17
14.Torquays - You're The One Who Loves Me - 2:03
15.Morning Mist - California On My Mind - 2:36
16.Gourdoux Huber Hall - Below - 3:07
17.Warlock - In A Dream - 2:40
18.Avengers - Softly (I Say To You) - 2:32
19.The Robbs - Castles In The Air - 3:06
20.Brett - Eternity - 2:54

1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 3
1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 4
1970-73 Fading Yellow - Vol. 5
1966-70 Fading Yellow - Vol. 6 
1968-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 7
1968-75 Fading Yellow - Vol. 8
1966-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 9
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 10
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 11
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 12
1960's      Fading Yellow Vol.13

Various Artists - Fading Yellow Vol.18 Another Magical Selection (1966-74, multinational precious obscurities and rarities , 2021 hard sleeve issue)



Over Vol.18 installments the series is curated by leading experts on rare psych. Sometimes the volumes might dig into a specific country or theme, but mostly they're just a way to collect fine tunes. Busy Bee presents this 18th volume that includes gems from all over the world, including an unreleased song by Howling Wind (pre-Candle), an obscure Rhodesian 45 and a Danish cover of Keith West's 'On A Saturday' among other treats.
Artists - Tracks - Origin
The Kool - Look At Me Look At Me (UK) - 2:20
The Teenmakers - On A Saturday (Denmark) - 3:23
The Pussyfoot - Mr Hyde (UK) - 2:31
The Jay Five - It’s Raining (Germany) - 2:27
Paul Osborne - Ice (UK) - 3:56
The Shanes - Without Your Love (Sweden) - 2:32
Ice - Memories (UK) - 3:19
Jon Mark - All Neat In Black Stockings (UK) - 3:03
Science Poption - Back In Town (Sweden) - 2:36
Maxwell And Nicholson - Virgin (UK) - 2:18
Unknown Artist - The Bedd (UK)  - 2:40
Pamela - Je T’aime Un Peu...Beaucoup... Passion ment (Belgium) - 2:28
Howling Winds - Meditating (Sweden) - 3:31
I Fantoms - Katia (Italy) - 3:04
Jack Grunsky - Julie Knows (Austria) - 3:09
The Moonlighters - Mary Wilkins (Sweden) - 3:59
Ted Mulry - I Love You (Australia) - 2:32
The Maximillian King Trio - Indigo (Rhodesia) - 3:21

1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 1
1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 3
1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 4
1970-73 Fading Yellow - Vol. 5
1966-70 Fading Yellow - Vol. 6 
1968-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 7
1968-75 Fading Yellow - Vol. 8
1966-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 9
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 10
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 11
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 12
1960's      Fading Yellow Vol.13

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Various Artists - Fading Yellow Vol.17 The Better Side (1968-76 canada / us, delicate sunny psych, 2019 release)



Volume 17 of the compilation series which have named an own genre of '60s styled sunshine psych pop called simply 'Fading Yellow'. This time including US and some Canadian 45's from 1965 to 1971. A magical smörgĂ¥sbord of songs with that special FY vibe. Among many highlights is the original version of 'Kites' made famous by Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, The Rooftop Singers did the original version. Limited edition of 500 copies with 8 page booklet with info about the tracks and pictures.
Artists - Tracks
1. The Avant-Garde - Yellow Beads - 3:02
2. Alan Lorber - Congress Alley - 2:51
3. The Poppy Family - I'll See You There - 3:23
4. J.C. Cole - I Found Me Today - 2:27
5. The Rooftop Singers - Kites - 2:24
6. A Small World - I See You - 1:48
7. Space - Radio Song - 3:06
8. James, John And Francois - Carolina - 2:51
9. The Fifth Estate - Love Is All A Game - 2:27
10.The Celtics - Looking For You - 2:30
11.The Hobbits - Artificial Face - 2:32
12.The Surprise Package - The Other Me - 2:14
13.The Magpies - The Ballad Of Samuel Oscar Beasley - 3:37
14.The Looking Glass - Love Is Not Everything - 2:52
15.The Marshmellow Highway - I Don't Wanna Live This Way - 2:33
16.Bucky Wilkin - I Wanna Be Free - 2:11
17.Sound Carnival - I Wish I Could Tell You - 2:30
18.The Swiss Movement - Inside Of Me - 2:36
19.The In-Keepers - The Cobwebs Thread Of Autumn - 2:57
20.Salt And Pepper - In The Morning - 3:02

1965-69 Vol.1 - Timeless Pop-Sike And Other Delights
1965-69 Fading Yellow Vol. 2 US Pop Sikes
1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 3
1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 4
1970-73 Fading Yellow - Vol. 5
1966-70 Fading Yellow - Vol. 6 
1968-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 7
1968-75 Fading Yellow - Vol. 8
1966-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 9
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 10
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 11
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 12
1960's      Fading Yellow Vol.13

Various Artists - Fading Yellow Vol.16. Sad About The Times (1966-76 australia / uk / us, delicate psych obscurities)



Few years since the last volume. This time it´s all LP tracks from the US, UK and one from down under. Starting off with the lovely "Man of many faces" by Gary And Stu, proceeding with more magic gems including tracks by West, Hudson-Farnsworth, Wings (not the Paul McCartney group), Saint Jacques, Alexander Rabbit and more
Artist - Title
1. Gary And Stu - Man Of Many Faces - 3¨09
2. West - Sad About The Times - 2:34
3. John Wonderling - Jessica Stone - 3:56
4. Hudson-Farnsworth - Come To See My Lady - 2:07
5. The Open Window - Jack And Jill - 2:17
6. Bruce Woodley - New England Lady - 3:19
7. Tranquility - Nice And Easy - 3:10
8. Hobo - Open Up - 3:02
9. Saint Jacques - Susan - 2:49
10.Wings - That’s Not Real - 3:26
11.Cross Country - Just A Thought - 3:20
12.Ed Welch - Clowns - 3:38
13.Yellowstone And Voice - Lady Rita - 3:38
14.Hudson-Farnsworth - Lay Down Sheep - 2:15
15.Puff - Changes - 3:37
16.Michael Konstan - Long Before - 2:26
17.Alexander Rabbit - My Woman - 4:20
18.Willow - Evening - 4:10
19.Kind Hearts And English - A Wish For All Seasons - 6:34

Fading Yellow series..
1965-69 Vol.1 - Timeless Pop-Sike And Other Delights
1965-69 Fading Yellow Vol. 2 US Pop Sikes
1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 3
1965-69 Fading Yellow - Vol. 4
1970-73 Fading Yellow - Vol. 5
1966-70 Fading Yellow - Vol. 6 
1968-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 7
1968-75 Fading Yellow - Vol. 8
1966-72 Fading Yellow - Vol. 9
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 10
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 11
60-70's Fading Yellow - Vol. 12
1960's      Fading Yellow Vol.13

Friday, January 5, 2024

John Randolph Marr - John Randolph Marr (1970 us, beautiful orchestrated folk psych)



This self titled album by Randolph Marr presents mellow pop sike sounds with loads of strings and horns. A hidden treasure of the 70’s.

Recording sessions began in 1969 with Nilsson at the helm. He produced backing tracks for two of the songs that would eventually appear on the record: a cover of his own “1941” and Marr’s haunting “Pity the Man.” But when trying to get vocal performances out of Marr, Nilsson became frustrated and gave Gary Osborn a shot. Pleased with the results, Nilsson passed the project on to Osborn who produced the remaining ten tracks with Hank Cicalo on board as engineer. The album was released on the Warner Brothers label in 1970 with album design by Dean Torrence (of Jan and Dean)”

Harry Nilsson was originally set up to produce this album but passed the baton to Gary Osbome to finish the job after being impressed with some of his results. Other than that the only thing about this record I can gather is that there was a promp single released (Hallelujah b/w 1 Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now) at an undisclosed date

The album itself is a mix of various styles most often accompanied by orchestral arrangements with occasional electric guitar and gospel backing vocals. Nicely produced. It really is one of those songs that wraps self around your senses and removes you from your surroundings if you have the ear for this type of thing Lush strings, distinct acoustic fingerpicking and prominent harpsichord provide a perfect backdrop to Marr's haunting and mysterious lyrics
Tracks
1. Hallelujah (Dave White, Johnny Caswell) - 2:40
2. 1941 (Harry Nilsson) - 2:42
3. I Wonder Who`s Kissing Her Now (Frank R. Adams, Joseph E. Howard, Will M. Hough) - 2:59
4. Hello L.A., Bye-Bye Birmingham (Delaney Bramlett, Mac Davis) - 2:42
5. Pity The Man (John Randolph Marr) - 3:51
6. We Had Something (Gary Osborne, John Randolph Marr) - 3:25
7. Sarah (John Randolph Marr) - 3:06
8. One Shot Lady (John Randolph Marr) - 2:36
9. Raggedy Ann (John Randolph Marr) - 2:24
10.Free (Chris Andrews) - 3:07

*John Randolph Marr - Vocals

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Steve Young - Honky Tonk Man (1975 us, awesome outlaw country blues folk rock)



1975 marked the return to the recording scene for Steve Young. Honky Tonk Man, released on Wisconsin's tiny Mountain Railroad Records, was his first recording since Seven Bridges Road in 1971 (which had been reissued in 1973). This is the most straight-up country record Young ever cut. He handles both lead and rhythm guitar chores with a band of fine session players, including Kamau Gravatt, who did double duty with Weather Report. Other than redos of Utah Phillips' "Rock, Salt & Nails" and his own "White Trash Song," Young sticks somewhat close to the canon of classic country with a few surprises -- at least on side one; side two is mostly his own material. 

The deep blues read of Bob Wills' "Brain Cloudy Blues" is radical and as far from Western swing as it gets, but it also showcases Wills' own roots in the blues. The title cut is a version of the Johnny Horton classic with swinging fiddles by Craig Ruble and Cal Hand's warbling pedal steel kept in line by Bill Petersen's electric bass. Young's vocal is a reedy baritone that gets to the heart of matter -- that this is a drinking playboy's anthem. Side one eclipses with a high, lonesome take on Hank Williams' "Ramblin' Man" that is as cur-dog low as it is restless and a cover of Robbie Robertson's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." Young's version is pastoral and slow; it's as mournful as a funeral song and comes across as a folk elegy for the Deep South at the end of the Civil War. 

Side two is marked by Young's own stunner, "We've Been Together on This Earth Before," "Vision of a Child," and two live cuts done with Doc Watson of the traditional "Sally Goodin'" and the spooky country of "Travelin' Kind." Like Seven Bridges Road, Honky Tonk Man is a fine outing from Young, though it is hampered a bit by somewhat shoddy recording. But the material and his performance of it are top-notch. 
by Thom Jurek
Tracks
1. Honky Tonk Man (Johnny Horton, Howard Hausey, Tilman Franks) - 2:23
2. Brain Cloudy Blues (Bob Wills, Tommy Duncan) - 4:48
3. Rock Salt 'n' Nails (Utah Phillips) - 3:58
4. Rockin' Chair Money (Bill Carlisle, Lonnie Glosson) - 2:37
5. Ramblin' Man (Hank Williams) - 3:44
6. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Robbie Robertson) - 5:15
7. Traveling Kind - 3:01
8. Sally Goodin' (Traditional) - 2:12
9. Alabama Highway - 4:57
10.Vision Of A Child - 3:30
11.We've Been Together On This Earth Before - 3:13
12.The White Trash Song - 3:46
Songs written by Steve Young except where stated

Musicians
*Steve Young - Guitar, Tenor Vocals
*Billy Peterson - Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Piano
*Cal Hand - Dobro, Pedal Steel Guitar
*Eric Gravatt - Drums
*Craig Ruble - Fiddle
*Mark Henley - Harmonica
*Betsy Kaské - Chorus
*Billy Peterson - Chorus
*Cal Hand - Chorus
*Craig Ruble - Chorus
*Eric Gravatt - Chorus
*Stephen Powers - Chorus
*Steve Young - Chorus

1969  Steve Young - Rock Salt And Nails (2010 korean remaster)

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Warren Schatz - Warren Schatz (1971 us, lovely soft folk rock)



Warren Schatz is a music industry veteran who details his life in the music business as an artist, engineer, producer, arranger and more. Warren has produced classic records like Turn The Beat Around and Express Yourself, Memories, To Sir With Love and many more, Executive Produced Evelyn "Champagne" King's  hit "Shame." He arranged "Our Day Will Come" for Frankie Valli and Tony Orlando as well as signing some of the biggest acts in the recorded music business including like Bonnie Tyler, Triumph, Krokus and more.

Warren Schatz, at 25, brings to his debut solo album a sense of honesty and the focused personal awareness that are the framework of his generation. He is, in his life and in the songs that surround him, something akin to the magician's cup that never empties, always expressive of open joy in life and the sunshine of a lover's heart. There is beauty in his songs, just shaded with a Scorpionic acceptance of ultimate nightfall.

The Warren Schatz of today, bushy, mustached, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 3, 1945. His father was an early sound enthusiast who stood in front of blasting professional speakers at home conducting recordings from an orchestral score. 

Warren was started on a song repertoire for entertaining guests at two, and really hasn't stopped since. In his mid-teens he booked himself as "Ritchie Dean," a singer-guitarist for fraternity dances in and around New York, and organized a succession of groups for both live dates and recordings. New York area audiences saw him as part of The Pendants, The Petrified Forest, The Warmest Spring, The Shapes of Things and The Whispers.

At the same time he was beginning to handle recording sessions as a recording engineer at Associated Recording Studios in New York. To this ten years of direct and continuous experience both as a performer and as an engineer he has added his most immediately apparent quality, the dynamism and electricity of a charismatic human being. At last year's International Popular Song Festival in Tokyo he galvanized a usually-restrained audience of more than 30,000 to an uproarious ovation.

Warren credits his drive and energy to early encouragement from his teacher, Ruth Roberts, a loving and open person whose advice he often credits.

The songs on this album, like Warren himself, reveal a gentle, open person, joyful, loving, perceptive, often softly saddened, suddenly angry, honest and unashamed always. His message is a good one. 
by Marshall Phillips (liner notes)
Tracks
1. Give A Little Love - 4:56
2. Sorrow (Warren Schatz, Robert Norval Langworthy) - 4:09
3. The Sky Keeps Fallin' Down - 3:22
4. Ain't That What Love's All About - 3:43
5. If I Could Find A Way - 6:04
6. The Ride Has Just Begun - 2:12
7. Good Morning - 2:09
8. Free My Mind - 5:29
9. Willow Song - 3:22
10.I Always Sang For My Father - 2:31
11.Happy Man - 3:29
Words and Music by Warren Schatz except where noted

Musicians
*Warren Schatz Vocals, Guitar, Piano
*Albert Gorgoni - Guitar 
*Al Viola - Guitar 
*Cornell Dupree - Guitar 
*Dick Frank - Guitar 
*Hugh McCracken - Guitar 
*Jay Berliner - Guitar 
*Jerry Cole - Guitar 
*Stuart Sharf - Guitar 
*Vincent Bell - Guitar
*Don Bagley - Bass 
*Jerry Jemmott - Bass
*Joseph Macho - Bass 
*Lou Mauro - Bass
*Gloria Lanzaroni - Cello
*Bernard Purdie - Drums 
*Gary Chester - Drums
*Roy Markowitz - Drums
*Larry Muhoberac - Organ
*Gene Estes, George Davis Percussion 
*Art Butler - Piano 
*Frank Owens - Piano 
*Patti Bown - Piano 
*John Rotella - Woodwind
*Mel Tax - Woodwind
*Clydie King - Backing Vocals 
*Ginger Greco - Backing Vocals 
*Julia Tillman - Backing Vocals 
*Linda November - Backing Vocals 
*Maretha Stewart - Backing Vocals
*Patrice Holloway - Backing Vocals