Plain and Fancy

1972 Joe Walsh - Barnstorm (2011 japan SHM remaster)

Joe Walsh - The Smoker You Drink The Player You Get (1973 us, the quirky, open-minded nature of this album shows a genuine progressive instinct at work, 2009 HDCD)

Because Joe Walsh has never been a critic’s darling, we sometimes forget he holds a lofty place in the eyes of fellow musicians. Rock royalty like Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, and Eric Clapton have all heaped praise on what they call Walsh’s intelligent, fluid, and melodic guitar style. And there’s no better example of his instrumental eloquence than The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get. From his slide-guitar mastery and early adoption of the Heil Talk Box effect on “Rocky Mountain Way” to the lilting twelve-string figures and soaring solos of “Wolf,” Walsh proves he possesses the chops for fiery flash as well as seductive subtlety. The album’s only notable flaws: Occasional corny and awkward lyrics on tracks like “Dreams” and “Happy Ways.” Yet in spite of Walsh’s legendary on- and off-stage craziness, he retains a discipline in the studio and allows his colleagues plenty of room to shine here. This well-balanced record satisfies from beginning to end.

While advertised by ABC-Dunhill as a Walsh solo effort, The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get remains very much the work of Walsh and his talented band, Barnstorm. His previous outings with the James Gang garnered good notices, but Walsh meshes better with drummer and long-time friend Joe Vitale, bassist Kenny Passarelli, and keyboardist Rocke Grace. On this, the ensemble’s second LP, producer Bill Szymczyk and the band recorded at three locations: Caribou Ranch Studios in Nederland, Colorado, the Record Plant in Los Angeles, and Criteria Studios in Miami.

After several months, they netted a sonically outstanding effort. Szymczyk and Walsh provide a stellar example of how to apply just enough spit and polish at the mixing console without sacrificing the live impact of a four-piece rock band. The soundstage seems appropriately big on expansive cuts (“Meadows”) while mellower numbers (“Days Gone By”) harbor a rich midrange that glows with fire-side warmth. Vitale’s drum kicks and Passarelli’s bass runs rattle the walls just like they would in a small club, but the judicious isolation and careful microphone placement ensure Grace’s keyboards and Walsh’s guitar fills never get lost in the mix. The original pressing of The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get was mastered by Sterling Sound’s Lee Hulko.

by Vance Hiner, 2016

Tracks

1. Rocky Mountain Way (Kenny Passarelli, Joe Vitale, Joe Walsh, Rocke Grace) - 5:03

2. Bookends (Joe Vitale) - 2:49

3. Wolf - 3:08

4. Midnight Moodies (Rocke Grace) - 3:39

5. Happy Ways (Buddy Zoloth, Kenny Passarelli) - 2:40

6. Meadows - 4:05

7. Dreams - 5:38

8. Days Gone By (Joe Vitale) - 5:22

9. Daydream (Prayer) - 2:02

All songs by Joe Walsh except where stated

Musicians

*Joe Walsh - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer

*Kenny Passarelli - Bass, Vocals

*Joe Vitale - Drums, Flute, Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizer

*Rocke Grace - Keyboards, Vocals

With

*Joe Lala - Percussion

*Clydie King, Venetta Fields - Vocals

1974 Joe Walsh - So What (2015 SACD)

1971 James Gang - Live in Concert (2010 SHM)

1974 Joe Walsh - So What (2015 SACD)

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Joe Walsh - Barnstorm (1972 us, adventurous with fat guitars keyboards, beautiful choruses, country tinges, and pastoral pop hooks, 2011 japan SHM remaster)

Joe Walsh is one of those artists that will always be remembered for classic rock radio hits Funk #49, Rocky Mountain Way, and Life’s Been Good. Then of course was his memorable stint in the Eagles, which yielded the highly successful Hotel California album. He was one of the prime architects of the classic rock sound and his radio smashes are stilled played every day at the top of each hour. Prior to the Eagles and Rocky Mountain Way, Joe Walsh made great music with the James Gang (Rides Again is one of the great classic rock LPs) and this, his first solo album from 1972, Barnstorm (the group is often referred to as the Barnstormers).

The Barnstorm group was put together shortly after Walsh left the James Gang. The songs were recorded in Nederland, CO with the help of bassist Kenny Passarelli and drummer Joe Vitale, the latter had played with Walsh in 60s garage band the Measles. The trio recorded an album that rocks hard at times but also has a strong roots/country flavor. It’s a unique disc in Walsh’s varied discography, as he would never record anything like Barnstorm again. Turn To Stone, the hardest rocker on the album, holds up pretty well and is similar to something the James Gang might have recorded in 1970. Walsh would revisit this excellent track on 75’s So What but I feel the version heard here sounds best. Most of the album is earthy roots rock that retains powerful classic rock-like hooks, just listen to the album’s closing cut Comin’ Down. Here you have just Walsh’s vocals, guitar and harmonica but moving stuff nonetheless. My favorite cuts on the album are Home, I’ll Tell The World About You, the psychedelic country rocker Midnight Visitor and the classic Americana of Birdcall Morning. The latter is truly amazing, highlighted by sparkling acoustic guitars and some rustic slide work - it should have been a radio anthem.

Barnstorm contains imaginative music, wonderful guitar solos, unique songwriting, great ensemble playing and sharp humor “ really Joe Walsh at his best. Some songs have synth and hit a more experimental vibe but they work well in the context of this album. Barnstorm is a masterpiece, a must hear for fans of country influenced hard rock. Every track is worth multiple spins and listeners will immediately identify with the amount of thought and care put into each song and guitar solo. It goes without saying that this record is a lost classic.

by Jason Nardelli, April 19th, 2010

Tracks

1. Here We Go - 4:58

2. Midnight Visitor - 3:13

3. One and One - 1:15

4. Giant Bohemoth (Joe Vitale, Joe Walsh) - 4:19

5. Mother Says (Kenny Passarelli, Joe Vitale, Joe Walsh) - 6:14

6. Birdcall Morning - 3:42

7. Home - 2:53

8. I'll Tell the World (Alan Gordon, Allan Jacob) - 3:54

9. Turn To Stone (Terry Trebandt, Joe Walsh) - 5:16

10.Comin' Down - 1:54

All songs by Joe Walsh except where noted

Personnel

*Joe Walsh - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer

*Kenny Passarelli - Bass, Vocals, Guitar

*Joe Vitale - Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Keyboards, Flute

With

*Paul Harris - Piano, Background Vocals

*Al Perkins - Pedal Steel Guitar

*Chuck Rainey - Bass

*Bill Szymczyk - Background Vocals

1971 James Gang - Live in Concert (2010 SHM)

1971 April Wine - April Wine (2008 edition)

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

April Wine - First Glance (1978 canada, solid aor classic rock, 2008 remaster)

In 1977, armed with an additional brand new guitarist named Brian Greenway, April Wine signed a worldwide deal with Capitol-EMI.

Myles Goodwyn, who produced First Glance, decided that this would be a true "rock" record, with no soft rock or easy listening music on it.

The album's third single, Roller, was considered too heavy to be released as a single, but in an extremely unusual move, the programmers at a radio station in Flint, Michigan, took it upon themselves to play the song anyway. Roller immediately became a top request number, and the song eventually became a Top 30 hit in the U.S.

First Glance became April Wine's first gold record outside Canada, and this album is credited with bringing "Canada's best kept secret" out into the open.

Although no official cause of death has been announced Stephen Keith Lang reportedly suffered from Parkinson's diseaseand died on February 4, 2017, at the age of 67. Myles Francis Goodwyn died at age 75 on December 3, 2023, in Halifax. No cause of death was officially announced.

Tracks

1. Get Ready for Love - 3:14

2. Hot on the Wheels of Love (Myles Goodwyn, Steve Lang) - 4:25

3. Rock n' Roll is a Vicious Game 3:10

4. Right Down to It (Brian Greenway) - 3:03

5. Roller - 4:19

6. Comin' Right Down on Top of Me - 4:10

7. I'm Alive - 2:55

8. Let Yourself Go - 2:56

9. Silver Dollar - 5:14

All songs by Myles Goodwyn except where noted

April Wine

*Myles Goodwyn - Lead, Background Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards

*Steve Lang - Bass, Background Vocals

*Brian Greenway - Lead, Background Vocals, Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica

*Jerry Mercer - Drums, Percussion

*Gary Moffet - Guitar, Slide Guitar

1972 The Wackers - Shredder (2005 remaster)

Sunday, May 4, 2025

April Wine - April Wine (1971 canada, raw classic rock, 2008 edition)

A staple of Canadian classic rock, April Wine was one of the most popular and commercially successful Canadian rock bands of the 1970s and early 1980s. They had 5 platinum or multi-platinum albums in Canada, 21 Top 40 singles, and received 10 Juno Award nominations, including 7 for group of the year between 1975 and 1983. Their radio-friendly arena rock sound was characterized by strong melodies, catchy, muscular guitar riffs, and sentimental pop ballads. They have been inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame.

April Wine was formed in Halifax in 1969 and moved to Montreal in early 1970. Original members were Myles Goodwyn (vocals, lead guitar), brothers David Henman (guitar, vocals) and Ritchie Henman (drums), and their cousin Jimmy Henman (bass, vocals). They chose the name April Wine because they liked the way it sounded. The band went through numerous configurations over the years, and Goodwyn — who was also the main songwriter — was the only consistent member.

April Wine had a minor Canadian hit off of their self-titled 1971 debut album with “Fast Train.” Jim Henman left the band and was replaced by bassist and vocalist Jim Clench.

by Steve McLean, August 29, 2013

Tracks

1. Oceana (David Henman) - 4:54

2. Can't Find The Town (Jim Henman) - 3:45

3. Fast Train (Myles Goodwyn) - 3:21

4. Listen Mister (Myles Goodwyn) - 5:35

5. Page Five (David Henman) - 6:03

6. Song For Mary (Jim Henman) - 4:08

7. Wench (David Henman, Jim Henman, Myles Goodwyn, Richie Henman) - 4:04

8. Time (Jim Henman) - 3:46

April Wine

*David Henman - Vocals, Guitar, Sitar

*Jim Henman - Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar

*Myles Goodwyn - Vocals, Guitar

*Richie Henman - Percussion, Keyboards

With

*Franki Hart - Vocals (Track 4)

1969 Man - Revelation (2009 remaster and expanded)

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Man - Back Into The Future (1973 uk, astonishing jam prog rock, 2008 three disc box set remaster)

Man's 1973 album, Back Into The Future was the follow-up to the highly successful Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day and, unsurprisingly, featured a change in line-up with Clive John having left after becoming fed up of life on the road. That left Micky Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams and Will Youatt to write and start recording the new album. However, before recording had been completed Tweke Lewis, a 19-year-old guitar prodigy fresh out of the ranks of Wild Turkey had joined the ranks. After a hectic two-week writing session at Clearwell Castle hampered by a BBC film crew recording a documentary, the band started recording at Rockfield Studios in late May 1973, finishing off at Chipping Norton Studios in July were new boy Lewis added some overdubs. Between the two recording sessions the band hit the road again for the Up For The Day tour, supported by none other than old accomplice Deke Leonard. One of the concerts, at the Roundhouse in London, was recorded and at the last moment the record company decided to supplement the new studio recordings with highlights from the live performance. But more of that later.

The studio side of Back Into The Future displays a somewhat funkier and more playful band than on previous releases. Opener A Night In Dad's Bag featuring a percussive 7/8 beat, was overlaid with a multitude of sound effects, mostly supplied by Ryan's keyboards. Phil Ryan also dominates the opening to Just For You which turns into a veritable funk fest with wah wah guitars and a toe-tapping beat. The title track features a more traditional Man sound with Micky's driving guitar and soaring vocal harmonies. Probably the most instantly likeable Man song in the band's repertoire, it's only drawback is the rather weak ending with rather misplaced synth sounds overlaid until the fade out. Don't Go Away is the album's ballad and a powerful track it turns out to be as well. The piano and acoustic guitar intro blend perfectly morphing into electric guitar and keyboards that play in harmony rather than fighting against each other. Jones playing is perfect and the tight harmonies are perfect for the song, despite wavering slightly!

Ain't Their Fight, the only studio track to feature Lewis, in retrospect sums up the internal conflicts that were plaguing the band at the time with the guitar driven approach of Jones combating with the more jazzier approach of Ryan's keyboards. It stands as a fascinating battle between the two adversaries with Jones emerging slightly ahead, particularly on the close-out where the stereo panned twin guitars dominating the keyboards which are pushed slightly further back in the mix as well. Final track, the bizarrely titled Never Say Nups to Nepalese, is a tour de force instrumental that rounds the studio album off in style. A superb group effort and an essential for any Man fan.

Whilst researching the master tapes for bonus tracks for this reissue, the original 16-track masters for the Roundhouse concert were uncovered and it was decided that they would make a great addition to the re-release. Even though three of the tracks are included on the CD of the original album, they are also included on the bonus discs in their original set positions, so the whole concert can be enjoyed as it was played on the night! The concert opens with the Gwalia Male Voice Choir singing Sopspan Fach, the anthem of Llanelli. The choir had first appeared with Man when they supported Frank Zappa at the Oval the previous year and provided a unique, if somewhat surprising for the audience, introduction to the concert. A Night In Dad's Bag is somewhat tighter and less funky that the studio version while the opening to C'Mon gives Hawkwind a run for their money in the space rock stakes. Lewis, in only his third gig with the band performs admirably and the choir are reintroduced in the middle section which really beefs things up and provides a great version of this classic song. Just For You benefits from an extended jam and some particularly tight drumming by Williams while Jam Up Jelly Tight \ Oh No Not Again (Spunk Rock '73) is exactly what the title says it is, a superior jam based around the classic, and often epic, piece from a few years previous.

The second bonus CD concludes the concert with three more extended numbers, an energetic Bananas with some tasty flourishes from both Ryan and Jones, Life On The Road which is somewhat different from the live version that appeared on the Christmas At The Patti album some months earlier and the encore Ain't Their Fight. This latter track comes into its own live, with the two guitars and the keyboards duelling it out and providing a rousing end to the show. Two further bonus tracks are also included, a putative single recorded in August 1973 that was never released, although it is believed that some acetates were pressed. I'm Dreaming, which was later rewritten and performed as 'Breaking Up Once Again', would have made an unusual choice as a single, particularly as an edited version of Back Into The Future would have been a much more commercial proposition. Having said that, the riff is quite catchy despite the vocals sounding a bit rough around the edges. The whole thing has more of a demo feel than a completed and polished track. On the other hand The Symbol Who Came To Dinner is a great 'lost' song and would have made a great addition to the album if it had been written and recorded a few months earlier.

This reissue of Back Into The Future is a loving testament to the Welsh wizards who seem to have spent most of their career underappreciated. The presentation of the box set is immaculate and is an essential purchase for anyone who has ever heard and enjoyed this album, it even makes a great place to start a Man collection as the uninitiated will get a flavour of what the band are all about both in the studio and on stage. A fine album, a great band and a brilliant reissue.

by Mark Hughes

Tracks

Disc 1 ~ Original Album

1. A Night In Dad's Bag - 4:03

2. Just for You - 5:18

3. Back into the Future - 4:06

4. Don't Go Away - 4:00

5. Ain't Their Fight - 7:42

6. Never Say Nups To Nepalese - 7:31

7. Sopspan Fach (Traditional) - 3:34

8. C'mon (Michael Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams, Clive John) - 19:03

9. Jam Up Jelly Tight \ Oh No Not Again (Spunk Rock '73) - 21:02

All compositions by Michael Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams except where stated

Disc 2 ~ Live At The Roundhouse - The Complete Concert

1. Sopspan Fach (Traditional) - 4:36

2. A Night In Dad's Bag - 5:06

3. C'Mon (Michael Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams, Clive John) - 19:58

4. Just For You - 6:23

5. Jam Up Jelly Tight / Oh No Not Again (Spunk Rock '73) - 21:39

All compositions by Michael Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams except where noted

Disc 3 ~ Live At The Roundhouse - The Complete Concert (continued)

1. Bananas (Michael Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams, Clive John) - 16:19

2. Life On The Road (Michael Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams, Clive John) - 12:14

3. Ain't Their Fight - 10:23

4. The Single (I'm Dreaming) - 4:06

5. The Symbol Who Came To Dinner - 3:00

All compositions by Michael Jones, Phil Ryan, Terry Williams except where indicated

Man

*Micky Jones - Guitar, Vocals

*Phil Ryan - Keyboards

*Terry Williams - Drums, Vocals

*Tweke Lewis - Guitar (Disc 1, Tracks 5-9)

*Will Youatt - Bass

1969 Man - 2 Ozs Of Plastic With A Hole In The Middle (2009 remaster)

1971 Man - Man (2007 remaster)

1971 Man - Do You Like It Here Now Are You Settling In (2007 bonus tracks remaster)

1972 Man - Live At The Padget Rooms, Penarth (2007 double disc remaster and expanded)

1972 Man - Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day (2007 remaster with extra tracks)
1974 Man - Slow Motion (2008 remaster and expanded)
1974 Man - Rhinos Winos And Lunatics (2007 double disc remaster)

1975 Man With John Cipollina - Maximum Darkness (2008 remaster with bonus tracks)

1976 Man - Welsh Connection (2013 double disc remaster)

1972 Ten Years After – Rock 'n' Roll Music To The World (Audio Fidelity remaster)

Friday, May 2, 2025

Ten Years After - Woodstock (1969 uk, legendary classic blues rock testament, 2024 remaster)

Ten Years After's epic performance at Woodstock has been praised as one of the best performances of the three-day music festival in August 1969. It was also a breakthrough moment for the British band.

But until now their complete show has never been released as a stand-alone record. On Aug. 16, one day before the 55th anniversary of their historic show, the full hourlong concert is being issued as a one-CD, two-LP set titled Woodstock 1969.

The British blues rock band led by Alvin Lee had released two studio albums and a live record when they took the stage in Bethel, New York, on Aug. 17 at 8:15 p.m. A third album, Ssssh, was released a few weeks after their Woodstock appearance and became their first Top 10 U.S. hit.

Ten Years After's set-closing performance of "I'm Going Home," which clocks in at nearly 10 minutes, was featured on the No. 1 Woodstock: Music From the Original Soundtrack and More album in 1970 as well as in the hit documentary released the same year.

While the band's full performance at Woodstock was previously issued as part of 2019's 38-CD (and pricey) Woodstock – Back to the Garden: The Definitive 50th Anniversary Archive, which included all songs from the history-making festival, the upcoming Woodstock 1969 marks the first time Ten Years After's set is available as a stand-alone record.

The newly restored and mixed concert from the original 2" multitrack tapes includes the band's set-opening cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Spoonful," two attempts at Sonny Boy Williamson's "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl," an 18-minute version of Al Kooper's "I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes" and the epic closing song, "I'm Going Home," a Lee original first found on 1968's live LP Undead.

by Michael Gallucci, July 9, 2024

Tracks

1. Spoonful (Willie Dixon) - 7:37

2. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (False Start) (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 3:09

3. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 7:08

4. The Hobbit (Ric Lee) - 7:48

5. I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes (Al Kooper) - 17:57

6. Help Me (Ralph Bass, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon) - 15:03

7. I’m Going Home (Alvin Lee) - 9:44

Ten Years After

*Alvin Lee - Vocal, Guitar

*Leo Lyons - Bass

*Ric Lee - Drums

*Chick Churchill - Organ, Piano

1972 Ten Years After - The Cap Ferrat Sessions (2017 remaster)

1973 Chick Churchill - You And Me (2011 Flawed Gems)

1972 David Clayton Thomas - David Clayton Thomas (2006 remaster)

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

David Clayton-Thomas - David Clayton-Thomas / Tequila Sunrise (1972 canada, excellent blue eyed soul, rhythm 'n' blues, brass rock, 2002 edition)

David Clayton-Thomas primarily known as the frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & Tears. Although purist might contest that Clayton-Thomas made some recordings in Canada in 1965 and 1966, before joining BS&T, these were done with his early ensembles and were not solo albums, but were partly released in 1969 under his name, after his popularity soared due to the success of BS&T, but should not be considered as part of his solo career.

The first eponymous album was recorded in late 1971 / early 1972 and released by Columbia later that year. It presents ten songs, only two of which were written by Clayton-Thomas. The music was superbly arranged and included string and brass section and some top Jazz and studio musicians. The material spanned Blues, Soul and Rhythm And Blues, with the usual heartfelt vocals, which are amongst the finest ever on the Rock scene.

The next album was recorded and released by the end of the same year (1972), also by Columbia. It was recorded by a much tighter ensemble of excellent instrumentalists and offers a Funky / Soul oriented feel. It presents eleven songs (one repeated twice) most of which are written by Clayton-Thomas.

Clayton-Thomas always possessed one of the most distinct and magnificent voices ever and I could never get enough of his singing, although some critics have often ridiculed him cruelly – well as usual, most critics are completely deaf anyway. For people who love Blood, Sweat & Tears this is an absolute must, others might perhaps discover a gem they have been missing in their life?

by Adam Baruch, 10th September 2020

Tracks

1. Magnificent Sanctuary Band (Dorsey Burnette) - 3:35

2. We're All Meat From The Same Bone (Gary Zekley, Mitchell Bottier, Roberta Twain) - 1:50

3. Stealin' In The Name Of The Lord (Paul Kelley) - 2:48

4. Dying To Live (Edgar Winter) - 4:42

5. Sing A Song (Gary Wright) - 2:47

6. She (Gram Parsons, Chris Etheridge) - 4:51

7. Don't Let It Bring You Down (Neil Young) - 3:44

8. Once Burned (Todd Rundgren) - 3:32

9. North Beach Racetrack - 3:05

10.Caress Me Pretty Music (Alan O’Day) - 3:29

11.I Could Just Boogie All Night - 0:43

12.Yesterday's Music - 3:51

13.Friday The 13th Child - 3:14

14.The Face Of Man (Timothy Martin, Walt Meskell) - 3:06

15.One More Time Around - 3:32

16.Down Bound Train (Chuck Berry) - 4:40

17.Nobody Calls Me Prophet - 4:37

18.The Last Time That She Cried - 2:33

19.Fallin' By Degrees (Traditional) - 4:59

20.MySong (For Geannanne) - 3:42

21.Bread 'N Butter Boogie - 4:30

22.I Could Just Boogie All Night (Reprise) - 0:38

Tracks 9,11,13,21,22 written by David Clayton-Thomas

Tracks 12,15,17,18,20 written by David Clayton-Thomas, William Smith

Tracks 1-10 from "David Clayton-Thomas 1972" LP

Tracks 11-22 from "Tequila Sunrise 1972" LP

Musicians

(Tracks 1-10)

*David Clayton-Thomas - Vocals, Guitar

*Mike Deasy - Guitar

*Steve Cropper - Guitar

*Paul Cannon - Guitar

*Hugh Mccracken - Guitar

*Joe Osborn - Bass

*Jim Johnson - Bass

*Jimmy Lewis - Bass

*Russ Svakus - Bass

*Larry Knechtel - Piano

*Frank Owens - Piano

*Dick Halligan - Organ

*J. Spell - Keyboards

*Paul Griffin - Piano

*Earl Palmer - Drums

*Richie Simpson - Drums

*Bobby Colomby - Drums, Tambourine

*King Errisson - Percussion

*Ollie Mitchell - Piccolo Trumpet

*Johnny Rialto - Piccolo Trumpet

*Bill Watrous - Trombone

*Garnett Brown - Trombone

*Dave Bargeron - Trombone

*Joe Farrell - Alto Sax

*Jimmy Guiffre - Tenor Sax

(Tracks 11-22)

*David Clayton-Thomas - Lead Vocals, Guitar

*William "Smitty" Smith - Musical Director, Keyboards, Vocal Accompaniment

*Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar - Guitar

*Michael Jay Feinstein - Harmonica

*Kenneth "Spider Webb" Rice - Drums

*Kenny Marco - Guitar

*Chuck Rainey - Fender Bass

*Tessie Calderon - Percussion, Vocal Accompaniment

1969 Blood Sweat And Tears - Blood Sweat And Tears (2014 audio fidelity and 2016 SACD)

1970 Blood Sweat And Tears - 3 (2016 SACD)

1971 Blood Sweat and Tears - 4 (2016 SACD)

1975 Blood Sweat And Tears - New City

1976 Blood Sweat And Tears - More Than Ever

1968 The International Submarine Band - Safe At Home (2004 remaster)

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Gram Parsons - Another Side Of This Life The Lost Recordings (1965-66 us, acoustic country folk blues, 2000 release)

Gram Parsons gets heavy credit as one of the pioneers and true talents of country rock. In the 27 years since his death, no one has matched the beautiful fragility of his voice or his novelistic sense of country songwriting (i.e., “$1000 Wedding”). Though Parsons may not have been an overly prolific writer, the few cuts that showed up on his LPs were high-quality keepers.

Listening to his canon of work, Parsons seems to have arrived as a full-blown original. While owing a debt to his heroes such as Merle Haggard and George Jones, Parsons seemed to be coming from a different, outside place; he occupied a space that seemed truly his own. Now, for the first time, we are privy to an early, developmental stage of his amazing, if too short, career.

Another Side of This Life: The Lost Recordings of Gram Parsons 1965-1966 gathers 18 tracks recorded three and a half decades ago on a friend’s reel-to-reel machine. What makes these recordings so interesting is the evident development that was taking place. The total commitment to country music doesn’t yet seem to be in place, and Parsons shows heavy folk leanings from his time playing the coffeehouses in Greenwich Village. Fred Neil, in particular, seems to cast an influence over these performances, which makes sense considering Neil’s stature in the New York City folk scene at that time.

Parsons’ recorded work, beginning with his 1968 International Submarine Band recordings, showed a rapidly maturing and seemingly confident stylist. It comes as a bit of a revelation to hear where Parsons was only two years earlier. The Gram Parsons of these demos is a more straight-ahead folk singer. Songs such as Dick Weissman’s “They Still Go Down” and Hamilton Camp’s “Pride Of Man” even sound Kingston Trio-ish. The vocal style Parsons would use on his later work is not wholly evident here, and the fragility in his delivery, though hinted at, is not fully present.

The track on this collection that stands out and points to the future is an early version of the Parsons original “Brass Buttons”. The vocal does not yet contain the homespun quality of the version that would later appear on Grievous Angel, but it still stands as a promising sign of what’s to come. It’s a shame Parsons didn’t write more during his brief life, but “Brass Buttons” shows how capable he was, even at this early stage.

As usual, Sundazed has done a wonderful job mastering and packaging this release. The sound quality of these home-recorded demos is much better than one might assume; at first listen, I was shocked at how well they had been transferred.

Another Side Of This Life may not be essential listening for those not interested in the Parsons story or legacy, but as a historical document, it is revealing. This collections fills in a previously missing aspect of Gram Parsons’ musical life; for those intrigued or moved by his work, it sure is nice to have that early chapter.

No Depression, March 1, 2001

Tracks

1. Codine (Buffy Sainte-Marie) - 5:34

2. Wheel Of Fortune (Gram Parsons) - 2:27

3. Another Side Of This Life (Fred Neil) - 2:38

4. High Flyin' Bird (Billy Edd Wheeler) - 3:46

5. November Nights (Gram Parsons) - 3:35

6. Zah's Blues (Gram Parsons) - 3:59

7. Reputation (Tim Hardin) - 3:07

8. That's The Bag I'm In (Fred Neil) - 3:11

9. Willie Jean (Traditional) - 4:05

10.They Still Go Down (Dick Weissman) - 2:24

11.Pride Of Man (Hamilton Camp) - 2:42

12.The Last Thing On My Mind (Tom Paxton) - 3:42

13.Hey Nellie Nellie (David Fromer, Elbert Robinson, Jonathan Fromer) - 3:02

14.She's The Woman I Love (Danny Adams, Sam Moffitt, Sam Moffitt Jr.) / Good Time Music (John Sebastian) - 4:55

15.Brass Buttons (Gram Parsons) - 2:22

16.I Just Can't Take It Anymore (Gram Parsons) - 3:26

17.Searchin' (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) - 3:29

18.Candy Man (Reverend Gary Davis) - 3:17

*Gram Parsons - Vocals, Guitar

1969 The Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace Of Sin (2017 SACD)

1970 The Flying Burrito Brothers - Buritto Deluxe (2020 SACD)