rep> Painter - Painter (1973 canada, stunning hard classic rock)

After one album in 1969 and one subsequent single with minimal success, 49th Parallel packed it in a year later, and from the ashes rose guitarist Danny Lowe's new project, Painter.

Based out of Edmonton and with a reformed lineup that consisted of Doran Beattie on vocals, Royden Morice on bass and drummer Bob "Herb" Ego (formerly of Witness Inc), they played the local bar scene while writing their own material, blending light rock with a harder edge (if that makes sense), crossed with ballads and was held together with tight hooks and singable lyrics.

They caught the attention of London Records executives, who shipped them off to San Francisco's Wally Heider Studio in the summer of 1971. The single "Country Man" was released later that year to little fanfare. After switching to Molten Records (owned by Randy Bachman), they released another single later that year, "Daybreak," but again couldn't help but feel disappointed with the response.

After moving to Seattle, they augmented their sound with Barry Allen (also ex of Wes Dakus & The Rebels) as a second guitarist, and agreed to be managed by Bob Zimmerman, who got them a deal with Elektra Records. They travelled back to San Francisco, as well as Seattle's Kaye-Smith Studio, and put their abundance of material they'd written on tape. The result was their self-titled debut album in September of '73. With Jim Gaines serving as co-producer with the band and engineer, "West Coast Woman" was released as the first single and the band had its first Top 20 song.

Before long they were on the road, headlining shows at LA's famed Whiskey A Go Go, backing up KISS, Jethro Tull, Canned Heat, Rod Stewart, and Steely Dan, among others. They were also featured on the nationally syndicated "King Biscuit Flower Hour" radio program while in New York. It was while in the Big Apple that they co-wrote a couple of tracks with Frank Zappa while backstage one night, "That's When I Knew It Was Love" was played on stage later that night for the first and only time.

But when the follow-up singles "Going Home To Rock" and "Song For Sunshine" in '74 both failed to make an impression, Elektra lost interest and dropped the group. Allen left the group soon after, shortly before the band pulled the plug.

Lowe, Beattie, Ego and Morice would team up again to form Hammersmith shortly after. But before the first of two albums for Mercury Records were on the shelves, Ego was gone, who went on to join Streetheart. He also become a studio musician and session player for various artists, including 451 Degrees, Mavis McCauley, and Paul Hann, among others. Allen hung up the guitar and put on a managerial hat, and took a number of groups under his wing, including Hammersmith. 

With notes from Bob Ego

Tracks

1. West Coast Woman - 2:48

2. Tell Me Why - 2:02

3. Song For Sunshine - 3:03

4. Goin' Home To Rock 'n' Roll - 2:59

5. Space Truck - 2:37

6. Kites And Gliders - 3:45

7. Oh! You - 2:24

8. Slave Driver - 3:02

9. For You - 3:57

10.Crazy Feeling - 2:43

11.Goin' Down The Road - 8:49

All compositions by Barry Allen, Bob Ego, Dan Lowe, Doran Beattie, Wayne Morice

Painter
*Danny Lowe - Lead Guitar
*Doran Beattie - Lead Vocals
*Wayne Morice - Bass, Vocals
*Barry Allen - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
*Bob Ego - Drums

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rep> The Fraternal Order Of The All - Greetings From Planet Love (1997 us, fabulous orchestrated psychedelia with folk drops and experimental mood, 2023 remaster)

The Fraternal Order of the All is guitarist Andrew Gold in a home studio overdubbing mode, making the record he always wanted to make back in 1967 and 1968. To call this album retro-flavored would be putting it mildly, as Gold's tongue is firmly planted in his cheek all throughout the record and attendant booklet, right down to the fake names for all the musicians. With the exception of guest turns from Jimmy Caprio, Jimmy Herter and Graham Gouldman (who also produced one track and like Caprio and Herter, wrote one other), this is pretty much Andrew's ballgame here, with him playing and singing all the parts. 

The British rock, Beatles-styled psychedelic sounds truly abound on this disc, in the production values, instrumental work, and songwriting style. Highlights include "Tuba Rye and Will's Son/Balloon in the Sky" (with its Beach Boys-like vocal intro), "Rainbow People," "Freelove Baby," the three instrumentals that help the mood along ("Swirl," "Twirl," and "Whirl" and don't forget the "Groovy Party at Jimmy's Magic Pad"), and the trippy title track. 

Gold successfully nails all the sounds and cosmic junk that came with these kind of albums back during those heady times, and if the music wasn't so darn good on here, you'd declare this record just a nostalgic joke that works, but it is so much more than merely that; it's a tucked-away little gem that deserves a much wider audience. 

by Cub Koda 

Tracks
1. Greetings From Planet Love - 0:35
2. Rainbow People - 2:46
3. Love Tonight (Graham Gouldman, Mike Botts) - 5:45
4. Chasing My Tail - 2:29
5. Swirl - 1:19
6. Tuba Rye And Will's Son / Balloon In The Sky - 3:44
7. King Of Showbiz (Andrew Gold, Graham Gouldman) - 4:12
8. Whirl - 0:58
9. Freelove Baby - 2:44
10.Groovy Party At Jimmy's Magic Pad - 2:29
11.It's Beautiful - 0:52
12.Wink Of The Third Eye - 2:00
13.It Has No Eyes But Sight - 0:55
14.Twirl - 0:58
15.Space And Time - 3:24
16.Time Is Standing Still (James Caprio, Jim Herter) - 4:48
17.Ride The Snake - 1:47
18.Mr. Plastic Business Man - 4:14
19.Ccosmicc Ccarnivall - 0:32
20.Tomorrow Drop Dead - 4:34
All songs by Andrew Gold except where noted

Musicians
*Andrew Gold - Vocals, All Instruments
*Jim Caprio - Bass, Vocals
*Gene Pool - Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Graham Gouldman - Bass, Guitars, Vocals
*Kid Williy - Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Nicole - Vocals

1978  Andrew Gold - All This And Heaven Too (2005 bonus tracks remaster)

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Peregrine - Songs Of Mine (1972 uk, gorgeous acoustic folk rock, 2024 korean remaster)

A really great British group – one who are mostly acoustic, but hardly sound folksy at all – and who are only a trio, yet manage to come across with a much fuller sound than you might expect! It would be easy enough to link these guys with the acid folk scene of the time, but their phrasing is different and their vocals, even while harmonized, have a sense of darkness that sets them apart from the warmer tones of the Cali scene when in similar territory. The record almost feels more like some lost indie set from a decade later – touched with some of the melancholy of a Nikki Sudden album, but again with a different sort of phrasing – in ways that only further make it a standout set. Titles include "Clock Watcher", "Hard World", "People & Places", "Red Sun", "Lazy Day", "Newspaper Seller", "Brief Encounter", and "Songs Of Mine.

The only work of Peregrine, released in 1972. Steve Torrington, Chris Brighton, and Neil Bonner are all in charge of guitar and vocals, and they also use a 12-string guitar.The sound is a folk trio with only three guitars and beautiful harmonies. thing. It has a dark side that is irresistible for British folk lovers.The sad melody, refreshing harmonies, and three acoustic guitars are wonderful. The soft folk-pop songs are great, but the crunchy, trad-flavored songs are numbing. This is a dark folk masterpiece that reminds you of the sunlight filtering through the trees in a lake in the forest, or the forest at dusk just before darkness falls, as you feel when listening to rare British folk records.

Free-Space

Tracks

1. Songs Of Mine (Neil Bonner) - 3:46

2. Lazy Day (Steve Torrington, Neil Bonner) - 4:09

3. All Through The Night (Chris Brighton) - 4:16

4. Red Sun (Steve Torrington) - 2:51

5. People And Places (Steve Torrington) - 4:43

6. Hard World (Chris Brighton) - 3:08

7. Newspaper Seller (Steve Torrington, Neil Bonner) - 2:57

8. To Be Somebody (Neil Bonner) - 3:17

9. Brief Encounter (Chris Brighton) - 3:06

10.Clock Watcher (Steve Torrington) - 3:00

11.The Strangest Fears (Chris Brighton) - 3:24

Peregrine

*Neil Bonner - Guitar,Vocals

*Steve Torrington - 12 String Guitar, Vocals

*Chris Brighton - Guitar, Vocals

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Westwind - Love Is... (1970 uk, majestic soft acoustic folk rock, 2021 korean remaster)

Simple stories, enchanting harmonies and soft, acoustic music that is Westwind. Three friends, Sarah Dyson, Nick Storey and Chris Stowell, writing and singing together because they enjoy it. Their fresh-as-an-English-rose vocals allow no concessions to the mid-Atlantic accents favoured by many a British folk group. Similarly, there is no place here for the electric guitar of the folk-rock exponents. And in their songs you'll find only the faintest hint of protest.

The music of Westwind, then, is a simple delight. No clever effects, no huge orchestras - though arranger Michael Moores makes sparing, and subtle, use of strings and horns. Just three people singing their songs, and singing them superbly. Ironically, in view of their name, much of Westwind's singing has a becalming effect. And what better fate than to let your mind drift and enjoy the clear, soaring voice of Sarah cutting through the pretty love story "Harbour Lights" or "Sleepy City".

The material to be heard on this album is as much a testimony to the group's songwriting ability as to their singing. Most of the songs are fragile, wispy in construction - notably the beautiful "Robin Hill", my favourite of the 12, with its excellent guitar work and the ethereal vocal from Sarah. But there is also a fair representation of brisk up-tempo tracks like "Goodtimes", one of those familiar folk cris de joie, with skiffle influences, and the happy skipalong "Sun Across The Snow". They reveal their sense of humour on an up-dated tale of "Sweeney Todd - a bar-barous chap was he" - which even in includes reference to P.C. Dixon of Dock Green.

My first hearing of Westwind, in September of this year, came with the release of a delightful single, "Love Is A Funny Sort Of Thing". The contents of this album, played at times of stress, will soothe even the most troubled of brows. It has that kind of effect. And it is an album you will want to come back to again and again. Westwind are a very welcome addition to the ranks of British pop-folk groups. With the help of record buyers such as yourself, they should rightly become a permanent fixture.

by Peter Robinson, Music Business Weekly

Tracks

1. Goodbye Butterfly - 3:54

2. Sleepy City - 3:00

3. Love Ia A Funny Sort Of Thing - 3:00

4. Sun Across The Snow - 2:53

5. How Many Stars - 2:49

6. Robin Hill - 3:02

7. Goodtimes - 2:00

8. Fisherman's Song - 3:33

9. Sweeney Todd - 2:59

10.Rosemary - 4:26

11.Harbour Lights - 3:36

12.Home Is Where My Heart Is - 3:00

Words and Music by Chris Stowell, Nick Storey, Sarah Dyson

Westwind

*Chris Stowell - Vocals, Guitar

*Nick Storey - Vocals, Guitar

*Sarah Dyson - Vocals, Guitar

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Fate - Sgt. Death (1967-68 us, outstanding anti-war fuzz guitar organ driven psych rock)

Jay Sneider's first band The Electrons came together in Saco, Maine in 1963. They soon changed their name to The Id and would release two 45s that have become highly prized by collector's, the second as Euphoria's Id to differentiate them from several other Ids around at that time. Around 1967 Sneider (now Snyder) and drummer Skip Smith formed Fate. The album was recorded in 1968 under the guidance of Thomas Jefferson Kaye at Studio 3 in New York, where Billy Joel's Hassles would record their debut LP. Demos were sent out and the popular DJ Roscoe (also the voice on an album by John Berberian) started playing it. It would be picked up by a couple more NYC stations, yet the only record label to show any interest was Musicor. 

Still the band's production company (Elephant 5) chose to pass on the offer, nothing further happened and a disillusioned band went their separate ways. Such a shame; this is an accomplished opus and so evocative of its time. The mood is reflective, often sombre, but also confrontational (as in the overtly anti-Vietnam title track). Stylistically it varies from baroque-rock with psychy flashes to hard melodic rock, and a strong hint of The Doors on the more introspective cuts. The latter comparison used to irritate Jay Snyder but the setting, key and timbre of Frank Youngblood's vocals makes this unavoidable. Sexual Fantasy #8 is an immediate stand-out; it has a pealing George Harrison-like guitar motif that'll haunt you for months. Elsewhere they take on the blues and Bo Diddley in a hard-rock setting with searing guitar. Jay Snyder recounts his musical odyssey and the stories behind his songs in revealing detail on both CD and LP. 

A very welcome and recommended release. Incidentally, the opening track on the original demo album, Prelude, was omitted from the reissues as it was not recorded by Fate, instead being put together by their producer. An article in Billboard magazine in October 1968 reported that "Fate's demonstration discs are being played on three radio stations in New York", but the only original copy so far to turn up has a mastering date of February 1969 etched in the vinyl trail-off. It could be that there were different demo discs in circulation at different times.

Free-Space

Tracks

1. Sergeant Death - 5:04

2. Simone - 3:59

3. Sexual Fantasy #8 - 3:40

4. Having A Cigarette - 2:11

5. I Need A Woman - 4:13

6. Hungry Lovin' Blues - 2:45

7. Mannequin - 5:43

8. Tribute To The Bo - 4:20

9. Smoke And Stone - 5:10

All songs by Jay Snyder

Fate

*Steve Dore - Guitar

*Skip Smith - Drums

*Jay Sneider (Snyder) - Keyboards, Vocals

*Art Webster - Bass

*Frank Youngblood - Vocals

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The Stories - The Stories (1972 us, marvelous baroque power pop soft rock)

Stories was always an odd creature, bearing echoes of Michael Brown's delicate work with Left Banke, a more mainstream McCartneyesque pop also reminiscent of a sweeter Raspberries and, thanks to Ian Lloyd's light rasp, hints of Rod Stewart. That hoarse soulfulness served Lloyd well on the band's only hit "Brother Louie" -- which appeared on their second album, About Us -- but he was never a true blue-eyed soul vocalist, and not just because Stories didn't often delve into blues-rock: his touch was too light, his voice too high and thin to dig deep into R&B. He was stuck between two sounds, between precious pop and soulful rock, which was completely appropriate for Brown's artful pop writing. Brown's songs for Stories weren't immediate, they were elliptical and gentle, just melodic enough to hint that these tunes are hookier than they are, having just enough structure to suggest big pop arrangements that never quite materialize, at least on their debut Stories. 

The touchstone for Stories is quite plainly Paul McCartney, as this is music that places the melody at the forefront; it's proudly precious and willfully whimsical, music crying out for listeners with a sweet tooth. Here, Stories make Badfinger seem like muscular macho men, as their hardest-rocking song "Take Cover" -- with its big, cascading chorus, it's a tune that could have slipped onto No Dice -- almost perversely avoids power chords. Then again, "Take Cover," while it does point the way to About Us, is atypical on Stories, as it's built upon Baroque ballads and lovely, lilting midtempo pop, signatures of Michael Brown from the days of Left Banke. While it's interesting to hear Brown navigate the valleys of modern rock production here, Stories could have used more definition in its arrangements, more power in its production, to really grab listeners. As it stands, it's ideal music for cultists: music that requires a bit of work, but not too much, to truly appreciate, and it does pay back the effort it demands.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Tracks

1. Hello People - 3:54

2. I'm Coming Home - 2:38

3. Winter Scenes - 4:18

4. Step Back - 3:20

5. You Told Me - 3:06

6. Saint James - 4:30

7. Kathleen - 3:14

8. Take Cover - 3:01

9. Nice to Have You Here - 3:25

10. High and Low - 4:28

All compositions by Michael Brown, Ian Lloyd

Stories

*Michael Brown - Harpsichord, Keyboards, Moog Synthesizer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer

*Ian Lloyd - Bass, Vocals

*Bryan Madey - Drums, Percussion

*Steve Love - Guitar, Vocals

With

*Harry Lookofsky - Violin

*Larry Wilcox - String Arrangements, Strings

*Peter Buonconsigilio - Violin

*Peter Hofmann - Guitar

1973  Ian Lloyd And Stories - Traveling Underground

Related Acts

1966-69  The Left Banke - There's Gonna Be A Storm The Complete Recordings   

1966-67  The Left Banke - Walk Away Renee...Pretty Ballerina (2011 remaster)  

1968-69  The Left Banke - The Left Banke Too (2011 remaster)  

1969  Montage - Montage (2001 Bonus Track)

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Bodacious DF - Bodacious DF (1973 us, remarkable funky bluesy rock feat Marty Balin, 2002 and 2023 remaster)

Marty Balin was co-founder and along with Grace Slick the lead singer of San Francisco legends Jefferson Airplane. After he left the band in 1971 Marty produced and later joined the hot new San Francisco group Grootna. Grootna mutated into Bodaciouus DF featuring Marty Balin as the group's lead singer. 

Tracks

1. Drifting (Jesse Osborne) - 4:10

2. Good Folks (Lonnie Talbot) - 7:37

0. The Witcher (Marty Balin, Vic Smith) - 6:36

4. Roberta (Marty Balin, Vic Smith, Trish Robbins) - 4:44

5. Second Hand Information (Charlie Hickox) - 4:57

6. Drivin' Me Crazy (Vic Smith) - 7:13

7. Twixt Two Worlds (Marty Balin, Vic Smith) - 5:45

Bodacious DF

*Mark Ryan - Bass, Vocals

*Dewey DaGreaze - Drums, Percussion, Vocals

*Vic Smith - Guitars, Vocals

*Charlie Hickox - Keyboards, Vocals

*Marty Balin - Vocals

Related Acts

1971  Grootna - Grootna

1966  Jefferson Airplane - Takes Off (2013 audiophile remaster)

1967  Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow (2013 audiophile and 2003 xpanded)

1967  Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing At Baxter's (2013 audiophile and 2003 xpanded)

1968  Jefferson Airplane - Crown Of Creation (2013 audiophile and 2003 xpanded issue)

1969  Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers (2013 Audiophile, 2003 xpanded)

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Mike Harrison - Rainbow Rider (1975 uk, excellent bluesy classic rock, 2011 remaster)

Mike Harrison promptly resumed his solo career with the release of 1975's "Rainbow Rider".  Released in the UK on the Goodear label (Goodear catalog number  7002), Island Records acquired US distribution rights where for some reason the company decided to slap different cover art on the album.  

Produced by Chris Kimsey, the set found Harrison recording in Nashville with a mix of American and English studio musicians. Musically the set wasn't a major change from earlier efforts. Harrison's voice remained instantly recognizable with tracks such as "Maverick Woman Blues", "You and Me" and "I'll Keep It with Mine" offering an enjoyable set of R&B flavored rock.  Highlights included a weird cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and his collaboration with longtime buddy/former Spooky Tooth guitarist Luther Grosvenor on "Okay Lay Lady Lay" (the latter redeemed by some nifty voice box guitar work.).  

Highlight songs, the opening "Maverick Woman Blues" with some blazing twin lead guitar (Bob Cohen and Micky Jones) and pounding keyboards (courtesy of Morgan Fisher), 'Maverick Woman Blues' was the album's toughest rocker and one of the most Spooky Tooth-styled numbers on the set.  At least to my ears Harrison even sounded a bit like Gary Wright on this one.   Nice way to start off the collection. Dylan's "I'll Keep It with Mine" with a Spooky Tooth/Gary Wright-styled arrangement may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but the keyboard-propelled arrangement never gathered much energy and the backing gospel church choir simply blew Harrison off the stage.  The song's highlight came in the form of the nifty lead guitar.

The driving blues-rocker, "Okay Lay Lady La" actually came in the form of Luther Grosvenor's voice box guitar solo. The finale with 'Friend'  a breezy, slightly jazz-tinged ballad that actually benefited from Harrison's laid back and measured delivery.  One of the best performances on the album .

by Scott R. Blackerby November, 2024

Tracks

1. Maverick Woman Blues (Don Nix) - 3:37

2. You And Me (Will Jennings, Troy Seals) - 2:40

3. I'll Keep It With Mine (Bob Dylan) - 4:22

4. Like A Road (Leading Home) (Don Nix, Dan Penn) - 4:40

5. We Can Work It Out (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:24

6. Okay Lay Lady Lay (Luther Grosvenor, Mike Harrison) - 6:33

7. Easy (Aitkin, Brown, Mike Harrison) - 4:25

8. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg) - 2:39

9. Friend (Arthur Belcher, Mike Harrison) - 4:32

Personnel

*Mike Harrison - Vocals,Harmonica

*Kenneth Buttrey - Drums

*Morgan Fisher - Keyboards

*Norbert Putnam - Bass

*Bob Cohen - Guitar

*Kirk Lorange - Guitar

*Mick Jones - Guitar

*Arthur Belcher - Saxophone

*The Memphis Horns - Horns

*Corona Stage School - Vocals

*Del Newman - String Arrangements

1971  Mike Harrison - Mike Harrison (2011 remaster)  

1972  Mike Harrison - Smokestack Lightning (2011 remaster)

Related Acts 

1965-67  V.I.P's - The Complete V.I.P.S (2006 double disc remaster)
1966  The V.I.P's - Beat Crazy (2004 remaster extra tracks edition) 
1967  Art - Supernatural Fairy Tales (extra track issue)

1968  Spooky Tooth - It's All About (2005 and 2010 SHM)

1969  Spooky Tooth - Spooky Two (2005 remaster and 2010 japan SHM expanded)  

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Nite City - Nite City • Golden Days Diamond Nights (1977-78 us, fine classic rock from Ray Manzarek, 2006 release)

Nite City is the answer to Ray Manzarek's question: "What do you do after the Doors?" It would not be unfair to say The Doors are the parent group to Nite City, but it would be more accurate if you said they are their bastard son. Manzarek founded The Doors in 1966 and he put them to rest when he left the band, theorizing there could be no Doors without their original singer.

In 1976, ten years later, still hungry for the unknown and sacred, Manzarek founded Nite City, choosing once again a lead singer with whom he saw eye to eye. Noah James became Manzarek's new voice and Manzarek in turn provided Noah a bizarre soundtrack on which to overdub lyrics. Together they took an unspoken oath to create a new musical expression for an old topic: Truth. With all of its beauty and pain, they were dedicated to be its vehicle into the endless night. And whoever else they took into the fold would have to share in that pursuit. Nigel Harrison was already in, three down and two to go. Slowly Paul Warren and Jimmy "Mad Dog" Hunter followed. The story of the band's formation is told elsewhere in this kit. Suffice to say it was a trial of stamina. More than a few dropped out along the way. Noah, Ray, Jimmy, Nigel and Paul. These are the survivors.

In the studio you could sense it. The five members of Nite City hunched over the space-age control board, ears straining to catch any minute error in the play-back. The fresh music poured out of the studio monitors as each individual silently argued with the musical reality that confronted him. So bent were they on perfecting the final product. Yet painfully aware of the danger over-scrutinization can present. Passion can be reduced to sterility with the flick of a switch. So fine is the line dividing musical excellence and emotional impact. The two must jell and compliment and the compromises required are as painful as they are, ultimately, rewarding. Everyone has a different standard for perfection. It is usually during this stage of recording, the final mix, when standards conflict and arguments erupt. Not within Nite City. Now, few words were exchanged. Knobs were turned, tapes buzzed their rewind, and the music exploded. Eyes clamped shut. Ears perked. The energy was almost tangible. The air in the control booth was as electric as the wires underneath the console. The five members of Nite City were finishing up their element, each one's mind socked into the cosmic wall socket of the O-Mind. 

The essence from which Nite City draws its output. The music played back was so loud you could hear every nuance. The effect was staggering, the perfect blend of precision and abandon; passion and aggression. The mark they had aimed for when they first entered the studio. Bulls eye. Nite City concerns itself with reality, not all of it kind. With harmony and beauty they claw at its cruelty and ugliness. They were born from a phoenix of frustration and dreams. They were also born in Los Angeles. Nite City is a metropolitan American band, but more than that they are a rock and roll band from L.A. And they reflect their environment.

America in the seventies, America in the streets. Nite City are about living with emotions strangling you. Ruthlessly they expose the seamy underbelly of city life as both voyeurs and products of that scene. Their music brims with anguish and defeat; desperation and survival. But also pictured on the dramatic landscape of Nite City is something more, a reassurance, beyond the desolation and tragedy, a joyous echoing of hope.

by Dan Sugarman and Steve Keator

Tracks

1. Summer Eyes (Noah James, Ray Manzarek) - 4:34

2. Nite City (Lee Huxley, Noah James, Ray Manzarek) - 5:01

3. Love Will Make You Mellow (Noah James, Ray Manzarek) - 4:57

4. Angel W/No Freedom (Danny Sugarman, Noah James, Ray Manzarek) - 6:36

5. Midnight Queen (Danny Sugarman, Noah James, Ray Manzarek) - 3:59

6. Bitter Sky Blue (Noah James, Ray Manzarek) - 3:15

7. Caught In A Panic (Noah James, Ray Manzarek) - 4:42

8. In The Pyramid (Paul Warren, Ray Manzarek) - 3:51

9. Game Of Skill (Noah James, Paul Warren, Ray Manzarek) - 4:46

10.Riding On The Wings Of Love (Jimmy Hunter, Paul Warren, Ray Manzarek) - 3:39

11.The Dreamer (Paul Warren, Ray Manzarek) - 6:09

12.Holy Music (Champion, Paul Warren) - 5:08

13.Ain't Got The Time (Nigel Harrison, Ray Manzarek) - 3:15

14.Die High (Paul Warren) - 4:09

15.Blinded By Love (Noah James, Paul Warren) - 4:54

16.Barcelona (Nigel Harrison) - 3:32

17.America (Ray Manzarek) - 7:18

Tracks 1-9 taken from LP Nite City - Nite City released in 1977

Tracks 10-17 taken from LP Nite City - Golden Days Diamond Nights released in 1978

Nite City

*Jimmy Hunter - Drums, Backing Vocals

*Nigel Harrison - Bass 

*Paul Warren - Guitar, Vocals, Lead Vocals (Tracks 10-17) 

*Ray Manzarek - Keyboards, Vocals

*Noah James - Lead Vocals (Tracks 1-9)

Related Act

1971-72  The Doors - Other Voices / Full Circle (2015 double disc remaster)

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The Bernie Leadon • Michael Georgiades Band - Natural Progressions (1977 us, exceptional country folk soft rock, 2013 japan remaster)

Original Eagles member Bernie Leadon was perhaps the group's most underrated and valuable player from 1972 through 1975, as he alternated between vocals, guitar (acoustic, electric, and pedal steel), banjo, and mandolin, in addition to lending a hand with songwriting. Prior to the Eagles, Leadon was a country-rock pioneer, playing in the pivotal outfits Hearts and Flowers and Dillard & Clark before joining the Flying Burrito Brothers. Once he left the Eagles, he settled in Nashville, working as a session musician, producer, and songwriter.

Born on July 19, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Leadon appreciated rock & roll, but his true love lay in country music, as he began playing in a California bluegrass outfit in 1962, the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers. After relocating to Florida by the mid-'60s, Leadon joined the short-lived country-folk band Hearts and Flowers, appearing on their second and final recording, 1968's Of Horses, Kids and Forgotten Women, before forming a new group, Dillard & Clark. But once more, Leadon's tenure with the group would be fleeting, as he played on all of their 1968 debut, The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark, and only a few select tracks on their sophomore effort, 1969's Through the Morning, Through the Night.

Up next for Leadon was a brief stretch with Linda Ronstadt's backing band, the Corvettes, before joining up with one of the first-ever country-rock outfits, the Flying Burrito Brothers, in the fall of 1969. Leadon remained a member of the Burritos for a few years -- appearing on such albums as 1970's Burrito Deluxe, 1971's self-titled release, and 1972's live set, Last of the Red Hot Burritos. Upon leaving the Burritos, Leadon signed on once more as a member of Linda Ronstadt's backing band, which included guitarist/singer Glenn Frey and drummer/singer Don Henley. Shortly thereafter, the trio decided to form their own group, the Eagles, which was rounded out with the addition of ex-Poco bassist Randy Meisner. The band perfected and popularized the Flying Burrito Brothers' country-rock style, as both Frey and Henley proved to be superb songwriters.

The Leadon era of the group lasted for a total of four albums (which many longtime Eagles fans consider the group's best) -- 1972's self-titled debut, 1973's Desperado, 1974's On the Border, and 1975's One of These Nights -- on which Leadon penned such underrated gems as "My Man" and "Bitter Creek," among others. But the band's never-ending and grueling touring/recording schedule began to wear Leadon out, to the point that the guitarist decided to leave the group (as a self-described "act of survival"). The Eagles carried on with Joe Walsh replacing Leadon, and issued one of the biggest-selling releases in the history of pop music, Hotel California.

It didn't take long, however, for Leadon to land back on his feet and resuscitate his music career. In 1977, the guitarist formed the Bernie Leadon/Michael Georgiades Band, who issued a lone album the same year, Natural Progressions, before splitting up. 

by Greg Prato

Michael Georgiades tends to drink up the spotlight here, as the retiring Leadon eases into a decidedly sporadic solo career. Still, country-rocking Leadon showcases like "How Can You Live Without Love?" and, in particular, his Eagles kiss-off "The Sparrow" provide stirring reminders of his early role as canny instrumentalist and old-pro traditionalist. This is the path left untraveled for his ex-band.

Tracks

1. Callin' For Your Love - 4:31

2. How Can You Live Without Love? - 3:48

3. Breath - 3:28

4. Rotation - 6:19

5. You're The Singer - 4:08

6. Tropical Winter - 4:33

7. As Time Goes On - 3:08

8. The Sparrow - 3:25

9. At Love Again - 4:21

10.Glass Off - 6:45

Songs 1,3,4,5,6,9 written by Michael Georgiades

Songs 2,7,8,10 written by Bernie Leadon

Personnel

*Bernie Leadon - Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Mandolin, Piano, Banjo, Vocals

*Michael Georgiades - Guitar, Vocals

*Bobbye Hall - Percussion

*Brian Rogers - Strings

*Bryan Garofalo - Bass

*David Kemper - Drums

*Ed Silvers - Vocals

*Baron Stewart - Vocals

*Irving Azoff - Vocals

*Joe Smith - Vocals

*John Brennan - Guitar

*Steve Goldstein - Keyboards

Related Acts

1967-68  Hearts And Flowers - The Complete Hearts And Flowers (2002 double disc remaster with unreleased material)

1968  Hearts And Flowers - Of Horses Kids And Forgotten Women (2017 korean remaster)

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

1968-69  Dillard And Clark - Fantastic Expedition / Through The Morning, Through The Night (MFSL remaster) 

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