Tir Na Nog - A Tear And A Smile (1972 ireland, wonderful folk rock, 2012 remaster with bonus tracks)

Tir Na Nog expanded their horizons on their 1972 sophomore release by adding drums (Barry DeSouza) and bass (Larry Steele), as well as some effective string arrangements. Produced by the legendary Tony Cox (Caravan, Francoise Hardy, Family), A Tear and a Smile retained all of Sonny Condell and Leo O'Kelly's offbeat phrasing, playful melodic deviations, and pastoral balladry, while subtly turning an eye to the prospects of a little commercial appeal. 

The easy folk-rock of O'Kelly''s "When I Came Down" and "The Same Thing Happening" wouldn't have sounded out of place on the country-rock-heavy airwaves of U.S. radio, and even though Condell's lighthearted Noel Coward imitation on the bouncy "Bluebottle Stew" is like listening to a half-baked Monty Python skit, it works because -- like everything on A Tear and a Smile -- it's executed so sincerely. Tir Na Nog were more than mediocre, but a few songs shy of great, and fans of Ralph McTell, the Dransfields, and Cat Stevens will find common ground and much to love here. 

by James Christopher Monger

The second album A Tear and a Smile takes the first steps in a more rock-oriented direciton with the addition of the rhythm section of Larry Steele (bass) and Barry DeSouza (drums). Producer Tony Cox who'd previously worked successfully with Family and Caravan adds string arrangements to some songs and there are subtle developments suggesting stronger commercial appeal. Sales remained modest but the album did manage to secure a release in the USA, with some tracks substituted for with songs from the debut. The single preceeding the album "The Lady I Love" was Melody Maker Single Of The Week! 

Tracks

1. Come And See The Show (Sonny Condell) - 3:18

2. Down Day (Sonny Condell) - 5:50

3. When I Came Down (Leo O'Kelly) - 4:33

4. The Same Thing Happening (Leo O'Kelly) - 4:47

5. Bluebottle Stew (Sonny Condell) - 2:21

6. So Freely (Leo O'Kelly) - 3:34

7. Hemisphere (Sonny Condell) - 2:17

8. Lady Ocean (Leo O'Kelly) - 4:33

9. Goodbye My Love (Leo O'Kelly) - 4:21

10.Two White Horses (Sonny Condell) - 2:42

11.The Lady I Love (Sonny Condell) - 3:19

12.Heidi (Leo O'Kelly) - 3:22

Bonus Tracks 11-12

Tir Na Nog

Sonny Condell – Guitar, Clavinet, Percussion, Vocals

Leo O'Kelly – Guitar, Vocals

With

Larry Steele – Bass

Barry De Souza – Drums

1971  Tir Na Nog - Tir Na Nog (2012 remaster and expanded) 

 

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Randy Holden - Population II / Guitar God (1970 / 2001 us, powerful stoner guitar drivin' hard rock, 2001 bonus tracks edition)

Listening to this album solidly for the past few months it surprises me that I could have been so absentminded as to forget to include it in my Early 70’s Proto-Metal Baker’s Dozen. Its’ always a challenge to compile those kinds of lists as there’s inevitably someone who you’re going to kick yourself for not including!

Randy Holden started his career in the early part of the 1960’s and was a member of; The Fender IV (Surf-Rock), Sons of Adam (Surf Rock/Psych), The Other Half (Psych/Garage Rock – Mr Pharmacist was later covered by The Fall), followed by a short stint in Blue Cheer on the record New! Improved! before going solo and launching his debut album, 1970’s Population II.

Population II is a reference both to there being 2 members in the band (Randy – guitar/vocals and drummer/keyboardist Chris Lockheed) and an astronomical term denoting a star cluster with heavy metals present – how apt! The album cover is of the duo stood in front of such a cluster in a valley as seen through a telescopic lens. The album is considered one of the earliest examples of Doom Metal and coincidentally was released in the same year as the first two Sabbath albums. The album has been reissued by RidingEasy Records who have some form when it comes to somewhat obscure 70’s Rock thanks to their superlative Brown Acid compilation series.

The record starts with Guitar Song that features some playful guitar histrionics before a slow, sludgy riff, which could be described as Sabbathesque, descends and Randy singing ‘I love the sound of a guitar playing, I love the way it makes me feel inside’, we would never have guessed. The theme of the song is so simple it’s beautiful, a man’s dedication to his craft. Fruit & Icebergs is a track that featured on the Blue Cheer record Holden guested on, and man, this version is infinitely a lot heavier and doomier, in fact you get the distinct impression that the version you hear here is how Randy intended it to be all along. 

Next are 2 short numbers, the first of which Between Time reminds me of the Rolling Stones (Keith Richards was an influence) meets Blue Cheer. The other, Fruit & Icebergs (Conclusion) is er, a conclusion of the earlier track of the same name. Blue My Mind has a definite cool Hendrix vibe before the longest track on the album, the simply amazing 10 minute Keeper Of My Flame which concludes the album, a track that is both melodic and airy yet also grinding and devastating, there is some amazing playing on here, it’s progressive in scope but never self-indulgent or tiresome.

You can hear a sense of joy from Randy Holden on this record, free from the constraints of being in bands where he was given no control, he was determined to make the most of it here. Unlike the likes of Joe Satriani and self-proclaimed genius Yngwie Malmsteen, this is a guitar orientated record you can enjoy, with no over the top shredding, instead it feels grounded and unpretentious.

Much like Hendrix the words/lyrics are largely functional with the focus instead on the amazing music. Sadly, due to record company woes, Randy went into hibernation for the best part of 2 decades before re-emerging, but thanks to the ever-excellent RidingEasy Records hopefully one of rock’s most overlooked guitar heroes will at last get the kudos he so richly deserves. Stoner and doom metalheads will now be able to experience one of the most important documents in the development of the genre we dearly love.

by Reza Mills, 27th February 2020

After the recording of "Population II" in 1970, Randy Holden quit the music business never to be heard from again....until the release of this album in 1996 (in a limited Japanese edition). Sought out by long time fan Randy Pratt (executive producer for this project) and joined by Paul Whaley (prior to recording Guitar God Holden and Whaley, former Blue Cheer drummer, had not seen or spoken to each other for over two decades), and Robert Bauer, Randy delivers an extravagant album full of double and triple tracked guitar. Only one instumental on the album, Randy demonstrates his singing and song writing as well as his guitar prowess. 

The album opens with Dark Eyes which contains as heavy a riff as can be found on Population II. The tempo speeds up with Wild Fire, No Trace, and Got Love. Pain In My Heart has a return to heavy. Blue My Mind is redone from the Population II days with a fuller sound. Must be listened to with headphones for the full experience. Randy is definitely having fun here, exploring his whole pallette of pyrotechnics. 

Tracks

1. Guitar Song - 6:12

2. Fruit And Iceburgs - 5:02

3. Between Time - 1:50

4. Fruit And Iceburgs - Conclusion - 1:54

5. Blue My Mind - 6:01

6. Keeper Of My Flame - 10:05

7. Dark Eyes - 5:08

8. Wild Fire - 5:38

9. Scarlet Rose - 4:04

10.Pain In My Heart - 4:39

11.Hell And High Water - 5:40

12.No Trace - 4:16

13.Got Love - 4:02

14.Blue My Mind - 4:11

15.Castle In The Sky - 5:14

16.Dark Eyes (Part Two) - 5:07

All songs by Randy Holden

Musicians

Randy Holden - Guitar, Vocals, Bass (Tracks 1-6)

Christopher Lockheed - Drums (Tracks 1-6)

Robert Bauer - Bass (Tracks 7-16)

Paul Whaley - Drums (Tracks 7-16)

Rachel Stavach - Vocals  (Tracks 10,11) 

Related Acts

1964-66  The Sons Of Adam - Saturday's Sons The Complete Recordings (2022 release)  

1968  The Other Half - The Other Half (2006 release)  

1969  Blue Cheer - New Improved! (2007 & 2016 SHM remasters) 

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Tom Rapp - Familiar Songs (1972 us, gorgeous haunting prog folk rock, 2003 remaster)

Post Pearls Before Swine work from Tom Rapp – a record that has him stepping out as a solo act, but with a feel that's quite similar to his recordings with the group! The mood here is laidback and slightly folksy – but also augmented more by piano than by guitar, and recorded with a watery style that works wonderfully with Rapp's sad-tinged vocals. A number of the songs appear to be remakes of versions from earlier years – and titles include "Snow Queen", "The Jeweler", "Rocket Man", "Sail Away", "Full Phantom Five & I Shall Not Care", "These Things Too", and "Grace Street".

Tracks

1. Grace Street - 3:10

2. The Jeweler - 3:28

3. Rocket Man - 3:04

4. Snow Queen - 3:45

5. If You Don't Want To (I Don't Mind) - 3:17

6. Charley And The Lady - 3:22

7. Margery - 3:12

8. Medley: Full Phantom Five / I Shall Not Care - 2:57

9. These Things Too - 3:37

10.Sail Away - 3:46

All Music and Lyrics by Tom Rapp

Except "Full Phantom Five" from a William Shakespear poem

"I Shall Not Care" lyrics by Sara Teasdale

Personnel

*Tom Rapp - Vocals, Guitar

*Robbie Merkin - Piano

*David Wolfert - Guitar

*Morrie Brown - Bass

*Billy Mundi - Drums 

1971  Pearls Before Swine - City Of Gold

1971  Pearls Before Swine - Beautiful Lies You Could Live In (2003 Water)

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Leigh Ashford - Kinfolk (1971 canada, spectacular funky bluesy classic rock)

Leigh Ashford founders Waszek and Agnello knew each other as members of G.W. And The Demons at Riverdale High School in Toronto. Fresh out of high school Agnello joined The Ambassadors and Waszek joined the Lee Ashford Blues Band. When the Lee Ashford Blues Band folded Waszek and keyboardist Newton Garwood joined Agnello and new drummer David Cairns (Tom And Ian And The Soul Set) as sidemen for The Spirit Revue. By early 1967 the four had grown tired of the suits and the restricting etiquette of the Spirit Revue and revived the name Lee Ashford as Leigh Ashford – complete with a fictitious biography that painted Ashford as a turn of the century prostitute. 

After playing around the growing Toronto rock scene for two years Guess Who producer Jack Richardson signed the act to his own Nimbus Records. Studio sessions were initiated for an album but collapsed when Cairns took ill. He was replaced in the studio for the bed-tracks by Wally Cameron (A Passing Fancy) and one useable track resulted in the long forgotten single “Country Place”. An attempt to get Cairns back on track faltered and Lance Wright (Terry & The Pyrates) filled in on drums until permanent replacement, Craig Kaleal, (Witness Inc.) was enlisted. A new vocalist, Buzz Shearman (Shearman & Peabody), was brought in to give the act a harder edge. 

In 1969 the band opened  for the Vanilla Fudge at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto and later on that year, for the Who at the Rockpile in Toronto.With a release from their Nimbus deal, the band kept busy in the clubs, and occasional studio work, and as 1970 wore on, Garwood was replaced by Bruno Weckerle on keyboards. In 1971, Mort Ross’ Revolver Records picked up the band and took them into the RCA Studio in Toronto to produce the ‘Kinfolk’ album.While in New York, Leigh Ashford would do opening slots for The Who (at The Rockpile) and Vanilla Fudge. 

The album’s first single, “Dickens”, began gaining attention and upon returning to Canada they performed at the Strawberry Fields Festival in Mosport, Ontario. But, typical creative differences broke the band up by 1972. Waszek continued to work for Mort Ross and Revolver Records as Ross’ cash cow, Motherlode, was refit for a third incarnation headed by Waszek and featuring ex-Chimo! vocalist Breen LeBoeuf, future Triumph bassist Mike Levine and former Leigh Ashford bandmates Wally Cameron and Newton Garwood. After one failed Motherlode single, Waszek revived Leigh Ashford with Buzz Shearman, Cameron, Garwood and bassist Don Elliott (ex-Mandala). 

Mort Ross had another subsidiary label on the go, Hopi, and grabbed Leigh Ashford for one under-achieving single of Waszek originals – “Workin’ All Day” b/w “The Country’s Got A Soul Of Its Own”. With the departure of Elliott (with Doni Underhill taking over), the Leigh Ashford name was retired and they became Burgundy before, it too failed to chart a single. Waszek and Underhill decided to jump ship at this point and joined Fludd in 1974. Buzz Shearman kept the band and its name going for another two years before finally evolving into the hit recording act Moxy and helping future metal chanteuse Lee Aaron launch her solo career. 

Shearman would die tragically in a motorcycle accident in the early ’80’s; Agnello continued on as bassist for many showcase R & B acts around Toronto including Chuck Jackson; Underhill would eventually leave Fludd to reform the band Fingers with Waszek before moving on to stint with Trooper; Elliott went on to be an audio technician and cameraman; Waszek, meanwhile, did session work with the likes of Triumph (on “Just A Game”) and would spend a good part of the late ’80’s with Bobby Dupont and in the ’90’s as alternate lead guitar with Eagles tribute band Desperado which featured former members of Refugee. He is now a fully retired postal worker living in the USA; Bruce Weckerle died July 10, 2004 of complications from a stroke in 2003; Newton Garwood died of cancer November 4, 2005. Bill Wade succumbed to cancer July 27, 2001 at the age of 53; Terry Juric passed away July 18, 2023.

Canada Music

Tracks

1. Dickens (Buzz Shearman, Gord Waszek) - 2:40

2. Mighty Fine Cookin' (Gord Waszek) - 3:15

3. Never Give Myself (Gord Waszek) - 4:27

4. Juicy Lucy (Gord Waszek) - 3:25

5. County Country (Buzz Shearman, Gord Waszek) - 3:24

6. Good Day (Bruno Weckerle, Buzz Shearman, Craig Kaleal, Gord Waszek, Joe Agnello) - 4:00

7. Lee Oompa Kum Pah Pah (Buzz Shearman, Gord Waszek, Joe Agnello) - 3:10

8. Lady (Buzz Shearman, Gord Waszek) - 4:44

9. Sicawine I (Bruno Weckerle, Buzz Shearman, Gord Waszek, Joe Agnello) - 3:27

10.Sicawine II (Bruno Weckerle, Buzz Shearman, Gord Waszek, Joe Agnello) - 6:39

Leigh Ashford 

*Buzz Shearman - Vocals

*Bruno Weckerle - Organ

*Craig Kaleal - Drums

*Gord Waszek - Guitar 

*Joe Agnello - Bass

Related Acts

1966-69  Witness Inc. ‎- The Singles (2009 issue)   

1975  Moxy - Moxy  

1976  Moxy - Moxy II  

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Twilight - Day And Night (1975 germany, excellent kraut prog hard rock, 2000 release)

These music students from the city of Bonn made forays into various musical styles. Listening to tracks as diverse as the title track, which is a psychedelic masterpiece in the Pink Floyd vein, the heavy "Rock ’n’ roll chillun", the blues "Stranger in your town" or the slightly shallow "Last night in Verona" you realize they really know their job. The tracks were recorded in 1975 in the posh London Decibel studios and planned for release on LP but nothing came of it. Twilight’s only releases were two singles on New Blood. The label’s documents, which had been acquired by a collector, were the starting point for tracking down the band as well as the master tape, which they have carefully kept safe until the late 90's, and in 2000 it was officially released on cd. Αfter leaving Twilight, guitarist and singer Volkmar Kramarz joined Arktis and later took over a WDR radio programme.

Tracks

1. Day And Night - 8:30

2. Country Waltz - 3:43

3. Leaving In The Morning - 5:50

4. Rock ‘n’ Roll Chillun - 4:42

5. Stranger In Your Town - 7:18

6. White Queen Boogie - 4:01

7. Last Night In Verona - 2:34

8. Ships Sailing On Sea - 5:27

All compositions by Volkmar Kramarz, Jürgen Bieler, Ulrich Hülder, Roland Glässer

Twilight

*Volkmar Kramarz - Guitar, Vocals

*Jürgen Bieler - Bass, Vocals

*Ulrich Hülder - Keyboards

*Roland Glässer - Drums, Percussion

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Goddo - An Act Of Goddo (1979 canada, power boogie hard rock with southern feel, 2000 remaster)

After the artistic peak of Who Cares, it would have been tough for Goddo's singer, bassist, and chief songwriter Greg Godovitz to top himself. Wisely, he doesn't even try on his power trio's third album, An Act of Goddo. Recorded in the vacation environs of Florida and mixed at the Bee Gees Miami studio, An Act of Goddo is appropriately a looser, more relaxed outing that emphasizes meat-and-potatoes songcraft, big swaggering riffs, spacious arrangement, lengthy solos, and, oddly, a more reflective lyrical tone over the ambition and excess of its predecessor. 

It still rises to the occasion at points. "So Walk On" and "Work it Out" are arena rockers with ringing, canyon-sized guitar lines from Gino Scarpelli and solid back beats from Doug Inglis. "Rosie (Just Hang On)" and "The Verdict's In" shake, rattle, and roll to grooves that gene-splice rubberlegged rockabilly to '70s guitar rock. 

Godovitz indulges his continuing classical aspirations with the palindromically titled "Anacanapanacana," an overture combining melodies from several cuts. And he offers up a pair of wistful ballads in the bilingual Left Bank ode "Chantal" and the urgent guitar-strummer "Take Care." Ultimately, though, the most meaningful song on An Act of Goddo may have been "Sign on the Line." Inspired by the bite-the-hand-that-feeds-you nihilism of punk, Godovitz penned this anti-music biz screed about "record executive lies" and shipped it to his label. Surprise! Goddo was soon shopping for a new deal, and this album lapsed out of print for years before being reissued on CD in 2000 on Canadian label Bullseye. 

by Darryl Sterdan

Tracks

1. Anacanapanacana - 3:08

2. So Walk On - 5:10

3. Chantal - 3:40

4. You're So Cruel - 5:00

5. The Verdict's In - 3:33

6. Sign On The Line - 5:37

7. Rosie (Just Hang On) - 5:10

8. Take Care - 2:58

9. Work It Out - 5:30

10.Anacanapanacana - 0:32

All songs by Greg Godovitz

Goddo

*Doug Inglis - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

*Gino Scarpelli - Guitar, Percussion

*Greg Godovitz - Vocals, Bass

With

*Paul Irvine - Saxophone

*George Atwell - Piano

1978  Goddo - Who Cares ? (2000 remaster and expanded)  

Related Act

1971  Fludd - Fludd (2010 reissue)  

1972  Fludd - C@ck On! 

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The Serfs - The Early Bird Cafe (1969 us, remarkable soulful brass acid psych blues rock, Tom Wilson production)

Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, the Serfs were a soul-rock band who occasionally branched out into jazz and blues The 1969 album "The Early Bird Cafe" by the seven musicians band The Serfs, a.k.a. 'Mike Finnigan And The Serfs,' is their only work. The album features a fantastic blend of Soul, Funk, Psychedelic Rock, and Soul-Jazz in its ten tracks. 

A native of Ohio, Finnigan attended the University of Kansas on a basketball scholarship. He started to perform professionally when he was 19, relocating to Wichita to perform with The Serfs, which started as a house band at a local nightclub. In 1969, he joined the Serfs in recording their only album, 1969’s “Early Bird Cafe” and toured with the group.

During a trip to New York City, Finnigan landed a gig as a session music with Jimi Hendrix as he was in the studio recording the legendary album “Electric Ladyland.” In 1972, Finnigan partnered with Jerry Wood to form Finnigan and Wood, releasing just one album “Crazed Hipsters.”

Finnigan’s other collaborations in the 1970s included performances with Dave Mason, Big Brother & The Holding Company, and Peter Frampton, as well as Jim Kreuger and Les Dudek, with whom he formed the band Dudek, Finnigan, and Krueger.,later partnered with Dudek and singer Cher to form the band Black Rose, which performed around Los Angeles as an independent act before signing with Casablanca Records.

They released only one album, the eponymously named Black Rose, which also featured Gary Ferguson, Warren Ham, Rocket Ritchotte and Trey Thompson. However, the album gained little traction with fans and the group parted ways the following year.

Through the 1980s, Finnigan was a much sought-after musician, recording on multiple albums with Crosby, Stills & Nash, including “American Dream,” and “After The Storm,” as well as with artists such as Joe Cocker (Hymn for my Soul). He also provided keyboards for the legendary blues and soul singer Etta James for more than two decades.

More recently, he recorded with Tracy Chapman, Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, Tower of Power, Rod Stewart, Leonard Cohen, Keb ‘Mo, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Burdon, Kara Grainger, and the Zen Blues Quartet, among others. His performances with Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band earned him not one but two Blues Music Award (formerly W.C. Handy Award) and he was nominated twice more in the ‘Pinetop Perkins Piano Player’ category in 2013 and 2014. Mike Finnigan passed away at the age of 76 on August 2021.

Tracks

1. Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan) - 6:30

2. Early Bird Cafe - 4:00

3. Little Man - 3:28

4. Evil Days - 4:45

5. You've Been Talking 'Bout Me Baby - 3:40

6. I'm A Man (Ellas McDaniel) - 6:02

7. Leda - 1:51

8. All Blues (Miles Davis) - 8:09

9. Time's Caught Up With You - 2:36

10.Prologue: Mechanical Man - 5:32

Music and Lyrics by Lane Tietgen and The Serfs except where indicated

The Serfs

*Mike Finnigan - Organ, Piano, Vocals

*Lane Tietgen - Guitar, Bass, Vocals

*Larry Faucette - Conga

*Kenny Bloomquist - Drums

*Richard Margolis - Vibes

*Mark Underwood - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone

*Freddy Smith - Tenor Sax, Vocals

Related Acts

1970  The Jerry Hahn Brotherhood - Jerry Hahn Brotherhood  

1972  Tim Davis - Pipe Dream  

1972-75  Tommy Bolin - Whirlwind (2013 double disc set)  

1974  Dave Mason - Dave Mason  

1976-77  Dave Mason - Certified Live / Let It Flow (2011 double disc)  

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Assemblage - Album (1970 us, groovy psych rock)

A little-known unit from Detroit's late-Sixties rock and roll heyday, the Stuart Avery Assemblage was led by vocalist Avery and also included guitarist Paul Kingery, bassist Wally Stahl, keyboardist Robyn Robbins and drummer Spencer Hirsch. Although the group gained some local renown, appearing live at the famed Grande Ballroom, they apparently left behind one studio recording; other details of their existence remain scarce, although Robbins later went on to join Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band. 

by Jason Ankeny

Tracks

1. Satisfaction (Keith Richards, Mick Jagger) - 5:26

2. It's Not Easy (Stuart Avery, Paul Kingery) - 6:30

3. Dirty Gurty (Stuart Avery, Paul Kingery) - 4:39

4. Drink Deep (Stuart Avery, Paul Kingery) - 5:17

5. Lean On Me (Stuart Avery, Paul Kingery) - 3:47

6. Everything Is Going To Be Alright (Bill Moss) - 3:20

7. Black And White (Robyn Robins, Stuart Avery) - 3:30

Assemblage

*Paul Kingery - Guitars, Vocal

*Stuart Avery - Lead Vocal 

*Robin Robins - Keyboards

*Wally Stahl - Bass, Mandolin, Vocal

*John Orlich - Drums

*Cynthia, Alison - Backing Vocals

*Tim Lambert - Keyboard (Track 3)

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Steve Hunter - Swept Away (1977 us, fine guitar rock, 2004 remaster)

The legendary guitarist for Mitch Ryder, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, and session man for Aerosmith, among others, creates a monumental solo disc with Kiss/Pink Floyd wizard Bob Ezrin and co-producer Brian Christian. Opening with a deluxe instrumental version of the Byrds' "Eight Miles High," for fans of '70s rock, this collection contains many revelations. "Eldorado Street" is a variation on Steve Hunter's magnificent composition simply titled "Intro" that was the opening number at Lou Reed shows starting on September 1, 1973, when the "Rock & Roll Animal Band" took stage at Lenox, MA, for the first time. The intro mutated during the tour and may have even inspired John Cougar Mellancamp's song "I Need a Lover." Reed reportedly had a band called L.A. & the Eldorados, so perhaps the title is a tip of the hat to Hunter's former lead singer. 

The traditional tune "Goin' Down" is arranged by Hunter and includes his first vocal on the disc. It's a country-style folk tune reminiscent of Robert Johnson. A progressive instrumental entitled "Rubberman" sounds like the Edgar Winter Group on the verge of taking on Average White Band, anathema to Hunter's fans, but his guitars save the day and keep it from falling into the funk zone. "Of All Times to Leave" is pretty, a simple excursion into the mood set by the album cover, seagulls and seashore. An absolute gem here is a totally brilliant instrumental version of the Beach Boys' classic "Sail on Sailor." This take is innovative, creative, with background vocals coming out of nowhere. 

It is a treat and seems to set up the "theme side" of the Swept Away album -- the magic of water. A well-produced title track (also instrumental) seems to be the second of a four part suite -- its melodies blending into the "Sea Sonata" -- a tour de force with guitars, a subdued but effective vocal, and classic Bob Ezrin production. "Deep Blue" concludes the album, with bending guitars, almost Hawaiian -- and conjuring up imagery from George Harrison's All Things Must Pass album. Though Harrison has a song of the same name, this is a Hunter original. A textbook for musicians who should be studying the work of this great session man, and a treasure chest for fans of Reed, Cooper, Ryder, and '70s guitar sounds. 

by Joe Viglione

Tracks

1. Eight Miles High (Gene Clark, James McGuinn, David Crosby) - 5:00

2. Eldorado Street - 5:01

3. Goin' Down (Traditional, Don Nix) - 2:37

4. Rubber Man - 2:54

5. Of All The Times To Leave - 1:45

6. Jasper St. Viaduct Gitar Rag - 1:47

7. Sail On Sailor (Jack Riely, Van Dyke Parks, Brian Wilson) - 4:27

8. Swept Away - 4:40

9. Sea Sonata - 4:52

10.Deep Blue - 2:59

All songs by Steve Hunter except where indicated

Personnel

*Steve Hunter - Guitars, Vocals

*Prakash John - Bass

*Jim Gordon - Drums

*Bob Ezrin - Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals, Upright Bass

*Jim Maelen - Percussion

*Jozef Chirowski - Fender Rhodes (Track 2) 

*Carol Pope, Joanne Brooks, Tony D'Amico - Vocals

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Luther Grosvenor - Under Open Skies (1971-72 uk, magnificent blend of folk jazzy boogie straight ahead rock, 2005 remaster)

Under Open Skies is a very strong album by the Island recording artist who left Spooky Tooth and joined Mott the Hoople after that group left Island for CBS. "Ride On" begins the festivities with Grosvenor playing both bass and lead guitar; Spooky Tooth's Mick Kellie provides the drums; John Hawken is on piano; and harmonies are by Jim Capaldi of Traffic and the man Luther Grosvenor replaced in Mott the Hoople, Mick Ralphs. 

Here is the oddity of Under Open Skies, where Verden Allen's "Soft Ground" really disrupted the flow of the All the Young Dudes album, a tune like "Here Comes the Queen" would have been dynamite for Ian Hunter and the boys. (After writing this review, Justin Purington of the Mott the Hoople website, Justabuzz.com, noted they did perform the song live in 1974, and that it rocked.) While that band was being over-extended was the time to lean heavily on Grosvenor. He came off like a hired gun rather than Mick Ralphs' true replacement, and this highly creative work shows just what he could have truly brought to the Mott table if he was given the chance. "When I Met You" has the Move's Trevor Burton on bass, inspired guitar playing by Grosvenor, and a vocal by the artist leaning toward Steve Winwood. The title track is just amazing, 

Trevor Burton and Mick Kellie making up two-thirds of the three- piece band which pulls of this brilliant Githa Grosvenor/Luther Grosvenor pre-Ariel Bender composition. That the reconstituted Mott or British Lions failed to pick up on this individual to continue their work is just a shame. They went in a failed heavy metal direction while the possible key to their success was in this spirited and very complete work. The title track is mystical and amazing, while the inside cover has a tremendous photo of Grosvenor dressed up like Ozzy Osbourne in white cape, immersed by beautiful green trees, and a small pig to the far left. With Jim Capaldi's Oh, How We Danced and John "Rabbit" Bundrick's Broken Arrow, Under Open Skies by Luther Grosvenor is part of a unique trilogy of discs on Island records by sidemen who crafted records more complete than some of the discs by the groups they played in -- Traffic, Free, and Spooky Tooth -- respectively. 

Musicians overlap on all three of these recordings. Nice, touching liner notes by Jim Capaldi are included as well. "Waiting" would have been a nice moment for Spooky Tooth, while "Rocket" recalls Denny Laine's "Say You Don't Mind." If Grosvenor submitted this as a term paper, the teacher would have to give it an A+. 

by Joe Viglione

Tracks

1. Ride On - 6:27

2. Here Comes the Queen (Luther Grosvenor, Githa Grosvenor) - 3:48

3. When I Met You - 5:17

4. Love This Way (Luther Grosvenor, Githa Grosvenor) - 3:20

5. Waiting - 4:12

6. Rocket - 4:35

7. Under Open Skies (Luther Grosvenor, Githa Grosvenor) - 5:40

8. Heavy Day - 4:24

9. All the People - 3:22

All songs by Luther Grosvenor except where noted

Bonus Tracks 8-9

Personnel

*Luther Grosvenor - Bass, Lead Guitar, Vocals, Tambourine, Cymbal, Wood Scraper, Shaker, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonies

*Mike Kellie - Drums, Harmonies

*John Hawken - Piano, Organ

*Mike Giles - Drums

*Trevor Burton - Bass Guitar

*Trevor Lucas - Harmonies

*Jim Capaldi - Harmonies 

*Mike Ralphs - Harmonies

*Paul Bennett - Harmonies

Related Acts

1966-68  Deep Feeling - Pretty Colours
1965-67  The V.I.P's - The Complete V.I.P's (2006 Double Disc)
1966  The V.I.P's - Beat Crazy
1967  Art - Supernatural Fairy Tales (2002)
1968  Spooky Tooth - It's All About (2010 japan SHM)
1969  Spooky Tooth - Spooky Two (2010 japan SHM expanded)
1974  Mott The Hoople - Hoople (2006 remaster)
1976-77  Widowmaker ‎- Running Free The Jet Recordings (2017 double disc remaster)

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