A typical Arlo Guthrie mix of contemporary folk songs and unexpected material from the past, with a little Bob Dylan and dad Woody Guthrie added for good measure. Guthrie's cover of Dylan's "When the Ship Comes In" is superb, as is his slide guitar take on Hoyt Axton's "Lightning Bar Blues." Also worth noting are renditions of Woody's sad ballad, "1913 Massacre," Axton's "Somebody Turned on the Light," and Guthrie's own "Days Are Short." And then there is his definitive cover of "The City of New Orleans," Steve Goodman's ode to the vanishing railroads of middle America. "New Orleans" was Guthrie's only real hit single, and its "Good morning, America, how are ya?" chorus echoed from AM radios throughout the land, making the song a folk music standard.
by Jim Newsom
Tracks
1. Anytime (Herbert Lawson) - 1:47
2. The City Of New Orleans (Steve Goodman) - 4:35
3. Lightning Bar Blues (Hoyt Axton) - 2:52
4. Shackles And Chains (Jimmy Davis) - 2:57
5. 1913 Massacre (Woody Guthrie) - 4:19
6. Somebody Turned On The Light (Hoyt Axton) - 3:18
7. Ukulele Lady (Gus Kahn, Richard Whiting) - 3:24
8. When The Ship Comes In (Bob Dylan) - 4:27
9. Mapleview (20%) Rag (Arlo Guthrie) - 2:08
10.Days Are Short (Arlo Guthrie) - 4:17
11.Hobo's Lullaby (Goebel Reeves) - 3:59
1976′s Slippin’ Away sits alongside 1998′s outstanding Like A Hurricane as the peak of Chris Hillman’s solo output. Joyous opener ‘Step On Out’ was later covered by the Oak Ridge Boys. Hillman cites ‘Falling Again’ as a favourite, while the catchy as hell ‘Take It On The Run’ should have been a country rock AM radio perennial.
The epic and haunting Stephen Stills song ‘Witching Hour’ had been in the Manassas repertoire, but that band’s version was not released until the 2009 collection Pieces. The laidback ‘Blue Morning’ is another stunner.
Throughout the album, Hillman sounds like a confident vocalist, even though he confesses in the sleeve notes that this wasn’t the case. Flying Burrito Brothers number ‘Down In The Churchyard’ is reworked here in an almost reggae-country style.
In a more traditional Burritos vein is ‘Midnight Again’, while Hillman returns to his bluegrass roots with album closer ‘Take Me In Your Lifeboat’. He’s aided throughout by a star-studded selection of guests, including Steve Cropper, Bernie Leadon, Timothy B. Schmit, Jim Gordon, Lee Sklar and Herb Pedersen.
by Jim Henderson
Tracks
1. Step on Out (Chris Hillman, Peter Knobler) - 3:15
2. Slippin' Away - 3:27
3. Falling Again - 4:04
4. Take It on the Run - 3:25
5. Blue Morning - 3:51
6. Witching Hour (Stephen Stills) - 4:23
7. Down in the Churchyard (Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons) - 4:02
8. Love Is the Sweetest Amnesty (Danny Douma) - 3:43
9. Midnight Again - 3:35
10.(Take Me in Your) Lifeboat - 2:45
All songs by Chris Hillman except where stated
In the liner notes to Sundazed's reissue of Roger McGuinn & Band, the former Byrds leader says, "A band should be a benevolent dictatorship," adding, "Democracy is a great form of government, but it doesn't work in rock & roll." Whether you agree with that statement or not, Roger McGuinn & Band is one album that supports McGuinn's argument pretty well; in 1975, after his first two solo albums were greeted with lackluster commercial and critical response, Columbia Records assigned producer John Boylan to McGuinn's next project, and Boylan brought along a band. While the players turned out to be a solid rhythm section who brought a tight, energetic groove to the sessions, McGuinn decided to let them contribute songs to the album in the name of esprit de corps, and let the record show that none of these guys had ever written a great song for one of America's benchmark rock bands.
Consequently, Roger McGuinn & Band is knee-deep in filler, though not all the blame can be pointed at Roger's bandmates, since "Easy Does It" and "Lisa" don't exactly loom large in his catalog. And while Boylan's production isn't especially intrusive, the results have a bit more gloss than this music needs, and the country-rock and boogie accents don't leave much room for the folk touches that have always been McGuinn's strong suit. Still, "Born to Rock and Roll" and "Lover of the Bayou" are solid McGuinn compositions that deserve wider circulation, and while this isn't one of his better albums, at least it finds him in sharp and passionate form with a good band behind him. He just shouldn't have let them write half of the album, that's all.
by Mark Deming
Tracks
1. Somebody Loves You (Allen Kemp, Stephen A. Love) - 3:16
2. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan) - 3:20
3. Bull Dog (Richard Bowden) - 1:59
4. Painted Lady (David Lovelace, Greg Attaway) - 3:08
5. Lover Of The Bayou (Jacques Levy, Roger McGuinn) - 3:25
6. Lisa (Roger McGuinn) - 1:59
7. Circle Song (David Lovelace) - 3:04
8. So Long (Richard Bowden) - 3:13
9. Easy Does It (Roger McGuinn) - 2:41
10.Born To Rock And Roll (Roger McGuinn) - 3:21
11.Wasn't Born To Follow (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) - 2:02
12.Chestnut Mare (Jacques Levy, Roger McGuinn) - 5:50
Bonus Tracks Live 11-12
Personnel
Roger McGuinn - Guitar, Vocals, Bass
Steve Love - Bass
David Lovelace - Keyboards
Greg Attaway - Drums
Richard Bowden - Guitar
This is one of the better albums coming from the Move family tree. It was released in 1970 though it has a clear 1967/1968 sound and is one of the best albums of its kind. Rick Price entered the Move sometime in the late 60s, contributing bass and guitar to “Shazam“, “Looking On” and “Message From The Country.” Mike Sheridan had previously been leader of the Nightriders which were a Birmingham group that specialized in the merseybeat sound and 50s rock n roll.
The Nightriders were sort of a breeding ground for future Move members, most importantly Roy Wood. During Price’s tenure with the Move, he and Sheridan started writing songs together for the above album. Both Sheridan and Price share vocals and writing chores on an album that veers into power pop, psychedelia, sunshine pop and progressive pop. There are horn and string arrangements on this beautiful album that recall some of Paul McCartney’s soft moments on the Beatles’ classic White Album (think “Martha My Dear” or even the Move’s great “Beautiful Daughter”). Some of the heavier moments like “Sometimes I Wonder,” “Lamp Lighter Man,” and “Lightning Never Strikes” sound like excellent 68/69 era Move outtakes. In fact, “Lighting Never Strikes” was released as a Move single at the tail end of the 60s. Sheridan and Price’s version is just as good though not as trippy, with a splendid backwards guitar solo, slashing acoustic guitars and crashing drums. Other songs such as the string laden pop number “Davey Has No Dad” or the trippy “Picture Box” have a beautiful child-like, story song whimsy that hints at a Ray Davies influence.
This is an exceptional if little known Move album that will appeal to fans of the Beatles, Kinks and even lovers of soft, sunshine pop sounds.
by Jason Nardelli
Tracks Disc 1
1. Rick Price - Davey Has No Dad - 2:52
2. Mike Sheridan - Lightning Never Strikes - 2:37
3. Rick Price - Bitter Sweet - 2:41
4. Rick Price And Mike Sheridan - Tracy Smith - 2:04
5. Mike Sheridan - Sometimes I Wonder - 2:39
6. Rick Price - Tomorrow's Child (Rick Price) - 2:23
7. Rick Price - Face In My Window (Rick Price) - 2:17
8. Mike Sheridan - Will You Leave Me Behind - 2:04
9. Rick Price And Mike Sheridan - Beautiful Sally - 2:03
10.Rick Price And Mike Sheridan - On The Moon - 2:30
11.Rick Price - Picture Box (J. Rodgers) - 2:08
12.Mike Sheridan - Lamp Lighter Man - 2:55
13.Mike Sheridan - Follow Me, Follow (Jeff Lynne) - 2:41
14.Mike Sheridan - When Love Breaks Your Heart (A. Tyler) - 1:39
15.Rick Price - Top Ten Records - 2:12
All songs by Rick Price, Michael Tyler except where stated
Disc 2
1. Rick Price - Butterfly - 2:48
2. Rick Price - April Is Here (Rick Price, Michael Tyler) - 3:46
3. Rick Price - Daisy Farm Park - 2:30
4. Rick Price - Misty Morning - 4:05
5. Rick Price - Talking To The Flowers (Terry Slater, Jacqueline Ertel, Venetia Stevenson) - 2:22
6. Rick Price - Who Am I (Rick Price, Michael Tyler) - 2:27
7. Rick Price - It's Over (J. Rodgers) - 2:03
8. Rick Price - Reason To Believe (Tim Hardin) - 2:09
9. Rick Price - And The Singer Sings His Song (Neil Diamond) - 4:47
10.Rick Price - Love Her (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 3:27
11.Rick Price - Please, No More Sad Songs (Jeff Lynne) - 3:34
12.Rick Price - And Now (Rick Price, Michael Tyler) - 3:43
13.Rick Price - Dream (Michael Tyler) - 2:03
14.Rick Price - Hey Little One (Barry De Vorizon, Dorsey Burnette) - 2:00
15.Rick Price - Take My Hand For A While (Buffy Saint Marie) - 2:12
16.Rick Price - I Can Get Found - 3:49
17.Rick Price - Mr. Bojangles (Jerry Jeff Walker) - 4:33
18.Rick Price - Caroline - 2:27
19.Rick Price - Turn Around - 2:54
20.Rick Price - Love Is A Lonesome River (Glenn Campbell) - 1:54
21.Rick Price - Give Me Peace - 2:13
22.Rick Price - My Crying Time - 2:05
23.Rick Price - Galveston (Jimmy Webb) - 2:07
24.Rick Price - We Believe In Jesus (Michael Tyler) - 4:13
All song by Rick Price except where indicated
Tracks 13-24 Previously Unreleased
A Louisville, Kentucky band, the Rugbys spent a few years working the local circuit prior to cracking the national market. Peaking at No. 24 in the late summer of 1969, “You, I” was the song that did the trick, but wound up being the band’s only hit single.
Performed at a quick and urgent pace parked aloft a bed of menacing fuzz guitars, stabbing breaks, bristling distortion, and icy psychedelic vocals, “You, I” imparted a visible tip of the cap to the sonic shreddings of Jimi Hendrix. Prompted by the success of the song, the Rugbys cut an album, Hot Cargo (Amazon Records) that expectedly included the winning track.
Like “You, I,” most of the material on Hot Cargo gravitates towards the hard rock side of the dial. A gruff and funky veneer encases both “Wendegahl the Warlock” and “Juditha Gina,” and “Rockin’ All Over Again” pumps and jumps to a tummy-wiggling boogie beat. Rigged with flowery keyboard ruffles and stately arrangements, “Lines of Thought,” “For Love Gone,” and “King and Queen of the World” pivot and rivet with artful twists and turns.
Not entirely immersed in heavy rock, the Rugbys delivered an altogether different vibe on the glossy soul pop of “Stay With Me,” and “Song to Fellow Man,” a jaunty piano-driven anthem pleading peace and love set to a rootsy gospel pitch.
Although Hot Cargo doesn’t qualify as a game-changer, original songs and intrepid musicianship afford the album to be ambitious and appealing. The Rugbys certainly had good ideas and a rich imagination, so there’s a lot of neat stuff going on here. Those with a yen for acts such as the Amboy Dukes, Blue Cheer and Steppenwolf will surely approve.
The band never recorded another album, but in 2008 the Gear Fab label released a collection simply titled The Rugbys that focuses on previously unissued tunes from 1965-69 and is also strongly recommended.
by Beverly Paterson
Tracks
1. I Gotta Find A Way - 2:57
2. This Way, That Way - 2:28
3. Endlessly (J. D. Miller) - 2:46
4. You're Not There - 2:33
5. Walkin' The Streets (Doug Sahm) - 2:31
6. Anyone But You - 2:28
7. Winter Winds (Frank Bugbee) - 2:17
8. But I Do - 2:24
9. Baby, Let's Wait (Lori Burton) - 2:52
10.Leaves Of Grass - 2:36
11.I Belong To Nobody (Frank Bugbee) - 2:34
12.Let The Music Take You Down - 3:03
13.On My Way - 3:44
14.Sundown Red - 3:30
15.Lies - 3:56
16.Lovestruck - 4:35
17.Burnin' With The Love - 4:30
18.You, I - 3:23
All songs by Steve McNicol except where stated The Rugbys
*Chris Hubbs - Guitar
*Steve McNicol - Guitar
*Mike Hoerni - Bass Guitar
*Eddy Vernon - Keyboards
*Glen Howerton - Drums
Mama’s Pride, “The Pride of St. Louis” was formed in 1972 by brothers Pat and Danny Liston and was named as a tribute to their mother. The band worked hard and was eventually being taken under the wing of Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s Ronnie Van Zant. When Van Zant died in the legendary plane crash, it effectively slowed Mama’s Pride journey as well. With little record company support and personal issues, they finally broke up in 1982.
After playing couple years on local Missouri scene, Mama’s Pride signed a recording deal with Atlantic and recorded their self-titled debut album in three days. The band spend following couple years on the road playing with variety of bands from the Charlie Daniels to The Outlaws.
In 1977 Mama’s Pride was back in the studio and released the follow-up, Uptown and Lowdown, which introduced a new keyboard player, Paul Willet to the fans. Album did fairly well and songs like “She’s a Stranger to Me Now” and “Merry-Go-Round” gained airplay on radio.
The band was into talks with late Ronnie Van Zant and he was supposed to produce third Mama’s Pride album, but when Van Zant died in the notorious plane crash, it effectively slowed Mama’s Pride journey as well. In 1978 they played as Gregg Allman’s back-up band on his solo tour after which, the band was dropped from their label ATCO and little by little forgotten in the throws of disco. They still continued to perform as Mama’s Pride until 1982 when the band finally broke up.
In 1987 Mama’s Pride played one-off reunion show and finally decided to record new album, Guard Your Heart, in 1992. Mama’s Pride reunited again in 2004 and continue to perform live couple times a year in their home town, St. Louis.
Tracks
1. Can I Call You A Cab (Danny Liston) - 4:58
2. She's A Stranger To Me Now (Pat Liston) - 4:40
3. Lucky Lady (Max Baker, Pat Liston) - 4:48
4. You Can't Fool Yourself (Pat Liston) - 7:12
5. The End Of Our Road (Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield, Roger Penzabene) - 2:56
6. Merry-Go-Round (Danny Liston, Pat Liston) - 5:17
7. Now I Found You (Danny Liston, Kevin Sanders, Max Baker, Pat Liston) - 3:33
8. Long Time (Danny Liston) - 9:48
Both albums that constitute this ‘2 for 1’ single CD reissue, respectively they date from 1975 and 1976, were produced by David Anderle who had worked from the outset on the recordings made by this Springfield, Missouri based sextet. On “The Car Over The Lake Album” the band was blessed by the presence of four ‘in-house’ songwriters [all original band members], namely John Dillon, Larry Lee, Steve Cash and Randle Chowning, although the latter party had departed, to launch his solo recording career, by the time “Men From Earth” was issued. Chowning’s place in the band was filled by Norwegian born Rune Walle [guitars, mandolin, sitar]. U.K. based BGO Records issued the band’s debut and sophomore recordings, respectively “The Ozark Mountain Daredevils” [1973] and “It’ll Shine When It Shines” [1974], as a ‘2 for 1’ CD package during January 2005. The latter pairing, co-produced by Glyn Johns and David Anderle, each yielded one U.S. Pop Chart hit single - the only major commercial success the Ozarks were to enjoy. “If You Want To Get To Heaven” made the lower reaches of the Top 30, while the subsequent “Jackie Blue” achieved the heady # 3 position.
Having mentioned the quartet of songwriters in the band, a non-band member contributed to one cut on “The Car Over The Lake Album.” Minnesota bred hit country songwriter Elizabeth Anderson [Lynn Anderson’s mother] co-penned the penultimate cut “Out On The Sea” with Dillon. Following the appearance midway through 1968 of the Byrds country collection “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo,” a rash of long-haired country-rock influenced combos were formed during the ensuing years. Prior to working with OMD, music history records that Glyn Johns produced The Eagles’ 1972 self-titled debut album and their sophomore ‘thematic’ release “Desperado” [1973].
As might be inferred from the song title, Dillon’s “Keep On Churnin’” is a frantic paced number and it kicks off the “Car” collection replete with a rowdy rock ’n’ roll guitar riff. The considerably slower Lee/Cash soft-pop sounding collaboration “If I Only Knew” scored the band a Top 50 U.S. Pop single, and it’s followed by Chowning’s “Leatherwood” a ‘take it easy in the backwoods’ themed number. The latter is the first truly country sounding cut on “The Car…” In truth there are only a handful of “Car” and “Men” tunes that truly satisfy the country formula. The lyric to Cash’s “Cobblestone Mountain” [also] possesses a backwoods feel, while Lee’s “Mr. Powell” is a vocal harmony rich cut, as is the later Lee/Dillon collaboration “From Time To Time.” Featuring another backwoods themed lyric, Chowning and Cash were responsible for the hoedown paced “Gypsy Forest,” although sadly it’s followed by their uninspired love song “Thin Ice” – the repeated “We’re travelling on thin ice baby” pretty much reveals the total content of this three minute long cut. “Southern Cross” is simply riff rock filler, while Chowning’s gentle sounding “Whippoorwill” closes the Ozarks third album.
Following Chowning’s departure, Dillon, Cash and Lee fulfilled the songwriting duties on “The Car Over The Lake Album,” and like its predecessor it opens with a John Dillon composition - in this instance, the gospel tinged “Fly Away Home.” Chart wise the band’s slow ‘chart hit’ demise continued with Lee’s ‘easy listening’ “You Know Like I Know” peaking toward the nether reaches of Top 75 U.S. Pop. “Breakaway [From Those Chains]” is another of Dillon’s guitar-riff heavy creations. In terms of melodic content “Men From Earth” pretty much follows the rocker/ballad formula of its predecessor. “Watermill” [Cash/Dillon] and “It’s How You Think” [Lee] are vocal harmony rich ballads, Cash’s “Arroyo” is underpinned by a funky, cyclical guitar figure, and “Men From Earth” closes with the fiddle, mandolin and [James Burton/Albert Lee style] lead guitar lick filled, Larry Lee penned country song “Homemade Wine.”
The twenty-page liner booklet that accompanies this release contains a short history of the band by journalist/writer John Tobler, and also features the lyrics to all the songs.
by Arthur Wood, Kerrville Kronikles 01/2007
Tracks
1. Keep On Churnin' (John Dillon) - 2:58
2. If I Only Knew (Larry Lee, Steve Cash) - 3:23
3. Leatherwood (Randle Chowning) - 4:01
4. Cobblestone Mountain (Steve Cash) - 2:23
5. Mr. Powell (Larry Lee) - 3:14
6. Gypsy Forest (Randle Chowning, Steve Cash) - 2:54
7. Thin Ice (Randle Chowning, Steve Cash) - 2:55
8. From Time To Time (Larry Lee, John Dillon) - 3:54
9. Southern Cross (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 3:29
10.Out On The Sea (John Dillon, Elizabeth Anderson) - 3:42
11.Whippoorwill (Randle Chowning) - 5:10
12.Fly Away Home (John Dillon) - 2:50
13.You Know Like I Know (Larry Lee) - 4:05
14.Breakaway (From Those Chains) (John Dillon) - 3:59
15.The Red Plum (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 2:03
16.Mountain Range (John Dillon) - 4:46
17.Watermill (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 4:11
18.Noah (John Dillon) - 3:08
19.It's How You Think (Larry Lee) - 4:23
20.Arroyo (Steve Cash) - 5:12
21.Homemade Wine (Larry Lee) - 2:37
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
*Buddy Brayfield - Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Oboe
*Steve Cash - Harp
*Randle Chowning - Guitars, Mandolin, Harp
*John Dillon - Guitars, Mandolin, Harp
*Mike Granda - Bass
*Larry Lee - Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer Guests 1975 The Car Over The Lake Album
*Weldon Myrick - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Farrell Morris - Orchestra Bells
*Nancy Blake - Cello 1976 Men From Earth
*Bill Jones - Horns, Flutes, Synthesizer
*Randle Chowning - Guitars, Vocals
*Steve Canaday - Drums, Fair Witness
*Connie Canaday - Vocals
*Bean - Definition Of Pachuco
*Bobbye Hall - Congas, Percussion
*Jerry Mills - Mandolin
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils were among the more popular of mid-'70s country-rock outfits, slotting in chronologically and stylistically between the Eagles and Firefall. As exponents of '70s country-rock, the group rode a wave of success for five years on A&M Records and survived in some form into the 1990s, with a following just large enough to justify occasional record releases in their later years.
The sextet was formed in Missouri during the early '70s, consisting of guitarists John Dillon and Steve Cash, blues harpist/singer/guitarist Randle Chowning, drummer/guitarist/singer Larry Lee, keyboard player Buddy Brayfield, and bassist-vocalist Michael Granda, and was signed to A&M Records in 1973.
The group's first album is also their most successful rock effort, an ebullient country-rock collection that sounds a lot like the Flying Burrito Brothers of around the same period, with richer production and more of a sense of humor than the Burritos had, and highlighted by some excellent songs ("Country Girl," "Road to Glory," "If You Wanna Get to Heaven"). Randle Chowning's "Country Girl," in particular, is amazing as a harmonica-driven near-twin of the Eagles' "Take It Easy" that you sort of wish ran for ten minutes instead of just three. Steve Cash's jew's harp/harmonica showcase "Chicken Train" brings the band back to its roots
by Bruce Eder
Following the success of their self-titled debut, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils' sophomore release, It'll Shine When It Shines, continues on their already established path of California-style country-rock. This release contained what would ultimately prove to be their greatest hit, "Jackie Blue," which ended up peaking at number three on the pop chart. Although "Jackie Blue" is by far the least countrified track on the album, it embodies the casual, understated groove of the band that could be found on any of the Daredevils' releases. Although when examined closely the album is really three neatly separate albums by three maturing songwriters (John Dillon, Steve Cash, and the underrated Larry Lee), the thread of their relaxed atmosphere and light harmonies runs throughout the album, binding it together as a cohesive whole.
by Zac Johnson
Tracks Disc 1 The Ozark Mountain Daredevils 1973
1. Country Girl (Randle Chowning) - 3:17
2. Spaceship Orion (Larry Lee) - 3:12
3. If You Wanna Get To Heaven (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 3:04
4. Chicken Train (Steve Cash) - 3:38
5. Colorado Song (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 5:07
6. Standin' On The Rock (John Dillon) - 3:54
7. Road To Glory (Randle Chowning) - 4:55
8. Black Sky (Steve Cash) - 3:10
9. Within Without (Larry Lee) - 4:26
10.Beauty In The River (John Dillon) - 3:58
Disc 2 It'll Shine When It Shines 1974
1. You Made It Right (John Dillon, Elizabeth Anderson) - 3:49
2. Look Away (Randle Chowning) - 3:39
3. Jackie Blue (Steve Cash, Larry Lee) - 4:13
4. Kansas You Fooler (Larry Lee) - 2:38
5. It Couldn't Be Better (John Dillon, Elizabeth Anderson) - 4:23
6. E.E.Lawson (Steve Cash) - 3:32
7. Walkin' Down The Road (John Dillon) - 3:28
8. What's Happened Along My Life (Larry Lee) - 3:35
9. It Probably Always Will (Michael Granda) - 3:15
10.Lowlands (John Dillon) - 3:49
11.Tidal Wave (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 4:13
12.It'll Shine When It Shines (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 3:42 The Ozark Mountain Daredevils 1973 The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
*Steve Cash - Harmonica, Harpsichord, Percussion, Vocals
*John Dillon - Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Dulcimer, Autoharp, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
*Larry Lee - Guitar, Keyboards, Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Saw
*Randle Chowning - Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
*Michael Granda - Bass, Percussion, Vocals
*Buddy Brayfield - Piano, Keyboards
*Jack Black - Backing Vocals
*Elizabeth Anderson - Backing Vocals
*Sidney Cash - Backing Vocals
*Janet Lee - Backing Vocals
*Donald Bromage - Backing Vocals
Although the original LPs have been out of print for decades, Spanky & Our Gang's Complete Mercury Recordings (2005) are once again available thanks to the audio archivists at Hip-O Select -- located online at www.hip-oselect.com. Featured in this thorough and comprehensive four-CD anthology are the contents of the albums Spanky and Our Gang (1967), Like to Get to Know You (1968), Anything You Choose b/w Without Rhyme or Reason (1969), the compilation Spanky's Greatest Hit(s) (1969) -- notable for a few alternate and extended versions of familiar favorites -- and the combo's posthumous Spanky and Our Gang Live (1970). Hardcore enthusiasts will be even more impressed with the seven never-before issued rarities and an entire disc devoted to monaural mixes of every song released on 45 -- including their fall of 1966 debut 7" single with non-LP covers of the Beatles' "And Your Bird Can Sing" b/w "Sealed with a Kiss," which had been a hit for Brian Hyland in 1962.
Although there was the occasional personnel shift during their three-year (1966 -- 1969) run, the aggregate originated with the quartet of Spanky McFarlane (vocals), Malcolm Hale (guitar/trombone/vocals), Nigel Pickering (guitar/vocals) and Oz Bach (vocals). John Seiter (drums), former percussionist for Odetta was next to join, followed by Pickering's one-time bandmates Kenny Hodges (bass/vocals) and Lefty Baker [aka Eustace Britchforth] (banjo/vocals). As the latter were appreciably seasoned, their contributions to Like to Get to Know You and Anything You Choose take the unit's musicality to a whole new level. Spanky & Our Gang gained a deserved reputation as consummate harmonizers with a penchant for light and slightly psychedelic pop fare. All told, they turned in five respective Top 40 entries and their earliest, "Sunday Will Never Be the Same," was also their highest charting side, landing at a lofty number nine. However their eclecticism, coupled with a comparatively off-the-wall sense of humor is exposed on the lesser-known cuts from Spanky and Our Gang.
The tricky pro-pot "Commercial," the enchanting "5 Definitions of Love" -- containing lyrics lifted verbatim from a dictionary -- as well as the indescribably tasteful takes of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg's popular early 20th century standard "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" are but a few recommendations, while "Distance" and "Come and Open Your Eyes (Take a Look)" shouldn't be dismissed either. Like to Get to Know You adopts a motif of Americana, as each track provides a distinct slice of life -- ranging from the cocktail party atmosphere and ambience incorporated into "I'd Like to Get to Know You," the lazy "Sunday Morning" and low-down "Prescription for the Blues." The final studio title Anything You Choose b/w Without Rhyme or Reason is arguably the sextet's best. The pieces are linked together, resulting in an intricate yet cohesive multi-movement suite. Perhaps no song depicted the dichotomy of America in the late '60s like "Give a Damn," which was used as part of a memorable public service advertising campaign for the New York Urban Coalition and in politically and socially disparate regions of the United States, banned for explicit content.
Other standouts include the pop-ish "And She's Mine," the stunning and insightful "Yesterday's Rain" and the coupling of the spoken introduction "But Back Then" to "Mecca Flat Blues," both with Little Brother Montgomery. Spanky & Our Gang disbanded in late 1968 after the death of co-founder Malcolm Hale. Greatest Hit(s) (1969) is notable for the extended rendering of "Sunday Morning," while "Like to Get to Know You" and "Give a Damn" are offered without the sound effects that are heard on the original LPs. Spanky and Our Gang Live was recorded prior to the addition of Seiter, Hodges and Baker, which accounts for the lack of any later era charting selections. What listeners are treated to, though, is an excellent batch of tunes, reflecting the musicians' unique tastes. The set boasts the sublime bluegrass-inspired "Nagasaki," "Amelia Earhart's Last Flight," plus the Gordon Lightfoot compositions "Steel Rail Blues" and "That's What You Get for Lovin' Me." The audio quality is unrivalled thanks to thorough digital remastering, while the oversized 24-page booklet contains an historical essay from Richard Barton Campbell, rare pictures, reproductions of memorabilia and a discography.
by Lindsay Planer
Tracks Disc 1 Spanky And Our Gang 1967
1. Lazy Day (George Fischoff, Tony Powers) - 3:05
2. (It Ain't Necessarily) Byrd Avenue (Michael Peter Smith) - 2:35
3. Ya Got Trouble (In River City) (Michael Peter Smith) - 4:36
4. Sunday Will Never Be the Same (Eugene Pistilli, Terry Cashman) - 2:56
5. Commercial (Michael Peter Smith) - 1:30
6. If You Could Only Be Me (Carl D'Errico, Roger Atkins) - 2:03
7. Makin' Every Minute Count (John Morier) - 2:38
8. 5 Definitions Of Love (Bob Dorough) - 2:20
9. Brother Can You Spare a Dime (E.Y. Harburg, Jay Gorney) - 3:46
10.Distance (Joe Renzetti, Ray Gilmore) - 2:32
11.Leaving On A Jet Plane (John Denver) - 3:38
12.Come And Open Your Eyes (Take A Look) (Jo Mapes) - 2:18 Like To Get To Know You 1968
13.The Swingin' Gate (Geoffrey Meyers, John Ferrell) - 2:14
14.Prescription for the Blues (Little Brother Montgomery, Red Saunders) - 3:07
15.Three Ways from Tomorrow (Lefty Baker) - 3:25
16.My Bill (Bob Dorough, Daniel Greenburg, Monte Ghertler) - 2:28
17.Sunday Mornin' (Margo Guryan) - 3:54
18.Echoes (Everybody's Talkin') (Fred Neil) - 3:10
19.Suzanne (Leonard Cohen) - 3:51
20.Stuperflabbergasted (F. Summers, R. Bruce, Carlos Bernal) - 1:10
21.Like to Get to Know You (Stuart Scharf) - 2:15
22.Chick-A-Ding-Ding (Stuart Scharf) - 2:23
23.Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish) - 3:32
24.Coda (Like to Get to Know You) (Stuart Scharf) - 1:00
Disc 2 Anything You Choose B/W Without Rhyme Or Reason 1969
1. Anything You Choose (Stuart Scharf) - 2:53
2. And She's Mine (Kenny Hodges) - 2:39
3. Yesterday's Rain (Eustace Baker) - 3:34
4. Hong Kong Blues (Hoagy Carmichael) - 3:47
5. Nowhere to Go (Stuart Scharf) - 0:51
6. Give a Damn (Bob Dorough, Stuart Scharf) - 3:36
7. Leopard Skin Phones (Eustace Baker, Kenny Hodges) - 2:57
8. But Back Then (Spoken) (Little Brother Montgomery) - 1:09
9. Mecca Flat Blues (Little Brother Montgomery, Elaine McFarlane) - 3:23
10.Without Rhyme or Reason (Bob Dorough, Fran Landesman) - 2:32
11.5-8 (Pedagogal Round #2) (Bob Dorough) - 1:12
12.Jane (Stuart Scharf) - 3:15
13.Since You've Gone (Stuart Scharf) - 4:37 Spanky's Greatest Hits 1969
14.Sunday Will Never Be the Same (Eugene Pistilli, Terry Cashman) - 2:57
15.Makin' Every Minute Count (John Morier) - 2:33
16.Lazy Day (George Fischoff, Tony Powers) - 3:05
17.Commercial (Michael Peter Smith) - 1:31
18.It Ain't Necessarily Byrd Avenue (Michael Peter Smith) - 2:35
19.Everybody's Talkin' (Fred Neil) - 3:16
20.Sunday Mornin' (Margo Guryan) - 6:12
21.Like to Get to Know You (Stuart Scharf) - 3:18
22.Give a Damn (Bob Dorough, Stuart Scharf) - 3:36
23.Three Ways from Tomorrow (Lefty Baker) - 3:21
24.And She's Mine (Kenny Hodges) - 3:26
25.Yesterday's Rain (Lefty Baker) - 2:37
Disc 3 Spanky And Our Gang Live 1970
1. Nagasaki (Harry Warren, Mort Dixon) - 1:13
2. Amelia Earhart's Last Flight (Dave McEnery) - 4:20
3. Waltzing Matilda (Banjo Paterson, Marie Cowan) - 3:50
4. Brother, Can You Spare a Dime (E.Y. Harburg, Jay Gorney) - 4:30
5. Steel Rail Blues (Gordon Lightfoot) - 3:05
6. Oh Daddy (Little Brother Montgomery, Elaine McFarlane) - 3:22
7. Dirty Old Man (Unknown) - 2:07
8. The Klan (M. Smith) - 4:40
9. That's What You Get for Lovin' Me (Gordon Lightfoot) - 2:20
10.Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me (Carey Morgan) - 2:21
11.Wasn't It You? (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) - 2:54
12.You Got Trouble (From The Music Man) (Meredith Willson) - 4:50 Previous Unreleased Rarities
13.Crying (Unknown) - 3:02
14.Chick-A-Ding-Ding (Mono Mix) (Stuart Scharf) - 2:23
15.Give a Damn (Stereo Single Mix) (Bob Dorough, Stuart Scharf) - 2:56
16.Yesterday's Rain (Stereo Single Mix) (Lefty Baker) - 2:37
17.Anything You Choose (Stereo Single Mix) (Stuart Scharf) - 2:53
18.Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes) (Stereo Single Mix) (Fred Neil) - 3:16
19.Give A Damn (Public Service Announcement) (Bob Dorough, Stuart Scharf) - 1:02
Disc 4 The Mono Single Mixes
1. And Your Bird Can Sing (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 1:48
2. Sealed With a Kiss (Gary Geld, Peter Udell) - 2:03
3. Sunday Will Never Be the Same (Eugene Pistilli, Terry Cashman) - 2:56
4. Distance (Joe Renzetti, Ray Gilmore) - 2:232
5. Making Every Minute Count (John Morier) - 2:38
6. If You Could Only Be Me (Carl D'Errico, Roger Atkins) - 2:03
7. Lazy Day (George Fischoff, Tony Powers) - 3:05
8. (It Ain't Necessarily) Byrd Avenue (Michael Peter Smith) - 2:35
9. Sunday Morning (Margo Guryan) - 3:00
10.Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes) (Fred Neil) - 3:10
11.Like to Get to Know You (Stuart Scharf) - 2:15
12.Three Ways from Tomorrow (Lefty Baker) - 3:25
13.Give A Damn (Bob Dorough, Stuart Scharf) - 2:35
14.The Swinging Gate (Geoffrey Meyers, John Ferrell) - 2:14
15.Yesterday's Rain (Lefty Baker) - 3:20
16.Without Rhyme or Reason (Bob Dorough, Fran Landesman) - 2:29
17.Anything You Chose (Stuart Scharf) - 2:46
18.Mecca Flat Blues (Little Brother Montgomery, Elaine McFarlane) - 3:21
19.And She's Mine (Kenny Hodges) - 2:34
20.Leopard Skin Phones (Eustace Baker, Kenny Hodges) - 2:56
21.Echoes (Everybody's Talkin') (Fred Neil) - 3:10
Richie Ingui and his brother Charlie led the Soul Survivors, the vocal group best known for "Expressway to your Heart," the 1967 hit that laid the foundation for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Sound of Philadelphia.
The Ingui brothers grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side, and along with fellow founding member Kenny Jeremiah, recorded as the Dedications from 1962 to 1964. The next year, the band moved to Philadelphia, and made their name with "Expressway," which was released on the Crimson record label. It was the first hit that Gamble and Huff wrote and produced together.
It reached No. 4 on the Billboard pop chart, establishing Gamble and Huff as successful hit-makers four years before they would found Philadelphia International Records (PIR), and has endured as a TSOP classic, with its signature opening riff sounded with honking car horns.
Gamble wrote the timeless Philadelphia lyric that likens an out-of-gas love affair to a traffic jam on the Schuylkill Expressway while stuck in traffic on his way to see his then-girlfriend, "Mashed Potato Time" singer Dee Dee Sharp. "Not only did they bring our Philly Sound and Gamble & Huff to the national spotlight," Gamble and Huff said in a joint statement that praised the late singer for his "unique and mellow voice." "But they truly were like brothers to us. Richie was a true soul singer who sang from the heart."
After "Expressway," the Soul Survivors had lesser chart hits with "Explosion in Your Soul" later in 1967 and "Impossible Mission (Mission Impossible)" the following year. Their other signature songs were "Mama Soul" from 1969 and "City of Brotherly Love," which came out in 1974 on TSOP Records. "It don't matter where you been, or what color skin you're in," they sang in the ode to their adopted hometown. In 1976, they recorded "Happy Birthday America" for PIR, to mark the nation's bicentennial celebration in Philadelphia.
The group had split by the late 1970s, and Ingui worked as a house painter, but he and his brother re-formed the band in 1987, and continued to perform. In 2009, they joined Daryl Hall and John Oates onstage in one of the final shows at the Spectrum in South Philadelphia. At the Marian Anderson Awards at the Kimmel Center in November, they energetically serenaded honorees Gamble, Huff, and Patti LaBelle with a Philly sound medley, including "Expressway to Your Heart."
Richie Ingui died of heart failure on January 13, 2017, at the age of 70.
by Dan DeLuca
Tracks
1. Do You Feel It - 3:44
2. Please, Please, Please (James Brown, Johnny Terry) - 3:27
3. Too Many Fish In The Sea / Shake 5:50
4. Dathon's Theme - 2:44
5. Taboo - India - 3:41
6. Expressway (To Your Heart) (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff) - 2:19
7. Respect (Otis Redding) - 2:40
8. A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke) - 3:46
9. Hey Gyp (Donovan Leitch) - 4:52
10.The Rydle - 2:59
11.Explosion In Your Soul - 2:34
12.Impossible Mission - 2:21
13.Poor Man's Dream - 2:52
14.Explosion In Your Soul (Extended Version) (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff) - 2:56
All songs written by Charles Ingui, Richard Ingui except where stated
