Thursday, August 25, 2022

Link Wray - Be What You Want To (1973 us, awesome country guitar rock, 2003 remaster)



Link Wray's release prior to Be What You Want To had proven the man's versatility. The self-titled album had obvious influences coming from many different genres including R&B, country, blues, and, of course, rock. Be What You Want To continues this trend. Country-rock, country, rock & roll; it's all here. This diverse range of genres may not be to everyone's liking, however, and the album must be approached with an open mind.

Wray employed a huge number of musicians to play on Be What You Want To, including Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. Of course, the main part of the talent comes from Link Wray himself. His amazing ability as lyricist, songwriter, and musician is noticeably brought to the fore on this album. Be What You Want To is consistently enjoyable to listen to and always impressive musically. The man's growling vocals and rocking guitar will undoubtedly enthrall many first-time listeners and also keep longtime fans happy. 
by Ben Davies
Tracks
1. Be What You Want To - 5:57
2. All Cried Out (Mann P. Curtis, Michel Deborah) - 3:48
3. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Lloyd Price) - 2:41
4. Tucson, Arizona (Doug Wray) - 4:18
5. Riverbend - 2:40
6. You Walked By - 3:17
7. Walk Easy, Walk Slow - 5:20
8. All the Love in My Life - 4:05
9. You Really Got a Hold on Me - 4:04
10.Shine the Light - 4:43
11.Morning - 2:02 
All compostions by Link Wray except where indicated

Musicians
*Link Wray - Guitar, Vocals 
*Teressa Adams - Cello
*Paul Barlow - Bass
*Bobby Black - Steel Guitar
*David Bromberg - Electric Guitar
*Jules Broussard - Alto, Tenor Saxophones
*David Coffin - Background Vocals
*Henry Coleman - Background Vocals
*Commander Cody - Piano
*Keith Crossan - Background Vocals
*Frank Demme - Background Vocals
*Lance Dickerson - Drums
*Greg Douglass - Slide Guitar
*Diane Earl - Background Vocals
*George Frayne - Keyboards
*Robert Frost - Background Vocals
*Jerry Garcia - Guitar, Pedal Steel
*Tom Harrell - Trumpet
*Zeller Hurd - Background Vocals
*Carl Johnson - Background Vocals
*Peter Kaukonen - Electric Guitar
*Thomas Jefferson Kaye - Background Vocals
*Greg Kenney - Background Vocals
*Kip Maercklein - Bass
*Barbara Mauritz - Background Vocals
*John McFee - Guitar (Electric)
*Chris Michie - Acoustic, Electric Guitars, Vocals
*Dorothy Morrison - Background Vocals
*Ralph Payne - Background Vocals
*Jules Rowell - Trombone 
*Nathan Rubin - Violin
*Tom Salisbury - Clavinet, Horn Arrangements, Organ, Piano, String Arrangements, Background Vocals
*Jack Schroer - Baritone Sax
*Rick Shlosser - Drums
*Andy Stein - Fiddle
*Bruce Steinberg - Harmonica

  

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Hustler - Play Loud (1975 uk, tough boogie hard 'n' roll, 2002 reissue)



This second album by Hustler was immediately recorded following a series of grueling continental tours. As opening act for some of Britain’s popular names (like Queen), Hustler was forced to edit, redefine, alter, amplify and sophisticate its particular brand of Rock ‘n’ Roll to Grab an audience.

That Grab is at the heart of “Play Loud”, and it’s omnipresent on several of the band’s raver/boogie cuts including “Money Maker”, “Who D’Yer Think Yer Foolin’”, and “Little People”. Also on the straight rock ‘n’ rollers (with the tip of the hat to the Free school), “You Had It Coming To You”, and the incredible “Night Creeper”, which features the dynamic vocals of Steve Haynes, and searing guitar work of Micky Llewellyn.
Tracks
1. Money Maker (Steve Haynes) - 3:38
2. You Had It Coming To You (Micky Llewellyn, Steve Haynes) - 3:56
3. Boogie Man (Steve Haynes, Tigger Lyons) - 4:47
4. Break Of Day (Steve Haynes, Tigger Lyons) - 3:58
5. Who D’Yer Think Yer Foolin’ (Micky Llewellyn, Steve Haynes) - 2:41
6. Goin’ Home (Micky Llewellyn, Steve Haynes) - 3:01
7. Strange Love (Steve Haynes, Tigger Lyons) - 4:21
8. Little People (Micky Llewellyn, Tigger Lyons) - 3:46
9. Night Creeper (Hidden Track) (Steve Haynes) - 6:45

Hustler
*Steve Haynes – Lead Vocals
*Micky Llewellyn – Guitars, Vocals, Harmonica
*Tigger Lyons – Bass Guitar, Vocals
*Henry Spinetti – Drums, Percussion
*Kenny Daughters – Keyboards, Birdwhistle
With
*Roy T. Baker - Castenettes



 

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Hustler - High Street (1974 uk, astonishing boogie funky hard rock, 2002 edition)



Among the early pioneers of UK hard rock, Hustler comprised Steve Haynes (vocals), Micky Llewellyn (guitar, vocals), Tigger Lyons (bass, vocals), Kenny Daughters (keyboards) and Tony Beard (drums, percussion). At a time when the UK music scene still related anything from the rock field with complex, multi-layered progressive recordings, Hustler seemed somewhat of place with their straightforward rock hooks and ‘good-time boogie’ style. Nevertheless, both High Street and Play Loud remain excellent examples of the back-to-basics.

Steve Haynes, the singer, was an American Paul Rodgers type living in South Ruislip and his dad worked at the US Army base back then. He now lives, records and gigs in the US. The band split in 1976, drummer Tony Beard played and toured with the likes of Mike Oldfield, Jeff Beck, Chris Rea, Go West and many more. Tigger Lyons, the bass player, became an architect. Guitarist Micky Llewellyn died in 2014. In 2020 Steve Haynes and Kenny Daughters reunited to record and release on album under the title "Reloaded" with two new guitarists to the band, Tick Brown and Tony Miles.
Tracks
1. Just Leave A Good Man (Micky Llewellyn, Tigger Lyons) - 4:12
2. Piranhas (Micky Llewellyn) - 5:40
3. Let The Wind Blow (Steve Haynes) - 3:40
4. Uptight Tonight (Steve Haynes) - 3:43
5. Get Outa Me`Ouse (Tigger Lyons) - 3:08
6. Jack The Lad (Micky Llewellyn, Kenny Daughters, Steve Haynes) - 5:23
7. Midnight Seducer (Micky Llewellyn, Tigger Lyons) - 5:38
8. Miranda (Tigger Lyons) - 5:02
9. The Hustler (Steve Haynes) - 5:28

The Hustler
*Micky Llewellyn - Guitar
*Tigger Lyons - Bass
*Steve Haynes - Vocals
*Kenny Daughters - Piano, Moog Synthesizer, Organ
*Tony Beard -  Drums

Monday, August 22, 2022

Axcraft - Dancing Madly Backwards (1974 us, nice prog rock, 2000 digipak)



Axcraft was a mid-'70s band from California around whom legends were built. Originally recorded for Bill Holmes' All American Records label, Dancing Madly Backwards was never officially released but an acetate of the album made its way onto the collector's market, causing quite a stir. The sound of the band was progressive hard rock and many who heard it thought they were a British band. In the genre of such bands as Yes, Gentle Giant, Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, or many more similarly styled acts, Axcraft is now set to take its place in music history with the first legitimate release of this album through Akarma Records. 

Contained here are the original five songs (all clocking in at over five minutes!) from the album, together with two bonus live tracks recorded by the band themselves during their heyday. Officially sanctioned by band members and taken from original tapes supplied by band producer Bill Holmes, who also designed the album cover from original designs, this album is a must for any fans of the '70s progressive music. A superb album, it has finally been made available for all to hear and realize what the excitement was all about.
by Keith Pettipas
Tracks
1. So Far Away (C. Austin) - 6:13
2. Astral Love (Dan Gerard) - 7:05
3. 727 Suite (Michael Carroll) - 6:39
4. Firewheel (Paul Skylar) - 5:39
5. Dancing Madly Backwards (Dan Gerard) - 9:09
6. Vahalla (Byron Daugherty) - 7:42
7. Love Is Blue (Byron Daugherty) - 5:20

Axcraft
*Jim McClellan - Lead Vocals
*Dan Gerard - Lead Guitar
*Paul Skylar - Rhythm Guitar
*Randy Ballard - Keyboards
*Michael Carroll - Bass
*Gary Gossett - Drums

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Caravan - The Show Of Our Lives The BBC Recordings (1968-75 uk, outstanding canterbury prog rock, 2007 double disc edition)



While this two-CD, nearly two-and-a-half-hour collection doesn't include all of Caravan's BBC recordings, it's indisputably the finest collection of the band's radio performances yet assembled. It doesn't quite include all of the BBC tracks that have appeared on previous releases; a couple songs from their first 1968 session are missing, as are most of the cuts from the Ether Way: BBC Sessions 1975-77 compilation. This is more than compensated for, however, by the inclusion of a half-hour August 2, 1973 session that appears for the first time anywhere on this anthology, as well as the much-improved fidelity on some material first issued as part of the Green Bottles for Marjorie: The Lost BBC Sessions set. 

Too, the absence of some mid- to late-'70s material isn't a big blow, as it was during the period covered by this collection, in which Caravan were truly at their peak. As for the music itself, while these tracks aren't radically different from the more familiar studio versions, they're fine testimony to the band's ability to deliver complex progressive rock with deft spontaneity in a live setting. The first disc is far more impressive than the second, the band sounding like a cousin to early Soft Machine (with whom, of course, they shared deep roots) in their ability to make the transition from psychedelia to progressive rock sound playful, humane, and for the most part, based in strong songs and vocals. 

The most pleasing treasure is their fine nine-minute stretched-out cover of the early Soft Machine B-side "Feelin', Reelin', Squealin,'" which Caravan never recorded on their studio releases. The second disc, alas, finds the group becoming steadily less interesting with the onset of several personnel changes, documenting the band's (and indeed the entire serious British progressive rock genre's) growing inclination toward slicker virtuosity and less acute, distinguished songwriting. Nonetheless, the better portions are delightful and Mark Powell's annotation (which almost amounts to a band history in itself) excellent, and the compilation as a whole belongs in every serious Caravan fan's collection. 
by Richie Unterberger
Tracks
Disc One
1. Place Of My Own - 4:12
2. Ride - 4:17
3. If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You - 2:45
4. Hello, Hello - 3:10
5. As I Feel I Die - 6:23
6. Love To Love You - 3:12
7. Love Song Without Flute - 3:33
8. In The Land Of Grey And Pink - 3:43
9. Nine Feet Underground - 14:27
10.Feelin' Reelin' Squealin (Kevin Ayers) - 9:30
11.A Huntin' We Shall Go (Pye Hastings) - 9:15
12.Waffle Part One: Be Alright / Chance Of A Lifetime (Pye Hastings) - 6:46
All selections composed by Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair except where stated
Tracks 1-2 recorded for John Peel's "Top Gear" Radio Show 31 December 1968 ("Off-Air" Recordings)
Tracks 3-5 recorded for the BBC Transcription Service "Top of the Pops" 19 August 1970.
Tracks 6-8 recorded for "Sounds of the Seventies" 11 March 1971.
Tracks 9-10 recorded for John Peel's "Sunday Concert" at the Paris Theatre, London 6 May 1971.
Tracks 11-12 recorded for the BBC "In Concert" at the Paris Theatre, London 2 August 1973.
Disc Two
1. Memory Lain Hugh (Pye Hastings) - 5:04
2. Headloss (Pye Hastings) - 4:27
3. The Love In Your Eye (Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, David Sinclair) - 13:54
4. Mirror For The Day (Pye Hastings) - 4:15
5. Virgin On The Ridiculous (Pye Hastings) - 7:01
6. For Richard (Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair) - 15:04
7. The Dabsong Conshirto (David Sinclair) - 15:11
8. Stuck In A Hole (Pye Hastings) - 3:14
9. The Show Of Our Lives (David Sinclair, John Murphy) - 4:54
Tracks 1-2 recorded for the BBC "In Concert" at the Paris Theatre, London 2 August 1973.
Tracks 3-6 recorded for John Peel's Radio Show 7 February 1974.
Track  7 recorded for the BBC "In Concert" at the Paris Theatre, London 21 March 1975.
Tracks 8-9 recorded for John Peel's Radio Show 26 June 1975.

Caravan
*Pye Hastings - Guitar, Vocals
*Richard Coughlan - Drums
*David Sinclair - Keyboards
*Richard Sinclair - Bass, Vocals
*John G. Perry - Bass, Vocals
*Steve Miller - Keyboards
*Jan Schelhaas - Keyboards
*Mike Wedgwood - Bass
*Geoffrey Richardson - Viola

1970  Caravan - If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You (Japan SHM remaster)
1971  Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink (Japan SHM remaster)
1973  Caravan - For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night (Japan SHM remaster)
1974  Caravan - Caravan And The New Symphonia (Japan SHM remaster)
1975  Caravan - Cunning Stunts (Japan remaster)
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Friday, August 19, 2022

Zzebra - Take It Or Leave It (1975 nigeria / ghana / uk, extraordinary afro fusion rock)



A three week trip to a rehersal studio in Wales was organized to develop the songs for the third Zzebra's album. Songs were accepted, modified or rejected in an atmosphere of wonderful concentration. Loughty remembered and old Nigerian folksong "Bai La Jo (this is how we dance)", but played it almost like a calypso. It didn't work. The song stuck in Tommy's head and a week later he came up with a slow 6/4 groove. Loughty went back to his room and wrote three verses all in Yuraba dialect. On the finished record Loughty spent hours with Ken and Tommy teaching them the correct pronunciation for their backing vocals. 

Alan Marshall showed Tommy his book of poetry, there were always Buddhist overtones in Alan's lyrics but one especially struck home. "The good is me/ the filth is me/ the devil and the god is me". Searching out lines from other poems, this became "Word Trips".

Tommy showed Steve Byrd a guitar shape that could be a minor 11th. or a major 9th. depending on where the pedal note was. Steve got this glassy look in his eyes and a couple of days later came up with "living". Quincey came up with one of the most beautiful sax solos for this song. Then John McCoy, his big smiling face gave the band two great songs: "No Point" and "Take it Or Leave it".

As usual, the back tracks were recorded at Escape studios and the dubs in Advision. “Bai La Jo” was particulary fun when Loughty invited four of his old friends from Osibisa on percussion This was to be the Zzebra's last album. Loughty moved to New York and was tragically murdered in an argument over a parking space. Dave Quincey decided to work more from business end. Steve Byrd and John McCoy went on to work with Ian Gillan. 

Liam worked with Gerry Rafferty and Tommy worked with among others. George Michael. Gerry Rafferty. Gary Moore. Daryl Hall. BB King and Tracey Chapman. Alan worked on a variety of projects with Tommy, including the legendary Classical Mechanics’ and is now an ordained minister.
by Tommy Eyre, Encino California 1999
Tracks
1. No Point - 5:26
2. Living - 5:08
3. The Poverty Song - 3:48
4. Bai La Jo - 6:59
5. Word Trips - 5:40
6. Take It Or Leave It - 3:48
7. Evacuate My Sack - 5:30
8. Society - 6:08
All compositions by Tommy Eyre, Dave Quincey, Loughty Amao, Liam Genockey, Steve Byrd, Alan Marshall, John McCoy 

Zzebra
*Tommy Eyre - Keyboards
*Alan Marshall - Vocals
*John McCoy - Bass
*Liam Genockey - Drums
*Steve Byrd - Guitar
*Dave Quincey - Saxes
*Lasissi "Loughty" Amao - Vocals, Percussion, Saxes

  
 

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Zzebra - Panic (1975 nigeria / ghana / uk, a driving, funky amalgam with much rhythmic persistence and a full-blooded exciting big-band)



Zzebra were at the forefront of mid 70's progressive rock that threw jazz, rock, and African rhythms into a huge fusion blender. Created by an amalgamation of two important figures: the saxophonist Dave Quincy from IF, and the Nigerian flautist and saxophonist Lasisi 'Loughty' Amao from Osibisa, Zzebra, joined then by Tommy Eyre, John McCoy Liam Genockey, Alan Marshall and the only 17-year old guitarist Steve Byrd.

Panic is the second studio album of the band recorded during the summer of 1975 and includes, among the others, the highly inventive instrumental interpretation of 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling', the atmospheric 'Liamo', the groovy 'Put A Light On Me', and concludes its journey with the killer tracks 'Return To Forever' and 'La Si Si-La So So'.
Tracks
1. Panic (John McCoy) - 4:41
2. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector) - 6:22
3. Karrola (Dave Quincey) - 4:06
4. Liamo (Dave Quincey, Loughty Amao) - 6:05
5. Death By Drowning (Tommy Eyre) - 3:03
6. Tree (Dave Quincey, Trevor Preston) - 6:09
7. Put A Light On Me (Kim Moore, Liam Genockey) - 5:07
8. La Si Si-La So So (Dave Quincey, Loughty Amao) - 5:20

Zzebra
*Dave Quincey - Alto, Tenor, Soprano Sax, Piano, Clavinet 
*Alan  Marshall - Vocals
*Steve Byrd - Guitar 
*Loughty Amao - Conga Drums, Baritone, Tenor Sax, Flute, Vocals
*Liam Genockey - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
*John McCoy - Bass
*Tommy Eyre - Vocals, Piano, Keyboards
With
*Jo Newman, Kim Moore, Lesley Duncan - Vocals


Sunday, August 14, 2022

The Nighthawks - Rock 'n' Roll (1974 us, solid blues rock)

 



The Nighthawks was an idea in Mark Wenner's brain long before he was able to implement it. The musical product of pre-1958 radio in Washington, D.C., he did not know there were rules against mixing blues, R&B, honky-tonk country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly into one delicious stew.

In 1972, Mark, then 23, returned to his hometown after a New York City band apprenticeship eager to start a real, work-every-night band based on American roots music. He found a receptive local scene. Washington has long been a musical melting-pot of the kind that made Memphis the source point for the evolution of American music in the second half of the 20th century. It just never had a Stax or Sun record label to tell the world. As the city exploded with an influx of people from all the surrounding states during the Great Depression and World War II, Washington became a hotbed of musical cross-fertilization. When Bill Haley first brought his wacky Pennsylvania mix of hillbilly music and rhythm and blues to D.C. in 1952, people got it. And white kids like Mark found the Howard Theater – now recently restored and part of the historic top tier of the Chitlin' Circuit that included Baltimore’s Royal, Chicago’s Regal and New York’s Apollo – just a 25-cent bus ride away from the suburbs.

The original Nighthawks lineup solidified in mid-1974. Bringing together frontmen Mark Wenner and the young Jimmy Thackery with a veteran rhythm section, Jan Zukowski on bass and Pete Ragusa on drums, the quartet ruled the highways and honky-tonks until Jimmy’s departure in 1986 to pursue a solo career. The band opened many doors and forged many touring routes for their contemporaries, including the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray, and played with as many Blues and Rockabilly legends as they could. They opened show after show for Muddy Waters, James Cotton and Carl Perkins, and backed up and recorded with John Hammond and Pinetop Perkins.
The NightHawks
Tracks
1. Red Hot Mama (Elmore James) - 4:14
2. Can't Get Next To You (Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield) - 3:41
3. Keep Cool (Jerry Ragovoy) - 3:29
4. Bring It On Home (Willie Dixon) - 3:44
5. Tell The Truth (Lowman Pauling) - 3:11
6. Stop Breakin' Down (Robert Johnson) - 4:46
7. Shake And Finger Pop (Junior Walker) - 3:44
8. Bright Lights (Jimmy Reed) - 3:19
9. Little Sister (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman) - 2:55
10.Heat Wave (Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr., Lamont Dozier) - 3:12
11.Memo From Turner (Mick Jagger) - 4:44
12.Teenage Nervous Breakdown (Lowell George) - 2:29

The Nighthawks
*Mark Wenner - Vocals, Harp
*Jimmy Thackery - Guitar
*Jan Zukowski - Bass
*Pete Ragusa - Drums

Friday, August 12, 2022

Goliath - Goliath (1969 us, magnificent soulful psych rock)



“Goliath” by Goliath was a major-label US release in 1969 (ABC Records ABCS-702). The LP was recorded in Philadelphia, and the band is usually presumed to be from there as well. The album is dominated by heavy Hammond B3 organ and a vocalist who sounded much like David Clayton-Thomas. As such, the album is justifiably described as a blend of Vanilla Fudge and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The highlight is a Fudge-like cover of the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby”. 
by W. T. Neill
Tracks
1. Yesterday's Children (Steve D'Amico, Ted Barbella) - 6:04
2. Can't Stop Feeling Lonely (Rusty Richards) - 3:10
3. Man's Temptation (Curtis Mayfield) - 4:39
4. Time And Time Again (Eddie Ray) - 3:17
5. If Johnny Comes Marching Home (Steve D'Amico, Ted Barbella) - 4:15
6. Eleanor Rigby (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 6:12
7. Come With Me To My World (Steve D'Amico, Ted Barbella) - 3:10
8. Loving You Too Long (Otis Redding) - 6:24
9. Are You Lonely For Me, Baby? / Jacksonville Express (Bert Berns / Dennis Jason, Jerry Gilbert, Norm Conrad, Steve Jason, Ted Barbella) - 4:05

Goliath
*Dennis Jason - Lead Guitar
*Jerry Gilbert - Drums, Percussion
*Norm Conrad - Bass  
*Steve Jason - Vocals 
*Ted Barbella - Organ

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

The Sundowners - Captain Nemo (1968 us, elagant sunny beats, 2007 remaster)



The Sundowners’ cover of Roger Nichols’ Always You, was a nailedon easy monster: a string and trumpet-driven hallucination of a violet sunset over Malibu Beach, with a girl in a big bikini running your way. It quickly fostered a craving for more.

The Sundowners, it now transpires, hailed from New York and there were six of them. Stylistically, they mashed up the usual Beatles, Beach Boys and Byrdsisms – but these cats boasted symphonic ideas, an edge, a complexity, and a six-way ego clash. Playing Ciro’s on Sunset Strip in the spring of 1967, Michael Nesmith wandered backstage and asked them, “So, how would you like to go on tour with the Monkees?” They ended up supporting Hendrix as well. Then they imploded and disappeared. Finding Nemo, indeed.
by Derek Hammond, 04 September 2007
Tracks
1. Sunny Day People (Dominick DeMieri, Eddie Placidi) - 2:36
2. On The Edge Of Love - 3:10
3. Let It Be Me (Gilbert Bécaud, Manny Curtis, Pierre Delanoë) - 4:36
4. Dear Undecided - 2:24
5. Ring Out Wild Bells - 2:27
6. Plaster Casters (Dominick DeMieri, Eddie Placidi) - 2:43
7. Captain Nemo - 3:45
8. Always You (Tony Asher, Roger Nichols) - 2:54
9. Easy Does It - 2:48
10.Blue Green Eyes - 3:03
11.So Sad - 3:59
All songs by Dominick DeMieri except where noted

The Sundowners
*Dominick DeMieri - Bass, Lead, Rhythm, Steel Guitars, Organ, Piano, Vocals
*Eddie Placidi - Rhythm, Lead, Steel Guitars, Organ, Piano, Vocals
*Bobby Dick - Bass, Vocals 
*Eddie Brick - Percussion, Vocals 
*Kim Capli - Drums 
With
*George Bianchi - Percussion, Vocals
*Benny Grammatico - Drums, Vocals 
*Joe Foster - Synthesizer
*Nick Robbins - Synthesizer