Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Starry Eyed And Laughing - That Was Now And This Is Then (1974-75 uk, amazing Byrd-ish folk psych rock, 2003 double disc bonus tracks remaster)



The elder statesman of rock historians, Fred Dellar, wrote of the hugely-underrated Starry Eyed And Laughing that they were either 15 years ahead of their time or 10 years too late, by which he meant that with better timing they could have been as big as the Byrds or REM. Certainly, SEAL arrived somewhat late for the first and most popular phase of their chosen genre, country-rock. The two involuntary albatrosses they carried round their necks didn’t help much, either: being cast by the UK rock media as an ersatz Byrds by dint of their prominent Rickenbacker twelve-string jangle and close harmony vocals, and being saddled with the uncultured, back-to-basics Pub Rock image by virtue of working the same London venues as the R’n’B and Chuck Berry-fuelled likes of Dr Feelgood and Ducks Deluxe. Neither association was deserved.

SEAL was initally old school friends Ross McGeeney and Tony Poole from Bedford, who worked the capital’s folk clubs, pubs and subway stations as a guitar/vocal duo in the early 70s, taking their name from a line in Dylan’s Chimes of Freedom and covering the Zim himself, Jackson Browne, Michael Nesmith and other quality singer-songwriters. Late in ’73 they aspired to a stable four-piece line-up with Brighton bassist Iain Whitmore and appropriately-named drummer Mike Wackford, and began working up a set of country-rock originals based around the songwriting of the three frontmen, Poole’s chiming Rickenbacker 330-12, McGeeney’s bend-laden Telecaster and fluid vocal harmonies. These graced the eponymous debut album which appeared on CBS in October ’74 to considerable critical approval. While the Byrds influence could be detected, so could those of various other heroes of the genre “ CSN&Y, Poco, even Moby Grape – and there were yet plenty of original touches. The songwriting may not have been as smoothly adroit as the more sublime compositions of McGuinn or Browne, but still showed an adventurous respect for their West Coast antecedents. Poole’s dexterity on the Rick Twelve was (whisper it low . . .) way ahead of Roger McGuinn’s, and his duels with McGeeney’s fiery Fender made the uptempo cuts sizzle.

The debut’s twelve tracks comprised a classy, energetic, varied set. Lady Came From The South recalls Notorious-era Byrds with flanged 1string, powerhouse percussion and psychedelic overtones, while the joyous boogie Oh What? rocks along on guitar and piano in best Southern Rawk style. All four musicians generate an absolute tour-de-force on Going Down, on which Poole’s licks in particular are incandescent. But despite support from heavy UK touring the album failed to sell in large numbers at home, and didn’t get a release in America at all. CBS nonetheless optioned a follow-up which appeared eleven months later as Thought Talk and which, following the prevailing trend, offered more keyboards, less twelve-string twang and more mature, complex compositions; different, but certainly as accomplished and rewarding as the debut. SEAL then embarked on a brief but well-received US tour, during which McGeeney visited Gene Parsons to have his Tele fitted with a String Bender.

The history becomes sketchy thereafter; at a tour post-mortem meeting McGeeney was summarily fired or resigned (depending on whose account you read) for reasons never made public, and the depleted band fell apart shortly afterwards when their management went bust. Unlike many of their contemporaries, there has been no reformation, though Poole remains active in the genre as producer and record label owner and struts his Rickenbacker along with Whitmore in the rather excellent Falcons. The best way to experience SEAL’s oeuvre thirty-five years on is via the fine 2CD package That Was Now And This Is Then, containing all of both albums, interesting bonus cuts (including their version of Chimes Of Freedom) and snatches of concerts and radio broadcasts.
by Len Liechti, June 28th, 2010 
Tracks
Disc 1 
1. Going Down (Ross McGeeney) - 3:06
2. Closer To You Now (Ross McGeeney) - 3:51
3. Money Is No Friend Of Mine (Tony Poole) - 3:21
4. Lady Came From The South (Tony Poole) - 3:46
5. Oh' What (Tony Poole) - 3:01
6. See Your Face (Ross McGeeney, Tony Poole) - 3:15
7. Nobody Home (Tony Poole) - 2:40
8. 50/50 (Better Stop Now) (Iain Whitmore) - 3:37
9. Living In London (Ross McGeeney, Tony Poole) - 2:44
10.Never Say Too Late (Iain Whitmore) - 2:59
11.In The Madness (Ross McGeeney) - 2:56
12.Everybody (Ross McGeeney) - 5:45
13.Chimes Of Freedom (Bob Dylan) - 4:51
14.Strangers All Over Again (Tony Poole) - 3:38
15.Meet Me Lord (At The Bottom Of The Hill) (Ross McGeeney, Tony Poole) - 3:14
Tracks 1-12 "Starry Eyed And Laughing" 1974
Bonus Tracks 13-15
Disc 2  
1. Good Love (Ross McGeeney, Tony Poole, Iain Whitmore, Michael Wackford) - 4:52
2. One Foot In The Boat (Tony Poole) - 4:15
3. Since I Lost You (Iain Whitmore) - 4:45
4. Down The Street (Ross McGeeney) - 4:16
5. Fool's Gold (Iain Whitmore) - 4:45
6. Believe (Ross McGeeney) - 5:56
7. Keep It To Yourself (Ross McGeeney, Tony Poole, Iain Whitmore, Michael Wackford) - 3:35
8. Don't Give Me A Hard Time (Ross McGeeney) - 3:45
9. Flames In The Rain (Tony Poole) - 7:02
10.Thought Talk (Iain Whitmore, Tony Poole) - 4:56
11.Song On The Radio (Tony Poole) - 3:28
12.Saturday (Tony Poole) - 3:08
13.Can't Help But Love Her (Tony Poole) - 3:10
Tracks 1-10 from "Thought Talk" 1975
Bonus Tracks 11-13

Starry Eyed And Laughing
*Ross McGeeney - Vocals, 6-string Electric, Acoustic Guitars
*Tony Poole - Vocals, 1string Electric, Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Synthesizer
*Iain Whitmore - Vocals, Bass Guitar, Percussion
*Michael Wackford - Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Glockenspiel, Congas
With
*Ray Jackson - Mandolin (Disc 1)
*B.J. Cole - Pedal Steel Guitar (Disc 1)
*Russ Ballard - Piano (Disc 1)
*Peter Woods - Harpsichord (Disc 1)
*Pete Zorn - Alto Saxophone (Disc 2)
*Colin Walker - Cello (Disc 2) 
*Dan Loggins - Mouth Harp (Disc 2)
*Jeff Bannister - Organ (Disc 2)
*Frank Riccotti - Vibraphone (Disc 2) 
*Steve Lewis - Bass (Disc 2, Tracks 11-13)
*Nick Bicat - Piano (Disc 2, Tracks 11-13)
*Tony Meehan - Strings Arrangements (Disc 2, Tracks 11-13)
*Flo And Eddie (Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan) - Vocals (Disc 2, Tracks 11-13)

Posted by at No comments:

Monday, October 3, 2022

Caravan - Live At The Fairfield Halls (1974 uk, brilliant prog rock, 2002 japan SHM remaster)



Documented during an era in which U.K. performances by Caravan were few and far between, Live at the Fairfield Halls 1974 is a brilliantly remastered and likewise complete presentation of a concert held just prior to their inaugural tour of North America. Although Caravan had been subjected to several key personnel and managerial alterations in the preceding months, once they hit the stage they shed any behind-the-scenes acrimony and were transformed into a stunning synergy of progressive and symphonic rock. This warm-up show took place on September 1, 1974, at Fairfield Hall in Croydon and was initially documented as a possible promotional tool for their upcoming stateside appearances. The tapes remained on deposit, seemingly forgotten, at the Decca studios storage facility in West Hampstead, U.K., until the stunning 19-minute "For Richard" was resurrected for inclusion on the two-LP Canterbury Tales compilation in 1976.

Enthusiasts who prefer the band's lineup and subsequent edgier tone, circa For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night, will be doubly thrilled with this release as they re-create most of the album. Additionally, they wrap themselves around the crushing "Memory Lain, Hugh"/"Headloss" opener. Perhaps foreshadowing how powerful this rendition will be, the evening's proceedings fade in to the hovering resonation of Geoffrey Richardson's electric viola as he fiddles underneath the band's introduction. Caravan's most recent release concurrent to this performance is the equally impressive Caravan & the New Symphonia.

From that disc comes "Virgin on the Ridiculous" -- performed here by just the quintet. Although composed for the incorporation of an orchestra, this rendition is leaner and displays the band's almost conversational way of jamming and improvising. The transition into the "Be Alright Now" suite is seamless, and, under the thunder sticks of Richard Coughlan (drums), the band is propelled into one of the only live versions of the medley to have been professionally documented. With a well-deserved nod to the "New Symphonia," Live at the Fairfield Halls 1974 will perhaps become the quintessential live Caravan release. The sound is crisp and the stereo image is direct and very warm. This disc is highly recommended for newly found fans as well as the more seasoned consumer.
by Lindsay Planer
Tracks
1. Memory Lain, Hugh / Headloss - 9:27
2. Virgin On The Ridiculous - 7:14
3. Be Alright / Chance Of A Lifetime - 6:37
4. The Love In Your Eye (Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, Dave Sinclair, Richard Sinclair) - 15:23
5. L'Auberge Du Sanglier / A Hunting We Shall Go / Pengola / Backwards / A Hunting We Shall Go (Reprise) (Pye Hastings, Mike Ratledge) - 9:49
6. The Dog The Dog He's At It Again - 6:23
7. For Richard (Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, Dave Sinclair, Richard Sinclair) - 19:01
8. Hoedown - 5:58
All compositions by Pye Hastings except where indicated

Caravan
*Pye Hastings - Guitar, Lead Vocals
*David Sinclair - Hammond Organ, Electric Piano, Synthesizer
*Geoffrey Richardson - Viola
*Mike Wedgwood - Bass, Backing Vocals
*Richard Coughlan - Drums

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)
Related Acts


Posted by at 1 comment:

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Allan Taylor - The American Album / Cajun Moon (1973/76 uk, nice warm country folk rock, 2000 edition)



Moving to New York in 1972, Taylor recorded The American Album with Nashville and Los Angeles session players. He remained in the United States through 1974. Returning to England, Taylor formed a group, Cajun Moon, featuring fiddler Brian Golbey and keyboard player Jon Gillaspie, to perform American folk and roots music. 

Signed by Chrysalis in May 1976 following a tour with Steeleye Span, the future seemed secure for Taylor and the group. Their dreams faded, however, when Taylor damaged his vocal cords and was forced to rest for three months. The hiatus put an end to the band's momentum. By the time he had healed from surgery and was ready to return, the group had folded. Resuming his solo career, Taylor signed a publishing deal with Chrysalis and a recording deal with Rubber Records. His first new album, The Traveller, featured instrumental backing by melodeon and accordion player John Kirkpatrick. The album received the Grand Prix du Disque de Montreux for Best European Folk Album in 1980. Taylor spent much of the '80s and early '90s as a student. 

Although he continued to record, much of his focus was devoted to his studies. He received a bachelor's degree from Leeds University in 1983, a master's from Lancaster University in 1985, and a doctorate from Queens University in Belfast in 1993. His thesis explored the creative process and the power and aesthetics of song. 
by Craig Harris
Tracks
1. Get Down (The Proud And Noble Savage) - 5:00
2. Something's Changed - 3:16
3. Old Joe - 3:55
4. The City - 3:49
5. The Story - 4:26
6. My Father's Room - 2:58
7. Always You - 2:22
8. Lavinia Forsythe-Jones - 5:46
9. Only A Few - 3:15
10.Lead On, I'll Follow (Belfast '71) - 4:25 
11.Calling On - 2:56
12.Close To The Edge - 3:16
13.Back Again - 3:20
14.Lady Of Pleasure - 3:07
15.Darkness In The Valley (Allan Taylor, Brian Golbey) - 3:38
16.Mistress Music - 3:55
17.Misty On The Water - 4:07
18.Fiddler John (Allan Taylor, Jim Parker, Muriel Holland) - 3:12
19.Sawtooth Line (Allan Taylor, Brian Golbey) - 2:32
20.Losers Can Be Winners (Allan Taylor, Brian Golbey, Jon Gillaspie) - 3:10
All songs by Allan Taylor escept where stated
Tracks 1-10 from "The American Album" 1973
Tracks 11-20 as The Cajun Moon 1976

Musicians
1973  The American Album
*Allan Taylor - Vocals, Guitar
*James E. Bond Jr. - Bass, Tuba 
*John P. Guerin - Drums, Percussion 
*Michael S. Omartian - Keyboards
*Billy Riley - Vocals 
*Billy Sanford - Guitar, Mandolin
*David Briggs - Keyboards 
*Jerry Carrigan - Drums 
*James Colvard - Guitar 
*Johnny Gimble - Fiddle 
*Karl Himmel - Drums 
*D. Kelso Herston - Guitar, Bass 
*Larry Butler - Keyboards 
*Mike Leech - Guitar, Harmonica 
*Norman Keith Spicher - Fiddle 
*Norman P. Wade - Vocals
*Reggie Young - Guitar 
*Steve Miller - Guitar  
*Tommy Cogbill - Bass  
*Tommy Williams - Saxophone, Flute
*John Buck Wilkin - Vocals
*Bergen White - Vocals
*Don Gant - Vocals
*James E. Cason - Vocals
*Bryan David Garofalo - Vocals 
*Nick Van Maarth - Vocals 
*Peter G.D. Jameson - Vocals 
*Robert Wachtel - Vocals
*Mary McCaslin - Vocals 
*Spanky McFarlane - Vocals

1976  Cajun Moon
*Brian Golbey - Guitar, Vocals, Fiddle, Viola
*Jon Gillaspie - Keyboards, Woodwind
*Allan Taylor - Vocals, Guitar


Posted by at No comments:

Friday, September 30, 2022

Sweet Thursday - Sweet Thursday (1969 us / uk, beautiful psych folk rock feat Nicky Hopkins, remaster with extra tracks)



This group and their one and only album were once considered so hot, what with Nicky Hopkins, Alun Davies, and Jon Mark in the lineup, that a reissue in 1971 rated a full-page ad from the source label in Rolling Stone. In fact, it's a pleasant, well-played midtempo piece of late-'60s rock, with elements of British blues ("Side of the Road"), psychedelic harpsichords and flute ("Cobwebs"), and R&B, mid-'60s U.K. style. Alun Davies and Jon Mark are more than good enough guitar players and singers. 

Jon Mark's "Rescue Me" is one of the better numbers here, dominated by Hopkins' organ playing and driven by a great beat, and carried by his attempts at a white soul vocal performance; it's no surprise for the neophyte to learn that all of these guys played with outfits like Zoot Money's Big Roll Band and the Cyril Davies All-Stars. And then there's "Gilbert Street," which shows some finesse and a robust vocal performance, and sustains interest for five minutes plus; this number must have been something to hear in concert, and a whole album like it would have lived up to a reputation stretching across the decades. It's also easy to see why this record never caught on at the time, there are also two bonus tracks from their 45' single.
by Bruce Eder
Tracks
1. Dealer (Jon Mark) - 6:05
2. Jenny  (Jon Mark) - 3:49
3. Laughed At Him (Jon Mark) - 5:14
4. Cobwebs (Brian Odgers) - 3:26
5. Rescue Me  (Jon Mark) - 3:44
6. Molly (Brian Odgers) - 3:09
7. Sweet Francesca (Jon Mark)  - 4:00
8. Side Of The Road (Alun Davies) - 4:52
9. Gilbert Street (Pat Gunning) - 10:22 
10.Getting It Together (Jon Mark) - 3:13
11.Mary On The Runaround (Jon Mark) - 3:05

Sweet Thursday
*Nicky Hopkins - Keyboards
*Alun Davies - Vocals, Guitar
*Jon Mark - Guitar, Vocals
*Harvey Burns - Percussion
*Brian Odges - Bass, Woodwind

Related Acts



 

Posted by at 3 comments:

Thursday, September 29, 2022

The Rhythm Dukes - Flashback (1970 us, fantastic west coast psych rock, from Moby Grape and Sons Of Chamblin fame, 2005 release)



The Rhythm Dukes was created in the late summer of 1969. Before, there was a trio called The Boogie with Barry Bastian, John Barrett and John "Fuzzy" Oxendine. Fuzzy had replaced Kilos Kowalski (aka Mike Kowalski), who had left to play with the Beach Boys. Before Kilos left, The Boogie was called The California Memorial Band and included two sax players named Goose and Crow. Crow went on to play in the Silver Fox Band and Goose moved to L.A.

Barry had a brush with the law and had to do 90 days. Subsequently John Barrett and Fuzzy Oxendine were 'loose' and after Barry left for good (he later formed the already mentioned Silver Fox Band in Northern California.), John and Fuzzy decided to do something else as a rhythm section. As a matter of fact Moby Grape broke up around that time.

Jerry Miller who had been with Moby Grape wanted to start a new band and called Fuzzy and John. Jerry was living in Boulder Creek and John and Fuzzy were living in Marin County. So both packed up and moved to Santa Cruz to an old stagecoach stop called 1906 Glen Canyon. A great place for a band, away from the road on 80 acres of meadows and redwoods.

The house was funky, but they fixed it up real nice, built a rehearsal room and started writing and playing music. The original Rhythm Dukes members were Jerry Miller and Don Stevenson from Moby Grape, plus John Barrett and Fuzzy Oxendine.

Don Stevenson left the band after a short while, though. He probably prefered to play drums instead of guitar as John Barrett recalls. Subsequently the Rhythm Dukes played all over the place as a trio, but soon yearned for more substance in the music. Right around that time the Sons of Champlin disbanded for a while and Bill Champlin joined up with the Rhythm Dukes trio adding his voice, guitar and his B-3. Along with Bill came faithful roadies Charlie Kelly and Hog Steve. The Rhythm Dukes trio added their own Bill Leidenthal to the crew and they were ready to rock. 

The band was very popular - by some rated as one of the best West Coast bands in 1970 - and played lots of venues before disbanding in 1971. Jerry Miller had contract obligations with Columbia Records and was not available a lot of the time. That did not go well, as the band's income was suffering, and they had to cancel some big gigs on very short notice. When Bill Champlin went back to the Sons of Champlin the Dukes had other members for a while, i.e. Russell Dahneke, a fine guitarist from the club scene in San Francisco and Ned Torney from the Chocolate Watch Band.

Eventually Moby Grape was trying to make a comeback, so it was the end of the Rhythm Dukes. Due to the fact that some tapes and the studio recording made in Marin County survived, the Rhythm Dukes' music has become available for the first time now. The album is entitled "FlashBack" and highly recommended as it not only includes members of Moby Grape and The Sons of Champlin but some cool West Coast music as well. Some of the tracks were later even recorded by the Sons of Champlin on their albums "Follow Your Heart" (1971) and "Welcome To The Dance" (1973).
Bay-Area
Tracks
1. Love Your Daddy (Jerry Miller) - 6:28
2. Hey Children (Bill Champlin) - 7:00
3. Children Pt 2 (Bill Champlin) - 5:03
4. She's a Woman (Bill Champlin) - 5:06
5. Can't Make It That Way (Jerry Miller) - 6:35
6. Kansas City (Jay McShann) - 5:42
7. If I Was Right (Jerry Miller) - 3:22
8. Get to Know You (Bill Champlin) - 9:07
9. For Joy (Bill Champlin) - 14:21
10.Seven Four (Bill Champlin) - 5:01

The Rhythm Dukes
*Bill Champlin - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Jerry Miller - Guitar, Vocals
*John Barrett - Bass, Vocals
*Fuzzy Oxendine - Drums, Vocals 

Related Acts
1966-69  Live (Sundazed digipak issue)
1967  Moby Grape - Moby Grape (2007 remaster)
1967-68  The Place And The Time (2009 Sundazed release)

Posted by at 2 comments:

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Allan Taylor - Sometimes / The Lady (1971 uk, exceptional acoustic baroque folk)



Allan Taylor is one of England's most-respected singer/songwriters. His songs have been covered by artists on both sides of the Atlantic, including Don Williams, Frankie Miller, Fairport Convention, Dick Gaughan, the McCalmans, the Fureys, the Clancy Brothers, and De Dannan. Folk Roots praised him for his "ability to crystallize a mood and evoke an era with the ease of a computer memory access, crafting perfect songs with dramatic changes in the spirit of Brecht, Bikel, and Brel." The Oxford Book of Traditional Verse felt as strongly, writing that Taylor was "one of the most literate and sensitive of contemporary songwriters in terms of words and music and one who is capable of exploring more complex subjects than most of his contemporaries."

Inspired by the folk revival that swept the United Kingdom in the mid-'60s, Taylor left school at the age of 16 to run a local folk club. Stepping out as a professional musician five years later, he was greatly supported by members of Fairport Convention. Their friendship was cemented when he toured as opening act for the group's national tour. His 1971 debut album, Sometimes, featured instrumental accompaniment from Fairport's drummer Dave Mattacks, fiddler Dave Swarbrick, and bassist Dave Pegg. 
by Craig Harris
Tracks
1. Sometimes (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:07
2. Searching For Lambs (Traditional) - 2:36
3. Nursery Tale - 3:12
4. Robin Hood (Traditional) - 4:05
5. Song For Kathy - 3:37
6. Swallow Sallow (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 2:34
7. Scarlet And Grey (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:01
8. Our Captain Cried All Hands (Traditional) - 4:14
9. Tudor Pop - 3:11
10.The Leaves Of Spring (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:52
11.The Pied Piper (Allan Taylor, Myles Wootton) - 3:31
12.The Kiss (Allan Taylor, Robert Herrick) - 5:03
13.Belfast '71 - 4:51
14.Still He Sings - 2:24
15.The Morning Lies Heavy - 3:14
16.Something's Chenged - 2:38
17.Let Me Be - 4:21
18.The Boy And The Mantle - 6:43
19.The Lady - 2:33
20.Cain - 2:54
21.Simple Song - 3:06
22.My Lady (Ian Matthews) - 1:43
Words and Music by Allan Taylor except where indicated
Tracks 1-12 from "Sometimes" 1971 written between 1967-1970
Tracks 13-22 fom "The Lady" 1971

Musicians
"Sometimes"
*Allan Taylor - Acoustic Guitar, Vocal
*Dave Mattacks - Drums
*Dave Pegg - Bass
*Dave Swarbrick - Violin
*Tony Cox - Orchestral Arrangements

"The Lady"
*Allan Taylor - Acoustic Guitar, Vocal
*Andy Roberts - Electric, Acoustic Guitar
*Dave Mattocks - Drums
*Bob Ronga - Bass
*Pete Stanley - Banjo, Dulcimer
*Tony Cox - Keyboards
*Ian Matthews - Backing Vocals
*Royston Woods - Backing Vocals
*Tony Halsted - Horn
*Robbie Hewlett - Bass
*John Wibraham - Trumpet

Posted by at 2 comments:

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Atlantis - Get On Board (1975 germany / uk, classic rock melted with blues and funky vibes)



Atlantis formed in late summer 1972 by Inga Rumpf (vocals), Jean-Jacques Kravetz (keyboards) and Karl-Heinz Schott (bass). These musicians previously played in the band called Frumpy. The original line-up also included guitarist Frank Diez and drummer Curt Cress (ex-Emergency).

After a few live performances in Germany, the first LP was produced at the Island Records studios in London, which was particularly well received in the USA, where Rumpf's blues-oriented voice was appreciated. Diez and Cress left the band after the recordings. George Meier joined Atlantis on guitar and Udo Lindenberg on drums for a four week tour of England with Procol Harum and Traffic. They were replaced after the tour by Dieter Bornschlegel (formerly with the band Traumtorte) and Ringo Funk (formerly with Jeronimo), with whom the second LP It's Getting Better (1973) was recorded.

During another four-week tour of England, Jean-Jacques Kravetz left the band to join the band Randy Pie. Reiner Schnell stepped in for him for a short time. At the end of 1973 the band ranked among the three most popular groups among the readers of the magazine Musikmarkt.

The next personnel change took place in the summer of 1974. British keyboarder Adrian Askew replaced Reiner Schelle, and guitarist Alex Conti from the band Curly Curve replaced Dieter Bornschlegel. In this occupation, the third album Ooh, Baby was recorded in 1974.

In 1975 there was a tour of the USA (mostly as a support act for Lynyrd Skynyrd), after which the band parted ways with Alex Conti, for whom the former guitarist Frank Diez and, for the first time, a second guitarist, Rainer Marz (formerly as Ringo Funk at Jeronimo), joined the group. The subsequent fourth LP Get on Board 1975 recorded and released with sound familiar to the America's hard rock bands, but it failed in sales.
Tracks
1. Get On Board (Frank Diez) - 3:46
2. Change My Mind (Adrian Askew) - 4:31
3. The Man (Adrian Askew, Karl-Heinz Schott) - 3:45
4. Let Me Stay For A While (Frank Diez) - 3:57
5. Keep The Music Going On (Adrian Askew, Rainer Marz) - 2:49
6. Chartbuster (Frank Diez) - 3:12
7. The Captain And The Ship (Inga Rumpf) - 3:46
8. If I Couldn't Sing (Inga Rumpf) - 3:38
9. Tried To Climb A Mountain (Adrian Askew, Rainer Marz) - 4:34
10.Mainline Florida (George Terry) - 2:55
Bonus track #10

Atlantis
*Inga Rumpf - Lead Vocals
*Frank Diez - Guitar, Vocals
*Rainer Marz - Guitar, Vocals
*Adrian Askew - Keyboards
*Karl Heinz Schott - Bass, Vocals
*Ringo Funk -  Percussion, Drums

1972 Atlantis - Atlantis
1975  Atlantis - Live In The Fabrik (2008 remaster and expanded)
Related Act
1970  Frumpy - All Will Be Changed (2008 remaster with extra tracks)
1971  Frumpy - Frumpy II
1972  Frumpy - By The Way

Posted by at 1 comment:

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Jack Schechtman - Jack Schechtman (1972 italy / us / canada, essential amalgam of folk rock, baroque and jazzy tunes)



It was a feeling rarely experienced. Have you ever felt encased in a halo? That's about the most honest way to express it. His style is oh so soft and mellow, yet totally original. Lyrically, it's nothing short of brilliant. With touches of blues, funk and good ole rock and roll Jack creates an atmosphere of unmitigated joy. He stopped by Record World two weeks later. We were eager to learn more about this gifted individual. Jack was born in Italy and when he was only three his family moved to the south Bronx. As the years flew by, Jack realized his destinywas music, but as he said,"I felt too introverted in New York. Musically, I couldn’t express my self. So I moved to Toronto, not to drop out mind you, but to seek a kind of slow withdraw alI so desperately  needed."

The Toronto folk scene became a part of his life, playing at places like Grumbles and the Riverboat, and learning from artists like Leon Redbone. Jack appears frequently on Canadian network radio and television, including "The Ian Tyson Show, "which is syndicated in several U.S. markets.

Jack's material has come to the attention of several major artists. Buzzy Linhart, Man hattan Transfer and Bette Midler have requested his songs and one is set for the next Lighthouse album.  So the album comes in and each listening gets better and better. A wonderful assortment of Jack Schechtman songs and ideals. I guess it’s kind of fitting that Jack’s album arrives at a time when he and Suzan are preparing for a first child.  
by Mitchell Fink, Record World Magazine, 1972
Tracks
1. You Of All People - 3:48
2. Blind Faith - 3:50
3. Sing And Sway - 3:14
4. Criss-Crossing - 3:39
5. A Lady To Love - 3:45
6. Up And Down - 3:37
7. Razor - 2:51
8. Sharpshooter Delight - 3:13
9. On Cherry Mountain - 3:42
10.The Road Rolls On - 3:50
11.Glory Come, Glory Go - 2:25
All Music and Lyrics by Jack Schechtman

Personnel
*Jack Schechtman - Vocals, Guitar
*Suzie Schechtman - Harmony Vocals
*Maribeth Solomon - Piano, Organ, Vocals, Electric Maestro
*Micky Erbe - Bass, Vocals, Strings Arrangements
*Brian Leonard - Drums
*Tony Nolasco - Drums, Groans
*Yehuda Wolk - Tumba, Quinto Drums
*Michael McKenna - Lead Guitar (Track 8)
*Adam Mitchell - Guitars, Bass, Organ, Mouth Harp, Vocals
*Warren Bernhardt - Piano
*Frank Owens - Organ
*Donald McDonald - Drums
*Marugai - African Talking, Clay Drums
*Bill Keith - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Tony Levin - Bass
*Ralph Casale - Guitars
*Artie Schreck - Percussion
*Phil Bodner - Flute
*Maretha Stuart, Lesley Miller, Linda November, Helen Miles, Hilda Harris, Pattie Austin - The Up and Down Power Chorus

Posted by at 1 comment:

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Alan Hull - Phantoms (1975 uk, remarkable folk rock, 2007 remaster and expanded)



Alan Hull's third solo album, and his last before Lindisfarne reconvened in 1979, follows firmly in the footsteps of its two predecessors, while advancing their musical outlook towards entire new pastures. Indeed, a crack band and lush production could lure you into mistaking the opening "I Wish You Well" for any number of contemporary MOR troubadours, although the self-deprecating "Anywhere Is Everywhere" quickly brings your ears back to basics, a rock & rolling singalong that finds Hull sounding as sharp and sassy as he ever did in the past… and ever would in the future. Brilliant stuff. 
by Dave Thompson
Tracks
1. I Wish You Well - 3:31
2. Anywhere Is Everywhere - 3:51
3. Make Me Want To Stay - 4:17
4. Dancing (On The Judgement Day) - 3:56
5. A Walk In The Sea - 3:11
6. Corporation Rock - 5:48
7. Madmen And Loonies - 3:11
8. Somewhere Out There - 4:17
9. Love Is The Alibi - 2:24
10.Love Is The Answer - 3:37
11.Isn't It Strange - 3:42
12.Spittin' In The Wind (Ken Craddock, Colin Gibson) - 3:29
13.Lay Back And Dream (Pete Kirtley) - 4:26
14.Something Got The Better Of You (Ken Craddock, Colin Gibson) - 4:52
15.Somewhere Out There - 4:19
16.Raw Bacon - 4:00
17.A Walk In The Sea - 3:15
18.Evening - 4:17
19.Dancing (On The Judgement Day) - 3:55
All songs by Alan Hull except where noted
Bonus tracks 11-19
Tracks 11-14 From Radiator's "Isn't It Strange" 1977 LP
Tracks 15-19 Previously Unreleased 1975 Demos

Musicians
*Alan Hull - Bass, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
*Bob Barton - Guitars, Vocals
*Bud Beadle - Horn
*Ken Craddock - Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
*Lesley Duncan - Vocals
*Keith Fisher - Drums, Percussion
*Colin Gibson - Bass, Percussion
*Steve Gregory - Horn, Vocals
*Pete Kirtley - Guitar
*Ray Laidlaw - Drums
*Joanna Newman - Vocals
*Rab Noakes - Vocals
*Terry Popple - Drums
*Liza Strike - Horn, Vocals

1973  Alan Hull - Pipedream (2005 remaster and expanded)
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, September 23, 2022

Hog Heaven - Hog Heaven (1971 us, potend country boogie rock, 2008 bonus tracks remaster)



Renegades from 60s US pop idols Tommy James & The Shondells, Michael Vale and Peter Lucia formed this outfit in 1970 to follow The Byrds, Burritos and Band in the newly fashionable country-rock direction. A lone self-titled album was the result. Their instrumental ace in the hole was steel guitarist Buddy Cage, whose signature is everywhere here, though his defection in 1971 to replace Jerry Garcia in New Riders Of the Purple Sage effectively ended the Hog’s story early. Five tracks that were canned as a result of this eventuality augment the original Roulette album, making this the definitive document on a little known but interesting outfit.
by Michael Heatley, 08 January 2009
Tracks
1. Wilma Mae - 3:29
2. Glass Room - 4:11
3. Bumpin' Slapcar Mama (Buddy Cage, Ronnie Hand, Chuck Demorat, Peter Lucia, Michael Vale) - 2:09
4. Prayer - 2:21
5. Happy - 6:53
6. Pennsylvania - 3:33
7. Come Away - 7:01
8. We All Go Down - 4:17 
9. Theme From A Thought - 3:48
10.Stoned Feelin' - 4:23
11.Light Of The Lord - 2:05
12.You And Me - 4:06
13.If It Feels Good Do It - 3:45
14.Free Spirit - 4:41
All songs by Michael Vale, Peter Lucia except where noted
Bonus Tracks 10-14

Hog Heaven 
*Buddy Cage - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Ronnie Hand - Drums, Percussion 
*Chuck Demorat - Lead Guitar 
*Peter Lucia - Drums, Vocals
*Michael Vale - Bass, Vocals
*Ronnie Rosman - Keyboards, Vocals

Related Act

Posted by at 2 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)