Stampeders - New Day (1974 canada, exceptional classic rock, 2006 remaster)

"New Day" was cut in ’74 and was more experimentation in the studios, marked by the lead-off track and first single “Ramona”. Other hi-lites of their fifth straight gold record were Dodson’s “Marigold” (named for his future recording studio and record label), “Running Out Of Time” and the haunting “Brothers Of The Universe”. The subsequent tour resulted in the live album “Backstage Pass”, recorded at Ontario Place and released before year’s end. Capturing their live presence, which was always one of their trademarks, the record featured live versions of “Devil You”, “Johnny Lightning” and a cover of “Blue Suede Shoes”. “I used to ask the guys if we have to play music when we’re on stage. It always got in the way of my comedy routine,” King quipped. Slick editing (for the time anyway) stripped the gags out of the record and left one of the purest live albums of its day, showcasing the band in its most familiar stage – in front of screaming fans.

by Rich Dodson, Ronnie King

“New Day” represents a bit of a departure for The Stampeders. Leaving relatively “hokey” numbers (like Monday Morning Choo Choo, for example) aside, The Stampeders show their versatility and their ability to play straight ahead Rock and Roll on this album.

Highlights include “In the Shadows”,  “Ramona”, a straight ahead rocker, “It’s Your Move”, another fast-paced tune and the casually paced “Do It Again”. Of particular interest are the songs “Somebody Help Me”–two groove-infused songs that are featured as bookends on the Stampeders “Backstage Pass” Live album. A nice change of pace for a group that is, unfortunately, lost in the annals of Canadian Rock history. 

Tracks

1. Ramona - 3:22

2. Marigold - 4:52

3. Running Out Of Time (Kim Berly) - 3:50

4. It's Your Move (Ronnie King) - 2:53

5. Wild Eyes - 3:51

6. In The Shadows - 4:30

7. Words (Kim Berly) - 2:55

8. Do It Again - 3:28

9. Somebody Help Me - 2:05

10.Brothers Of The Universe (Ronnie King) - 4:45

All songs by Rich Dodson except where indicated

The Stampeders

*Kim Berly - Drums, Vocals

*Ronnie King - Bass

*Rich Dodson - Guitar, Vocals

1971  Stampeders - Against the Grain (2006 bonus tracks)  

1971  Stampeders - Carryin On (2003 edition) 

1973  Stampeders - From The Fire (2006 remaster)

1973  Stampeders - Rubes Dudes And Rowdies (2006 remaster)

1974  Stampeders - Backstage Pass (2006 reissue)

1975  Stampeders - Steamin (2006 remaster)

1976  Stampeders - Hit The Road (2006 remaster)

1979  Stampeders - Ballsy (2006 remaster)

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Mirkwood - Mirkwood (1973 uk, hard rock with prog shades, 2008 edition)

"Mirkwood's lone self-titled album was originally issued in 1973, in an edition of just 99 copies. Coming out of the port town of Dover, with each of the group members having honed their moves in various outfits for years (including the original Rolling Stones from 1957 - no relation to the Glimmer Twins).This album's fantastic mix of precise hard rock and mysterious ballads has had many a private press enthusiast by the hair over the years. Crashing out of the gates with the one-two knockout combination of the fuzz shuffle of 'Take My Love' and the epic 11-minute centerpiece of 'Love's Glass of Sunshine,' this record is a classic deep listen, revealing great moments with each new spin. Killer harmonies and lots of twin-guitar lead action, tough and tender, this record is pure autumnal magic."

Tracks

1. Take My Love - 4:35

2. Love's Glass Of Sunshine - 11:28

3. Just Because - 5:17

4. The Leech (Mick Morris) - 5:19

5. The Vision - 3:27

6. Clockwise - 6:02

7. Lavendula - 7:23

All songs by Jack Castle except track #4

Mirkwood

*Jack Castle - Guitar, Vocals

*Mick Morris - Guitar, Vocals

*Steve Smith - Drums

*Derek Bowley - Lead Vocals

*Dave Evans - Bass

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Blue Mink - Melting Pot (1969 uk, pleasant psych rock blue eyed soul, 2006 japan remaster)

One of the giants of British pop in the early '70s, Blue Mink was formed in fall 1969 by keyboard player Roger Coulam, around a nucleus of musicians based at London's Morgan Studios -- bassist Herbie Flowers, guitarist Allan Parker, and drummer Barry Morgan were also involved. Having already recorded a number of backing tracks, Coulam then approached soul singer Madeline Bell and former David & Jonathan star Roger Greenaway as vocalists; Bell accepted, Greenaway declined but recommended his songwriting partner (and fellow David & Jonathan-er) Roger Cook in his stead.

With this lineup, Cook and Greenaway's "Melting Pot" was released as Blue Mink's debut single, a plea for multi-racial harmony that reached number three in the U.K. that November. An album of the same title was released in the new year, alongside the single "Good Morning Freedom" -- for reasons unknown, the single did not originally appear on the LP. However, its swift rise into the U.K. Top Ten prompted a rethink, and subsequent pressings packed it on board. 

by Dave Thompson

Tracks

1. Melting Pot (Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook) - 3:54

2. Gidda Wadda Wobble (Alan Parker) - 3:50

3. Gimme Reggae (B. Fox) - 3:13

4. But Not Forever (Roger Coulam) - 3:02

5. Chopin Up Stix (Herbie Flowers, Roger Coulam) - 4:21

6. Can You Feel It Baby (Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook) - 4:32

7. Country Chic (Roger Coulam) - 4:33

8. Mary Jane (Herbie Flowers, Kenny Pickett) - 3:19

9. Over The Top (Roger Coulam) - 6:23

10.Good Morning Freedom (Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook, Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood) - 2:54

Bonus Track 10

Blue Mink

*Madeline Bell - Vocals 

*Roger Cook - Vocals 

*Roger Coulam - Piano, Organ 

*Herbie Flowers - Bass 

*Barry Morgan - Drums, Percussion 

*Alan Parker - Guitar

Related Acts

1968-71  Roger James Cooke - Study ...Plus (2012 expanded)  

1970  Hungry Wolf - Hungry Wolf  

1970  Rumplestiltskin - Rumplestiltskin (2007 remaster)  

1972  Rumplestiltskin - Black Magician (2011 remaster)  

1972  Panhandle - Panhandle (2016 remaster)  

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Cromwell - At The Gallop (1975 ireland, exciting guitar pub rock, 2022 remaster)

Emerging from the giant shadow cast by the greatness of Thin Lizzy, this obscure band with a venomous guitar attack, and dual vocalists that kick ass and take names, puts the ‘ire’ in Ireland and delivers with a sound that’s not for the squeamish.

Initially self-released in 1975 by the Drumcondra, Dublin-based Cromwell, At The Gallop is a blistering, heavy, loud’n’lascivious ten track offering (thirteen in this expanded edition) of infused street rock’n’roll from a time when Ireland was still under the sway of conservative showbands, quasi-religious, sentimental pop pap and traditional Irish music.

Despite their cultural struggles, Cromwell crafted a creative and compact catalog—five fuzzed’n’ferocious 45s and this footlong—led by co-vocalist/bassist Michael Kiely’s come hither coo and fey Jagger pose’n’preen, the in-the-pocket drumming of Derek Dawson and minor-guitar hero moves of Patrick Brady, exercising taste, talent and towering mountains of fuzz’n’fury as comfortably as greasy ‘70s raunch and rural modes. At The Gallop is a rare—fetching upwards of 400€ when the original LP does appear—little heard classic in the pub/ fried rock’n’roll /proto-punk terrain.

Tracks

1. Ireland (The Wild One) (Michael Kiely, Patric Brady, Derek Dawson) - 3:26

2. Down On The Town - 3:32

3. First Day - 3:23

4. You Got It Made - 3:36

5. At The Gallop - 2:24

6. Guiness Rock - 4:14

7. Hoodwinked (Michael Kiely, Patric Brady, Derek Dawson) - 2:22

8. Nothing Left To See - 4:07

9. Deal Me In - 2:47

10.Dawson's Fun Palace - 3:22

11.Stomp Stomp Stomp - 2:48

12.You Hate It To Turn On - 3:40

13.Guiness Rock - 3:47 

All compositions by Michael Kiely, Patric Brady except where stated

Bonus Tracks 11-13

Cromwell

*Michael Kiely - Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer

*Patric Brady - Vocals, Electric, Slide Guitars

*Derek Dawson - Drums, Percussion Jews Harp

With

*Joylon Jackson - Piano (Track 7)

*John O'Callaghan - Organ (Tracks 3,8)

*Finin O'Callaghan - Guitar, Harmony Vocals 

*John Keogh - Piano (Track 4) 

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Noah - Peaceman's Farm (1972 canada, nice classic rock, feat. Randy Bachman)

Noah started originally playing local clubs around Trenton, Ontario in 1964-65 as Buzzy And The Belvederes. The band featured 'Buzzy' Vandersel’s (who was 14 at the time of the band's inception), his older cousins Peter and Marinus Vandertogt and finally, lead singer Paul Clapper. The band was re-christened Tyme And A Half by Nimbus 9 Productions' manager Al MacMillan during the recording of their first single "It's Been A Long Time". They would release the song and a second single in 1969.

The group then landed a deal with RCA-Victor through their Nimbus 9 producer Jack Richardson, and with a final name change to NOAH, released their debut in 1970. Paul Clapper, unhappy with the direction the band was taking under the leadership of Al McMillan, left and was replaced by Ron Neilson as they toured the debut album. However, Neilson also left and Noah carried on as a three piece.

Moving to ABC/Dunhill their 1972 album 'Peaceman's Farm' was produced by Randy Bachman. Bachman also wrote the song "Sussex" for the record and played guitar on several tracks as did keyboardist Jim Morgan. The song "World Band" would later be covered by US group GRIFFIN. The album not only recieved great reviews in RPM, Cashbox and Billboard magazines, but increased their profile as one of the featured acts in the Canadian music industry's summer Maple Music Junket.

Noah began extensive touring in the USA to promote the album in the Spring of 1972 and Bachman toured with them. One stint included a live broadcast on radio station WCMF in Rochester, New York. Al Manning joined the group at this time as well. A 3rd album left unreleased, and one single. After the frontman and singer Barry "Buzz" Vandersel died in fall 1975, the band split up.

Tracks

1. Peaceman's Farm - 6:15

2. They Come, They Go - 3:05

3. Sussex (Randy Bachman) - 3:27

4. April Roads - 3:37

5. Light Of A Different Day - 4:00

6. For Us All - 3:31

7. World Band - 3:44

8. Something's In My Way - 3:36

9. Take Me Back - 2:59

10.Never Too Late - 6:01

All songs by Barry Vandersel, Marinus Vandertogt, Peter Vandertogt except track #3 

Noah

*Barry "Buzz" Vandersel - Vocals, Bass

*Marinus Vandertogt - Lead Guitar, Vocals

*Peter Vandertogt - Drums

With

*Randy Bachman - Vocals, Guitar (Tracks 1-3,6,8)

*Jim Morgan - Keyboards (Track 4)

1970  Noah - Noah 

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Dave Davies - Decade (1971-78 uk, straight ahead rock, ranging from hard rock to pop and all stops in between, 2018 digipak remaster)

It must be tough being in a band with your big brother – especially when he writes the tunes and calls the shots. It doesn’t help when the band you’re in is the Kinks – a volatile powder keg of ego, sibling rivalry, and God only knows what else. We all know that Dave Davies can write a decent tune – check out “Death of a Clown” and “Susannah’s Still Alive” for proof of that, but can the younger Davies brother consistently deliver the goods? If Decade is anything to go on, then yeah, he can.

Decade has been lovingly assembled by Dave’s sons Simon and Martin from recordings made at the band’s Konk Studios, throughout the 1970s. The good news is that it hangs together well as an album and sounds cohesive -not a ragbag of demos and half-baked ideas, but a genuine long-playing record. The other good news is that the tunes are strong and don’t sound as if they were written by his brother. Well, a few do, but they are family, after all.

In the 1970s, the Kinks were an eccentric arena band, packing them in across the USA and ramping up the rock elements of their sound. English whimsy combined with a loud guitar or two was a powerful draw to your average gig going American, and Davies was a major part of that. If you need proof, then just listen to One for the Road – recorded in a variety of American cities (with a couple of tracks from Zurich) in late 1979, Dave Davies guitar is front and center and propels the band forward with real urgency. On Decade, we get a hint of that, but it’s quite surprising that it isn’t more, well, heavy, I guess. This is the guy that invented heavy metal, after all.

by Ian Rushbury, 7 November 2018 

Tracks

1. Cradle to the Grave - 3:32

2. Midnight Sun - 4:03

3. Islands - 4:23

4. If You Are Leaving - 4:18

5. Web of Time - 4:25

6. Mystic Woman - 2:33

7. Give You All My Love - 4:04

8. The Journey - 3:12

9. Within Each Day - 3:45

10.Same Old Blues - 4:10

11.Mr. Moon - 3:48

12.Shadows - 3:37

13.This Precious Time (Long Lonely Road) - 5:42 

All songs by Dave Davies

Personnel

*Dave Davies - Vocals, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Drums

*Phil Palmer - Electric Guitar, Electric Bass (Tracks 1,2,6,8,12)

*Neil McBain - Drums (Tracks 1,2,6,8,11,12)

*Ron Lawrence - Bass (Tracks 9,10)

*John Gosling - Organ (Tracks 1,2), Strings Arrangement (Track 12)

*Nick Trevisick - Drums (Tracks 3,7,9,10,13)

*Andy Pyle - Electric Bass (Tracks 3,7,13)

*Mick Avory - Drums (Track 4)

Related Act

1969  The Kinks - Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (2011 SHM 2disc)  

1970  The Kinks - Lola VS The Powerman And The Money Go Round (2010 SHM remaster)  

1972  The Kinks - Everybody's In Show-Biz (2003 MFSL Ultradisc) 
1976  The Kinks - Present Schoolboys In Disgrace (2004 SACD) 

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Strange - Souvenir Album (1974-78 us, fusion underground art psych rock, 2009 reissue)

The Strange were an underground art-rock band from Olympia, WA, close to the Canadian border. Tom Hackett, Robert Rensel, David Chamberlain, Rick Rackleff plus Mike Pitcher, Don Morris & Carl Dexter recorded the Souvenir Album over a period of several years, and it was finally released in a tiny pressing in 1976 on the Yantis Record label. With a touch of the West Coast sound and lots of Mothers Of Invention influences, this album is just as special as The Spoils Of War and as complex as Time and Think Dog, with Zappa-style wah-wah/flange guitar, great vocals, piano, effects, some horns, and a well-balanced mixture of heavy psych guitar tracks and twisted underground folk tunes. 

Tracks

1. Segment from Barapp (9-75) - 1:14

2. Somebody - 6:10

3. The Ballad of Hollis Spaceman - 7:06

4. Four Eyes - 5:39

5. Segment from Barapp - 0:41

6. Segment from on Winning the War / A Faced Dream - 4:18

7. Rick's Song (Rick Rackleff) - 2:30

8. Segment from Mushroom Wednesday / Lies by Poetic License - 5:37

9. Twelve Boats (Tom Hackett) - 5:05

10.The Last Song - 4:31

All compositions by David Chamberlain except where stated

Personnel

*Carl Dexter - Vocals, Bass

*David Chamberlain - Guitar, Vocals

*Tom Hackett - Twelve-String Guitar

*Robert Rensel - French Horn, Keyboards, Vocals

*Rick Rackleff - Bongos, Drums, Organ

*Don Morris - Bass, Saxophone, Vocals

*Ron Redifer - Drums

*Jim Eager - Drums 

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Roger McGuinn - Thunderbyrd (1977 us, wonderful folk classic rock, 2007 japan remaster)

1977's Thunderbyrd, McGuinn's last solo album until 1991's Back From Rio, is very different from Cardiff Rose and almost as good. At first, it sounds like a fairly typical late-'70's pop-rock album when you hear "It's Gone" and Peter Frampton's "All Night Long". But as the album goes along, it tends toward an urban style of country rock that McGuinn pulls off well. A special treat for rock trivia buffs is McGuinn's rendition of Tom Petty's "American Girl", a classic example of a musical pioneer paying homage to a well-known disciple. Thunderbyrd is a fine album that improves with repeat listenings. 

Tracks

1. All Night Long (Micky Gallagher, Peter Frampton) - 4:18

2. It's Gone (Roger McGuinn) - 3:57

3. Dixie Highway (Roger McGuinn) - 3:28

4. American Girl (Tom Petty) - 4:28

5. We Can Do It All Over Again (Barry Goldberg, Mentor Williams) - 4:46

6. Why Baby Why (Darrell Edwards, George Jones) - 3:49

7. I'm Not Lonely Anymore (Roger McGuinn) - 3:07

8. Golden Loom (Bob Dylan) - 4:06

9. Russian Hill (Roger McGuinn) - 5:05

Personnel

*Roger McGuinn - Vocals, Guitar

*Charlie Harrison - Vocals, Bass

*Marty Grebb - Keyboards

*Rick Vito - Guitar, Dobro Steel Guitar, Mouth Harp

*Greg Thomas - Drums, Percussion

*Bruce Barlow - Bass (Tracks 2,9)

*Tom Scott - Saxophone (Track 4)

*Janis Oliver - Vocals (Track 5) 

*Jennifer O'Neill - Vocals (Track 5)  

*Kristine Oliver - Vocals (Track 5) 

*Steve Forman - Percussion (Track 9)

1973  Roger McGuinn - Roger McGuinn (2013 Edition)

1974  Roger McGuinn - Peace On You (2008 japan)
1975  Roger McGuinn And Band - Roger McGuinn And Band (2004 extra tracks remaster)
1976  Roger McGuinn - Cardiff Rose (2013 edition)
1979  McGuinn, Clark And Hillman (2014 Japan SHM Remaster)
1979-80  McGuinn Clark Hillman - The Capitol Collection (2007 double disc set)
1964  The Byrds - Preflyte (2012 Edition)

1967  The Byrds - Younger Than Yesterday (2012 blu spec)
1968  The Byrds - Sweetheart Of The Rodeo  (Double Disc Set)
1969  The Byrds - Ballad Of Easy Rider (2013 Blue Spec remaster and expanded)
1969  The Byrds - Live At Fillmore
1971  The Byrds - Live At Royal Albert Hall
1971  The Byrds - Farther Along (Blu Spec 2014 extra tracks release)
1971  The Byrds - Byrdmaniax (2013 Japan Blu Spec edition)
1973  Byrds - Byrds (2004 issue)

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The Stampeders - Ballsy (1979 canada, fine straight classic rock, 2006 remaster)

Following the release of their first Greatest Hits compilation album, The Stampeders went back to recording and released "Ballsy" in 1979. With members Rich Dodson and Kim Berly departing, Ronnie King was left to bring in three new members for the LP. The original members departure brought in a decade long hiatus for the band following this release, but King took the bands sound into his own hands to end this era of The Stampeders.

Ronnie King tried to keep the flame burning with "Ballsy". The new line-up included Ronnie's youngest brother, Roy Van Sprang, Bob Allwood and Gary Storin. Lack of sales, high overhead and disappointed fans led to the band's final break-up in 1980 and the departure of manager, Mel Shaw. 

In 1979, Kim Berly started his own new-wave band, The Cry, in which he performed under the name, Kimball Fox. Two album releases on RCA, good sales and intensive touring sustained the band for a couple of years, but mounting personal problems forced Kim to leave the music scene. From 1983 to 1989, Kim went briefly into acting, gaining recognition in the Toronto theatre community. Despite speculation within the music industry about just how successful The Stampeders would have been had they focused on just one style of music, one thing remains clear -- they left an enduring musical legacy. 

Between 1970 and 1977, they released ten albums and 15 singles, with six albums and seven singles going gold. Along with three Billboard chart singles in the U.S., The Stampeders had ten, Top-Ten singles in Canada. They also won three JUNO Awards, three BMI Awards, an EDISON Award and toured Canada, Europe, the U.S., including Hawaii, and South America.

Tracks

1. We're Here To Rock And Roll - 3:47

2. Within You (Bob Allwood) - 3:36

3. How Does He Do It? - 5:56

4. Bye Bye Johnny (Chuck Berry) - 4:19

5. Got My Mojo Working (Preston Foster) - 6:00

6. Mama You - 3:40

7. Are You Coming To Your Senses? - 3:15

8. If You Really Want To - 5:59

All songs by Ronnie King except where stated

The Stampeders

*Roy King - Drums

*Ronnie King - Bass, Vocals

*Gary Storin - Guitar, Vocals

*Bob Allwood - Guitar, Vocals

With

*Dick Smith - Congas

*Kathy Young - Vocals

*Rhonda Silver - Vocals

1971  The Stampeders - Against the Grain (2006 bonus tracks)  

1971  The Stampeders - Carryin On (2003 edition) 

1973  The Stampeders - From The Fire (2006 remaster)

1973  Stampeders - Rubes Dudes And Rowdies (2006 remaster)

1974  Stampeders - Backstage Pass (2006 reissue)

1975  Stampeders - Steamin (2006 remaster)

1976  Stampeders - Hit The Road (2006 remaster)

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Randy Denison - Collage (1970 us, wonderful laid back folkish psychedelia)

Texas-born, late 60's Singer-Songsmith  with  full combo backing,  Sky-bound melodic Folk  Rock, dreamy vibes, subtle vocal harmonies with flute 'n some lofty string-arrangements.  

Tracks

1. Prelude (Sing For You) - 1:06

2. Throughout The Woods - 1:50

3. Treat You Like A Lady - 2:26

4. Interlude Of Young And Old - 3:28

5. Country Evening Day - 2:23

6. Imaginary Mary - 2:48

7. Changing Scenes - 3:26

8. Before Morning Wakes - 3:28

9. Easier Way - 1:56

10.Soft Spoken Words - 2:51

11.Lamenting Seasons - 3:23

Lyrics and Music by Randy Denison

*Randy Denison - Vocals, Guitar

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