Aragorn - The Suite (1973 australia, prog rock masterpiece, 2022 korean remaster)

In 1975, a strange album that pressed only 50 copies without even an outer sleeve was released quietly. It was the only album by Snakes Alive, a band with a unique combination of guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, woodwinds and trumpet. About 25 years later, when its pirated CD was released, people were amazed at the high level of performance by unknown musicians and the complex, well-designed structure of a mix of Progressive Rock and Jazz. There are countless minor bands that have disappeared leaving only one album in the form of a private pressing, but Snakes Alive’s album was on a different level from those of mediocre minor ones. Despite this high level of musical quality, due to the very small amount of pressings, their music did not reach a larger audience and the band disappeared into history.

Snakes Alive had only been active for about a year, but if you look at their history, you can see that the group Aragorn, formed in 1972, was the starting point of their musical career. They also didn’t release an official album, but fortunately they left an album-length recording, and that’s the album you’re listening to right now called “The Suite.” This magnificent 43-minute grand piece, mainly composed by the keyboardist Oleg Ditrich was originally inspired by none other than, J.R.R Tolkien’s novel, “The Lord of the Rings.”

Oleg Dietrich, who studied classical music from an early age, began composing “The Suite” in 1967 under the influence of his friend John Simpson, who was obsessed with The Lord of the Rings. Oleg was only 14 years old at the time. After completing most of the composition, he formed the band Aragorn, named after the main character in the novel. In September 1973, after completing additional work on the composition and arrangement with the help of other band members, “The Suite” was recorded, but did not reach an album release and remained only as master tapes.

This album is a 43-minute suite consisting of 16 short pieces. As it is a song that has been refined over a period of 6 years, it shows a fairly elaborate level of completion.

The first thing that stands out in terms of performance is Oleg’s classical piano, which reveals his musical roots, and Peter Nykyruj’s drums, which give rich variation to the flow of the song’s structure. Also, what’s interesting is the glimpse of Jethro Tull throughout the aggressive appearance of flute and minstrel melody in the vocal by Jonas Sayewell. A fabulous flute solo flaring out on the solid rhythm , a medieval vibe using rippling guitar ensemble – Those excellent elements and ideas in a series of short pieces are proving how fluent they are in a variety of musical style.

Overall, Aragorn’s music style is a profound Progressive Rock that directly feels the influence of British Rock in the early 70’s. By taking various style from Medieval Folk to Symphonic Rock with a Jazzy flavor, they are fully expressing the dramatic and grandiose storyline of the original novel with delicacy. In order to compress situations and emotions such as mystery, magnificence, confusion and intensity contained in the original story, the composition becomes more complex and dense toward the latter part of the music.

The presence of album “The Suite” was discovered in the process of reissuing Snakes Alive, and it is the very first release brought out to the world in nearly 50 years. “The Suite,” a vigorous performance full of energy by the young bloods who were in their 20s back then, must be the hidden masterpiece to rewrite the history of Australian Progressive Rock.

by Jacopo Vigezzi, February 5, 2023

Tracks

1. Creatures Of The Night (Oleg Ditrich, Jonas Sayewell) - 3:05

2. Rivendell - 3:52

3. Wonder (Jonas Sayewell) - 4:48

4. Rivendell South - 0:48

5. Land Of A Mordor - 3:49

6. Trees And Grass - 2:04

7. East Of Greyhaven - 4:17

8. A History Book (Jonas Sayewell) - 3:32

9. Thuner - 2:59

10.Grove - 2:01

11.Sky - 1:20

12.Dark Lord (Oleg Ditrich, Jonas Sayewell) - 2:33

13.Rivendell East - 1:39

14.Aragorn - 2:52

15.Ends Of Time - 1:52

16.Dance Of The Ring (Oleg Ditrich, Jonas Sayewell) - 1:32

17.And The People And The Night - 7:50

All compositions by Oleg Ditrich except where indicated

Aragorn

*Michael Vidale - Bass

*Peter Nykyruj - Drums, Percussion

*John Simpson - Electric Guitar

*Jonas Sayewell - Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

*Oleg Ditrich - Piano, Keyboards, Vocals

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Bullfrog - High In Spirits (1977 germany, strong hard rock with hammond organ and prog touches, 2009 remaster and expanded)

Bullfrog played classic seventies hard rock, which in terms of sound is reminiscent of big names like Deep Purple , Rainbow or Uriah Heep , but nevertheless has its own note and independence. Starting with the raspy, rough voice of Gerd Hoch , through the superb, fresh and rousing guitar work of Sebastian Leitner , the cool grooving and equally explosive substructure of Vincent Trost (bass) and Bruno Perosa (drums) to the first-class keyboard work of Harald Kaltenecker, here were exceptionally good musicians at the start, who made "High In Spirits" the high-class album that it finally became.

The rocking title track opens the dance with small funky sprinklings and the keyboard (mostly on this track) reminiscent of Jon Lord . The following "Feelin' Allright" is a great grooving mid-tempo rocker, with a running time of more than six minutes, especially the guitar and the keys provide exclamation marks. "Be Yourself" was released as a single and is a killer ballad with a very successful vocal melody and a Gerd Hoch , who was able to fully show off his whiskey-soaked vocal cords here. A strong song that not only goes straight to the ear, but also gets stuck there.

But with "Rollin' Again" and "Free Spirit" the gas pedal is pushed harder again! Especially the boogie rocker "Free Spirit" gets you in a good mood, while in "Rollin' Again" the creaking bass carries everything away and the keyboard once again sets the tone. It's half time now and my bad memories of the band have long since faded, or rather been swept off the table completely! At just under nine minutes, "A Housepainter's Song" is the longest track on the disc. After a guitar/keyboard intro lasting about two minutes, the band once again slides into a melodic verse of highsThen vote the necessary dirt, i.e. the corners and edges are missed. Fat guitar melodies make the title downright epic, but they always find their way back to the verses in good time. My personal highlight on "High In Spirits"!

After the straight forward rocking "Live" follows the last piece with "LA Police #55". And this is where it gets down to business with such a relaxed, swinging, rocking energy that you are inevitably carried away. A worthy conclusion to a great disc!

The mix of the record, released in 1977, was done by Krautrock producer legend Conny Planck . On the new edition of "High In Spirits" to be discussed here, all eight tracks were added a second time as a bonus. And this in the original mix completed by the band in the recording studio. The biggest difference is that the bonus tracks sound a bit rougher.

Ultimately, it remains to be said that "High In Spirits" is a very strong rock album by this band, which rightly claims its special place in German rock history and was therefore also highly deservedly re-released. So, I'll see if I can get Bullfrog 's Rockpalast performance again. It seems to me that I was fundamentally wrong in my opinion at the time! 

by Markus Kerren, November 8th, 2009

Tracks

1. High In Spirits - 3:19

2. Feelin' Allright - 6:05

3. Be Yourself - 3:21

4. Rollin' Again - 3:32

5. Free Spirit - 2:54

6. A Housepainter's Song - 8:53

7. Live - 3:46

8. L.A. Police No. 55. - 5:09 

9. High In Spirits - 3:19

10.Feelin' Allright - 6:04

11.Be Yourself - 3:19

12.Rollin' Again - 3:41

13.Free Spirit - 2:54

14.A Housepainter' Song - 8:30

15.Live - 3:46

16.L.A. Police No. 55 - 5:08

All compositions by Sebastian Leitner, Gerd Hoch

Tracks 1-8 from "High In Spirits" 1977

Bonus Tracks 9-16 The Unreleased Hiltpoltstein Mix

Bullfrog

*Gerd Hoch - Vocals

*Sebastian Leitner - Guitars

*Harald Kaltenecker - Keyboards

*Vincent Trost - Bass

*Bruno Perosa - Drums, Percussion

With

*Günter Kaup- Backing Vocals

*Uwe Hillmer - Backing Vocals

*William Candler - Backing Vocals

1976  Bullfrog - Bullfrog (2013 remaster)

  

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Sky - Don't Hold Back (1970 us, fantastic power pop classic rock, 2010 bonus tracks remaster)

As part of an ongoing commemorative series of releases, the family of Doug Fieger is making available two albums by Fieger’s first band, Sky. Forty years after their original release on vinyl, Don’t Hold Back and Sailor’s Delight are being released digitally to a new generation. Better known as the lead singer of The Knack and co-writer of the #1 song of 1979, My Sharona, Fieger’s place in rock history might never have happened had it not been for the Cinderella story of Sky, nearly ten years earlier.

In 1970, Sky, whose members included Fieger, John Coury and Robert Greenfield, was achieving local success in Detroit. Although underage, the band was frequently booked at the concert venue, The Grande Ballroom, as the opening act for a powerhouse succession of groups including The Who, Joe Cocker and Jeff Beck. In a display of youthful bravado Fieger and Coury sent a letter to legendary producer, Jimmy Miller - Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, saying that if he ever found himself in Detroit he should come by and listen to their band, and to everyone’s surprise, Miller took them up on the offer.

“On his way to LA he made a pit-stop in Detroit,” recalls Greenfield. “He came to Doug's parents’ house and we played for him in their basement. The next day Jimmy Miller told us he would like us to come to London to produce us. That was the goal we had worked so hard for.”

Within weeks of graduating from high school, a seventeen year-old Fieger and his bandmates were on a plane to London and Olympic Studios with a recording contract on RCA records.

With Miller on board, the lineup of musicians that came in to work with Sky reads like a Who’s Who of 60s rock and roll: Bobby Keys on sax, Jim Price on trumpet, Nicky Hopkins on keyboards as well as Gary Wright - who also produced, Chris Wood - Traffic on woodwinds, and Ian Stewart on piano. Andy Johns - Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St., Goat's Head Soup and Led Zeppelin IV engineered and shared producer credit.

Don’t Hold Back was released that year and work on the second album Sailor’s Delight began almost immediately - in LA and at the Rolling Stones’ mobile studio at Mick Jagger’s mansion, Stargroves; this time with a new drummer, 16 year-old Rob Stawinski. Sky returned to LA for the 1971 release of the album, but marketing was weak and sales were tepid. The band broke up and went their separate ways. Fieger went on to co-found The Knack, but he remained close friends with Coury, who also found success in the music business, recording with Don Henley and co-writing the hit “Last Worthless Evening.” In 1994 he played on The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over and continued to tour with them until 2000. Stawinski toured with Badfinger before returning to his hometown near Detroit. Of his time with Sky Stawinski comments, “I am proud, to this day, of what we accomplished.”

After Fieger’s death in 2010 his family decided to go about obtaining the rights from RCA. However, this project was not purely sentimental. Not only did they believe in the quality of the material - all written by Fieger and Coury, but having seen that Sky was frequently referenced on Knack message boards, the family concluded that there was also general interest in the music and wanted to make it available to fans.

Long-time Knack producer Richard Bosworth was called in to digitally re-master the songs. The project interested him immediately; despite having worked so closely with Doug he knew of Sky, but had never heard the songs before. He was not disappointed. “I - was impressed with the quality of songs Sky composed for theses two albums,” he says. “I've become a fan.”

Discovered among the recordings were some titles and mixes that did not appear on the original albums. They have been included as bonus tracks on the re-releases as a treat for those fans from long ago who never expected to hear a “new” Sky song after all these years.

by Heather Noonan, April 12, 2011

Tracks

1. Goodie Two Shoes - 2:52

2. Take Off And Fly - 4:41

3. Rockin' Me Yet - 3:08

4. I Still Do (Doug Fieger, John Coury) - 3:25

5. Make It In Time (Doug Fieger, John Coury) - 4:14

6. One Love (Doug Fieger, John Coury) - 2:54

7. There In The Greenbriar - 4:07

8. How's That Treatin' Your Mouth, Babe? - 2:57

9. Homin' Ground - 1:59

10.Feels Like 1000 Years - 5:08

11.You Are The One - 3:59

12.Anomona Getcha (John Coury) - 2:45

13.Watcha Gonna Do - 2:20

All songs by Doug Fieger except where stated

Sky

*John Coury - Flute, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

*Douglas Lars Fieger - Bass, Guitar, Vocals

*Rob Stawinski - Drums, Percussion

With

*Bobby Keys - Saxophone

*Jim Price - Saxophone

*Bob Greenfield - Drums

*Alan White - Drums

*Chris Wood - Flute

*Gary Wright - Keyboards

*P.P. Arnold - Vocals

*Flo Bender - Vocals 

*Doris Troy - Vocals

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The Albert - The Albert (1970 us, fascinating blues jazz brass rock, Vinyl edition)

Albert where formed late sixties in New York City by the time when Otis Smith left his band  (All Night Workers, which found national success with its 1965 recording “Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket,” a tune that was paired with “Why Don’t You Smile?,” co-written by friends Reed and John Cale), round  1968, by which point Smith had moved to New York City’s Albert Hotel, where he met musicians like Howard Wyeth, Jon Huston, Paul Dickler among others. 

The hotel was located in Greenwich Vllage in New York City and was a hangout of many musicians, such as Tim Buckley, Mike Bloomfield, Skip Spence, Mama Cass Elliot, Jonathan Richman, John Sebastian, James Taylor, Frank Zappa and many others. It was actually a shelter and several musicians had negative experiences. 

Smith and his friends created a shape which they called "The Albert" apparently after the name of the hotel. They released two albums by the same name "The Albert". Their musical horizons were quite wide, from elements of jazz, blues, psychedelic rock with lots of horns, splendid vocals and great guitar work. After achieving limited success as The Albert, some of the members joined Bob Dylan for his Rolling Thunder Revue and recordings.

Otis Smith passed away in 2008, and Howard Wyeth the keyboardist and drummer who was the one of the guys who joined Dylan’s band, died March 27, 1996.

Tracks

1. Pity The Child (John Trivers, Marcia Hillman) - 6:12

2. Things Ain't Easy (Jon Huston) - 7:13

3. Cold 'n' Hard (Louis St. Louis) - 7:33

4. Been So Good (For So Long) (Louis St. Louis) - 8:39

5. Misery (Lloyd Baskin) - 4:37

6. Let It Fall (Howard Wyeth) - 6:13

The ALbert

*Otis Smith - Vocals, Congas

*Frank Vicari - Tenor Saxophone 

*Michael Gibson - Lead Trombone 

*Jon Huston - Solo Trombone, Trumpet 

*Jay Silva - Lead Trumpet 

*Richard Meisterman - Solo Trumpet 

*Paul Dickler - Guitar 

*Howard Wyeth - Organ, Piano 

*Paul Petruccelli - Bass 

*Barry Lazarowitz - Drums

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Second Life - Second Life (1971 germany, tough stoner krautrock, digipak remaster)

Second Life is a hard rock power-trio from Frankfurt, which should appeal to Jimi Hendrix fans. Their self-titled debut LP relies heavily on the Hendrix power-trio approach as the overall feel of the music and especially the vocals has Hendrix written all over it. The album kicks off with the twenty-minute epic ‘Second Life’. A collage of explosions introduces the track before giving way to some rather downbeat acoustic guitar and vocals. Slowly the track builds into a heavy guitar jam (the second life) containing heavy blues rock riffs and Hendrix-styled guitar solos before giving way to a six-minute drum solo. 

Following this solo the track returns to the heavy riff motifs that were featured earlier before ending with another collage of explosions. ‘I’m Going’ follows a similar path in that it starts off slow before building up steam. The guitar on this track sounds a bit psychedelic and the vocals sound like Hendrix. ‘Raiders Of Night’ is a heavy anthem containing a heavy riff and a catchy chorus. ‘Sunshine Is Dying’ and ‘Hate’ close out the album in similar fashion with ‘Hate’ being the stronger of the two tracks. Overall this album is a good first outing. Soon after its release the band changed their name to Tiger B. Smith

Tracks

1. Second Life - 20:55

2. I'm Going - 5:37

3. Raiders Of Night - 4:58

4. Sunshine Is Dying - 5:27

5. Hate - 5:02

All compositions by Holger Schmidt, Claus Meinhardt, Karl-Heinz Trauth

Second Life

*Holger Schmidt - Guitar, Vocals

*Claus Meinhardt - Bass, Vocals

*Karl-Heinz Trauth - Drums

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Overland Stage - Overland Stage (1972 us, wonderful prog folk rock harmonies with spiritual references)

Although it was released in 1972 by the major label Columbia, it disappeared without a trace.

Overland Stage was six-piece from Fargo, North Dakota. They moved to West Coast to record their self titled album.. Except for "To The Park" (recorded in Chicago), the album was all recorded at Columbia Studio in San Francisco, but the members must have felt something very different from the desolate atmosphere of their hometowns.

The back of the album has a brief band introduction beginning with "Six Jesus freaks playing rock and roll". Therefore, although it is classified as Christian music, the sound is more progressive folk rock with a light swamp color that reflects from  the lightness of the guitar and the coolness of the vocals and chorus. It also has a quirky feel, with effective use of conga and flute, and the occasional use of unique rhythms.　

I think songs like Stephen Stills' "Cherokee", which has a dry chorus and flute is like a desert drive, "It's Just Life", has an acoustic vibe  that fits with the flute, are their signature style. Ballads like "Will Leave Me" have a healing taste to Christians. "Don't You Believe", has a pleasant mellow repetition, and the groovy cover of Trilogy's "I'm Beginning To Feel It" is fab. In conclusion the feel is a warm minor wind blowing through the desolate land.

Tracks

1. Salvation (Dave Hanson) - 3:24

2. Cherokee (Stephen Stills) - 3:53

3. She Will Leave Me (Julian Elofson) - 3:11

4. I'm Beginning To Feel It (Kevin McCann) - 2:58

5. Brother Moses (Dave Hanson, Julian Elofson) - 5:30

6. To The Park (Rick Johnsgard) - 3:08

7. After You Leave Me (George Clinton) - 3:15

8. Don't You Believe It (Dave Hanson) - 3:11

9. It's Just Life (Rick Johnsgard) - 3:55

10.Indian (Dave Hanson, Julian Elofson) - 4:49

Overland Stage

*Julian "Al" Elofson - Vocals, Congas 

*Don "Milker" Miller - Guitar 

*Rick "Banch" Johnsgard - Guitar, Flute, Vocals 

*Jim "Bink" Flint - Organ, Piano 

*Steve "Boobs" Babbs - Bass 

*Dave "Mort" Hanson - Drums, Vocals

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Cochise - So Far (1972 uk, rough country classic rock, 2002 edition)

Cochise is one of those talented, early-1970s English bands that simply couldn't catch a break in the United States (not to imply they were commercial gangbusters in their native UK).   The band  was largely the brainchild of former Plastic Penny lead guitarist Mick Grabham.  When Plastic Penny folded Grabham started recruiting for a new band,  Formed in 1969 the original Cochise lineup featured the talents of former Bluesology singer Stewart Brown, pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, ex-Taste drummer John 'Willie' Wilson, and former Jokers Wild bassist Ricky Wills  Having played the college and club circuit, they found a backer in the form of Andrew Lauder who helped get them a contract with United Artists.

With another personnel change that saw former Creepy John Thomas Roy Otemro (aka Roy O'Temro) replace original drummer Wilson (who subsequently following by stints in Stud and Quiver (soon to be The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver), the band released a third studio set, 1972's "So Far". 

Bad-Cat

Tracks

1. Cajun Girl (Roy O'Temro) - 3:28

2. Blind Love (David Elliott) - 4:38

3. Dance, Dance, Dance (Neil Young) - 3:58

4. So Many Times (Rick Wills) - 3:17

5. Diamonds (Mick Grabham) - 3:25

6. Thunder In The Crib (B.J. Cole) - 3:58

7. Up And Down (Roy O'Temro) - 5:41

8. Wishing Well (Mick Grabham) - 3:02

9. Midnight Moonshine (Mick Grabham) - 6:12

Cochise

*Stewart Brown - Vocals, Guitar

*B.J. Cole - Steel Guitar

*Mick Grabham - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

*Rick Wills - Bass, Vocals

*John 'Willie' Wilson - Drums

*Roy O'Temro - Drums

*John Gilbert - Vocals

1970  Cochise - Cochise (2002 edition)  

1970-72  Cochise – Velvet Mountain An Anthology (2013 double disc)  

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David Buskin - He Used To Treat Her (1973 us, smart bright folk rock)

First of all, this is me writing this, so you can be pretty sure the good stuff is left out – hey, I might need it for my memoirs or to blackmail someone. I was born and grew up in the Bronx. I went to PS 28 (like Artie Traum ), Horace Mann ( like Eliot Spitzer ), Brown University (like E. Howard Hunt ) and the U.S. Army (like Ulysses S. Grant). I’ve been doing music of one form or another as long as I can remember. So that’s for a least half an hour.

My father was a sea captain. We didn’t know each other too well, but he had a good sense of humor, and my love of silliness is a gift from him. My mother wanted to be a doctor, but she had a congenital hearing loss, and her zoology professor at Barnard spoke too softly for her to hear, so she ended up studying botany. She taught dance at Russell Sage in Troy, NY, where they dedicated the yearbook to her. She was incredibly sweet, gentle and loving, and she wanted the world to be high-minded and well-mannered. I get my gullibility from her. Music from both of them. One of my fondest memories is singing at Carnegie Hall around 1971 with my parents beaming up at me from the third row. I remember thinking, “For a Jewish kid from the Bronx, it don’t get too much better than this.”

I think this is already too long. I’ve made several albums, the first of which was recorded on an Edison cylinder. I’ve had songs recorded by Judy Collins, Tom Rush, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis, Astrud Gilberto, Tracy Nelson, Jane Olivor, Dixie Carter, Pat Benatar, Roberta Flack, the drummer from Kiss, some guys from Toto, and some others I’m not remembering at the moment. My darkest moment as a songwriter was having Frank Sinatra cut one of my songs, not like his vocal and never re-record it. Jingles recorded by everybody. My faves are a Burger King spot by Mel Tormé with a big band –little slice of heaven for Davy getting to meet and work with Mel – and – aside from Robin singing his little heart out on my Post Office song, “We Deliver For You” – maybe Richie Havens’ work on the Amtrak campaign I did, “All Aboard, America.” Oh, and Jonatha Brooke singing “Serious Freedom” for Goodyear, which has about nothing to do with tires and gives you a pretty good idea of the Alice In Wonderland qualities of the ad biz. This is an industry that hired Dr. John to do a voiceover (!), and then the woman asked him, 1) Could he put a little more smile into it, and 2) Did he have to do it in a Southern accent…. But the money was cute.

But I digress, as Rob Carlson ( one of my two, ah, supporting players in Modern Man ) would say. The best part about the rock and roll purgatory that was the late, unlamented band Pierce Arrow was meeting the aforementioned Batteau person. We certainly have had a lot of fun. For example: Singing the Everly Brothers’ classic, “Bird Dog” at a benefit with Paul Newman speaking the “He’s a bird” lines. Paul Newman! Hearing about the Peekskill riots from Pete Seeger himself. Pete Seeger! Starting to sing my verse to “Amazing Grace” at one of the Newport Folk Festivals – big finale with all your serious folk royalty onstage – and having Bonnie Raitt goose me, causing the lyrics to mutate into French or something. Bonnie Raitt! Grabbing my…attention! It’s a full life.

Last few years I’m getting my kicks writing plays and sketches and the like. The first one, my putative director James Naughton says lacks a second act. I suggest we do it as a one-act, thus saving everyone a lot of time and trouble. He does not respond. But I’m happily at work on a musical with one of my jingle mentors, the prodigious and very Protestant Jake Holmes. We have high hopes. One act. No intermission. Home in time for Law and Order. What more could anyone need?

by David Buskin

Tracks

1. Another Time - 4:08

2. Trials - 3:24

3. Eden - 3:52

4. Feel A Little Lonely - 3:00

5. Every Night And Day - 2:57

6. He Used To Treat Her - 4:18

7. Solo - 3:01

8. In Your Songs - 4:14

9. Oh, What A Feeling - 3:36

10.Downriver - 4:10

Music and Lyrics by David Buskin

Musicians

*David Buskin  - Guitar, Piano, Vocals 

*Kenny Buttrey  - Drums

*Robert Charles  - Congas

*Dennis Good  - Trombone

*Teddy Irwin  - Congas, Guitar

*Skip Lane  - Tenor  Sax 

*John Bird  - Guitar

*John Bird  - Guitar

*Mike Leech  - Bass

*Jimmy Maelen  - Percussion

*Bob Mann  - Guitar

*Farrell Morris  - Percussion

*Andy Muson  - Bass

*Billy Puett  - Baritone  Sax

*Norbert Putnam  - Drums

*Norman Ray  - Baritone  Sax

*Allan Schwartzberg  - Drums

*Don Sheffield  - Trumpet

*Glen Spreen  - Organ, Synthesizer

*Jon Stroll  - Keyboards, Piano

*George Tidwell  - Trumpet

*Florence Warner  - Vocals 

*Bobby Woods  - Electric Piano

*Doug Yankus  - Electric Guitar

*Reggie Young  - Electric Guitar

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Frank White - Nice To Be On Your Show (1973 uk, tough boogie, roots 'n' roll, classic rock)

Sheffield born guitar player Frank White, started in the 1960s, where he toured Europe with another local hero, The Crying Game pop star Dave Berry and the Cruisers. He played with Carl Perkins, Albert Lee and The Crickets. Frank,  is regarded as a musician who could have matched the careers of Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, if he had wished, but he put aside the chance of global fame and fortune in favour of family and faith.

Frank’s solo debut album – Nice To Be On Your Show – was released in 1973 on Fantasy Records, home of Creedence Clearwater Revival. The album features five original songs penned by Frank and seven covers from Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly among others. Four man tight band, in blues vein, groovy roots with great dual guitar parts.

There are enough myths and legends surrounding Frank White to give Homer a sequel to The Odyssey. That the Rolling Stones wanted him in the band when Mick Taylor left. That Elvis saw him on ‘Shindig’ and was digging his playing. That, off the record, he’s Eric Clapton’s favourite guitarist. That he could have been the first white guy signed to Motown. That his mate Joe Cocker wanted him for The Grease Band. That he had the first twin-neck electric guitar in Europe, before Jimmy Page. (That one is true). 

Frank has rejected the conjecture. Only he knows the truth. He’s put aside the chance of fame and fortune in favour of family and faith. The King of Don Valley Delta Blues counts off “Blue Moon Of Kentucky”, he understands that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just keep the axle greased and let it roll on down Route 66, or the A57......  Sadly Frank died on March 29 2020.

Tracks

1. Nobody (Wayne Carson Thompson) - 2:33

2. Not Fade Away (Charles Hardin, Norman Petty) - 3:06

3. Move On (Frank White) - 3:08

4. What Am I Living For (Arthur Harris, Fred Jay) - 5:09

5. Kingdom Hall (Frank White) - 3:22

6. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Bill Monroe) - 3:20

7. Gonna Find My Baby (Gotta Find My Baby) (Chuck Berry) - 2:25

8. Punk (Frank White) - 5:40

9. No Money Down (Chuck Berry) - 2:37

10.Nice To Be On Your Show (Frank White) - 4:03

11.Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Lloyd Price) - 3:03

12.Darnall Dogtrack (Frank White) - 2:22

Personnel

*Frank White - Electric, Slide Guitars, Vocals

*Pat Donaldson - Bass

*Gerry Conway - Drums, Percussion

*Roy Barber - Electric Guitar 

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Bob Patterson - Instrumentalist Singer Songwriter (1971 us, elegant folk blues rock, 2009 korean bonus tracks remaster)

Bob Patterson is an award-winning songwriter, singer, storyteller, author, visual artist, and public speaker. He’s been performing all over the country at festivals, clubs, radio, and television for more than fifty years. He was awarded the Fellow Man and Mother Earth Award from the Stetson Kennedy Foundation and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Storytelling Association. While capable of performing a wide variety of music, he prefers performances where he can perform his original Florida Stories and Songs. He’s an advocate for protecting the wild heart of Florida, especially clean water.

His career began in the late 1960s when he signed a recording contract with the prestigious folk music label, Vanguard Records. He recorded an album at that time with his folk-rock band, Elizabeth. Bob wrote and sang the popular single “Mary Ann,” along with four other cuts on the album. Bob moved to Florida in 1969 and became an integral part of the Florida folk music scene. He has been featured at the Florida Folk Festival for over forty years performing 12 string guitar and songwriting workshops, storytelling, and music concerts. 

Presenting this 1971 mellow-folk rarity, extremely rare private folk record assembled by friends in a Philadelphia studio. Most tracks have multiple layered guitars, and 8 of the 12 songs have vocals. Listen to the doomy "Darlin' Good Girl," which sounds like the Richard Farina classic "The Bold Marauder" to some ears. If you collect private folk LPs from this era, you'll be hard-pressed to top this one for quality and obscurity. A near-perfect, sun-dappled recording, but there's a darkness amidst the calmness as well.

Bob Patterson opened for Emmy Lou Harris at the 2005 event and was chosen as one of the Legacy Performers for 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 festivals. He independently produces music and stories on CD which have received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. His songs have been recognized by the American Song Festival and The Best of Florida Song Writing Competition. His song “Lullabye of the Rivers” was used in the documentary film about the Ocklawaha River. He had his book “Forgotten Tales of Florida” published by the History Press.

Bob is the co-founder of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival and has served as the event’s artistic director for over fifteen years. He is a board member of the Florida Storytelling Association and has been producing music for the HAWKE Wildlife Association’s “Music for the Birds Concert” for over twenty years. The editor of First Coast Entertainer, Rick Grant, writes that “Bob valiantly carries on the Gamble Rogers tradition of humorous storytelling, folk-singing, and consummate guitar artistry. He is a true Florida songwriter and superb picker of the 12 string.”

Dr. Margaret Longhill, president of the Will McLean Foundation writes, “His songs, like his photographs, vignettes of the heart, stir us to look a little deeper and love a little more.” With a distinctive voice and 12 string guitar technique, Bob will take you on a trip through the real Florida that is filled with humor and folklore of the people.”

Coast-Culture

Tracks

1. Travelin’ Through The Countryside - 4:54

2. Meadowlands (Instrumental) (Traditional) - 2:38

3. Darlin’ Good Girl - 2:45

4. Here’s To Huddie (Instrumental) - 1:19

5. I Am Abandoned - 4:30

6. I’m Going Home - 3:33

7. Bed Of Roses - 3:34

8. Mick’s Celebration (Instrumental) - 1:50

9. Lonesome City - 3:00

10.The Alarm Rings Five - 4:18

11.Trippin’ To Boston (Instrumental) - 2:14

12.Friends Of Mine - 3:04

13.Mississippi In The Morning - 4:04

14.Mary Ann - 2:57

All songs by Bob Patterson except where noted

Bonus Tracks 13-14

Personnel

*Bob Patterson - Vocals, Twelve-String Guitar

*Jerry Ricks - Acoustic, Slide Guitars (Tracks 1-12)

*Chuck Klein - Dulcimer (Track 3)

*Ken Jacobs - Bass (Tracks 5,7,12)

*John Ransome - Bass (Track 6)

*Hank Ransome - Drums (Track 6)

*Cotton Kent - Keyboards (Track 6)

*Phil Peterson - Rhythm Guitar (Track 7)

*Bob Roberts - Banjo (Track 12)

*Michael Rector - Bass (Track 13)

*Derek Hess - Drums (Track 13)

*Jimmy Nee - Pedal Steel Guitar (Track 13) 

*Joline Patterson - Bass (Track 14)

*John Magee - Drums, Percussion (Track 14)

*Kenny Levine - Strings (Track 14) 

Related Act

1968  Elizabeth - Elizabeth (Vinyl edition)

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