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Plain and Fancy

Music gives soul to universe, wings to mind, flight to imagination, charm to sadness, and life to everything.

Plato

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Procol Harum - A Salty Dog (1969 uk, exceptional baroque psych prog rock, 2009, 2012 japan and 2015 double disc remasters)



The most exciting facet of this tremendous album is not so much that it contains the Procols' best recorded works to date, but that their potential is still nowhere near being fully spent. 

If this is an example of what their experiments can lead them to, long may they continue to push out past the accepted frontiers of pop. 

It would be hard to pick a stand-out but the title-track, also their current single, must rank as their most potently commercial offering since Whiter Shade of Pale. The poetic quality of Keith Reid's lyrics delivered by Gary Brooker against music that rises and crashes like the waves adds up to a positively stunning track. 

Brooker takes five other writing credits; Milk of Human Kindness is a personal favourite, mainly for its gorgeous razzy guitar. Too much Between Us, which he co-wrote with Robin Trower, is wispy and dreamy with shades of Incredible String Band in the harmonies. The Devil Came from Kansas has a distinct country feel with Barrie Wilson's powerful drumming behind a piano running rife. All This and More is nearer the old Procols. 

Boredom, by Brooker and Matthew Fisher, has the latter featured strongly on marimba with a pretty calypso lilt making it one of the most appealing songs. 

Fisher on his own has two entries, stand out being Wreck of the Hesperus with a complex arrangement for piano and strings that spins like whirlpools of water and has a charm and prettiness little found in today's pop. 

The album also marks the emergence of Trower as a writing force. His two songs include Juicy John Pink, a strident rock blues with shades of John Lee Hooker. Other titles: Crucifiction Lane, Pilgrim's Progress
by Nick Logan in New Musical Express, 5 July 1969


Tracks
1. A Salty Dog - 4:39
2. The Milk Of Human Kindness - 3:44
3. Too Much Between Us - 3:40
4. The Devil Came From Kansas - 4:33
5. Boredom - 4:37
6. Juicy John Pink - 2:04
7. Wreck Of The Hesperus - 3:44
8. All This And More - 3:47
9. Crucifiction Lane - 4:56
10.Pilgrim's Progress - 4:33
11.Long Gone Geek - 3:18
12.Goin' Down Slow - 7:48
13.Juicy John Pink - 2:39
14.Crucification Lane - 4:35
15.Skip Softly My Moonbeams / Also Sprach Zarathustra - 5:29
16.The Milk Of Human Kindness - 3:47
All Lyrics by Keith Reid except track #12
Tracks 1-5,8,11,15,16 Music by Gary Brooker
Tracks 3,6,9,13,14 Music by Robin Trower
Tracks 5,7,10,11 Music by Matthew Fisher
Track 12 written by James B. Oden
Tracks 12-15 recorded in USA April 1969
Track 16 Take 1 / Raw Backing Track


Same Tracklist as above


Disc 1
1. A Salty Dog - 4:39
2. The Milk Of Human Kindness - 3:45
3. Too Much Between Us - 3:43
4. The Devil Came From Kansas - 4:36
5. Boredom - 4:34
6. Juicy John Pink - 2:06
7. Wreck Of The Hesperus - 3:48
8. All This And More - 3:51
9. Crucifiction Lane - 5:00
10.Pilgrims Progress - 4:31
All Lyrics by Keith Reid
Tracks 1-5,8,11 Music by Gary Brooker
Tracks 3,6,9 Music by Robin Trower
Tracks 5,7,10 Music by Matthew Fisher


Disc 2
1. Skip Softly (My Moonbeams) - 3:47
2. Wish Me Well - 3:41
3. Long Gone Geek - 2:42
4. Goin' Down Slow - 7:48
5. Juicy John Pink - 2:38
6. Crucifiction Lane - 4:46
7. Skip Softly My Moonbeams / Also Sprach Zarathustra - 5:25
8. The Milk Of Human Kindness - 3:39
9. Juicy John Pink - 2:15
10.A Salty Dog - 4:36
11.Long Gone Geek - 3:10
12.The Milk Of Human Kindness - 3:57
All Lyrics by Keith Reid except track #4
Tracks 1-3,8,10-12 Music by Gary Brooker
Tracks 5,6,9 Music by Robin Trower
Tracks 3,11 Music by Matthew Fisher
Track 4 written by James B. Oden
Tracks 1,2,3,9 recorded at 'Top Gear' BBC Radio One Session
Tracks 4-7 recorded in USA April 1969
Track 8 recorded at 'Symonds On Sunday' BBC Radio One Session
Tracks 10,11 Mono Single Mix
Track 12 Take 1 / Raw Backing Track

Procol Harum
*Gary Brooker - Vocals, Piano, Celeste, 3-Stringed Guitar, Bells, Harmonica, Recorder, Woods,  Orchestral Arrangements 
*Keith Reid - Words  
*Matthew Fisher - Organ, Vocals, Marimba, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Recorder, Rhythm Guitar,  Orchestral Arrangements 
*David Knights - Bass  
*B.J.Wilson - Drums, Conga Drums, Tabla  
*Robin Trower - Lead Guitar, Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Sleigh Tambourine  
*John Juian Kalinowski "Kellogs" - Bosun's Whistle  


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Friday, April 4, 2025

Grinderswitch - Right On Time (1980 us, great southern rock, 2009 edition)



Having issues with their label, as their commercial success was declining dramatically, and the changes in music with disco and punk taking the lion's share of the sales,  the times were difficult but they stayed together and in 1980 they recorded and released “Right On Time”, on Auric Records, a Florida based label. The bulk of the compositions of course goes to Dru Lombar, who signed half of the album's 10 songs.

There's another version of our favourite “Lady Luck”, of the three that have appeared on three different albums in total. Τhe music follows the familiar sound fields, with the guitars dominating, the vocals and the rest of the instruments all in high standards. A year later, “Have Band Will Travel” released on the independent Robox Records and soon after, -they realized that as a band they had hit a dead end- broke up.  We love Grinderswitch, we love Southern Rock, we don't expect innovations, we are not disappointed by this album.


Tracks
1. Movin' On Back To You (Dru Lombar, Stephen Miller, Joe Dan Petty, Rick Burnett) - 3:42
2. Lady Luck (Dru Lombar) - 4:56
3. Confusion (Dru Lombar) - 6:57
4. 80 Miles To Memphis (Joe Dan Petty) - 3:08
5. Slow Movin' Dancer (Joe Dan Petty, Larry Howard) - 4:17
6. Brand New Feeling (Dru Lombar) - 3:56
7. When The Rain Comes Down (Dru Lombar, Chris Anderson) - 6:38
8. How Come It Is (Stephen Miller) - 3:41

Grinderswitch
*Dru Lombar - Vocals, Guitar, Slide Guitar
*Chris Anderson - Guitar, Vocals
*Stephen Miller - Keyboards, Vocals
*Joe Dan Petty - Bass
*Rick Burnett - Drums


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Sunday, March 30, 2025

Atlantis - Ooh Baby / Top Of The Bill (1974/76 germany, awesome groovy funky blues rock, 2012 remaster)



Despite further changes, album number 3 from Atlantis was not long in coming. “Ooh, Baby” was recorded in the summer of 1974 and produced by Dieter Dierks . One drastic change was certainly the departure of old comrade Jean-Jacques Kravetz , who only appears as a guest on piano. Adrian Askew has now taken over the keyboards and the guitar position has also been reassigned, this time with Alex Conti . The songs are short and concise and are a mix of rock, blues, soul, funk and gospel. The following year they achieved one major goal: an extensive tour of the USA. They opened for acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and Muddy Waters . But they also experienced the downside in the form of their American record company, who offered absolutely no support.

After the aforementioned US tour, Conti left the band again, and with returning guitarist Diez and newcomer Rainer Marz, they had two guitarists on board, producing "Get on Board" in 1975, their last album on Vertigo. Here, too, they start right away with the title track, a catchy number with good vocal arrangements, with all the musicians contributing background vocals. Overall, this album is a bit more rock-oriented, with the guitars clearly dominating.

Eventually, the band's spirits ran out, and in early 1976, the band's end was announced. An album called "Top of the Bill" was supposed to be released, but it contained material from '76, on which Inga Rumpf was not present (!), as well as songs from the '75 lineup. The live album recorded in 1975 will also be re-released soon.
by Juergen Meurer, January 26, 2025 


Tracks
1. Brother - 3:09
2. Son Of A Bitch's Son - 3:51
3. Waiting And Longing - 3:15
4. Mr. Bigshot - 5:31
5. The Way I Choose - 3:52
6. Ooh, Baby - 2:53
7. Smiling People (Inga Rumpf, Jean-Jacques Kravetz) - 3:31
8. New York City - 4:38
9. Godfather - 3:43
10.Leave It To The Devil - 3:12
11.Good Friends - 3:34
12.Mainline Florida (George Terry) - 2:55
13.He's Got A Gun In His Hand (Frank Diez) - 4:14
14.Hot Rocks (Mary S. Applegate, Rainer Marz, Robert A. Smith-Diesel) - 2:54
15.Out Of Tune - 3:23
16.Don't Put The Lady Down (Frank Diez, Richard Palmer-James) - 3:19
17.Northern Bounty (Mary S. Applegate, Rainer Marz, Robert A. Smith-Diesel) - 4:00
18.Haven't You Heard - 5:30
19.Just Blues (Adrian Askew, Inga Rumpf, Karl-Heinz Schott, Ringo Funk, Rainer Marz, Frank Diez) - 11:28
Tracks 1,3,6,11,15,18 written by Inga Rumpf
Tracks 2,4,5,8,9,10 written by Adrian Askew
Tracks 1-10 are taken from the LP "Ooh Baby".
Track 11 is taken from the single "Good Friends"
Track 12 is taken from the single "Mainline Florida".
Tracks 13-19 are taken from the LP 'Top of the Bill'.

Atlantis
*Inga Rumpf - Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
*Adrian Askew - Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
*Karl Heinz Schott - Bass, Vocals
*Ringo Funk - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals 
*Alex Conti - Guitar, Backing Vocals (Tracks 1-11)
*Jean-Jacques Kravetz - Grand Piano (Tracks 1-11)
*Frank Diez - Guitar (Tacks 12-19)
With
*Linda Fields - Backing Vocals (Tracks 1-11)
*Jasper van't Hoff - Soloist, Piano (Track 7)
*Gerald Hartwig - Bass (Track 13)
*Ingo Bischof - Keyboards (Tracks 13,14,17)


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Monday, March 24, 2025

Procol Harum - Shine On Brightly (1968 uk, fantastic pych prog rock, three different versions, 2009, 2012 japan and 2015 three disc box set remasters)



Shine On Brightly, released in 1968, was Procol Harum’s second studio album. It followed on from their iconic single, A Whiter Shade of Pale, which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, and their 1967 debut studio album, Procol Harum.

Shine On Brightly highlights the progressive path the band were trailblazing in 1968, with a unique mix of rock, blues, classical, and psychedelic influences. Quite Rightly So, the opening track, showcases all these elements. Matthew Fisher’s Hammond organ mixes classical and psychedelic influences, over which Gary Brooker’s expressive voice, and urgent piano playing, give flight to Keith Reid’s figurative lyrics. Robin Trower part way through the song adds a trademark squall of bluesy guitar. The very capable rhythm section of Dave Knights on bass and B. J. Wilson on drums, propel the song forward with some very funky playing. A really striking opening to the album.

Shine On Brightly, the title track, features B. J. Wilson’s imaginative drumming built on subtle fills and splashing cymbals, and Robin Trower’s atmospheric and wailing guitar phrases. Gary Brooker’s vocal has a lament quality, as he gives an eloquent reading of Keith Reid’s lyrics which convey bewilderment and questioning. The opening couplet is quite intriguing

Matthew Fisher’s organ solo at the midpoint in the song is quite exquisite, and the song is undoubtedly one of the album highlights. 

Skip Softly (My Moonbeams) is possibly the most psychedelic track on the album. It has a playful musical feel, with what sounds like a tuba in the mix. The song then evolves and offers up an impressionistic instrumental section, that begins softly with just organ and piano, before Dave Knights’s bass brings back in the drums and guitar, with a marvellous solo from Robin Trower, full of ringing reverb. Wish Me Well, offers another side of the band, and has an expansive blues base, where Gary Brooker’s rolling piano chords and soaring voice prove irresistible. Complementing this is Robin Trower’s sublime sustain laden guitar fills and solo.  

Rambling On has a classic progressive rock flavour, with its slow build, anthemic middle section, and slight return coda. Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone), in contrast, is a slow paced ballad, that shines the spotlight back on Gary Brooker’s very fine voice. Both these tracks set the scene nicely, for the lengthy five section suite that follows, In Held Twas in I. It is a hugely ambitious piece with varying musical colours and lyrical concepts, and evidences the innovative and creative drive that was at the heart of the band.

Part One, Glimpses Of Nirvana, has two mystical spoken word passages, that appear to muse on philosophical questions about being. A central musical theme is played, which at different points involves piano, organ, guitar, sitar, and choral voices. Part Two, Twas Tea Time At The Circus, begins with tubular bells, and has a freewheeling and jaunty mood, which somewhat contrasts with the lyrical content which asks the listener to look below the surface of what we think we see. Part Three, In The Autumn Of My Madness, mixes a lilting organ harmony, and syncopated rhythm, with random sounds that fly in and out of the mix, including an old-fashioned car horn and sirens. Part Four, Look To Your Soul, has an initial instrumental section, with some wondrous hard rock guitar effects and an organ motif, that are complemented by some precision ensemble playing. When the vocal enters, Gary Brooker’s voice weaves around the tumbling drums and then soars over the music. The very best vocal performance on the album and a perfect complement to the words that pose the process of learning and seeking as the key to being.  Part five, Grand Finale, is a majestic instrumental piece that has the choral vocals returning and provides the setting for Robin Trower’s stand out guitar solo, full of melodic runs. It just has to be heard
by Gareth Allen on 23rd May 2024


Tracks
1. Quite Rightly So (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:38
2. Shine On Brightly - 3:30
3. Skip Softly (My Moonbeams) - 3:43
4. Wish Me Well - 3:20
5. Rambling On - 4:28
6. Magdalene - 2:47
7. Glimpses Of Nirvana (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 4:20
8. Twas Teatime At The Circus (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 1:15
9. In The Autumn Of My Madness (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:02
10.Look To Your Soul (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 4:49
11.Grande Finale (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:39
12.Quite Rightly So (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:42
13.In The Wee Small Hours Of Sixpence - 3:02
14.Monsieur Armand - 2:39
15.Seem To Have The Blues - 2:48
16.McGreggor - 2:47
17.The Gospel According To... - 3:28
18.Shine On Brightly - 3:23
19.Magdalene - 2:25
20.A Robe Of Silk (Gary Brooker) - 1:59
21.Monsieur Armand (Gary Brooker) - 2:42
22.In The Wee Small Hours Of Sixpence (Gary Brooker) - 3:00
All Music by Gary Brooker, Lyrics by Keith Reid except where indicated
Bonus Tracks 12-22


Same tracklist as above


Disc 1
1. Quite Rightly So (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:40
2. Shine On Brightly - 3:31
3. Skip Softly (My Moonbeams) - 3:45
4. Wish Me Well - 3:18
5. Rambling On - 4:29
6. Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone) - 2:48
 "In Held 'Twas In I"
7. Glimpses Of Nirvana (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 4:29
8. Twas Tea Time At The Circus (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 1:19
9. In The Autumn Of My Madness (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:08
10.Look To Your Soul (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 4:58
11.Grand Finale (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:36
12.Il Tuo Diamante - 3:27
13.Quite Rightly So - 3:41
14 In The Wee Small Hours Of Sixpence (Gary Brooker) - 3:00
All Music by Gary Brooker, Lyrics by Keith Reid except where noted  
Tracks 1-11 Stereo Mix Released as Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1004 in December 1968
Bonus Tracks 12-14


Disc 2
1. Quite Rightly So (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:34
2. Shine On Brightly - 3:27
3. Skip Softly (My Moonbeams) - 3:41
4. Wish Me Well - 3:12
5. Rambling On - 4:25
6. Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone) - 2:46
 'In Held 'Twas In I'
7. Glimpses Of Nirvana (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 4:25
8. Twas Tea Time At The Circus (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 1:18
9. In The Autumn Of My Madness (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:05
10.Look To You Soul (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 4:53
11.Grand Finale (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:33
All Music by Gary Brooker, Lyrics by Keith Reid except where stated
Mono Mix Released As Regal Zonophone LRZ 1004 in December 1968

Disc 3
1. Monsieur Armand (Gary Brooker) - 2:29
2. Seem To Have The Blues (Most All The Time) - 2:46
3. Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone) - 2:24
4. Shine On Brightly - 3:19
5. In The Wee Small Hours Of Sixpence (Gary Brooker) - 3:02
6. Monsieur Armand - 2:45
7. A Robe Of Silk (Gary Brooker) - 1:56
8. McGreggor - 2:45
9. The Gospel According To... (Wish Me Well) - 3:32
10.Skip Softly (My Moonbeams) - 3:28
11.Quite Rightly So (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher) - 3:38
12.Ramblin' On - 4:12
13.Shine On Brightly - 3:41
14.Skip Softly (My Moonbeams) - 3:27
15.Wish Me Well - 2:31
16.Long Gone Geek - 2:32
17.In Held 'Twas In I (Look To Your Soul / Grand Finale) - 3:59
All Music by Gary Brooker, Lyrics by Keith Reid unless as else written
Tracks 1-9 from "Top Gear" BBC Radio One Session - 14 February 1968
Tracks 10-13 from  "Top Gear" BBC Radio One Session - 19 August 1968
Tracks 14-16 from "Top Gear" BBC Radio One Session - 6 October 1968

Procol Harum
*Matthew Fisher - Organ, Vocals, Piano
*Dave Knights - Bass Guitar
*B.J. Wilson - Drums
*Robin Trower - Guitar, Vocals
*Gary Brooker - Piano, Vocals
*Keith Reid - Lyrics


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Monday, March 17, 2025

Claw - Diggin' In (1980 us, rough boogie hard rock with southern feel and psych touches, 2024 reissue)



Originally released in 1980 on private press vinyl, "Diggin' in' is the only album by the US trio Claw. Probably hailed from Illinois, the recordings took place, round 1978  at the GDS studio in Morton. Seven songs are original penned by the band, in the vein of hard boogie southern rock, and three covers one Beatles song, and the other two from the blues legends Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.


Tracks
1. Diggin' In - 2:14
2. Mannish Boy (Muddy Waters, Mel London, Bo Diddley)  - 2:55
3. Cathouse Stomp  - 4:25
4. Eleanor Rigby (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 4:47
5. Bred To Rock And Roll  - 3:58
6. Captain Feelgood  - 4:31
7. Love Pit  - 2:18
8. Coke Call Rock  - 6:17
9. Voltage Man  - 2:47
10.Spoonful  - An Abstract Jam (Willie Dixon) - 8:07
All songs by Danny Meyers, Jack Reginald, Moe Baker except where indicated

Claw
*Danny Meyers - Bass
*Moe Baker - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
*Jack Reginald - Guitar, Vocals

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Thursday, March 13, 2025

Steve Miller Band - Recall The Beginning...A Journey From Eden (1972 us, exceptional bluesy classic roots rock, 2018 digi sleeve remaster)

 


Steve Miller had a real ace up his sleeve and delivered it to an unsuspecting public in 1972. Miller retreated to the studio with a brace of crack studio vets and issued “Recall The Beginning…A Jounery From Eden” to critical raves. 

The record begins with a soul/funk instrumental called “Welcome” which slides effortlessly into a groovy 50’s Doo-Wop number called “Enter Maurice” this one is greasy as hell and a whole lot of fun. “High On You Mama” is a seductive down-home blues piece that features some pretty slide guitar and underwater bass guitar runs. “Heal Your Heart” goes back to the soul strut of early Miller albums such as “Sailor” and “Your Saving Grace.” The next track “The Sun Is Going Down” is a bit of fluff but nothing that offensive. Side one ends with a real winner called “Somebody Somewhere Help Me” this one re-visits the record’s opening theme then turns into a classic dose of blue-eyed soul (this would have been a bitchin’ 45 but Capitol wasn’t having it, what a bunch of squares man!!!)

In truth side one is fine uptempo groovin’ stuff but it simply does not prepare you for the brilliance of side 2, in my opinion this is one of the greatest album sides in pop history and probably the pinnacle of Miller’s career. It’s like Miller was magically transported back to the glory days of 1967–68. Side 2 begins with a gorgeous acoustic piece called “Love’s Riddle” which features dreamy strings and Miller’s eerie whispered vocals, then it’s right into another mellow down easy number called “Fandango” which explodes into technicolor during the song’s mid-section. 

“Nothing Lasts” is just plain incredible, it opens with a dramatic wash of strings and Miller’s elegant acoustic fingerpicking. The piece then takes flight in exhilirating fashion with Steve singing a majestic duet with himself, this number could be the greatest thing Miller ever recorded. But wait it gets even better, the closing track “Journey From Eden” (aka “Blackbird”) is a mind-numbing psychedelic trip ballad straight off the grooves of the group’s debut 1968 “Children Of The Future.” Wow! what a finish to a briiliant side of music. You might think I’m mad but the stuff on the second side of this record is right up there with Big Star #3, Forever Changes by Love and Starsailor by Tim Buckley and other heavies.
by Dave Furgess, Apr 2002


Tracks
1. Welcome - 1:17
2. Enter Maurice - 3:56
3. High On You Mama - 3:41
4. Heal Your Heart - 3:22
5. The Sun Is Going Down - 1:39
6. Somebody Somewhere Help Me - 2:36
7. Love's Riddle - 3:26
8. Fandango - 3:59
9. Nothing Lasts - 4:06
10.Journey From Eden - 6:41
All songs by Steve Miller

Steve Miller Band
 *Steve Miller - Guitar, Vocals
*Gerald Johnson - Bass Guitar
*Ben Sidran - Keyboards
*Dick Thompson - Keyboards
*Jim Keltner - Drums
*Roger Allen Clark - Drums
*Gary Mallaber - Drums
*Jack King - Drums
With
*Jesse Ed Davis - Guitar 
*Nick Decaro - Strings, Horns

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Friday, March 7, 2025

Jean Turk - Blue On Blue (1976 us / uk, fascinating raw heavy blues rock with killer lead guitar, 2024 limited 320 copies remaster)



Released in a 3-sided digi-sleeve from Seely Court in the UK. Limited pressing of 320 copies. Jean Turk is an American singer-songwriter (SSW) from Norfolk, Virginia, and is said to be the daughter of a Native American Iroquois/Cherokee chief. In 1976, while searching for a musical career in Europe, she met the UK band Mad Dogs at the US military camp circuit in Germany, and was invited to go to England and start her activities based in Liverpool. This work is an unreleased studio recording from 1976, and has been made into a CD from the master tape kept by Steve Giles (ex. Dark, etc.), who was the studio engineer at the time. The members are centered around vocalist Gene, with the aforementioned Mad Dogs (Andrew Kightly, Steve Musgrove, Chris Bunny, etc.) providing backing for tracks 1-5, and Axe (Tony Burford, Mick Knight, Martin Winning, etc.) providing backing for tracks 6-11. Both Mad Dogs and Axe are thought to be bands related to the Northampton-based band Windroad. Tracks 1-5 are fairly simple and straightforward blues rock, with Gene's amber singing and free-style ensemble converging into a muffled atmosphere, giving a sense of nostalgia that will make you want to drink more. Tracks 6-11 have a slightly soul-like taste, giving them a somewhat sophisticated impression, but they still have that underground feel that can't be brought out.


Tracks
1. Blue On Blue - 4:17
2. Blues Reflection - 4:18
3. I Don't Know You - 3:08
4. It's My Turn To Cry - 4:13
5. Sister Sadie - 3:33
6. Blue On Blue - 4:31
7. Crazy Kinda Lady - 4:12
8. One Of The Boys - 1:57
9. Rainbow Welcome / Hey Lover Man - 5:36
10.Sister Sadie - 2:53
11.Swan Out Of Water - 2:04
All compositions by Jean Turk
Tracks 1-5 with The Mad Dogs
Tracks 6-11 with The Axe

Musicians
*Jean Turk - Vocals
The Mad Dogs / Windlords
*Steve Harvey - Drums
*Andy Keightley - Guitar
*Steve Musgrove - Guitar
*Chris Bunny - ?
*Martin Winning - Saxophone 
The Axe
*Tony Barford - Guitar 
*Mick Knight - Keyboards 
*Pete Watkins - Bass 
*Alan Savage - Drums

Related Acts

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Sunday, March 2, 2025

Brevity - Home Is Where Your Dog Is (1970 us, fantastic mosaic of baroque power pop folk psych rock, 2024 remaster)



Meet Brevity, the '70s Chicago band that took their name seriously. Rick Vittenson and Mark Breyer mashed up their surnames faster than you can say "power pop pioneers." Imagine the Byrds and Everly Brothers had a love child raised by the British Invasion – that's Brevity's sound in a nutshell. They were so good, they drew comparisons to Badfinger and Harry Nilsson. Not too shabby for a band you've probably never heard of... until now! Island Records and Frank Zappa's Bizarre/Straight label were sniffing around, but Brevity's tunes remained locked in a vault. Talk about a tease! Fast forward to now, and Think Like A Key is playing musical archaeologist, unearthing Home Is Where Your Dog Is. It's not just an album; it's a time capsule of proto-power pop goodness. But wait, there's more! Vittenson and Breyer (with drummer David Winogrond) weren't done. They went on to shape the Chicago/LA scene with Athanor and Skooshny. Because when you're this talented, one band just isn't enough. Brevity: They may have been short-lived, but their impact? Anything but brief. Proof that sometimes, the best things in music come in small packages!
Rough-Trade

Tracks
1. Oleoleo - 2:17
2. Aslan And You - 2:51
3. Very Truly Yours - 3:18
4. Snow Joke - 3:09
5. Better Dead Than In The Red - 4:09
6. For Lack Of A Smile - 3:10
7. Come See Paris (In The Fall) - 4:33
8. Lullaby - On Vacant Eve - 3:12
9. Cakewalk - 3:07
10.A Niche In Time - 4:05
11.Home Alone - 2:25
12.Everybody's Very Nice - 2:02
13.Friends Of Mine - 4:26
14.Little Fawn - 2:33
15.So And So Equals Zero - 2:36
16.Soaring So High - 2:52
17.Pets - 2:32
18.Pussycat, Pussycat - 3:01
19.Try To Forget - 3:58
20.Cakewalk (Secret Tape) - 1:37
Tracks 1,3,5,7,9,11-13,15,20 written by Mark Breyer
Tracks 4,6,8,10,14,16-19 written by Rick Vittenson

Brevity
*Jeff Peters - Bass
*Rick Vittenson - Guitar, Vocals
*David Winogrond - Drums
With
*Mark Breyer - Vocals, Composer
*Jack Burchall - Bass
*Joan Burnstein - Guitar
*Gary Gand - Keyboards, Mandolin

Related Act

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Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Red Bud Thunder - American Rock 'n' Roll (1979 us, tough southern biker rock, 2015 reissue)



The only work by Red Bud Thunder, a hard southern bar band that toured pubs all over the Midwest, recorded in 1979 and privately pressed in 1980. The original is a rare, expensive copy. The cover has a B-grade feel that connoisseurs of southern rock love, and the combination of a super classic title that makes you ride against the wind.  The band is from Wisconsin, so their sound it's not strictly southern, but it has the fast-paced sound solid dual guitar parts and manly vocals are the classic style of biker rock. You'll fall in love with the sadness that this mischievous adult sometimes shows!


Tracks
1. Any Convenient Time (Jeff Stenson) - 4:35
2. 1000 Dreams (Jeff Stenson) - 3:51
3. Road I'm Riding (Tony Walker) - 4:21
4. Buntline Special (Jeff Stenson, Tony Walker) - 4:55
5. Magnolia P. Thunderthighs (Jeff Stenson) - 3:57
6. Mr. Abernathy (Merlin Reynolds) - 4:31
7. Black Sheep (Merlin Reynolds) - 3:03
8. Talking To Myself (Tony Walker) - 2:37
9. Stone Jungle (Jeff Stenson) - 3:46

Red Bud Thunder
*Jeff Stenson - Guitars, Vocals
*Tony Walker - Guitars, Vocals
*Scotty Hannum - Drums
*Merlin Reynolds - Bass

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Friday, February 21, 2025

Various Artists - Love And Peace (1970 germany, solid krautrock compilation, blend of blues psych prog rock, 2005 remaster)



Love And Peace were a big outdoor festival in Germany (Fehmarn, last live performance of J. Hendrix) held in the summer of 1970. As was traditional for such events, an album was also released to document it. Though, actually, the album consisted of mock-live studio recordings from German bands that performed at the event, recorded under better conditions in the studio. All the music is original and features rare material from Thrice Mice, Tomorrow’s Gift, Dr. Roberts Blues Band, Sphinx Tush with latter Frumpy guitarist Rainer Baumann and Greenlight. 


Artist - Title - Composer
1. Thrice Mice - Drive Me (Mick Abrahams) - 3:23
2. Greenlight - Junior's Wailing (Martin Pugh, Martin Quittenton) - 5:51
3. Tomorrow's Gift - Begin Of A New Sound (Bernd Kiefer) - 4:46
4. Greenlight - Why Didn't Rosemary (Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Nick Simper, Richie Blackmore, Rod Evans) - 4:02
5. Tomorrow's Gift - At The Earth / Indian Rope Man (Bernd Kiefer / Richie Havens) - 20:20
6. Dr. Roberts Blues Band - Tribute To Johnny Winter (Christian Becker) - 3:53
7. Greenlight - Red House (Jimi Hendrix) - 4:16
8. Thrice Mice - Pig II (Arno Bredehöft, Rainer von Gosen) - 10:45
9. Sphinx Tush - Crashville (Rainer Bauman) - 5:09
10.Greenlight - Summer In The City (Mark Sebastian, Steve Boone, John Sebastian) - 12:51

Related Acts

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