Poobah - U.S. Rock (1976 us, brilliantly catchy rock anthems with some great psych guitar workouts, 2014 remaster with bonus tracks)

US underground heavy rock sensations Poobah released this very fine sophomore effort U.S. Rock back in 1976, and the folks at Ripple Music are making it available once again, remastered and with 4 bonus tracks, lyrics, and photos. If you haven't heard of this band or discovered their kick ass proto-metal sound, this is as good a place to start as any.

Featuring the stellar guitar skills & vocals of Jim Gustafson, Poobah on this album also included Ken Smetzer (vocals, keyboards), Gene Procopio (drums), and Phil Jones (vocals, bass). Imagine a mix of Mk III & IV Deep Purple, James Gang, Led Zeppelin, Foghat, Cactus, Aerosmith, Trapeze, and Grand Funk Railroad, and you have an idea of the style of this energetic American band. "Flesh Fantasies" and "Pullin' Me Down" are muscular funk metal tracks that wouldn't have sounded out of place on Purple's Stormbringer or Come Taste the Band albums, while "Watch Me" and "Coast to Coast" also find metallic riffing, tasty Hammond organ, and funky grooves forming a whirlwind of sound not unlike classic Trapeze, Deep Purple, James Gang, and the Edgar Winter Group, with a little bluesy boogie ala Cactus. "Let's Rock" is squarely in that Cactus/Foghat boogie zone, and Gustafson's Jimmy Page-meets-Jim McCarty styled licks are absolutely blistering on the hard rocking "Thru These Eyes". 

Fans of Uriah Heep will love the crunchy guitar riffs and insistent Hammond organ on the heavy "Crazy", with Gustafson's vocals hitting those high notes like a cross between David Byron and Ian Gillan. "Keep on Rollin' " is a straight forward rocker with catchy hooks and more of these delicious Purple/Heep styled guitar/organ riffs, while "Right Out of the Night" is the albums longest and most prog-rock styled piece, with atmospheric keyboards from Smetzer, emotional vocals, and floating arrangements, bringing to mind Styx or Kansas. Jones takes the lead vocal on the raunchy riff rock of Out of You", the closing track on the album proper that features plenty of wicked guitar work, thick grooves, and tasty Hammond.

The bonus tracks are a lot of fun as well; "Your Way, My Way" is a dreamy prog number with lush string synth washes and a great vocal from Gustafson, "Cold Blooded Lover" a catchy little hard rock tune, the atmospheric "Enjoy What You Have", and a ripping live version of "Steamroller", the semi-legendary title track from Poobah's third album.

Honestly, there were so many great heavy rock/proto-metal bands on the scene back in the '70s who never quite made the big time, many of them nearly as good as the heavyweights who became superstars, and Poobah sit up there very high on that list. This is a fantastic album for any lover of heavy music from the 1970s, so if you didn't discover this one back in 1976, now's your chance to do so. 

by Pete Pardo

Tracks

1. Flesh Fantasies (Ken Smetzer) - 3:03

2. Pullin' Me Down (Ken Smetzer) - 3:14

3. Watch Me - 4:36

4. Coast To Coast (Ken Smetzer) - 2:12

5. Let's Rock - 2:48

6. Thru These Eyes (Ken Smetzer) - 3:05

7. Crazy - 4:07

8. Keep On Rollin' - 4:19

9. Right Out Of The Night - 4:55

10.Out Of You - 3:14

11.Your Way, My Way - 3:47

12.Cold Blooded Lover - 2:10

13.Enjoy What You Have - 6:35

14.Steamroller - 9:08

All songs by Jim Gustafson except where stated

Bonus Tracks 11-14

Track 14 recorded live at Idora Park

Poobah

*Jim Gustafson - Lead, Acoustic, 12 String Guitars, Organ, Vocals

*Phil Jones - Bass, Vocals

*Gene Procopio - Drums, Percussion, Screams

*Ken Smetzer - Lead Vocals, Piano, Organ, Synthesizer

With

*Ralph Haring - Drums (Track 14)

*Fred Schnieder - Drums (Tracks 12,13)

*John Grazier - Synth (Track 11)

*Gus Theofilos - Guitar (Track 14)

1972  Poobah - Let Me In (2010 remaster and expanded)  

1979  Poobah - Steamroller (2005 remaster with xtra tracks) 

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Highway - Highway (1974 uk, remarkable country folk swamp rock, 2012 korean remaster)

"Highway" recorded and released in 1974 was the first album of the band. Much similar to other British swamp rockers like Ro Ro, Brian Short, Tennent Morrison and Black Cat Bones. Featuring Ray Minhinnet an exquisite guitarist, not only a marvellous player, but also an expert in guitar history.

Tracks

1. Silver City (Jon Elstar, Will Killeen) - 5:57

2. Song For A Friend (Ray Minhinnet, John Gordon) - 6:44

3. Cajun Queen (John Gordon, Ian Byron, Ray Minhinnet) - 6:08

4. Blinds Me (Jon Elstar) - 4:44

5. Ready! (John Gordon, Jim Hall) - 3:20

6. Down By The Wishing Well (Jon Elstar, Will Killeen) - 5:24

7. Wee Wee Baby (Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters) - 5:46

8. Same Old Dream (Jim Hall, John Gordon, Ian Byron) - 6:06

Highway

*Ray Minhinnett - Electric, Slide, 12-String Acoustic Guitars, Vocals

*Jim Hall - Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Vocals

*Ian Byron - Drums, Percussion, Vocals

*John Gordon - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

*Jon Elstar - Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Harmonica

With

*Mick Gradham - Guitar

*B.J. Cole - Pedal Steel Guitar

*Tony Carr - Congas

1974  Highway - Smoking At The Edges (2012 korean remaster)  

Related Act

1971  Heaven - Brass Rock One (2019 japan blu spec bouble disc)  

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Headstone - Headstone (1975 uk, nice prog rock with funky and folk tinges, 2021 korean remaster)

After leaving Rare Bird Mark, Ashton formed a new band, Headstone, together with a great guitarist called Steve Bolton. Steve used to play with Atomic Rooster. They signed a contract with Trident Productions who had already signed a new band called Queen. A great bass player Philip Chen joined who later went on to play with Rod Stewart. We recorded with the same producer of Rare Bird’s first album, John Antony. Headstone made two albums for Trident EMI. 

Irish violinist Joe O'Donnell joint also Headstone circa 1975, while in and out of East Of Eden. Joe was a member of  The Woods Band. This band folded and Gay & Terry Woods signed to Polydor as a duo. Joe appears on their debut LP "Backwoods", released in 1972. He then joined the fourth, unrecorded lineup of UK folkrock legends the Trees. This was reputedly the most rockin' version of the band. In 1973, Joe replaced Dave Arbus in East Of Eden. 

Tracks

1. Eastern Wind - 3:45

2. Warm Sunny Days - 4:52

3. Turn Your Head - 3:53

4. Gyrosame (Steve Bolton) - 3:09

5. Karma (Jerome Rimson) - 3:42

6. Hard Road - 4:21

7. Large Weather We're Having, Lucy (Steve Bolton) - 3:01

8. Searching Light (Steve Bolton) - 3:21

9. Get Through To You - 4:23

10.All I Ask - 3:54

11.Someone's Gotta Give - 6:09

All compositions by Mark Ashton except where indicated

Headstone

*Mark Ashton - Lead Vocals, Acoustic, Electric Guitars

*Steve Bolton - Lead, Acoustic Guitars, Steel Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals

*Joe O'Donell - Electric, Acoustic Violins, Piano Accordion, Mandolin, Backing Vocals

*Jerome Rimson - Bass, Lead Vocals

*Peter Van Hooke - Drums,Percussion

Guest Musicians

*Max Middleton - Piano

*Chas Jankel - Rhythm Guitar

*Juanita Franklin - Vocals 

1974  Headstone - Bad Habits (2021 korean remaster) 

Related Acts  

1969-78  Rare Bird - Beautiful Scarlet The Recordings (2021 six disc box set) 

1969  Rare Bird - Rare Bird (2007 Bonus Tracks)  

1970  Rare Bird - As Your Mind Flies By (2007 Bonus Tracks)  

1972  Rare Bird - Epic Forest (Bonus Tracks)

1970-72/80  Atomic Rooster - Devil's Answer / Rare Live Recordings  

1972  Tranquility - Tranquility (2004 remaster)  

1972  Tranquility - Silver (2018 korean remaster) 

1975  East Of Eden - Another Eden (2012 Flawed Gems remaster)

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Poor Boys - Ain't Nothin' In Our Pocket But Love (1970 us, pleasant groovy pop psych bubbles, 2016 korean remaster)

American trio the Poor Boys--Robert Fazio (lead vocals), Thomas Corio (organ, piano, vocals), and Edwin Corliss (percussion, vocals)--released their only album on the Motown-owned Rare Earth label in 1970. ) -- released their only album on the Motown-affiliated Rare Earth label in 1970. Produced by Michael Valvano, who had worked with Stoney and Meat Loaf on Rare Earth and Frijid Pink. This album has all the delicious elements of bubblegum pop, including catchy tunes, cheap organs, fuzz guitar, happy and simple lyrics, falsetto background vocals, etc. It is a pleasant highly complete album.

Tracks

1. Beg Me (Edwin Corlis, Robert Fazio, Thomas Corio) - 3:28

2. Do What You Wanna Do (Michael Valvano) - 2:49

3. Can't Get Back In (Buck Griffin, Michael Valvano, William Ellis) - 3:20

4. Wooden Horse (Buck Griffin, Michael Valvano, William Ellis) - 3:21

5. A Place Called Love (Michael Valvano, Robert Fazio) - 3:09

6. Little Boy Blue (Robert Fazio, Thomas Corio) - 3:00

7. Mary Mary (Edwin Corlis, Robert Fazio, Thomas Corio) - 2:38

8. Rhyme Or Reason (Robert Fazio) - 2:54

9. You Made Your Bed (Now You Lie In It) (Robert Fazio, Thomas Corio) - 3:04

10.I Won't Take No For An Answer (Robert Fazio) - 2:56

11.Let's Do More About Love (Michael Valvano) - 3:19

12.Just Like A Clock (Robert Fazio, Thomas Corio) - 2:24

Poor Boys

*Edwin Corlis - Percussion, Vocals 

*Robert Fazio - Lead Vocals, Guitar 

*Thomas Corio - Organ, Piano, Vocals

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The Stillroven - Cast Thy Burden Upon (1966-68 us, spectacular garage beat psych)

The Stillroven may be an unknown quantity to most listeners -- even those specializing in '60s music -- but these 18 songs are all well worth hearing for anyone who enjoys not just garage punk music of the era, but also solid mid-'60s pop/rock. Based on what's here, the Stillroven should have had a shot at national exposure and a major-label contract -- an opinion likely shared by anyone favorably inclined toward the type of American band that would cover the music of the early (i.e., pre-psychedelic) Moody Blues. 

(Add to that the fact that the Stillroven's rendition of "And My Baby's Gone" -- which was a potential follow-up to their single "Hey Joe" and gives some indication of their range -- is, if anything, more energetic than the Moodies' original.) And their ventures into psychedelia, such as "Cast Thy Burden Upon the Stone," are filled with strange little touches -- the latter melds sitar flourishes and garage punk textures successfully into a compelling whole, with some influences of early Pink Floyd showing up in the second half, totally out of left field. And they do a version of the Small Faces' "Tell Me Have You Ever Seen Me" that is worth the price of admission, coming from a Minnesota-spawned band. They were also able to cover the Yardbirds' psych-pop single "Little Games" with greater enthusiasm than the Yardbirds themselves, and their version has an edge that the original lacked in the verses, even if the break isn't quite as technically bold as what Jimmy Page and company did.

Their version of "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone" is also well worth the listening time, familiar as the song is, for the abandon of their execution. And the Stillroven covers of the Rolling Stones and Love material are similarly impressive, showing off different attributes of their musicianship. All through this collection, it's clear that the Stillroven knew how to translate their best musical impulses as well as a lot of creative performance flourishes to their recordings without sacrificing energy or excitement. What the Stillroven lacked was an individual sound that was sufficiently memorable to make a lingering impression, and they might well not have fared too much better than they did, even with some national exposure. But as interpreters, and undoubtedly as a live band, they were first-rate, and this collection does distill that virtue down successfully from more than 50 years back.

by Bruce Eder

Tracks

1. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone (Bobby Hart, Tommy Boyce) - 2:29

2. She's My Woman (Dave Dean, John Howarth) - 2:45

3. Hey Joe (Billy Roberts) - 2:39

4. Sunny Day (Dave Dean, John Howarth) - 2:24

5. And My Baby's Gone (Denny Laine, Mike Pinder) - 2:13

6. Little Picture Playhouse (Eric Hine) - 2:05

7. Cast Thy Burden Upon The Stone (Dave Dean) - 2:46

8. Tell Me Have You Ever Seen Me (Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott) - 2:27

9. Have You Got A Penny (David Stuart Sandler) - 2:38

10.Cheating (Dave Rowberry, Eric Burdon) - 2:51

11.Little Games (Phil Wainman) - 2:27

12.Love Is A Beautiful Thing (Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish) - 2:37

13.Under My Thumb (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) - 2:53

14.Signed D.C (Arthur Lee) - 2:48

15.Come In The Morning (Bob Mosley) - 2:10

16.Necessary Person (Mike O'Gara) - 2:27

17.Tell Me Have You Ever Seen Me (Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott) - 2:32

18.Freakout (Phil Berdahl, Dave Dean, John Howarth, Dave Berget, Jim Larkin) - 7:01

The Stillroven

*John Howarth - Lead Guitar, Vocals

*Phil Berdahl - Drums 

*Dave Dean - Keyboard 

*Dan Kane - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar (Tracks 1-5, 10-13)

*Rock Peterson - Bass (Tracks 1-5, 10-13)

*Mike O'Gara - Guitar, Vocals (Tracks 8, 14-18)

*Dave Berget - Bass, Vocals (Tracks 6,7,18)

*Jim Larkin - Rhythm Guitar (Tracks 6,7,18)

*Mike Flaherty - Bass (Tracks 14-16)

1968-69  The Stillroven - Too Many Spaces (2003 remaster)  

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Buddy Miles - A Message To The People (1971 us, remarkable funky blues rock, 2021 remaster)

In the league of funk-rock albums, A Message to the People is top-notch. Buddy Miles was easily one the better bandleaders of the early '70s, and his ability to unite a group of talented players around well-crafted songs definitely makes this one of his best albums. The gorgeous "The Way I Feel Tonight," the funky, horn-driven "Place Over There," and the lovely closing "That's the Way Life Is" all rank among Miles' best songs and performances. 

Add to that two superb Gregg Allman covers (especially "Midnight Rider," which is arguably even more definitive than the original), and the results are impressive. Miles even predates hip-hop by lifting the horn riff from Joe Tex's "You're Right, Ray Charles" and crafting it into a new instrumental cut called, fittingly, "Joe Tex." Only a dud cover of Percy Sledge's "Sudden Stop" is the album's lone clinker. In fact, the album is so good, it's mystifying why it barely clocks in at a meager half-hour. "That's the Way Life Is" and the clavinet-laden "The Segment" are both over just as they've barely begun.

Similarly, no sooner does the cover of "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'" settle into a powerful groove than it stops to segue into the next cut. Why Miles felt the need to edit the material so severely is bizarre, since the album could easily have been twice as long and still hit its mark. It's a testament to Buddy Miles' talent that, as first-rate as the album is, it will leave any listener wanting more. Still, A Message to the People is every bit a funk classic. 

by Victor W. Valdivia

A really fantastic album from drummer Buddy Miles – an artist that many folks know for his key rock work in the Band Of Gypsys group of Jimi Hendrix, but a musician with an equally great ear for soul and funk as well! Miles began in Electric Flag, and certainly has ties to the world of psych – and here, he mixes funkier currents with lots of strong trippy guitar from Marlo Henderson – a player we don't know that well, but who adds some great lines that are a lot like some of the Phil Upchurch contributions over at Chess/Cadet at the same time. Miles sings on most numbers, with that nicely honest vocal approach we love so much – but there's a few instrumental moments too, and the set's got some great use of horns throughout, which brings in some southern funky currents too. Titles include "Joe Tex", "Place Over There", "The Segment", "Don't Keep Me Wondering", "Sudden Stop", and "That's The Way Life Is". 

Tracks

1. Joe Tex - 4:58

2. The Way I Feel Tonight - 5:06

3. Place Over There - 5:43

4. The Segment (Buddy Miles, Hank Redd) - 2:40

5. Don't Keep Me Wondering (Gregg Allman) - 2:01

6. Midnight Rider (Gregg Allman) - 3:38

7. Sudden Stop (Bobby Russell) - 4:21

8. Wholesale Love (Otis Redding) - 2:40

9. That's The Way Life Is - 2:06

All songs by Buddy Miles except where stated

Musicians

*Buddy Miles - Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

*Hank Redd - Saxophone 

*Frederick "Flintstone" Allen - Percussion

*Michael Fugate - Horn, Trumpet

*Tom T. Hall - Horn

*Marlo Henderson - Lead Guitar, Vocals

*David Hull - Bass, Vocals

*Stemsy Hunter - Saxophone, Vocals

*Charlie Karp - Rhythm, Lead, Acoustic Guitars, Vocals

*Andre Lewis - Organ, Clavinet, Piano, Vocals 

Related Acts
1967  Electric Flag - The Trip (2011 remaster)
1968-69  Electric Flag - An American Music Band / A Long Time Comin
1968-74  The Electric Flag - Live 

1974  The Electric Flag - The Band Kept Playing (2002 edition)  

1972  Carlos Santana And Buddy Miles - Live! (2005 japan remaster)  

 

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Wilderness Road - Sold For The Prevention Of Disease Only (1973 us, elegant roots rural rock, smart lyrics with satirical mood, 2013 remaster)

A rootsy group from the Chicago scene, but one with a fair amount of wit, too – a subtle political agenda that's buried a bit beneath more rocking modes, and which really helps set these guys apart from the pack! The songwriting is often pretty smart, at least from a social perspective – couched amidst riffs and rhythms that are more mainstream overall, yet which know how to underscore the right punch of the group's intentions. A key illustration of this fact is the longer "Gospel" track – kind of a mini-suite aimed at Christian radio.

Back in 1973, naming an album after a slogan found on condom dispenser wasn’t exactly a smart commercial move—but what do you expect from a band whose members met at the Second City club in Chicago? Wilderness Road’s Warren Leming and Nate Herman were satirists and fixtures on the local bluegrass scene when they started the group to raise funds for the Chicago Consipiracy Trial in the aftermath of the 1968 DNC convention; after making self-titled concept album for Columbia, they signed to Warner-Reprise and made this cult classic record in 1973. 

Though the front cover displayed them as futuristic glam-rockers, Wilderness Road actually played a mutant hybrid of mountain music, psychedelia, rock, country and avant political satire, sort of Chicago’s answer to Country Joe & the Fish and the Fugs…except they might have been funnier. For example, Sold… includes “The Gospel,” a suite of songs, fake commercial and spoken word interludes pointedly parodying religious radio, while “The Authentic British Blues” is a devastating takedown of the white boy blues genre.

Tracks

1. Pot Of Gold (A. Harvey) - 3:05

2. Rock Garden (Nate Herman) - 4:00

3. A.M.A. (Warren Leming) - 3:31

4. The Gospel/What Key Does The Gold Lord Sing In?/Sunday, Sunday/Mouth Jive/H (Nate Herman, Warren Leming) - 7:54

5. Reno (Nate Herman, Andy Haban, Warren Leming) - 3:57

6. Bored (Nate Herman) - 5:09

7. Long Winter (Nate Herman) - 4:01

8. The Authentic British Blues (Nate Herman, Warren Leming) - 4:17

Wilderness Road

*Warren Leming - Electric, Acoustic Guitars, Banjo, Vocals, Moon Lute 

*Nate Herman - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Runa 

*Andy Haban - Bass, Vocals 

*Tom Haban - Drums, Vocals

With

*Venetta Fields - Vocals 

*Jim Horn - Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones

*Clydie King - Vocals 

*Rick Mann - Pedal Steel

*Don Menza - Tenor Saxophone

*Shirlie Matthews - Vocals 

1972  Wilderness Road - Wilderness Road  

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Alan Ross - Are You Free On Saturday? (1977 uk, good groovy guitar rock with prog tinges, 2021 korean remaster)

"Are You Free On Saturday? " is the 1977 solo-album by British guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Alan Ross, this time for a small British label, Ebony Records. 

Ross is no mean guitarist and had previously knocked out two albums with his cryptically named band Ross along with a couple of others namely Ro-Ro and Stars. Like Duncan Browne he re-emerged after a quiet spell with two albums that caused little stir at the time but to my mind merit a listen. This is the first and is again one found quite cheaply still. 

On offer is melodic rock with fine guitar work and good instrumentation from a well oiled band including Ed Spevock on drums. I particularly like Ross’s work on the slower Mystified but there is much to be enjoyed with the title track and a version of Peter Gabriel’s Get The Guns also noteable. It’s a harder edged rock album again demonstrating Ross’s guitar prowess and again worthy of a listen. 

In 1980, he appeared on an album by Wilson-Gale called "Gift Wrapped Set". In 1983, he played on Alexis Korner's album "Juvenile Delinquent". 

Tracks

1. Are You Free On Saturday ? - 5:27

2. What You Gonna Do About It ? - 3:56

3. Man With The White Glove - 6:29

4. Mystified - 4:49

5. Get The Guns (Martin Hall, Peter Gabriel) - 3:28

6. Nothing Gets In My Way - 4:29

7. Baby Please (Dave Mason) - 2:56

8. Punishment Park (Mike Finesilver, Peter Ker) - 4:42

9. Love Is Love - 6:25

All songs by Alan Ross except where stated

Personnel

*Alan Ross - Guitar, Vocals

*John Cooke - Clavinet, Mini Moog, Moog Synthesizer, Percussion, Piano, Vocals

*Frank Wilson - Keyboards, Vocals, 

*Pete Dennis - Bass, Vocals

*Chris Fletcher - Percussion, Vocals

*Ed Spevock - Drums, Percussion

*Tom Compton - Drums

1972  Ro Ro - Meet At The Water (2009 korean remaster) 
1974  Ross - The Pit And The Pendulum (2019 remaster)

1974  Ross - Ross (2019 korean remaster) 

1978  The Alan Ross Band - Restless Nights (2021 korean remaster)  

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Headstone - Bad Habits (1974 uk, amazing prog rock, 2021 korean remaster)

Mark Ashton, a remarkably resilient rock figure who first joined Rare Bird as a 19-year-old drummer. After two albums with the band, Ashton left and re-invented himself as a singer/guitarist in a new band, Headstone. Steve Bolton ex-Atomic Rooster. Bassist Phil Chen an Arrival veteran whilst keyboard player Tony Lukyn was previously with Tranquility.

They released two albums, both produced by John Anthony, with the second featuring cameos from Rare Bird-mates Steve Gould and Dave Kaffinetti. 

On "Bad Habits" The style here is very different than Rare Bird – a bit singer/songwriter, but still with a full band approach overall – recorded in modes that mix British and Cali mid 70s styles in the best way possible, and coming across with a lean sort of style that really lets Ashton shine in the spotlight.

Tracks

1. Don't Turn Your Back - 4:25

2. Take Me Down - 4:15

3. High On You - 3:08

4. Love You Too - 2:24

5. O3B - 4:04

6. Open Your Eyes - 0:29

7. Live For Each Other - 3:47

8. You've Heard It All Before - 3:35

9. Bad Habits - 3:55

10.Take A Plane - 4:36

11.DMT - 4:32

All compositions by Mark Ashton except Track #5 by Steve Bolton

Headstone

*Mark Ashton - Guitar, Vocals

*Steve Bolton - Guitar

*Chilli Charles - Drums

*Phil Chen - Bass

*Tony Lukyn - Moog Synthesizer, Synthesizer

With

*Joe O'Donnell - Guitar, Violin

*Dave Kaffinetti - Keyboards, Electric Piano

*Carl Douglas - Vocals

*Juanita "Honey" Franklin - Vocals

*Steve Gould - Vocals

*Sparkie - Vocals 

Related Acts

1969-78  Rare Bird - Beautiful Scarlet The Recordings (2021 six disc box set) 

1969  Rare Bird - Rare Bird (2007 Bonus Tracks)  

1970  Rare Bird - As Your Mind Flies By (2007 Bonus Tracks)  

1972  Rare Bird - Epic Forest (Bonus Tracks)

1970-72/80  Atomic Rooster - Devil's Answer / Rare Live Recordings  

1972  Tranquility - Tranquility (2004 remaster)  

1972  Tranquility - Silver (2018 korean remaster) 

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Highway - Smoking At The Edges (1974 uk, awesome bluesy country swamp rock, 2012 korean remaster)

UK band from Sunderland, formed by ex-Cold Comfort drummer Ian Byron, guitarist Ray Minhinnit and former Heaven bassist John Gordon.  The band scored exposure in the UK by acting as support to Black Sabbath's December 1973 tour. Ray Minhinnit played with artists such as Alan Price and Georgie Fame. Highway also included John Elstar, and James Hall. They released "Highway" in 1974 and "Smoking At The Edges" later the same year on EMI Records.

After they split Minhinnett  joined Frankie Miller’s Full House in the mid-70s, he also played with Phoenix at the start of the 80s and was in John Coghlan’s Diesel Band. Minhinnett was soon concentrating on writing music, sometimes composing in collaboration with others, such as Andy Frazer and his long-term associate Bob Young. He was also musical director for a Sky Television music show. The 90's found Minhinnit working with ex-Whitesnake guitarist Micky Moody on the 1998 Minhinnit, Young and Moody project album. 

John Gordon wound up playing with Pink Floyd man Roger Waters on his 'When The Wind Blows' album.  Vocalist John Elstar played a small part in the history of Black Sabbath adding harmonica touches to their 1978 album 'Never Say Die'.  In the early eighties Elstar fronted a short-lived London outfit dubbed Informer, involving ex-Side Winder and Stallion guitarist Stuart Smith, Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray and a pre-Iron Maiden Nico McBrain. 

 

Tracks

1. No Need To Run (Ray Minhinnett) - 6:06

2. Better Times (Jim Hall, Ian Byron) - 3:04

3. Heaven`s End (Ray Minhinnett) - 2:25

4. Quantrill`s Men (Jon Elstar, Will Killeen) - 5:46

5. Anna Lee (Jon Elstar, Will Killeen) - 5:39

6. Cell Block 4 (Jon Elstar, Will Killeen) - 3:38

7. Don`t Turn Your Light On (John Gordo) - 3:55

8. Natural Born Gun (Ian Byron) - 2:20

9. One Sad Song (John Gordo) - 6:53

Highway

*Ray Minhinnett - Electric, Slide, 12-String Acoustic Guitars, Vocals

*Jim Hall - Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Vocals

*Ian Byron - Drums, Percussion, Vocals

*John Gordon - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

*Jon Elstar - Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Harmonica

Related Act

1971  Heaven - Brass Rock One (2019 japan blu spec bouble disc)

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The Count Bishops - The Count Bishops (1977 uk, tough boogie garage pub rock, 2005 remaster)

They were our first band way back in 1975, even before punk rock was invented and independent record labels were still few and far between. We released the “Speedball” extended play 7” vinyl 45 rpm record on Chiswick Records as by the Count Bishops. By the time of the first Chiswick album the vocalist had been ejected and Dave Tice added to the original band of Zenon De Fleur – rhythm guitar / Johnny Guitar – yes, you’ve guessed it, on lead guitar / Steve Lewins – bass (replaced by Pat McMullan on the second album) / Paul Balbi – drums. They were a total powerhouse of a band, with a tough R&B sound carrying more weight than Dr Feelgood and just this side of Motorhead, who they played with regularly. The young Julian (Jools) Holland tickled the ivories with great aplomb on both of the albums.

They delivered a mix of originals and astute cover versions, the latter drawn from blues, soul and beat sources as well as just plain good songs. Willie Dixon, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson and Slim Harpo were all inspirations on these Long Players. Ray Davies, Van Morrison and Jeremy Spencer were all inspired by these same blues legends and so the tradition continued with covers from them too. The soul side is represented by a fine Hayes / Porter tune and one from Otis. But the single from the first album consisted of two sides written by Zenon who also wrote some great blues-based numbers with singer Dave Tice on the second album. The second single from that LP, which made it as far as Top Of The Pops, but unfortunately no further, was their storming rendition of the Strangeloves’ I Want Candy, which later charted in a somewhat more anaemic version for Bow Wow Wow. And we did try with releases in 6”, 7” and 10” formats.

The band maintained a healthy touring schedule and though they turned out great records, they were absolute dynamite live; very few bands at the time could stand up to them.

However the tragic death in a car accident of Zenon in March 1979 was a blow that the band never recovered from. It was not just that his driving rhythm guitar was sorely missed, but he was really the force behind the logistics of a band who toured a lot. He died suddenly and unexpectedly in hospital a few days after totalling his Aston Martin on the way from a gig. While in hospital he was overseeing the finishing touches to the second album’s release. The third single from the second Chiswick studio album was a great take on John D Loudermilk’s witty Mr Jones and it came out shortly after Zen’s death. The album followed a month later and the band went on the road with a substitute guitarist. They toured Australia later that year, but never played the UK again after that.

But they left a hell of a legacy in these two studio albums as well as a live album. For a long time bands like the Bishops were swamped in people’s minds by the onslaught of punk rock, but when it came to being tough, when it came to lifting an audience off their feet, the Bishops were a hard act to follow.

ACE-Recs

Tracks

1. I Need You (Ray Davies) - 2:25

2. Stay Free (Zenon De Fleur) - 3:09

3. Down In The Bottom (Willie Dixon) - 2:52

4. Talk To You (Steve Lewins) - 3:47

5. Shake Your Moneymaker (Elmore James) - 2:33

6. Down The Road A Piece (Don Raye) - 2:50

7. Baby You're Wrong (Zenon De Fleur) - 2:48

8. Don't Start Crying Now (James Moore, Jerry West) - 2:05

9. Someone's Got My Number (Steve Lewins) - 2:35

10.Good Guys Don't Wear White (Ed Cobb) - 2:46

11.You're In My Way (Steve Lewins) - 3:11

12.Taste And Try (Chris Youlden) - 2:31

The Count Bishops

*Johnny Guitar - Guitar, Vocals

*Paul Balbi - Drums

*Steve Lewins - Bass

*Zenon De Fleur - Guitar Vocals

*Dave Tice - Vocals 

With

*Julian Holland - Piano

1975  The Count Bishops - Speedball Plus 11  

1975-79  The Count Bishops - The Best Of  

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The Alan Ross Band - Restless Nights (1978 uk, nice funky guitar rock, 2021 korean remaster)

An obscure little record from the band of UK singer Alan Ross, a set that's very much got the 70s vibe of the messy hotel room on the cover -- kind of a shaggy blend of hard rock elements with a bit of tighter, more mainstream production! Alan's a strong singer who gets his vocals all compressed in a cool way in the setup of the sound, maybe a bit of an Eagles influence in the way the things come together, although the group are leaner and more focused on showcasing Ross, his lyrics, and his guitar work. Titles include "Angel", "Joe Henry", "Restless Nights", "Land Of The Snows", "Kamina", "I Will Be Alright", and "Don't Back Away".

Tracks

1. Restless Nights - 5:08

2. Ain't It A Shame - 4:00

3. Kamina - 4:03

4. I Will Be Alright (Jim Frank) - 4:06

5. Angel - 3:31

6. Joe Henry - 3:39

7. Land Of The Snows - 3:30

8. Salvation - 3:48

9. Don't Back Away - 4:59

All compositions by Alain Presencer, Alan Ross except where noted

Personnel

*Alan Ross - Guitar, Vocals

*Craig Anders - Guitar, Vocals

*John Cooke - Keyboards, Vocals

*Pete Dennis - Bass, Vocals

*Ed Spevock - Drums 

1974  Ross - The Pit And The Pendulum (2019 remaster)

1974  Ross - Ross (2019 korean remaster)  

1972  Ro Ro - Meet At The Water (2009 korean remaster) 

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James Gang - Thirds (1971 us, great blend of country, blues and classic rock, 2021 japan reissue)

The gang’s third album follows the same formula as their last: deliver a killer rock track out of the gate and then do your darnedest not to repeat that feat again. This time, the killer track is “Walk Away,” which I would tell you is even tighter than “Funk #49,” but that’s splitting heirs, as the two tracks are pretty much the sum and substance of James Gang’s legacy. If the band didn’t have any qualms about making the same album twice, they take pains on Thirds not to write the same song twice; I’d be hard-pressed to name another album that sounds so different from track to track.

What emerges on Thirds is a band with very different musical personalities. All three members contributed material on their last album, but this is the first time that members wrote and sang the material on their own. Dale Peters delivers a really sweet country song (“Dreamin’ in the Country”) and a blues song that builds into an impressive crescendo (“White Man/Black Man”), Jim Fox writes two tracks, including the ambitious and surprisingly philosophical album-ender, “Live My Life Again,” and Joe Walsh matches their contributions with four new songs. It turned out to be a good time to advance the personalities of Fox and Peters, as Walsh would leave the band the following year.

Although third albums are often where it all comes together, I would say that Rides Again is the tighter album because it rocks more consistently. On Thirds, the band brings in the sort of orchestral arrangements not normally associated with rock bands (unless they’re named The Beatles) and is guilty of meandering a bit on some of the more ambitious songs (e.g., “Again”). In fact, there are only three songs that technically rock on Thirds: “Walk Away,” “Midnight Man” (which is really more of a romantic pop song, though with tongue in cheek) and “Things I Could Be.” Given how good a rock drummer Jim Fox is (not my impression on the first album, btw), it’s a shame his talents are wasted on tracks like “Again” and “It’s All The Same.” As a kind of compensation, Fox does branch out into organ (“Things I Could Be”) and vibes on this album.

The band’s ambitions are (again) slightly misaligned with their abilities. It seems James Gang wanted to write a hit song, play with an orchestra and change the world all on the same album. They succeed on one of those fronts, but I feel like the orchestrated works here are a step back from what they already achieved on “The Bomber” and “Ashes the Rain and I.” By diffusing their energies in so many different directions, Thirds shows the band to be more than the sum of Joe Walsh’s songwriting abilities, but it’s not the first James Gang album you need to own.

by Dave Connolly, December 5, 2019

Tracks

1. Walk Away (Joe Walsh) - 3:33

2. Yadig (Dale Peters, Jim Fox, Joe Walsh) - 2:33

3. Things I Could Be (Jim Fox) - 4:19

4. Dreamin' In The Country (Dale Peters) - 2:59

5. It's All The Same (Joe Walsh) - 4:13

6. Midnight Man (Joe Walsh) - 3:29

7. Again (Joe Walsh) - 4:04

8. White Man, Black Man (Dale Peters) - 5:39

9. Live My Life Again (Jim Fox) - 5:26

The James Gang

*Joe Walsh  - Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards, Piano, Pedal Steel Guitar

*Dale Peters  - Bass Guitars, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Vibraphone

*Jim Fox  - Drums, Vocals, Percussion, Keyboards, Organ, Piano

With 

*Tom Baker - Horn Arrangements

*Horn Freaks - Horns (Track 5), 

*Mary Sterpka - Vocals (Track 6) 

*The Sweet Inspirations - Background vocals (Track 8)  

*Bob Webb - Background vocals (Track 6) 

1969  James Gang - Yer' Album (Japan SHM remaster)
1970  James Gang - Rides Again (2010 SHM remaster)

1971  James Gang - Live in Concert (2010 SHM)

1972  James Gang - Straight Shooter / Passin' Thru (2004 remaster)

1973  James Gang - Bang

1974  James Gang - Miami

1975-76  James Gang - Newborn / Jesse Come Home (2004 edition)  

Related Act

1974  Joe Walsh - So What (2015 SACD)  

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David - David (1968 canada, pleasant sunny beat, 2001 release)

David began in 1963 when guitarist Fran Webster joined four other musicians in Colllingwood, Ontario, Canada and formed "The Marcatos", playing a unique combination of music which included rhythm and blues, Beatles, Tijuana brass, and top 40. The group matured and changed personnel by the time they recorded their first 45 "Let Me Love You, Baby" and "I Really Think A Lot Of You". The Marcatos hired Fran's brother John in 1964 and in January 1966 they moved to Toronto. At that time, bassist Bill Szekeres, trumpet player Ted Grimes, drummer Tony Lecaillon, trombone/keyboard player Cliff Snyder, and singer Debbie Kelly all joined the band. Their live appearances were drawing record breaking crowds during their southern Ontario bar circuit by 1967. 

In 1968, they recorded the "David" album at Sound Canada Studios and the LP received significant airplay on Canada's largest FM station "Chum FM". It was at this time the band had started negotiations with the manager of The Kinks, but the pressures of the time were tremendous and the group disbanded shortly thereafter. Debbie Kelly lives with her family in Houston, Texas and still loves to sing. Teddy Grimes, after many recordings of his own compositions, died of a heart attack in 1995, a truly brilliant Classical trumpet player and singer. Tony Lecaillon lives in Mississauga, Ontario with wife and 2 children, where he runs his own computer business and still plays jazzy music with his V drums. 

Bill Szekeres lives in Bradford. Ontario with his wife and 5 children where he teaches European History at the University of Waterloo. Cliff has published 3 books and still plays keyboard and trombone incredibly well. John Webster, Master guitarist, trumpet player, banjo picker and bass player died of cancer in 1996. Fran Webster lives in Creemore, Ontario with his wife and 2 children where he sells Real Estate. He and his wife still play in a band with Cliff.

Liner-Notes, January 2001

Tracks

1. Little Boys (Ted Grimes) - 1:57

2. Lovely Lady (Ted Grimes) - 3:30

3. Never Been In Love (Francis Webster) - 3:31

4. Cup Of Tea (Francis Webster) - 2:14

5. Hey Jude (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 4:31

6. Flight Of The Egyptian Army (Ted Grimes) - 2:43

7. Because I'm Black (Ted Grimes) - 2:44

8. Descension (Ted Grimes) - 3:51

9. House Of The Rising Sun (Traditional) - 3:42

10.Ashtray, Alvin J (Cliff Snyder) - 3:10

11.Take My Hand (Ted Grimes) - 3:50

David

*Francis H. Webster -Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Chimes

*Tony Lecaillon - Drums, Percussion

*John Webster - Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet

*Cliff Snyder - Trombone, Piano, Organ

*Bill Szekeres - Vocals, Bass

*Deborah Kelly - Vocals

*Ted Grimes - Vocals, Trumpet, Piano, Electric Piano

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James Gang - Live in Concert (1971 us, power bluesy rock, 2010 japan SHM remaster)

During the band’s tour to support their third album, Thirds, the James Gang stopped off at Carnegie Hall and recorded this album. It would turn out to be the last official album with Joe Walsh, who left at the end of the year to make his own albums. The original performance from May 15th was edited down to a handful of tracks, which included the expected (“Walk Away”) and the unexpected (an 18-minute version of The Yardbirds’ “Lost Woman”).

An album that starts with Stop is probably a sign of things to come. The song originally appeared in an extended jam version on Yer’ Album. Here, it gets a tighter treatment that totally rocks, with outstanding performances from all three members. For a moment, you have the impression that you’re listening to one of the great power trios. A cover of Albert King’s You’re Gonna Need Me, which hadn’t previously appeared on any James Gang elpee, puts the spotlight on Joe Walsh, where it remains for most of the evening. Walsh’s psychedelic guitar solo is just amazing. This and the guitar solo on Lost Woman are highlights on the album. Walsh switches to the Hammond organ for the next two songs, Take a Look Around and Tend My Garden. A trio of bass, drums and organ is a bit of a stretch, but they show off the band’s more thoughtful side. Ashes, the Rain and I appears in an edited version at the end, with Jim Fox trading in his sticks for strings.

The second side features only two tracks: a hit and a head trip. Their live version of Walk Away lacks the contained energy of the original, but the extended version of “Lost Woman” is a treat. Walsh and Fox both turn in great performances and Dale Peters at least plays loud. But the song also underscores what was wrong with the James Gang: Walsh carried an unequal weight. By the song’s end, the band is reduced to making silly noises to keep things interesting. I’m pretty sure Jimi Hendrix never made any fart noises during his performances.

James Gang were a very good live band, and that’s plain on Live In Concert. If it’s not their most timeless record, it’s hard to condense a 90+ minute show into forty minutes without losing something. 

by Dave Connolly, June 7, 2020

Tracks

1. Stop (Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman) - 4:05

2. You're Gonna Need Me (Albert King) - 7:32

3. Take A Look Around (Joe Walsh) - 3:37

4. Tend My Garden (Joe Walsh) - 3:47

5. Ashes, The Rain And I (Dale Peters, Joe Walsh) - 2:46

6. Walk Away (Joe Walsh) - 3:37

7. Lost Woman (Jeff Beck, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith) - 17:40

James Gang

*Joe Walsh - Electric, 12-String Guitars, Vocals, Hammond B3 Organ 

*Dale Peters - Bass Guitar, Vocals, Percussion

*Jim Fox - Drums, Vocals, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar

1969  James Gang - Yer' Album (Japan SHM remaster)
1970  James Gang - Rides Again (2010 SHM remaster)

1972  James Gang - Straight Shooter / Passin' Thru (2004 remaster)

1973  James Gang - Bang

1974  James Gang - Miami

1975-76  James Gang - Newborn / Jesse Come Home (2004 edition)  

Related Act

1974  Joe Walsh - So What (2015 SACD)  

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Michael Murphey - Blue Sky Night Thunder (1975 us, tremendous country smooth rock, 2017 japan remaster)

Blue Sky - Night Thunder is one of the great albums completed by cowboy singer Michael Martin Murphey in the '70s, when he was simply known as Michael Murphey and his career was just beginning. He wrote or co-wrote every song on this recording. Fans will find many of their old favorites on this gold album, including his big hit "Carolina in the Pines" and maybe his most popular song of all time, "Wildfire." This album originally appeared on the market in 1975, but was re-released on compact disc in 1990. 

Murphey first drew plenty of public attention as a songwriter, and earned a name for himself writing songs for country singer Kenny Rogers. Murphey was soon rubbing elbows with artists like John Denver and Willie Nelson. Listeners will spot the influences of many singers on Blue Sky - Night Thunder, but that doesn't cover the sound and talent of the main man behind each song, Michael Martin Murphey.

by Charlotte Dillon

Tracks

1. Wildfire (Larry Cansler, Michael Murphey) - 4:48

2. Carolina In The Pines - 3:58

3. Desert Rat - 3:55

4. Wild Bird - 2:25

5. Blue Sky Riding Song - 3:34

6. Medicine Man (Jac Murphy, Michael Murphey) - 3:53

7. Secret Mountain Hideout (Jac Murphy, Michael Murphey) - 4:01

8. Without My Lady There - 2:37

9. Night Thunder - 2:48

10.Rings Of Life (Gary Phillip Nunn, Michael Murphey) - 3:23

11.Wildfire (Larry Cansler, Michael Murphey) - 3:36

All compositions by Michael Murphey except where indicated

Musicians

*Michael Murphey - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano

*John Mceuen - Banjo

*Jerry Mills - Mandolin

*Sam Broussard - Guitar

*Richard Dean - Guitar, Background Vocals

*Jac Murphy - Keyboards

*Tom Scott - Saxophone

*Michael McKinney - Bass, Background Vocals

*Harry Wilkinson - Drums

*Tracy Nelson - Background Vocals

*Jeff Hanna - Background Vocals

*Jimmy Ibbotson - Background Vocals

Related Act

1967-68  Lewis And Clarke Expedition - The Lewis And Clark Expedition (2016 edition)  

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Natural Acoustic Band - Learning To Live (1972 uk, divine acid folk psych, 2018 Japan remaster)

Natural Acoustic Band was formed in 1969, in Milngavie, Glasgow, Scotland. There were a number of personnel changes but the essential line-up was Tom Hoy (b. 5 February 1950, Glasgow, Scotland; guitar, vocals), Robin Thyne (b. 1 November 1950, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England; guitar, vocals), and Krysia Kocjan, pronounced Kotsyan (b. 10 August 1953, Craigendoran, Scotland; vocals). Kocjan had a Polish father and a Flemish mother. The group played their first gig on 5 November 1969, at Alloa Working Men’s Club. Eventually, the press picked up on Kocjan’s vocal talent, and they were increasingly billed as the Natural Acoustic Band, featuring Krysia Kocjan. Occasionally, the group was augmented by a Chinese drummer and an Australian bass player, a truly international line-up. Their two albums for RCA Records, were both released in 1972; Learning To Live in May, andBranching In in October. Kocjan left in late 1972, and Thyne and Hoy continued to work with Joanna Carlin. She then left to pursue a solo career, and is now better known as Melanie Harrold.

Thyne and Hoy continued as a duo, until the latter joined Magna Carta in 1975, initially as a sound engineer but eventually as a full-time member of the group. Thyne followed his former bandmate to Magna Carta in 1977. In 1979, both Hoy and Thyne left and formed Nova Carta, recording the sole album, Roadworks, for CBS Records, in Holland. Kocjan released a solo album in 1974, and has since worked with Al Stewart, Ray Davies, Robin Williamson, Mike Heron, and Glenn Yarborough. Now living in the USA, Kocjan is still busy with session work, and voice teaching, and has plans to record again. Thyne continues to work in a solo capacity, while Hoy works in a duo with his wife Geraldine as Tom And Gerry.

AllMusic

Tracks

1. Learning To Live (Tom Hoy) - 2:32

2. Sometimes I Could Belive In You - 2:48

3. Subway Cinderlla - 3:18

4. Free - 3:42

5. Tom - 3:15

6. February Feeling - 3:31

7. Maybe It Was The Sunshine (Tom Hoy) - 3:02

8. Midnight Study - 2:33

9. All I Want Is Your Love (Tom Hoy) - 3:22

10.Waiting For The Rain (Krysia Kocjan, Tom Hoy, Robin Thyne) - 3:17

11.Dying G Bird (Tom Hoy) - 2:40

12.High In My Head - 3:21

Words and Music by Krysia Kocjan except where stated

Natural Acoustic Band

*Tom Hoy - Guitar, Vocals, 

*Robin Thyne - Guitar, Bongos, Bass Recorder, Vocals, 

*Krysia Kocjan - Vocals, Guitar, Glockenspiel 

1972  Natural Acoustic Band - Branching In (2018 japan remaster)  

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