Toe Fat - BBC Sessions (1969-70 uk, splendid hard bluesy rock, 2013 release)

Toe Fat - the improbable teaming of a slick, classy, 60's Soulster and three-quarters of an obscure Psychedelic/Blues outfit from the sticks - are one of those bands who invariably turn up in the middle of one of Pete Frame's Family Trees, the soile raison d'etre for their existence apparently being to act as the link between various seemingly disparate music and and groups. In Toe's case they provide the unlikely point of reference between Uriah Heep and Jethro Tull at one end of the spectrum, Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers somewhere near the center, and the Bee Gees and Chas & Dave at the other. And yet although they were highly regarded, their albums critically well-received, and they'd begun to make a significant commercial impact in the United States, the band was abruptly terminated when their American management pulled the financial rug from under them following a stock flotation. 

Consequently, Toe Fat have rather been consigned to the ranks rather more for their album sleeve artwork and the subsequent career paths of their members than for anything they achieved under their own steam. Furthermore, despite their relatively short life-span (although they cut two albums they were together little more than a year) their history is both convoluted and confusing, a 50% turnover in personnel allied to a curious staffing credit on their album sleeves having led to mucho conjecture as to exactly who did actually play in the band. And yet - as this CD readily confirms - with just a little kinder shake of the dice they could so easily have evolved into one of that elite half-dozen or so English bands who carved out spectacularly successful American careers, far outstripping their popularity back home in dear ol' Blighty.

Now, way back in the late sixties, as Rock music got bluesier, heavier, and more self-conscious, a great many working muse's adapted to the changing musical and social climate simply by growing their hair, sprouting bushy sidebeards and droopy moustaches (the full beard was optional), widening their flares, dressing down, and going back to playing much the same stuff they'd been playing five years earlier - but several megawatts louder (and frequently with longer, considerably more self-indulgent solos). And Cliff Bennett was pretty much a case-in-point: following his split with the Rebel Rousers in the Summer of 1968 he grew his barnet, cultivated the regulation mutton-chops, underwent sartorial refit, and duly went Heavy. He recruited Billy J. Kramer's former backing group The Dakotas - by that time down to a trio, comprising former Pirates Mick Green (gtr) & Frank "All By Myself" Farley (drums), together with original member Robin McDonald (bass) - and added a four-piece brass section: billed as the Cliff Bennett Band, they subsequently set about trying to become London's equivalent of Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Bennett surely needs no introduction: but briefly, he'd formed the first line-up of the Rebel Rousers in the West Drayton/Hayes area way back in 1958 - they took their name from Duane Eddy's hit - with a sound, style, and repertoire based firmly on roots R&R. However, during the 60's they had evolved into a powerful R&B-flavoured Soul outfit and become one of the most in-demand bands on the live circuit, far more popular than their meager three entries in the Guinness Book Of Hit Singles would suggest. Bennett and his Rebels eventually parted company in less than wholly amicable circumstances: he wanted to get into rather more contemporary material - specifically, to move in the same direction as Blood, Sweat & Tears - whereas his band preferred to stick to their tried-and-tested good-time formula. Hence the (inevitable) split. The lads stayed together, initially as the Roy Young Band, eventually shedding half their members and evolving into Black Claw. Finally, in 1973, they slimmed down further and became Chas & Dave.

Meanwhile, the Cliff Bennett Band were struggling to get the right balance. The brass section had been jettisoned fairly early on, and then Green and McDonald had quit in March '69 to take rather more lucrative positions in Englebert Humperdink's Las Vegas-based backing band. They were replaced by Ken Hensley (formerly with The Gods) and a bassist no-one quite remembers, but is believed to have been Paul Bass. The multi-talented Hensley had indeed proven to be a real find: although he'd joined simply as a guitarist, he was a powerful frontline singer in his own right, equally adept on both keyboards and guitar, and a songwriter of enormous potential. 

This revised line-up had really begun to gel, both live and as a recording unit. They cut one single for Parlophone, "Memphis Street"/"But I'm Wrong" (R5792), but had broken up by the time of its release, grinding to a sudden and rather ignominious halt in June '69 following an accident during the course of which a long-forgotten keyboards player rolled the band's van, which duly burned out. All their gear - which was uninsured, unfortunately - perished with said van, and in the absence of a record or management deal drummer Farley was ultimately forced to quit life on the road in order to take a proper day job. However, Bennett & Hensley elected to stick together and try to form a new band - and eventually, following a couple of false-starts elsewhere, they decided to recruit a pair of the latter's former colleagues, viz: the Gods' rhythm section of John Glasscock (bass) and Lee Kerslake (drums).

The Hensley/Glasscock/Kerslake axis were in fact quite an experienced unit, having (along with guitarist Joe Konas) just cut two albums for EMI - and furthermore, the Gods had a messy, rather convoluted history themselves. They'd originally formed in Hatfield in '65 when Hensley (kbds/voc) and the preciously gifted 17-year old Mick Taylor (gtr) had teamed up with the Glasscock brothers, John & Brian, on bass and drums respectively. 

This first line-up lasted a couple of years, but had drifted apart in June '67 when Taylor was lured away to join his hero John Mayall. Hensley - by now based in Hampshire - reformed the band later in the year with new members, who at various junctures included Konas (gtr), bassists Paul Newton (later in Spice and Uriah Heep), Greg Lake (ditto King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, etc.) & Glasscock, and Kerslake (drums) - but they were never really a stable unit. Nonetheless, in the Summer of '68 they secured a deal with EMI and cut the superb "Genesis" (Columbia SCX 6286), an album which stacks up surprisingly well to this day. However, although a prolific studio band, cutting a trio of singles and a second album "To Samuel A Son" (SCX 6372) - which eventually came out in February '70, many months after they'd ceased trading - the cracks were already showing, and they were destined to break up again within just a few months. Which is roughly where Bennett came in.

In retrospect, it seems clear that the death throes of the Gods and the birth pangs of Toe Fat must have overlapped considerably, as the former were very much an operational recording band - indeed, they were still in the process of cutting their second album - long after Hensley had "left" in March '69 and they'd begun working with Bennett sometime later that Summer. But whatever the circumstances, EMI house producer Jonathan Peel (no, not the deejay) seems to have been the catalyst in their finally getting together, and so eventually, with their new line-up in place - i.e. Bennett (voc/piano), Hensley (gtr/kbds/voc), Glasscock (bass/voc), and Kerslake (drums) - they were up and running.

Having decided on a major realignment in musical direction - based largely on the new bluesier material which Hensley was writing - and realizing that a more "progressive" moniker was required to go with their new, heavier style, someone came up with TOE FAT. Bennett seems to recall that he and co-manager John Gunnell dreamed it up over dinner one night (apparently, it was the most disgusting name they could think of!) Initially, their live appearances were rather low-key affairs as Bennett's identity was still being kept pretty much under wraps: however, they set out on the UK colleges, pubs and clubs' circuits where they duly broke in their new material, on the back of which they scored an American record deal with Rare Earth, Motown's white/Rock-oriented label. 

by Robert M. Corich,  

additional information by Roger Dopson 

thanks to Cliff Bennett, Frank Farley and Pete Frame  

Tracks

1. Born To Be Wild (Mars Bonfire) - 3:23

2. Interview With Cliff Bennett - 1:01

3. Memphis Street (Neil Diamond) - 3:03

4. Im Yours And Im Hers (Johnny Winter) - 2:57

5. That's My Love For You (Cliff Bennett, Frank Allen, M. Roberts) - 3:53

6. Bad Side Of The Moon (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) - 3:28

7. I Done Told You (Jimmy Witherspoon) - 5:01

8. Turns Out Like The Rest (Cliff Bennett, Alan Kendall) - 2:16

9. Idol (Alan Kendall) - 3:26

10.Gone (Cliff Bennett, Alan Kendall) - 3:14

11.Three Times (Alan Kendall, Cliff Bennett) - 4:00

12.Midnight Sun (Alan Kendall, Cliff Bennett) - 3:21

13.A New Way (Alan Kendall, Cliff Bennett) - 9:05

14.We'll Be Travellin On (Alan Kendall, Cliff Bennett) - 6:10

15.I Love Everybody (Johnny Winter) - 4:03

16.There Will Be Changes (Alan Kendall, Cliff Bennett) - 6:40

17.Midnight Sun (Alan Kendall, Cliff Bennett) - 7:37

18.Come On Down To My Boat Baby (A-Side) (Jerry Goldstein, Wes Farrell) - 2:46

19.Garage Man (B-Side) (Ken Hensley) - 2:29

Tracks 1-4 recorded on 23rd July 1969

Tracks 5-8 recorded on 19th February 1970

Tracks 9-10 recorded on 14th April 1970

Tracks 11-13 recorded on 6th October 1970

Tracks 14-17 recorded live in Port Chester, NY on 5th December 1970 

Tracks 18-19 as The Gods

Toe Fat

*Ken Hensley - Guitar, Organ, Piano, Vocals

*Cliff Bennett - Lead Vocals, Piano

*Alan Kendall - Guitar (Tracks 5-17) 

*Lee Kerslake - Drums, Vocals (Tracks 1-10)

*Brian Glascock - Drums (Tracks 11-17) 

*John Glascock - Bass (Tracks 5-17)

The Gods

*Gregg Lake - Vocals, Bass

*John Konas - Guitar

*Lee Kerslake - Drums

*Ken Hensley - Guitar, Organ, Vocals

Related Acts
1968  The Gods - Genesis (2009 japan extra tracks remaster)
1969  The Gods - To Samuel A Son (2009 japan bonus track remaster)
1970  Head Machine - Orgasm (2006 digipak edition)
1971  National Head Band - Albert One (2008 remaster) 
1973  Ken Hensley - Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf (2010 remaster)

1975  Ken Hensley - Eager To Please (2010 bonus track remaster)  

1973-74  Carmen - Fandangos In Space / Dancing On A Cold Wind (2006 remaster and expanded)  

1975/77  Iggy Pop And James Williamson - Kill City (2010 edition)  

Free Text

Text Host

Dan Penn - Nobody's Fool (1973 us, essential country soul funk, 2016 japan remaster)

Nobody’s Fool was recorded by Penn for Bell Records in 1973, and remained his only solo album for more than two decades.  Penn, the co-author of such unquestioned classics as “The Dark End of the Street,” “Do Right Man, Do Right Woman,” “I’m Your Puppet,” and “Cry Like a Baby,” has a soft, reedy drawl of a voice that he deploys to soulful effect on tracks like the opening anthem and title song, “Nobody’s Fool.”  The track introduces Mike Utley’s warm keyboards, John Huey’s steel guitar, and the combined Nashville Horns and Strings.  (Renowned arranger Bergen White, no slouch in the songwriting department himself, handled the strings and Nashville Horns, while Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love wrote the charts for The Memphis Horns heard on later tracks.)  

Though the personnel shifts from track to track, the feel remains consistent as it blends deep soul and country with commercial pop gloss (strings, background vocals, etc.) circa 1973.  One could easily hear Elvis Presley singing these songs, though Penn acquits himself well.  Alex Chilton, lead singer of The Box Tops and later Big Star, actually did cover the loner’s anthem “Nobody’s Fool” nearly fifteen years later.

“Raining in Memphis,” co-written with Mic Lietz and Penn’s greatest collaborator, Spooner Oldham, has one of the album’s most potent melodies, with a catchy chorus and atmospheric verses.  It could also have been a major hit for The King or another blue-eyed soul great like Bill Medley.  But Penn’s laid-back growl is appealing on this tuneful slice of R&B, even if the N’awlins brass and varied arrangement threatens to overwhelm the delicacy of the song.  The Penn/Oldham team also supplied “Ain’t No Love,” allowing the singer to cut loose with a fiery performance.

“Tearjoint,” a co-write with veteran session keyboardist Donnie Fritts, is pure twangy country-and-western.  Penn and Tommy Richards share guitar duties, while Leo LaBlanc adds the requisite steel touch.  “I Hate You,” authored by Penn and Leroy Daniels, is similarly in the classic country vein of tears and heartbreak, and features the great session players David Hood and Roger Hawkins on drums and bass, respectively.

The master songwriter obviously thought enough of John Fogerty’s “Lodi” to make it the only cover selection on the album, and his down-home treatment is far-removed from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s swamp-rock original.  With Spooner Oldham’s graceful keys as fine support, Penn digs into the lyric with rough-hewn passion.  He also brings fire to the closing trilogy of songs, the socially conscious mini-suite of “Prayer for Peace,” “If Love Was Money,” and the spoken-word-over-instrumental “Skin.” The affecting “Peace” is one of the many tracks to feature background vocals by Mary and Ginger Holiday, has a gospel flavor and even a spoken “sermon” from the good Rev. Penn.  “If Love Was Money” is another shoulda-been-a-hit track, with its propulsive rhythm, big chorus, and brassy orchestration.  

The album finale “Skin” melds a mawkish if heartfelt rumination on race over a grand string composition and what sounds like backwards music.  It makes for an unexpected conclusion to a low-key, enjoyable album from the moonlighting songwriter.  While Penn’s vocals are sometimes lost in the album’s very-separated stereo mix, his voice as a composer and lyricist always comes through loud and clear.

Analog Spark’s reissue is housed in a single-pocket gatefold digipak, and sound is up to the label’s usual high standards.  There are no new liner notes nor are any bonus tracks present.  Dan Penn released one other single for Bell Records, “Stony” b/w “Blind Leading the Blind,” which might have made for a nice addition to this fine reissue.  (Interestingly, “Nobody’s Fool,” “Prayer for Peace” and “If Love Was Money” were issued on Dunhill’s Happy Tiger subsidiary prior to the Bell album, along with the non-LP track “Buckaroo Bill.”)  Nobody’s Fool would be worthy alone for the title track, “Raining in Memphis” and “If Love Was Money,” all of which can stand tall with Penn’s finest compositions.  In its entirety, the album is a fascinating lost statement from an underappreciated talent.  This under-the-radar reissue is one that connoisseurs of deep soul and lost pop shouldn’t miss.

by Joe Marchese, January 26, 2017

Dan Penn is one of the great songwriters. His work and his life are what legends are made of, and so is this recording. Penn wrote or co-wrote such ’60s classics as “Dark End Of The Street”, “Do Right Woman” and “I’m Your Puppet”; Nobody’s Fool, released in 1972, was his first solo record. His voice and demo recordings had been spoken about with great reverence, and he had written hits, so Bell records might have expected such a record from him. The sad truth was that it wasn’t very successful saleswise and didn’t stay in print very long.

Penn’s 1994 release on Sire Records, Do Right Man, covered the famous bases. It was a reminder and a testament to his talents and ability. That was a fine and necessary work, but Nobody’s Fool is even more interesting because it doesn’t rely on the tried and true. On this record, he stings hard with what he does best and still finds time, by the end, to walk out on the limb a bit.

Penn had a hand in writing all the material here, with the exception of John Fogerty’s “Lodi”. Penn’s reading of the Creedence classic is a natural; his incredibly soulful voice and a great arrangement make this an ideal cover choice. The title track, which opens the disc, is a loner’s anthem that sounds like a standard the first time your hear it. The great country-soul of “I Hate You” is also a stunner, with Penn’s warm voice lamenting in the first degree.

One of the mysteries of this record is why “If Love Was Money” wasn’t a massive hit. At the time this record was released, radio was eating this kind of thing up. A song that catches you big-time from the first note, it’s 3:22 long, which is about right for most great singles, but it’s never enough; it demands to be played again.

A couple of slightly self-indulgent forays in to the social concerns of the day make the end of the record seem a little overblown, but they don’t diminish the high worthiness of this work. This is an essential recording by an essential artist. They just don’t make records like this anymore, and it’s a shame.

No Depression

Tracks

1. Nobody's Fool (Bobby Emmons, Dan Penn) - 2:52

2. Raining In Memphis (Dan Penn, Mic Lietz, Spooner Oldham) - 3:43

3. Tearjoint (Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts) - 2:55

4. Time (Dan Penn) - 2:22

5. Lodi (John Fogerty) - 3:17

6. Ain't No Love (Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham) - 3:36

7. I Hate You (Dan Penn, Leroy Daniels) - 2:26

8. Prayer For Peace (Bill Rennie, Dan Penn, Greg Reding) - 2:45

9. If Love Was Money (Bill Phillips, Dan Penn) - 3:32

10.Skin (Dan Penn) - 2:47

Musicians

*Dan Penn - Vocals, Guitar

*Spooner Oldham - Organ

*Jay Spell - Piano, Keyboards

*David Hood - Bass

*Sammy Creason - Drums

*Bill Phillips - Organ

*Greg Reding - Organ

*Mike Utley - Keyboards, 

*Tommy Richard - Guitar

*Charlie Freeman - Guitar

*Jim Johnson - Bass 

*Tommy McClure - Bass

*Dulin Lancaster - Drums, Backing Vocals, Horns

Free Text

Text Host

White Duck - White Duck (1971 us, awesome swamp country rock, 2014 korean remaster)

A whole herd of various ducks and ducklings nested on the rock scene of the seventies. This one is the debut album of the American band White Duck, which consisted of musicians who accompanied Jimmy Buffett's performances before starting their own band. Lanny Fiel also previously had experience with the Willie And The Red Rubber Band. The first self-titled album was recorded and mixed within two months at Creative Workshop under the direction of Buzz Cason ... A kind of lively psycho-folk-country rock.

Based on the fantasy album cover, to be honest, 'Billy Goat' was nothing like what I expected.  Built on a funky little riff and showcasing Kloetzke's rugged, blue-eyed soul vocals, the tune sounded like something a Memphis band like Big Star might have recorded.  Icing on the cake came in the form of Lanny Fiel's slide guitar.  'World (Keep On Turnin')' revealed itself as a sweet acoustic ballad.  The tune showcased Kloetzke's glistening twelve string guitar and the band's impressive hamronies, with Tabet's percussion adding a subtle Celtic edge.

Opening up with some lovely piano, 'Lonely' caught me totally off guard.  In fact, for a second I wondered if I'd mistakenly slapped on a Beatles album.  Penned by Kloetzke, the song was a beautiful keyboard powered ballad with vocals that bore an uncanny resemblance to McCartney.  It wasn't just the vocals - the entire song seemed to project a Fab Four vibe.  Always loved Friedel's melodic bass work on this one.  Possibly one of the best Beatles songs they never wrote. What started out as an attractive, but pedestrian pop tune turned out to be one of the album highlights.  Of course you had to wait until "Black-Eyed Susan" was half over which is when Lanny and Rick kicked in with their lysergic tinged  backwards guitar solos.

Another song that opened up with some attractive Kloetzke piano, 'Really' may have been the album's most original and commercial track.  The song had a wonderful melody (with a great bass line) and some gorgeous harmony vocals. The title and the opening sound collage left me thinking this was going to be a throwaway.  Instead, this was another slice of McCartney-the-rocker influenced hard rock.  Built on a tasty little guitar riff, this one would have made George Harrison proud. 

With driving lead guitar and a strong Kloetzke vocal 'No Time' got an A+ in the folk-rock awards.  Their backing vocals were truly impressive, making you wish this one had stretched on longer. The rocker 'I Never Wanna Go' found the band returning to a Memphis garage-rock feel.  With an insidiously catchy riff, this one as simply awesome and another track that faded out too early.

Until his death in 2009, Lanny Field remain active in music. Friedel returned to Wisconsin.  At least for a time he appears to have been the Director of the non-profit Wisconsin School Music Association Inc.  The Association focuses on supporting Wisconsin music teachers. Kloetzke had actually started his career as an artist and returned to art after the band called it quits.  He's known for portraits of wildlife, Green Bay Packer fans, and World War II aircraft. Tabet relocated to Las Vegas where he played in various Casino house bands for the next 40 years,  He died of heart failure in June, 2015.

After the release of the first White Duck album front men/brothers Lanny and Rick Fiel left White Duck.  Bassist Mario Friedel, keyboard player Don Kloetzke and drummer Paul Tabet elected to continue the nameplate recruiting a young John Hiatt (then working as a Nashville-based songwriter).

Bad-Cat

Tracks

1. Billy Goat (Don Kloetzke, Rick Fiel, Lanny Fiel) - 4:10

2. World (Keep On Turning) (Don Kloetzke, Lanny Fiel) - 2:43

3. No (Don Kloetzke, Mario Friedel) - 2:47

4. Lonely (Don Kloetzke) - 3:03

5. Black-Eyed Susan (Rick Fiel) - 2:24

6. Really (Lanny Fiel, Paul Tabet, Don Kloetzke, Mario Friedel, Rick Fiel) - 3:53

7. Don`t Mix With Politics (Don Kloetzke, Rick Fiel, Lanny Fiel) - 3:02

8. Anna Belle (Mario Friedel, Paul Wittenburger) - 2:33

9. No Time (Paul Tabet, Lanny Fiel) - 2:36

10.I Never Wanna Go (Lanny Fiel, Don Kloetzke) - 2:21

White Duck

*Lanny Fiel – Guitar, Horn, Vocals

*Rick Fiel – Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals

*Mario Friedel – Bass, Keyboards, Vocals

*Don Kloetzke – Keyboards, Vocals

*Skip Rogers – Vocals

*Paul Tabet – Drums, Vocals 

1972  White Duck - In Season (2014 korean remaster)   

Related Act

1969  Willie And The Red Rubber Band - We're Comin' Up (original Vinyl)

Free Text

Text Host

Willie And The Red Rubber Band - We're Comin' Up (1969 us, awesome r 'n' b garage psych, original Vinyl)

Texas band, lead by Willie Redden and released two albums in the late 60's. This is their second effort "We're Comin' Up" saw the light of the day in 1969. A really pleasant trip with roots n' roll and blues to psych sunshine pop, influenced by Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Buddy Holly among the others.

Way down deep roots, bare feet on warm earth - warm spreading, comin' up filling the vessel, gotta come out, come up and sounding like the Blues. Roots down deep in the soil of West Texas, the Blues lives there, is the soil, the warm earth, endless sky. Tapping the roots is all, filling the vessel.

Tracks

1. Show Me (Willie Redden) - 3:04

2. Last Letter From Mary (Charles Addington) - 2:58

3. Deep Eyes Of Darkness (Smith, Rhodes, Willie Redden) - 2:55

4. L.A. T-H-E Man (Willie Redden) - 2:40

5. Try A New Day On (Willie Redden, Glen Ballard) - 2:4?

6. We're Comin' Up (Willie Redden) - 2:50

7. Watch Out Fool Self (Glen Ballard) - 2:47

8. San Luis Way - Back In '38 (Willie Redden) - 3:09

9. Everytime, And I Get Th' Blues (Willie Redden) - 3:28

10.Daddy, I Think I'm Going Blind (Willie Redden) - 2:28

11.Chicky-Chicky Boom Boom (Willie Redden, Charles Addington, Andrews Jr) - 2:10

Willie And The Red Rubber Band

*Willie Redden - Vocal, Guitar

*Glen Ballard - Guitar, Bass

*Charles Addington - Organ, Piano, Cello

*Conley Bradford - Drums

*Lanny Fiel - Guitar

With

*John Buck Wilken - Guitar

*Begie Chruser - Piano

Free Text

Text Host

Saraband - Close To It All (1973 uk, wonderful folk rock, 2018 korean remaster)

Saraband was a short lived folk band from Rochdale (England), released only album in 1973. They started  out as The Honeydew releasing one LP in 1970, befor changing their name to Saraband. 

Fragile female vocal well mixed with various acoustic instruments and male vocal harmonies.

This is their sole album, one of the first on the tiny independent Folk Heritage label, and, lacking any distribution network, it was only available at gigs or mail order.

Tracks

1. Close To It All (Melanie Safka) - 4:55

2. Winter Song (Frank Harrison, Barbara Yates) - 4:44

3. This Moment (Mike Heron) - 7:14

4. Retrospect (Frank Harrison) - 3:43

5. I'm Your Man (Frank Harrison, Stuart Mawdsley, Barbara Yates) - 3:04

6. Black Jack Davey (Traditional) - 3:35

7. Peace Will Come (Tom Paxton) - 3:03

8. River (Frank Harrison, Barbara Yates) - 8:32

9. Herbie (Frank Harrison, Barbara Yates) - 3:55

10.All The Way To Richmond (Ed Welch, Tom Paxton) - 4:00

Saraband

*Barbara Yates - Vocals, Tambourine, Recorder 

*Frank Harrison - Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin

*Stuart Mawdsley - Guitar, Vocals

With

*Dave Titley - Bass, Electric Guitar, Vocals

*Chris Bradley - Drums, Tambourine, Bongos, Cymbal, Mandolin, Bodhrán

Free Text

Text Host

 

Johnny Winter - Johnny Winter And (1970 us, superb hard blues rock, 2018 japan xpanded)

After two late-'60s albums on Columbia, Johnny Winter hit his stride in 1970 working with Rick Derringer and the McCoys, now recruited as his sidemen and collaborators (and proving with just about every note here how far they'd gotten past "Hang on Sloopy"). In place of the bluesy focus on his first two albums, Winter extended himself into more of a rock-oriented mode here, in both his singing and his selection of material. 

This was hard rock with a blues edge, and had a certain commercial smoothness lacking in his earlier work. Derringer's presence on guitar and as a songwriter saw to it that Winter's blues virtuosity was balanced by perfectly placed guitar hooks, and the two guitarists complemented each other perfectly throughout as well. 

There wasn't a weak moment anywhere on the record, and if Johnny Winter And wasn't a huge commercial success, it was mostly because of the huge amount of competition at the time from other, equally inspired players, that kept numbers like the Winter originals "Prodigal Son" and "Guess I'll Go Away" as well as Derringer co-authored pieces such as "Look Up" from having the impact they should have had on FM radio. 

by Bruce Eder

This album contains—surprise!—no blues. It is Rock and Roll at its very best. Good, solid songs—a few of them instant classics. The singing is funky, full of raspy screams, pushing the music towards some sort of ultimate ... edge. The new band consists of three ex-McCoys, a dyed-in-the-wool Rock Band. They still are. And good musicians—especially Rick Derringer, the guitarist-singer who shares the limelight with Johnny Winter.

The soul of the album is the interplay between Johnny Winter and Rick Derringer. On stage, it's easy to see how it works. Derringer plays guitar straight from the groin: solid-snaky rock lines. The root. Winter seems to play guitar in a state of transported ecstasy, like the bare electric skeleton of rock dancing in the mind-juice river. The branch. Winter's guitar-imagination has greater scope than Derringer's. Winter's guitar builds on Derringer's, elaborating, decorating, getting slinky and sliding right out of your brain. All without ever losing the beat, the sexual thread of the music.

Together, they sound like Hendrix playing behind Clapton. In fact, the album will remind you of the best moments of early Hendrix and early Cream. "Am I Really Here" sounds much like Cream's "White Room." The vocal to "Rock and Roll Hoochiekoo" has the same slide-punch inflections as Hendrix's singing. There are more examples of Influences At Work Here, but Winter and Derringer are much too good to be mere imitations. They have learned; they have transcended their influences and come up with something all their own.

Playing in a rock context has improved Winter's playing (if you can believe that possible). He seems more down-to-earth, more believable. You can dance to it. In fact, you'd better.

The material is surprisingly good — especially Derringer's compositions. "Rock and Roll Hoochiekoo" and "Funky Music" are both sturdy good-time rockers, and would make fine singles. Winter's compositions, though intense and moving, tend to lack form. They sometimes, as on "Nothing Left," fall apart in your ear. But what the hell. This is fine stuff, by far the best thing Johnny Winter has done. And that's saying something.

by David Gancher

Tracks

1. Guess I'll Go Away (Johnny Winter) - 3:29

2. Ain't That A Kindness (Mark Klingman) - 3:30

3. No Time To Live (Jim Capaldi, Stevie Winwood) - 4:37

4. Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo (Rick Derringer) - 3:33

5. Am I Here (Randy Zehringer) - 3:25

6. Look Up (Rick Derringer, Robyn Supraner) - 3:35

7. Prodigal Son (Johnny Winter) - 4:18

8. On The Limb (Rick Derringer) - 3:36

9. Let The Music Play (Allan Nicholls, Otis Stephens) - 3:16

10.Nothing Left (Johnny Winter) - 3:31

11.Funky Music (Rick Derringer) - 4:58

12.Guess I'll Go Away (Live) (Johnny Winter) - 4:42

13.Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo (Live) (Rick Derringer) - 4:57

Bonus Tracks 12-13 Live at The Fillmore East, October 3, 1970

Personnel

*Johnny Winter - Vocals, Guitar

*Rick Derringer - Vocals, Guitar

*Randy Jo Hobbs - Vocals, Bass

*Randy Zehringer - Drums 

1969-74  Johnny Winter - Original Album Classics (2010 editions)   

1969  Johnny Winter - The Progressive Blues Experiment (2000 digi pak and 2005 remaster) 

1976  Johnny Winter - Captured Live! (2011 japan remaster)

Free Text

Text Host

Keef Hartley Band - British Radio Sessions (1969-71 uk, outstanding blues jazz rock, 2013 release)

The history of rock and roll has produced innumerable drummers. A small number of them have become household names, Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Charlie Watts,John Bonham. How many though, have been talented and forceful enough to carve out a successful solo career, without the advantage of being in the public eye, via involvement with a big selling group? The answer must be, very few indeed. This article centres on one such drummer and band leader, Keef Hartley. His recorded legacy spans the era's of Merseybeat, R&B, The British blues boom, and prog rock,leaving a host of highly collectable records in his wake. Additionally, he's contributed his considerable talent to genres as diverse as folk, Jazz, Kraut-rock and one of the biggest selling albums of the 1970's.

To find the start of Keef's career, we must go back to his home town of Preston in Lancashire and the year 1962. At this time Keef was playing with a highly regarded local outfit, "The Thunderbeats". Whilst this name will be unfamiliar to most readers, it is worth a brief mention if only for the fact, that this group would be the starting point for other collectable artists of the next decade. Examples of these include David John and The Mood, Little Free Rock and Thundermother (who were to perform on one side of the extremely rare "Astral Navigations" L.P. released by Holyground in 1971). The Thunderbeats were to perform regularly around the NorthWest, even supporting The Beatles at Morecambe, however Keef was about to make his first move.

When a Liverpool promoter and club owner discovered Keef was keen to turn professional, he offered him the chance to join Rory Storm and the Hurricanes as permanent replacement for Ringo Starr. Keef didn't view his new band too highly, having seen them countless times on the same gig circuit. "Nah, I didn't rate 'em much. I always thought Rory was a bit of a prat, but I couldn't turn down the chance to earn a tenner a week, which was a small fortune in those days". So, Keef became a full time Hurricane, wearing Ringo's old luminous pink stage suit and playing gigs up and down the country. The group recorded only a handful of tracks during their six year existence, and Keef's part in them has never been properly documented before.

However he clearly remembers the day, when John Schroeder from Oriole records came to record the group in the Rialto Ballroom. "I was surprised to read in a back issue of Record Collector (Rory Storm feature, issue 99) that Brian Johnson played on the session, because that was certainly me. It was done very quickly as I remember. We came up did our set, and that was it, time for the next band." These recordings were to appear on the Oriole compilation "This is Merseybeat", and the track "Dr Feelgood",was lifted to become the first single by the group.

Keef's friendship with the producer Mike Vernon enabled him to play on many more great albums, some of which are highly sought after today. Joining friends such as Eric Clapton, Tony McPhee, Peter Green, Mick Taylor and John Mayall, he played on countless sessions for visiting American bluesmen, such as Champion Jack Dupree and Jimmy Witherspoon. This informal group of friends were to also feature (frequently uncredited for contractual reasons) on many other L.P's that Mike Vernon produced for Decca and later Blue Horizon.

The first tentative steps to a solo career were made following a call from Marshall Chess ( owner of Chess Records )to Mike Vernon and Neil Slavern. As Neil remembers, "Marshall was keen for Chess to keep pace with the move from straightforward R&B to a more progressive sort of blues. He'd heard the stuff Mike had produced and was looking for something similar. Keef quickly put a band together consisting of himself, Gary Thain, Paul Rogers and Paul Kossoff. They went into the studio and finished about 3 tracks. These were sent over to the States but nothing came of it."

Keef was keen to push on, and he began auditioning friends and newcomers for the new outfit. The nucleus of this was to be Peter (Dino) Dines on keyboards, Spit James (better known as Ian Cruickshank) on guitar, Gary Thain on bass, Keef on drums and Owen Finnegan on vocals. Things were beginning to gel. The Keef Hartley Band began to gig regularly and their Chicago based blues rock was getting a good audience response.

Of the original band members, Gary Thain went on to join Uriah Heep, but suffered an electric shock on stage from which he never fully recovered. Unable to continue with the band, he became addicted to heroin and died of an overdose at the untimely age of 27.

Peter 'Dino' Dines and Miller Anderson both joined Marc Bolan's backing group, which lasted until Marc himself died tragically in a car crash just before his 30th birthday. Dino then went on to work with Bolan tribute band T Rextasy before he died of a heart attack in 2004 aged 59.

Keef Hartley carried on playing, leading bands and doing sessions, but eventually found himself in constant physical pain from the drumming – a similar fate has befallen Ginger Baker – and had to wear a neck brace. He went into retirement from music in the 80's, working as a cabinet maker, and died of complications arising from surgery, aged 67, in 2011.

Miller Anderson has soldiered on to play a part in The Miller Anderson Band, Hemlock, Savoy Brown, Blood Sweat and Tears, Dog Soldier, T Rex, The Dukes, Stan Webb's Speedway, Chicken Shack, Mountain, and The Spencer Davis group, to name but a few. In July 2016 he released a new album of 12 original tracks called “Through The Mill” and doesn't show any signs of slowing down yet. Long may he run.
by Stevie King

Tracks

1. Medley - Overdog - Roundabout - Just A Cry - Sinnin' For You (Miller Anderson, Henry Lowther, Owen Finnegan, Keef Hartley, Peter Dines) -25:12

2. You Can't Choose (Miller Anderson) -5:56

3. You Can't Take It With You (Miller Anderson) -8:00

4. Sinnin' For You (Miller Anderson, Owen Finnegan, Keef Hartley, Peter Dines) -3:20

5. Too Much Thinking (Owen Finnegan, Gary Thain, Peter Dines) -5:33

6. Interview With Keef Hartley -1:09

7. Me And My Woman (Gene Barge) -3:37

8. Waiting Around (Gary Thain, Keef Hartley, Miller Anderson) -2:24

9. Too Much Thinking (Owen Finnegan, Gary Thain, Peter Dines) -5:43

10.Just A Cry (Henry Lowther, Owen Finnegan) -3:40

11.Shadows Across The Wall (Miller Anderson) -4:36

12.To Whom It May Concern (Miller Anderson) -3:19

13.High Tide, High Water (Miller Anderson) -7:27

Tracks 12-13 as Miller Anderson Band

Track 1 recorded live on 25 March 1971

Tracks 2-3 recorded live on 12 November 1970

Tracks 4-7 recorded in studio in April 1969

Tracks 8-9 recorded in studio in October 1969

Tracks 10-11 recorded in studio in June 1971

Tracks 12-13 recorded live on 13 September 1971

Keef Hartley Band

*Keef Hartley - Drums, Percussions

*Miller Anderson - Vocals, Guitars

*Gary Thain - Bass

*Henry Lowther - Trumpet, Violin

*Mike Weaver - Keyboards

*Lyn Dobson - Tenor Sax, Flute

*Dave Caswell - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

*Lyle Jenkins - Tenor Saxophone, Flute 

Keef Hartley

1968-72  Not Foolish Not Wise
1969  Halfbreed (2008 Esoteric)
1969  The Battle Of North West Six  (2008 Esoteric)
1970  The Time Is Near (2008 Esoteric remaster)
1970  Overdog (2005 Eclectic)
1971  Little Big Band
1972  Seventy Second Brave (2009 Esoteric)
1972  Lancashire Hustler (2008 Esoteric)
Related Acts
1964-67  Tha Artwoods - Singles A's & B's

1966 The Artwoods - Art Gallery (2009 remaster and expanded)  

1966-67  The New Nadir/Me And The Others - Uncovered  

1971  Miller Anderson - Bright City  

1974  Savoy Brown - Boogie Brothers 

1975  Dog Soldier - Dog Soldier (2011 bonus track remaster)  

Free Text

Text Host

White Duck - In Season (1972 us, essential country rock, 2014 korean remaster)

Hiatt made his first recording as a member of White Duck, a likable if unspectacular country rock band. Hiatt was on board for the band's second and final album In Season in 1972. (Hiatt did not play on White Duck's paper-thin self-titled 1971 debut record). The four band members (Hiatt, Don Kloetzke, Mario Friedel, and Paul Tabet) each contribute songs as singers and songwriters. Hiatt's two songs are the record's high points. "You Caught Me Laughin' " sounds like the type of song that would turn up on one of Hiatt's first two solo albums; the other one, "Sail Away", sounds almost like vintage Hiatt. "Sail Away" would be deserving of inclusion on a Hiatt anthology.

The songs contributed by Mario Friedel are almost as good as Hiatt's. Nearly half of the songs are written and sung by Don Kloetzke (who has a white duck sitting on his lap in the back cover photo); the quality of his contributions is inconsistent. Kloetzke shines on "Thank You" and "A Girl Who", but he overindulges on "Bull Island Boogie" and "Looney Tune", two oddball novelty songs in which Hiatt is not a credited player.

Overall, In Season makes for very pleasant listening, and should be regarded as more than just a curiosity piece for Hiatt's fans. The music on this record alternately resembles that of the Band and the Flying Burrito Brothers, but is more upbeat than either.

RareBird 

Tracks

1. Carry Love (Don Kloetzke) - 3:55

2. Firewater (Mario Friedel, Skip Rogers) - 2:47

3. You Caught Me Laughin` (John Hiatt) - 3:24

4. Thank You (Don Kloetzke) - 3:22

5. Sail Away (John Hiatt) - 3:34

6. Bull Island Boogie (Buzz Cason, Don Kloetzke) - 5:04

7. Honey You`ll Be Alright (Do What Ya Gotta Do) (Paul Tabet, Mario Friedel) - 2:36

8. Lazy Days (Mario Friedel) - 4:01

9. A Girl Who (Don Kloetzke) - 3:32

10.Again (Mario Friedel) - 3:03

11.Looney Tune (Don Kloetzke) - 2:42

White Duck

*John Hiatt - Guitar, Vocals

*Don Kloetzke - Guitar, Piano, Vocals

*Paul Tabet - Drums, Vocals

*Mario Friedel - Guitar, Vocals

With 

*Lump Williams - Bass

*Steve Mendell - Bass

*Andy McMahon - Piano

*Doug Yankus - Guitar

*Doyle Grisham - Steel Guitar

*Skip Rogers - Background Vocals

*Buzz Cason - Background Vocals

1974-75  John Hiatt - Hangin' Around The Observatory / Overcoats (2006 remaster)  

Free Text

Text Host

Tryad - ...If Only You Believe In Lovin` (1972 us, notable psych folk rock, 2011 korean issue)

Tryad's If Only You Believe In Lovin', originally released in 1971 as a private press. Ultra-deluxe LP reissue on the newly resurrected Del Val label -- obscure but legendary label previously responsible for early editions by The Brigade, The Bachs, Bent Wind, D.R. Hooker, Fifty Foot Hose, etc. Long overdue and much delayed reissue of this 1971 NYC private press few have heard and less have seen. Comparable to the best UK folk-fusion LPs of the era, this is like a Yankee version of Hunter Muskett's great Every Time You Move (1970) with co-ed vocals plus bass/drums/pedal steel/flute/keys accompaniment and East Coast haunted not West Coast hip, though you'll be reminded of a certain revered private from out there that wouldn't exist for another five years: Relatively Clean Rivers. 

"Low key but really cool. Hard to believe it's an NYC piece from '72 from a sonic aspect. There's a kind of innocence to overall heft that puts me in mind of very early Bay Area stuff, like the second We Five LP (1967). That same sort of psych-is-hanging-unnamed-in-the-background vibe. The only thing that really places it in the '70s is that pedal steel which has a definite post-Sneaky-Pete feel. Very cool." 

by Byron Coley

Tryad was a trio featuring Jim Lasko, Jesse Lanzillotti, and Norine Lyons. This 10 song LP ranges in influence from basic melodic folk with great harmonies on "Columbia Tavern" to west coast influenced country rock on "Something Sweet In Dying" to the acid folk feel of "Eulogy Raga"

When looking for an album, I usually check out the back cover as most people do, especially in the case of a new group, and ask myself what, if anything, does this group have to say. I like some indication that the album is worth listening to.

This is Tryad’s first effort, I listened and they have something to say, about people, about conscious freedom, about contemporary values.

Within their lyrics, Tryad reveals an intimate personal commitment, and the music gets it across with harmonies that are contrasted against the lack of harmony in our surrounding culture today.

Anyone for a chance at self-doscovering?

by Buffalo Dick Burch, Original Album Liner Notes

Tracks

1. I`m Wonderin` How I Ever Got That Way - 4:04

2. Columbia Tavern - 4:10

3. Uptown Suburb Alley - 3:25

4. The Coming Time Of Gone - 2:34

5. Something Sweet In Dying - 3:06

6. Country Way - 3:15

7. Spider Song - 2:05

8. Don`t Talk To Strangers - 5:47

9. Northern Journey - 3:09

10.Eulogy  Raga - 4:54

Tryad

*Jim Lasko - Rhythm, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals

*Jesse Lanzillotti - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

*Norine Lyons - Vocals

With

*Mike Oxios - Bass

*George Davis - Keyboards

*Kevin Perau - Flute

*Steve Musso- Drums

*Walt Rehder - Pedal Steel

Free Text

Text Host

Howl The Good - Howl The Good (1972 us, remarkable classic rock, 2019 korean remaster)

Howl The Good's self-titled album, originally released in 1972. During the early 1970s, Detroit rock band Howl The Good signed to Motown's prog-rock offshoot, Rare Earth. Travelling to London to record their self-titled debut album at Olympic Studios, they were fortunate to work with engineer Chris Kimsey (best known for his later work with Peter Frampton and The Rolling Stones), with ex-Spooky Tooth keyboardist Gary Wright in the producer's chair; Wright was a highly-rated session player that worked with George Harrison, Elton John, Joe Cocker, and Steve Winwood, and he also enjoyed a successful solo career. 

The resultant album is a competent slice of semi-commercial prog rock with an undercurrent of blues and the odd pastoral number; despite the obviously American feel of the material, Billboard assumed the group was British, due to the location of the album's recording. Despite the strength of "Just Pretend It's Another Day" and "Long Way From Home", both co-written by Wright, and a one-off rendition of Cat Stevens's "The Joke", the album flopped on release on both sides of the Atlantic, leading the band to remain in obscurity and ultimately break up.

Tracks

1. Things You Do (Allan Odom, Neil Faigenbaum) - 4:28

2. Just Pretend It's Another Day (Gary Wright) - 3:14

3. I Need A Friend (N. Adler, Neil Faigenbaum) - 3:05

4. The Joke (Cat Stevens) - 2:45

5. Harder Doing Nothing (Allan Odom, Dennis Harrison, Neil Faigenbaum) - 4:15

6. Why Do You Cry (I. Pack, Neil Faigenbaum) - 2:48

7. Long Way From Home (Gary Wright) - 3:52

8. Beginning Of The End (Aaron Nathanson, Neil Faigenbaum) - 3:03

9. This Moment In The Sun (Aaron Nathanson, Neil Faigenbaum) - 3:54

10.Ain't Hard To Stumble (David Rifkin) - 5:15

Howl The Good

*Neil Fayne - Bass, Vocals

*Dennis Harrison - Drums, Percussion

*Allan Odom - Vocals

*Wiley Pack - Guitar, Vocals

*Tom Schneider - Keyboards, Vocals 

Free Text 

Text Host

Southwind - What A Place To Land (1971 us, excellent bluesy country classic rock, 2015 korean remaster)

The third and final album from Southwind, originally released by Blue Thumb in 1971. Compared to the band's debut this effort is less psychedelic and more pronounced blues influence than past efforts, but there's plenty to enjoy for fans of rural country rock.

Southwind disbanded soon after the record's release and guitarist John Martin swapping his birth name for his nickname "Moon," Martin went on to back Linda Ronstadt, later recording a series of solo albums and writing the Robert Palmer smash "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)." Pulte also cut a pair of 1972 solo LPs for United Artists before disappearing from the music scene. 

Tracks

1. Slippery John (John Martin, Jim Pulte) - 3:15

2. Beside The Mountain (Jim Pulte, Fontaine Brown) - 3:17

3. Best Part (Fontaine Brown) - 3:15

4. Please Don't Hitchhike (Jim Pulte) - 2:40

5. Back In The Band (Jim Pulte, John Martin) - 2:50

6. Bootleg Woman (Fontaine Brown) - 3:34

7. Baby Games (John Martin, Jim Pulte) - 2:57

8. Dynamite (Eric Dalton, Fontaine Brown, Jim Pulte, John Martin) - 2:11

9. Buzz Me (Fontaine Brown, John Martin) - 5:32

The Southwind

*Fontaine Brown - Keyboards, Harpsichord 

*Jim Pulte - Bass 

*Eric Dalton - Drums

*John Martin - Lead Guitar

1968  Southwind - Southwind (2015 korean remaster)  

1970  Southwind - Ready To Ride (2015 korean remaster)

Free Text

Text Host

Bert Sommer - Bert Sommer (1971 us, beautiful psych folk rock, 2017 korean remaster)

 In 1972, Bert’s music was to be featured in a movie. The film in question was called “Ultra Violet’s Hot Parts”, a seedy film in which a French painter called Vampy – who had studied under Salvador Dali and had moved to New York in the early 1960s, going by the stage name “Ultra Voilet” – narrated over pornographic videos, often referred to as satire. The showings of the film had reportedly been raided on each occasion forcing the film underground. It has since been considered lost. However, the soundtrack - Karma Sutra KSBS 2054 was released on Karma Sutra records, a division of Buddah, and featured 4 of Bert’s songs from his first two albums.

Around the same time, Bert was opening for acts like Ike & Tina Turner, Poco, The Birds, and Richie Havens. These were all around the New York area, however, Bert was still not gaining the recognition to become a headline act. Meanwhile, he had just released his 3rd album, “Bert Sommer” - Buddah BDS 5082 after being convinced by Neil Bogart to leave Artie Kornfield’s Eleuthera sub-label and sign with Buddah directly. The album contained of songs composed by Bert.

Unfortunately, this album also didn’t sell well. This was having a toll on Bert, who ended up in a rehab correctional facility for a couple of years. Whilst there, he would meet Rob Landis who later let Bert live with him after leaving the facility. He also met Gary Roberts - known by his stage name: Johnny Rabb from a band called the Jailhouse Rockers, and with Rob Landis, they formed the trio “Sommer, Landis, & Roberts”. The group opened for a few acts, however, Bert wanted to try and get them a bigger deal.

by Robert Ian Hawdon, Aug 8, 2019

Tracks

1. Stick Together - 3:16

2. Love Is Winning - 3:08

3. She Knows Me Better - 3:06

4. People Got To Be Free - 2:27

5. I Wondered Where You Be - 2:43

6. Magic Elixir (Bert Sommer, Mike Brown) - 2:29

7. The People Will Come Together (Bert Sommer, John Wilhelm) - 3:07

8. You've Got To Be Carefully Taught - 3:18

9. The Same Old Story - 2:58

10.Me And The Sunshine - 2:29

11.Back On The Bag - 2:45

12.Battle Of New Orleans - 2:26

All songs by Bert Sommer except where stated

Personnel

*Bert Sommer - Vocals, Guitar

*Ron Frangipane - Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, String Arrangements

*Hugh McCracken - Electric, Acoustic Guitars

*David Spinozza - Electric, Acoustic Guitars

*Tony Levin - Bass

*Donald MvDonald - Drums

*Mike Miniere - Percussion

*Mike Brown - Piano

*Ira Bartwlstone - Guitar

1968  Bert Sommer - The Road To Travel  

1969  Bert Sommer - Inside (2017 korean remaster)

1966-69  The Left Banke - There's Gonna Be A Storm The Complete Recordings  

Free Text

Text Host

Bert Sommer - Inside (1969 us, elegant psych folk, with baroque prettiness, and peculiar undercurrent of melancholy, 2017 korean remaster)

In the space of 10 years between 1967-77, singer-songwriter Bert Sommer released four studio albums, collaborated with the Left Banke and the Vagrants with Mountain’s Leslie West, performed in the first stage musical of Hair, appeared at Woodstock, and was part of Kaptain Kool and the Kongs on TV’s The Krofft Supershow for one season.

Sommer also continued to write, record, and perform music until his untimely death in 1990 at the age of 41. He was a phenomenally talented charismatic singer and songwriter, and was gone way too soon. I had the rare pleasure of talking with his son Jesse Bert Sommer for a Something Else! Sitdown focusing on father’s music and career.

by Steve Elliott, January 8, 2020 

"Inside" was his second solo album, released not long after his appearance at the Woodstock festival – his performance did not make the film, although his performance of Paul Simon’s ‘America’ was hugely appreciated and this is the only track on the album not written wholly, or in part, by Bert. The album is not a normal singer/songwriter album, as it has significantly varied genres. This variety is the USP of the album, although it may have restricted the commercial impact the album had.

Tracks

1. Smile - 3:06

2. It's A Beautiful Day - 3:02

3. Eleuthera - 2:20

4. The Grand Pianist (Mike Brown) - 2:24

5. Uncle Charlie - 2:29

6. I've Got To Try / Zip Zap Medley (Dan Sullivan) - 4:58

7. America (Paul Simon) - 3:21

8. Mama, If You're Able - 2:11

9. Friends - 3:19

10.On The Other Side - 4:37

11.Here In The Timeless Life - 2:44

12.We're All Playing In The Same Band - 3:21

All compositions by Bert Sommer except where stated

Personnel

*Bert Sommer - Vocals, Guitar

*Joe Mack - Bass

*Jimmy Calvert - Electric Guitar

*Specs Powell - Percussion

*Ron Frangipane - Piano, Organ

*Hugh McCracken - Electric, Acoustic Guitar

1968  Bert Sommer - The Road To Travel  

1966-69  The Left Banke - There's Gonna Be A Storm The Complete Recordings  

Free Text

Text Host

 

The Seeds - Bad Part Of Town (1961-72 us, top notch garage punk psych roots 'n' roll, 2008 edition)

1965, in the heat of the nights of San Francisco and Los Angeles, the rock-rhythm and blues changes itself into psychedelism. Towards Jefferson Airplane and Arthur Lee's Love, the Seeds appear then as the major group of this Weil Coast musical revolution. The Seeds leaded by Sty Saxon arc from Los Angeles He has already tried to become famous in the music business by recording a first 45 RPM under his real name Richie Marsh and the Hood winks rock'n'roll style, before to begin again with two other singles.

The second, is released under the pseudonym of Sky Sawn and the Soul Rockers, more rhythm 'n' blues, sounds 63-64 like with female vocals, and the third is released under the name of Sky Saxon and the Electra Fires. These six tracks "Baby, baby, baby" /-Half angel" "Go ahead and cry" / -They say" and "Do the swim" / -Trouble with my baby", are on the side one of this LP.

In 1965 the Seeds are composed by Sky Saxon (lead vocal, bass), Daryi Hooper (keyboards), Jan Savage (guitar) and Rick Andridge (drums}. They, immediately bring out several hits like "Can't seem to make you mine". "No escape", "Ptishin' too hard" "Mr fanner" "Up in her room". These songs are some great West Coast punk rock classics. In 1967 psychedelism and flower power arc the must. The Seeds bring out their third IP "Future" before returning to the blues under the name of Sky Saxon Band (with a little help from Muddy Waters) and released a last live LP.

The fury of the group on stage is so great that with the Seeds, the L.A. clubs become as wild as the ballrooms of the Detroit scene. In 1969 during a concert in the Santa Monica Civic Center where they jam with Neil Young they perform a killing cover of "Pushin’ too hard". Nevertheless before their split, The Seeds has recorded some promo tracks worth their best classics. So with "Bad par! of town" which opens the side one, and "Did he die", -Love in a summer basket", "Wish me up", "Shucking" and jiving" and "You took me by surprise" on the side two.

Like many other US bands from the golden era of the punk psychedelism (1964-69). we must wait until 1972 with the "Nuggets" compilation to discover again the Seeds, with Mouse and the Traps, the Chocolate Watchband, the Remains and many more. Then in 1977 the best of Seeds "Falling of the edge" is released with the collaboration of Kim Fowley. With the LP "Bad part of town" you possess the seventh album of the Seeds. It fits totally with the six previous albums and is the result of a careful and patient search in the land of the collectors.

CD Liner Notes

Tracks

1. Bad Part Of Town - 3:28

2. Baby, Baby, Baby (Bob Roberts, Darla Hood) - 2:30

3. Half Angel (Darla Hood) - 1:49

4. Go Ahead And Cry (Buddy Wayne, Paul Nuckles, Richie Marsh) - 2:22

5. They Say (Paul Vagas, Sky Saxon) - 2:10

6. Do The Swim - 2:06

7. Trouble With My Baby - 2:13

8. Baby, I Swear That It's True (Gary Paxton, Sky Saxon) - 1:48

9. Die He Die - 3:33

10.Love In A Summer Basket (Sky Saxon And The Seeds) - 3:33

11.Wish Me Up - 3:17

12.Suckin' And Jiving (Sky Saxon And The Seeds) - 7:07

13.You Took Me By Surprise (Sky Saxon And The Seeds) - 2:43

14.Mr Farmer - 4:08

15.No Escape (Jan Savage, Jimmy Lawrence, Sky Saxon) - 2:17

16.I Can't Seem To Make You Mine - 2:48

17 Red Shoes High Sky Dancer - 3:34

18.Pushing To Hard To Far - 2:20

All songs by Sky Saxon except where indicated

The Seeds

*Sky Saxon - Vocals, Percussion

*Daryl Hooper - Guitar, Sitar, Piano, Organ, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Background Vocals

*Jan Savage - Guitar, Gong, Background Vocals 

*Rick Andridge - Drums, Percussion

1965-93 The Seeds - Pushin' Too Hard (2007 double CD compilation)

1966 The Seeds - The Seeds (2012 remaster and expanded
1966-67 The Seeds - Web Of Sound / A Full Spoon Of Seedy Blues (2013 double disc) 
1967 The Seeds - Future (Vinyl edition)
1967 The Seeds - Future (2013 double disc digipak)

1967-68  The Seeds - Raw And Alive The Seeds In Concert At Merlin's Music Box (2014 double dsic remaster)  
1986  Sky "Sunlight" Saxon And Firewall - Destiny's Children

Free Text

Text Host

Southwind - Ready To Ride (1970 us, awesome country rural psych rock, 2015 korean remaster)

Southwind's second LP ‘Ready To Ride" released in early 1970,, at that time the band was comprised of Fontaine Brown (Dugg Brown), Eric Dalton, Jim Pulte and John Martin. Very often, during their live performances, a now well-known guitar player, Rick Vito (Juke Rhythm Band, Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac), would sit in with Southwind for some really hot shows. 

In “Ready to Ride,” the band clearly shifted from the 60‘s semi psychedelic thing to a very down home country image. Perhaps heading back to their Oklahoma roots? A great album cover. With the exception of one Johnny Cash (Ruby Eileen) one Hank Williams (Honky Tonkin’) tune, a majority of the writing credits are Fontaine Brown and Jim Pulte. Also, apparently Milton Sanders (Eric Dalton) wasn’t quite content with his new name, because on the “Ready to Ride” album, he’s changed the spelling of his first name, and added a nickname. For this album he was: Erik “Deputy” Dalton.

Tracks

1. Rock And Roll Ruby (John R. Cash) - 3:01

2. Honky Tonkin' (Hank Williams) - 2:46

3. Ready To Ride (Fontaine Brown) - 2:48

4. I Got You Covered (Fontaine Brown, Jim Pulte) - 3:44

5. Heat Down In The Alley (Fontaine Brown) - 5:09

6. Rootin' And Tootin' (Fontaine Brown, Jim Pulte) - 3:42

7. Cool Green Hills Of Earth (Robert A. Heinlein) - 2:41

8. Same Sad Old Song (Fontaine Brown, Jim Pulte) - 4:17

9. Fine Tooth Comb (Eric Dalton, Fontaine Brown, Jim Pulte, John Martin) - 2:53

10.Ruby Eileen (Eric Dalton, Jim Pulte, John Martin) - 3:11

The Southwind

*Fontaine Brown - Keyboards, Harpsichord 

*Jim Pulte - Bass 

*Eric Dalton - Drums

*John Martin - Lead Guitar

1968  Southwind - Southwind (2015 korean remaster)  

Free Text

Text Host

Renaissance - Live At Carnegie Hall (1976 uk, gorgeous art prog rock, 2019 three disc box set remaster)

 In 1976, British progressive/symphonic rock/folk act Renaissance released of the greatest live albums the genre has ever seen, titled Live at Carnegie Hall. It's a double live album that doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves, but all its majesty is contained here on this new box set from Esoteric Recordings, along with some incredible bonus material.

Recorded during three sold old nights at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 20, 21, and 22 of 1975, the band were touring in support of their Scheherazade and Other Stories album, which was a month away from its actual release when these performances happened. Along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and choir, the band launched into "Prologue", the great classical inspired piece from their album of the same name, mostly a soaring instrumental with some accompanying vocalizations from Annie Haslam and the band. 

A great way to start the show. The lovely, folky "Ocean Gypsy" follows, Annie's enchanting vocals drifting between Michael Dunford's delicate acoustic guitar, Jon Camp's muscular bass, and John Tout's majestic piano & synths. For this release, "Kiev" is put back into the set, originally played those evenings but never included on the original live album due to time restrictions, and fans will be thrilled to finally hear this song back in its rightful place, Camp & Haslam singing lead vocals side by side. In fact, the bassist puts on a clinic on this one, his Rickenbacker bass saddling up next to Tout's gliding piano for some virtuoso passages that will amaze any prog-rock fan. "Can You Understand" makes a glorious appearance, one of the standout tracks from the Ashes Are Burning album, the band firing on all cylinders with this classic track as they start with bombastic classical & rock before the quirky folk middle section, eventually finishing it up with more symphonic rock fury. Spectacular on every level. Pop, folk, and classical collide for the engaging "Carpet of the Sun", and the band then dip into their popular Turn of the Cards album for "Running Hard" and the legendary "Mother Russia", two timeless gems from the bands catalog and both exceeding 10-minutes in length.

Over to disc two, the band preview the title track "Song of Scheherazade" of their soon to be released album, all 23+ minutes and nine sections of it, including an explanation from Camp as to the story of the piece. The orchestra plays a big part here, and once again Renaissance proves to be a band that perfected the whole 'rock band meets orchestra' concept. Sweeping, majestic, and glorious, Haslam & Camp take turns at the microphone over sumptuous sounds from the band and orchestra as together they bring Scheherazade to life for the audience for the very first time. And if that wasn't enough, how about a 23-minute version of "Ashes Are Burning" to cap things off? Complete with some lengthy bass solos from Camp and a breathtaking climax, the band & orchestra are on complete fire here, Haslam bringing down the house with her 5 octave range. To have been in the audience on any of these three nights must have been quite the experience.

Over on disc 3 Esoteric have thrown in a BBC Radio One 'In Concert' performance from March 25, 1976, containing a trimmed down set from the Carnegie shows, featuring "Prologue", "Running Hard", "Ocean Gypsy", "Mother Russia", and of course "Song of Scheherazade", all of it thrilling to no surprise. The clamshell box set also includes a cool booklet with photographs and an essay, and the cardboard sleeves housing the CD's all replicate the live photographs from the original LP. The remastered sound is fabulous, so if you are at all on the fence about replacing your original CD version with this one, don't be...this is now the ultimate Live at Carnegie Hall to have in your collection. 

by Pete Pardo, August 11th 2019 

Tracks 

Disc 1

1. Prologue - 8:10

2. Ocean Gypsy - 7:17

3. Kiev (Jim McCarty, Betty Thatcher) - 8:09

4. Can You Understand - 10:48

5. Carpet Of The Sun - 3:47

6. Running Hard - 10:04

7. Mother Russia - 10:22

All Music by Michael Dunford except track #3, all Lyrics by Betty Thatcher

Track 3 previously Unreleased

Disc 2

1. Song Of Scheherazade (John Tout, Jon Camp, Michael Dunford, Betty Thatcher) - 28:19

2. Ashes Are Burning (Michael Dunford, Betty Thatcher) - 23:04

Disc 3 

1. Prologue (Michael Dunford) - 8:02

2. Running Hard (Michael Dunford, Betty Thatcher) - 10:13

3. Ocean Gypsy (Michael Dunford, Betty Thatcher) - 5:46

4. Mother Russia (Michael Dunford, Betty Thatcher) - 10:25

5. Song Of Scheherazade (John Tout, Jon Camp, Michael Dunford, Betty Thatcher) - 25:30

Live at BBC Radio One "In Concert" 25th March 1976 

Renaissance

*Annie Haslam - Lead Vocals

*John Tout - Keyboards, Backing Vocals

*Jon Camp - Bass, Bass Pedals, Backing, Lead, Harmony Vocals

*Michael Dunford - Acoustic Guitars, Vocals

*Terrence Sullivan - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

1969  Renaissance - Renaissance (2008 remaster)
1970  Renaissance - Illusion (2010 bonus tracks remaster)

1973  Renaissance - Ashes Are Burning (2010 japan SHM and 2006 remaster)
1974  Renaissance - Turn Of The Cards

Free Text

Text Host