Blues Image - Blues Image / Red White and Blues Image (1969-70 us, exciting blues rock with latin jazz shades)

The Blues Image formed in Tampa, FL, in 1966 by Michael Pinera (b. September 29, 1948, Tampa, FL) (guitar, vocals), Manuel Bertematti (b. 1946, Tampa, FL) (percussion), and Joe Lala (b. Tampa, FL) (drums). Malcolm Jones (b. Cardiff, Wales) (bass) joined in 1966, followed in 1968 by Frank "Skip" Konte (b. Canyon City, OK) (keyboards).

The band moved to New York City in 1968 and managed a club called the Image. Then they moved to Los Angeles, where they signed to Atlantic Records' Atco division in February 1969, and released their self-titled debut album. This was followed by Open (1970), which featured "Ride Captain Ride." But the Blues Image never followed their hit. Pinera left, replaced by Kent Henry (guitar) and Dennis Correll (vocals).

Then the Blues Image broke up. A third album, Red White & Blues Image, was compiled from outtakes. Skip Konte joined Three Dog Night, while some other band members reformed as Manna. Pinera later was a member of Iron Butterfly, then Ramatam, and, with Bertematti, the New Cactus Band.  He also formed a band called Thee Image and worked as a solo artist. Lala became a Los Angeles session player and worked with Joe Walsh and the various manifestations of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, among others.
by William Ruhlmann

Tracks
1969 Blues Image
1. Take Me to the Sunrise - 4:14
2. Leaving My Troubles Behind - 3:49
3. Outside Was Night - 3:56
4. In Front Behind You - 3:13
5. Lay Your Sweet Love on Me - 2:14
6. (Do You Have) Somethin' to Say - 3:58
7. Lazy Day Blues - 4:50
8. Yesterday Could Be Today - 2:10
9. Reality Does Not Inspire - 9:09
All songs witten by The Blues Image.

1970 Red, White and Blues Image
10.Rise Up (Correll, Jones, Konte) - 4:16
11.Behind Every Man (Correll, Konte) - 3:17
12.Gas Lamps and Clay (Correll, Konte) - 2:39
13.Take Me Back (Correll, Konte) - 3:33
14.It Happens All the Time (Henry, Jones) - 4:01
15.Good Life (Correll, Konte) - 3:35
16.It's the Truth (Jones) - 3:42
17.Let's Take a Ride (Konte) - 2:52
18.Ain't No Rules in California (Jones) - 7:50

Blues Image
*Mike Pinera - Vocals, Guitar (1969)
*Frank "Skip" Konte - Vocals, Piano, Organ
*Joe Lala - Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Congas
*Manuel Bertematti - Drums, Congas, Tumba
*Malcom Jones - Bass
*Dennis Correll - Vocals (1970)
*Kent Henry - Guitar (1970)


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