Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Alex Taylor - Dinnertime (1972 us, tight folk blues rock)



Alex Taylor's blues throat couldn't be more unlike his singing siblings, James, Kate and Livingston. As faraway from a sensitive singer/songwriter as could be, Taylor gives the blues treatment to classics like Howlin' Wolf's "Who's Been Talkin'" as well as to songs by contemporary writing greats, from Randy Newman ("Let's Burn Down the Cornfield") to Bob Dylan ("From a Buick Six"), as well as by lesser-knowns like Jesse Winchester ("Payday"). With searing guitars and evocative organ at work, the record serves as a sampler of what was going on at Muscle Shoals and Ardent Studios in the early '70s and captures the Memphis soul sound of the era. This is his second recording for Capricorn.
by Denise Sullivan
Tracks
1. Change Your Sexy Ways (Alex Taylor, Chuck Leavell, Jimmy Nalls) - 7:07
2. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield (Randy Newman) - 4:25
3. Comin' Back To You (Scott Boyer) - 4:15
4. Four Days Gone (Stephen Stills) - 3:56
5. Payday (Jesse Winchester) - 4:53
6. Who's Been Talkin' (Chester Burnett) - 4:45
7. Who Will The Next Fool Be (Charlie Rich) - 4:50
8. From A Buick Six (Bob Dylan) - 4:54

Musicians
*Alex Taylor - Vocals
*Bill Stewart - Drums
*Charles Chalmers - Vocals
*Charlie Hayward - Bass
*Chuck Leavell - Keyboards, Piano, Vibraphone
*Donna Rhodes - Vocals
*Earl Sims - Percussion
*Ginger Holladay - Vocals
*Jaimoe - Congas, Percussion, Timbales
*Jimmy Nalls - Guitars
*John Hughey - Steel Guitar 
*Johnny Sandlin - Bass, Moog Synthesizer
*Lou Mullenix - Percussion, Timbales
*Mary Holladay - Vocals
*Paul Hornsby - Keyboards, Organ
*Roger Hawkins - Congas, Percussion, Tambourine
*Sandra Chalmers - Vocals
*Sandra Rhodes - Vocals 
*Scott Boyer - Guitars, Vocals
*Steve Smith - Vocals
*Temple Riser - Vocals
*Wayne Perkins - Bass, Guitar, Slide Guitar

Related Acts
1970  Cowboy - Reach For The Sky
1971  Cowboy - 5'll Getcha Ten (2014 remaster) 

Monday, March 18, 2024

Dr. John - Babylon (1969 us, extraordinary avant garde jazz dixie voodoo funk, 2017 remaster)



Standing out as one of Dr. John’s most overtly political album, Babylon rings just as true as it did when it was first released in 1969, and it hasn’t lost any of its voodoo magic either. Originally cut in late ‘68, the album was influenced by dark themes such as the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., the Tet offensive, and the Vietnam War.

While the lyrics can be clumsy at times, there are moments that shine through with a weight it still holds to this day, as on the album’s title track “No politicians/No higher religions/To guide you from the dark.”

While the lyrics can be heavy, the music is weightless and the brand of Weird that Dr. John specialized in. Loaded with electronic effects and unthinkable, otherworldly rhythms, the remastering further draws out and amplifies Dr. John’s legendary New Orleans sound of voodoo-funk with the occasional jazz influence; a smoky and sexy groove with the sharp edge of something sinister. A darkness in the almost trance-like chant of Dr. John’s delivery.

What falls a bit short is the music itself. There are times where it fades a bit too much into the background, gives up a bit too much of its power to the lyrics. As a result, some of the mysticism is lost and it’s difficult to establish a connection from one song to the next. Even so, Babylon still carries enough magic to make goose bumps crawl across your skin when the rhythm slows on a song like “Twilight Zone” and the lyrics “In the outer limits of a land unknown/In the twilight zone,” mumbled like a spell.
by Talia Boettinger
Tracks
1. Babylon - 5:24
2. Glowin' - 5:40
3. Black Widow Spider - 4:15
4. Barefoot Lady (Dr. John Creaux, Harold Battiste) - 3:11
5. Twilight Zone - 8:17
6. The Patriotic Flag-Waiver - 4:57
7. The Lonesome Guitar Strangler - 5:36
All compositions by Malcolm Rebennack "Dr John Creaux"

Pesronnel
*Dr. John - Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Percussion
*Richard "Didimus" Washington - Guitar, Percussion
*Plas Johnson - Saxophone
*Moe Bechamin - Tenor Saxophone
*Alvin Robinson - Guitar
*Steve Mann - Guitar
*Al Frazier - Bass
*John Boudreaux - Drums
*Ronnie Barron - Organ
*Jessie Hill - Backing Vocals, Percussion
*Shirley Goodman - Backing Vocals
*Tami Lynn - Backing Vocals
*John McAlister - Quarter-Tone Piano, Gongs, Celesta

Related Acts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

The Hunt - The Hunt (1977 canada, tough symphonic prog rock)



Originally released on the Daffodil Records label in 1977, the debut self-titled album by Toronto rockers Hunt became an immediate hit in Texas of all places but was virtually ignored in Canada and the rest of the U.S. Formed from the ashes of the early-'70s band Dillinger, Hunt also featured drummer Paul Kersey who had formerly played with the Canadian hard rock stalwarts Max Webster. 

The music of Hunt on this debut features a heavy organ and guitar lead with elements of progressive rock in the form of synthesizers, strings, and even a flute on a number of songs. Sounding very similar to such popular bands of the mid-'70s such as Rush, Kansas, Styx, and even Jethro Tull in odd moments, the band showed potential to become international stars. The band even included a song sung in French on the album! Unfortunately, it was the late '70s and disco was dominating the charts and punk was beginning to take hold on the music scene; hard rock and heavy metal music were starting to lose popularity. 

Internal strife within the band lead to Hunt being reduced to a trio for the next album, Back on the Hunt, which was not to be released until three years later . This release by Unidisc is a straight reissue of the original album at a budget price and contains no bonus tracks. 
by Keith Pettipas
Tracks
1. I Was Only Dreaming (Brian Gagnon, Paul Cockburn) - 4:25
2. A Song For A New Day (Brian Gagnon, Paul Cockburn) - 5:59
3. Little Miss Perfection (Brian Gagnon, Paul Cockburn) - 3:12
4. I Want To Be King (Brian Gagnon, Paul Cockburn) - 4:55
5. Faces (Jacques Harrisson) - 4:28
6. Billy (Brian Gagnon) - 3:39
7. Sent Me Away (Brian Gagnon) - 4:08
8. On Revient (Tout Le Temps)  (Jacques Harrisson) - 3:33
9. Sad Song (Brian Gagnon) - 4:15

The Hunt
*Brian Gagnon - Lead Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar
*Jacques Harrisson - Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Flute
*Paul Cockburn - Guitar, Vocals, Bass
*Gerry Mosby - Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
*Paul Kersey - Drums, Percussion

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Sun - Sun (1971-72 australia, impressive prog jazz blues brass rock, 2023 double disc digipak remaster and expanded)



The sole album by Sydney-based jazz rock band SUN, Sun 1972, is a feast for the ears. It has been a much sought after lost gem, now reissued on remastered CD for the first time since the original album release in October 1972. The musicianship is excellent, the songs are engaging and the icing on the cake comes with Renée Geyer’s gorgeous and emotive vocals.

Renée was 18 years old when the band recorded the album, and it’s immediately obvious that she already possessed a distinctive and powerful voice at such an early stage of her career. She had yet to assert herself fully as a stage performer but we can overlook that for now. She was able to handle the jazz mode of the music on her way to establishing her enduring reputation as the Queen of Australian funk and soul. R.I.P. Renée Geyer.

Rehearsal Tapes (1971-1972) issued on the ETT Imprint label. SUN existed between 1971 and 1974, with the core membership comprising Keith Shadwick (sax, flute), Henry Correy (bass), Garry Norwell (drums) and George Alamanza (electric piano). The group’s roots extended back to 1968 and blues band Spoonful (aka Spoonful of Soul), from Wollongong, NSW. By 1971, arch jazz enthusiast Keith Shadwick was steering the band in a more exploratory, adventurous avant-garde direction.

They covered material by the likes of jazz legends Nat Adderley, Pharoah Sanders, John Coltrane and Max Roach, earning a reputation as Australia’s No. 1 jazz rock band. Members came and went, with Renée Geyer joining mid-1971. The group’s manager, jazz entrepreneur Horst Liepolt lined up a recording deal with RCA Records and with Liepolt producing SUN cut their debut album at Copperfield Studios, Ultimo. By that stage, the musicians were writing their own material, ranging from the jazz-rag stylings of ‘Silver Dollar Rag’, the lofty free-form jazz of ‘No Cherries for Henry’ to the rocky ‘I Really Want to Know’ and ‘Vendetta’. A standout is the progressively inclined yet laid-back ‘Message’. Here Renée sings in her most emotive, low and smoky tones, offset by delicate flute lines and haunting, echo-laden guitar work. 

The Bonus Material was captured and preserved on reel-to-reel tape by Ian Shadwick, Keith’s brother. They add a new dimension to the group’s recorded legacy, highlighting Renée’s astonishing singing technique and the sheer dedication and musical depth of the band’s craft. Highlights include an early arrangement of ‘The Message’, a jamming eight-minute version of Nils Lofgren’s ‘Try’, ‘When I Reach Out for Your Hand’, ‘S.S.’, ‘Sea of Tranquility’, ‘You are Only a Shadow’, ‘Darkside of Destruction’ and ‘Largesse’ all of which present moments of brilliance.
Aztec
Tracks
Disc 1  Sun 1972
1. Silver Dollar Rag (George Almanza) - 2:10
2. Message (Chris Sonnenberg) - 6:10
3. No Cherries For Henry (Renee Geyer, Keith Shadwick, Henry Correy, Garry Norwell, George            Alamanza, Chris Sonnenberg) - 9:10
4. S.S. (Keith Shadwick) - 6:47
5. I Really Want To Know (Ian Smith) - 4:05
6. Largesse (George Almanza,  Henry Correy, Keith Shadwick) - 3:17
7. 3 1/2 (Keith Shadwick) - 6:32
8. Vendetta (George Almanza) - 6:20
9. Not The Time Now (Keith Shadwick) - 3:38
Disc 2 The Rehearsal Tapes Tapes (1971-72)
1. Silver Dollar Rag (George Almanza) - 2:36
2. The Message (Chris Sonnenberg) - 5:50
3. When I Reach Out For Your Hand (Renee Geyer, Keith Shadwick, Henry Correy, Garry             Norwell, George Alamanza, Chris Sonnenberg) - 7:44
4. Blue Sun (Renee Geyer, Keith Shadwick, Henry Correy, Garry Norwell, George Alamanza,         Chris Sonnenberg) - 18:16
5. Sea Of Tranquility (Renee Geyer, Keith Shadwick, Henry Correy, Garry Norwell, George     Alamanza, Chris Sonnenberg) - 3:04
6. Try (Nils Lofgren) - 8:14
7. You Are Only A Shadow (Renee Geyer, Keith Shadwick, Henry Correy, Garry Norwell, George        Alamanza, Chris Sonnenberg) - 3:21
8. S.S. (Chris Sonnenberg, Keith Shadwick) - 7:11
9. Darkside Of Destruction (Renee Geyer, Keith Shadwick, Henry Correy, Garry Norwell, George       Alamanza, Chris Sonnenberg) - 3:34
10.Three 1/2 (Keith Shadwick) - 6:24
11.I Really Want To Know (Ian Smith) - 3:25
12.Largesse (George Almanza,  Henry Correy, Keith Shadwick) - 3:17
13.Message (Chris Sonnenberg) - 5:11
Track #13 GTK live session, April 1972

The Sun
*Renee Geyer - Lead Vocals
*Keith Shadwick - Tenor, Alto, Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet
*Henry Correy - Bass
*Garry Norwell - Drums
*George Alamanza - Electric Piano
*Chris Sonnenberg - Lead Guitar

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Alex Taylor - With Friends And Neighbors (1971 us, exceptional folk blues rock)



1971 was the year of "Taylor Mania" with Mud Slide Slim & The Blue Horizon by James Taylor, Sister Kate's album on Cotillion, and the equally brilliant Liv by Livingston Taylor, on Warner Brothers. Alex Taylor's With Friends And Neighbors is a very good album, enjoying the glow of his sibling's excellent work, and emulating them on the first side. It's more pop than one would think, which all changes when you flip the disc over to hear the bluesy jams like on Greg Allman's "Southbound" on side two. 

Acoustic guitarist's Scott Boyer's "Southern Kids" is up there with some of James Taylor's finest work and with a plethora of guests from King Curtis to Sweet Baby James himself on "Night Owl," With Friends and Neighbors stands on its own as a very listenable and entertaining project. There's not one original by Alex, but he does allow his musicians to contribute, lead guitarist Tommy Talton penning "All In Line" while Boyer gets to include a second composition, "C Song" which ends side one. Bobby And Shirley Womack's "It's All Over Now" gets a fun reading, not as classic as The Rolling Stones or Rod Stewart And The Faces, this one is slowed down and funky but has its charm, and utilizes the same band as on brother Livingston Taylor's Liv album -- Bill Stewart on drums, Tommy Talton on lead guitar, Paul Hornsby on keyboards, Johnny Sandlin providing bass as well as producing the entire disc (Jon Landau was the producer on Liv). 

With the addition of acoustic guitarist Scott Boyer and Alex Taylor on vocals, With Friends And Neighbors is the bookend album to Liv that Sister Kate is to Carole King's Tapestry -- Kate Taylor having employed the musicians (and a couple of the songs) from King's classic 70s release. What the world needs is a Taylor Family Boxed set with all the work from Liv, Sister Kate, With Friends And Neighbors and any other material from the sessions that gave birth to this trio of exquisite recordings. It doesn't have the highs of a "Get Out Of Bed" which Livingston Taylor gave us, but it is consistent and highly enjoyable nevertheless. 
by Joe Viglione
Tracks
1. Highway Song (James Taylor) - 3:17
2. Southern Kids (Scott Boyer) - 2:31
3. All In Line (Tommy Talton) - 2:50
4. Night Owl (James Taylor) - 3:20
5. C Song (Scott Boyer) - 2:10
6. It's All Over Now (Bobby Womack, Shirley Womack) - 3:41
7. Baby Ruth (Johnny Wyker) - 3:23
8. Take Out Some Insurance (Charles Singleton) - 4:18
9. Southbound (Gregg Allman, David Brown) - 8:30

Personnel
*Alex Taylor - Vocals
*James Taylor - Guitar
*Scott Boyer - Guitar, Backing Vocals
*Tommy Talton - Guitar
*Paul Hornsby - Keyboards
*Johnny Sandlin - Bass
*Peter Kowalke - Guitar
*Joe Rudd - Guitar
*Bill Stewart - Drums
*King Curtis - Saxophone
*Willie Bridges - Saxophone
*Ronnie Cuber - Saxophone
*Frank Wess - Saxophone
*Daniel Moore - Trumpet
*William S. Fischer - Conductor, String Arrangements

Related Acts
1970  Cowboy - Reach For The Sky
1971  Cowboy - 5'll Getcha Ten (2014 remaster) 

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Jeremiah - Jeremiah (1971 us, excellent power pop soft psych rock)



"Jeremiah" is an obscure set of McCartneyesque power-pop written and performed, for the most part, by David Brown. Other members include Seiwell and Spinosa, i.e., Spinozza, who were members of Wings. Bassist Karl Jarvi and lead guitarist Pat Walters had played in a number of North Carolina-based outfits including The Barons and the Paragons. Jarvi had also been in The New Mix with singer/guitarist David Brown. Seiwell, as mentioned, recorded a couple of albums with Paul McCartney and Wings. This is a nicely crafted album. For what it's worth, front-man Brown recorded a follow-up album "I Want To Be with You" in 1972.
Tracks
1. Somewhere Someone - 3:24
2. Hey Now Baby - 3:40
3. Patience - 3:20
4. Sweet Rebecca - 3:48
5. Hey Baby Don't You Cry - 2:13
6. I Saw Your Picture In The Paper - 3:04
7. The Lady Lives With Me - 2:34
8. David Blue - 2:44
9. Roll It Over - 2:49
10.Lady Ellen - 2:08
11.So Many Ways - 3:01
All songs by David Brown

Musicians
*David Brown - Guitar, Piano, Lead Vocals
*Stuart Scharff - Acoustic Guitar
*Karl Jarvi - Bass 
*Russel George - Bass 
*Eddie Trabanco - Drums
*Denny Seiwell - Drums, Percussion
*Dave Spinosa - Lead Guitar
*Pat Walters - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*Al Rosica - Piano 
*Kenny Asher - Piano 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Pocket Size - In One Or Another Condition (1970 denmark, remarkable garage psych, 2003 release)



A group from Copenhagen, active in 1969-1971. Lived in Pocket-House and performed in the basement. Everyone could attend their rehearsals and concert, released only one single.

In 2003, the Frost label found everything (that could be found) and released this compilation disc. Heavy psychedelic with organ and guitar. 
Tracks
1. I'm So Sleepybake Your Own Cake - 6:52
2. I'm In No Hurry - 5:20
3. Futte (To The 'pocket-House'-Cat!) - 5:30
4. I Can't See The Sun - 3:32
5. Opus II - 5:08
6. You Just Do What You Want To Do - 5:06
7. Love Machine - 4:29
8. In One Or Another Condition - 4:13
9. Sorry Babelook At Your Beautiness Picture - 9:44
10.My Life Is Free - 5:59
11.A Song - 4:18
12.Magic Carpet Ride (John Kay, Rushton Moreve) - 18:02
All songs by Kaj Bruhn, Dan Johnsen, Niels Martinussen, Finn Tony Rasmussen except where stated

Pocket Size
*Kaj Bruhn - Vocals, Bass 
*Dan Johnsen - Vocals, Guitar 
*Niels Martinussen - Organ 
*Finn Tony Rasmussen - Drums

Monday, March 11, 2024

The Seven - The Song Is Song The Album Is Album (1970 us, awesome brass jazz rock, 2021 reissue)



One of Syracuse all-time greatest bands "The Seven" has members dating back to Syracuse;s very first rock band Jeff & The Notes (Nick Russo) add an original Sam & The Twister (Chuck Mellone), a few "Capitols" (Al Ruscito, Chuck & Frank Sgroi) along with some of  Jimmy Cavallo's traveling Houserockers (Chuck Sgroi, Tony Licamele, John Latocha) and you end up with a band originally called "The Upsetters" in early 1966.

March 1967, with the departure of guitarist Latocha while adding Bob Canastraro, they changed their name to  the "Magnificent Seven". After about a year Canastraro was replaced by Chuck Wheeler (of Surprise Package) and the band shortened their name to "The Seven". They became one of most popular and listened to bands between 1969 & 1972. The magical, mystical, and musical "The Seven" hit the road teaming with Syracuse Radio Station WOLF now known as "The Big 15".

They traveled with WOLF Radio deejay playing school assemblies throughout Central New York in one of  Syracuse musics greatest promotions. This outstanding group was comprised of musical veterans Nick Russo (vocals, percussion), Chuck Mellone (keyboards, B3), Chuck Wheeler (guitar), Al Ruscito (trombone), Frank Sgroi (sax), Chuck Sgroi (bass) and drummer Tony Licamele.

The Seven played at some of New York Cities famed nightspots such as Ungano's located at 210 West 70th Street and two showcase performances at "The Bitter End", one with famed CNY songwriter Larry Santos (wrote Candy Girl for the 4 Seasons). After choosing to sign with  Thunderbird Records over London's Parrot label  (had both Them & Tom Jones) they entered New York's  A&I Studio to records their first album.

The album "The song is Song, the album is Album" hit stores in 1970 on the Thunderbird Record label owned by Leonard Silver and Steve Brodie of Buffalo's Transcontinental Records Sales. Three songs were released as singles "Song" in January 1970, and later in May the flipside "Heatwave" that charted for seven weeks on WOLF Radio. Their third single, the old Zombies song "Tell Her No" stayed on the WOLF chart for ten weeks starting in July 1970.

In 1971, Tommy Forest (former Monterays vocalist) replaced Nick Russo who went on to form the band "Yugan" with Jimmy Cox. Mickey Nicotra and Bob Papaleoni..

The Seven one of Syracuse's greatest bands could be seen in such popular CNY night spots as The Place, Campus Inn, Captain Mac's and The Shack playing their famed one hour long "Rascals Medley". They also appeared in concert with "The Turtles" and on the popular regional television show "Upbeat" hosted by Don Webster that aired Sunday mornings from studios in Cleveland, Ohio.

Their final recording, the song "Junkyard" while not professionally completed is included on the History of Syracuse album series.
by Ron Wray, January 30, 2012
Tracks
1. Something Times Something Equals (Chuck Wheeler) - 0:42
2. Song (Nick Russo) - 4:27
3. Heat Wave (Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr., Lamont Dozier) - 3:19
4. Take It (The Way You Want It) (Al Ruscito Jr) - 2:53
5. Tell Her No (Rod Argent) - 5:49
6. Flushed (Chuck Mellone, Nick Russo, Chuck Wheeler, Al Ruscito Jr., Frank Sgroi, Chuck Sgroi, Tony Licamele) - 0:18
7. Searchin' for Sunshine (Chuck Wheeler) - 2:26
8. Rachael (Al Ruscito Jr) - 3:18
9. Song for my Father (Horace Silver) - 6:09
10.Girl, Girl (Frank Sgroi) - 2:45
11.Brake (Chuck Mellone) - 0:52 

Seven
*Chuck Mellone - Organ 
*Nick Russo - Vocals, Percussion 
*Chuck Wheeler - Guitar 
*Al Ruscito Jr. - Trombone, Trumpet 
*Frank Sgroi - Saxophone 
*Chuck Sgroi - Bass 
*Tony Licamele - Drums

 

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Melanie - Candles In The Rain (1971 us, blirrilant folk rock, 2015 bonus tracks remaster)



1970s Candles in the Rain was Melanie Safka's third album, but while her first two LPs found her trying to make a coherent whole out of her grab bag of influences and ideas, this was where she seemed to truly hit the mark for the first time. "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was that rarity, a hit single that truly presented an eclectic artist in her best light -- the Woodstock rock festival that inspired the tune was just the sort of event that would appeal to Melanie's hippie-styled idealism, and with the power of the Edwin Hawkins Singers backing her, she had a level of musical strength on hand that would prevent her from sounding histrionic. 

While "Lay Down" was easily the most effective track on Candles in the Rain, the rest of the album found Melanie sounding more confident and expressive than ever before -- there's a emotional gravity to "Citiest People" and "Leftover Wine" that's compelling even when she pushes a little to hard for pathos, and "What Have They Done to My Song Ma?" was the first of her many musical broadsides against the music business, and its wit doesn't blunt its wounded passion. And while Melanie is generally thought of as a singer/songwriter, she was always an imaginative interpreter of the songs of others, and her versions of "Ruby Tuesday" and "Carolina on My Mind" exist on an entirely separate plane from the originals. 

Finally, the production and arrangements by Peter Schekeryk create fine backdrops for Melanie, punctuating her performances and complementing her emotional peaks and valleys without getting in the way (and the accompanists deliver uniformly superb work). If Candles in the Rain was the album that broke Melanie to a larger audience, it did so not just because it featured her biggest hit single to date, but because it matched material and interpretation with greater skill than she had in the past, and it ranks with her finest work. 
by Mark Deming

Sadly Melanie Anne Safka Schekeryk, passed away on January 23, 2024, at the age of 76.
Tracks
1. Candles In The Rain - 1:49
2. Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) - 3:49
3. Carolina In My Mind (James Taylor) - 3:49
4. Citiest People - 3:42
5. What Have They Done To My Song Ma? - 4:06
6. Alexander Beetle (Alan Alexander Milne, Melanie Safka) - 3:05
7. Good Guys - 3:11
8. Lovin' Baby Girl - 4:05
9. Ruby Tuesday (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) - 4:48
10.Leftover Wine - 6:15
11.Almost Like Being In Love (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) - 3:51
12.Dream Seller (Rod Clements) - 3:36
Music and Words by Melanie Safka except where noted
Bonus Songs 11-12

Musicians
*Melanie - Vocals, Guitar
*Alan Parker - Guitars
*Alan Hawkshaw - Keyboards, Organ
*Edwin Hawkins - Piano (Track 2)
*Harold Mcnair - Fiddle, Flute
*Herbie Flowers - Bass
*Barry Morgan - Drums
*Rico Reyes - Congas, Percussion (Track 2)
*John Abbott - Arrangement (Track 2), Conductor (Track 5)
*Lee Holdridge - String Arrangements (Tracks 4,9)


Friday, March 8, 2024

Quicksand - Home Is Where I Belong (1973 uk, fine prog rock, 2007 digipak remaster)



Quicksand were an obscure Welsh psychedelic and progressive rock band active in the early 1970s.Hailing from Neath in South Wales, the band was the original group of bass guitarist Will Youatt who was to join fellow Welsh prog rockers Man prior to the recording of the band’s sole album for Pye Records’ progressive imprint, Dawn.  

Originally formed in 1969, they featured Michael “Will” Youatt (bass), Jimmy Davies (guitar) and Anthony Stone (drums). This line up recorded one single "Passing By" / "Cobblestones" (both written by Will Youatt) in 1970. Will Youatt left to join briefly Piblokto! then Man. Phil Davies (bass) and Robert Collins (keyboards) then joined the band. A second single "Time To Live" / "Empty Street, Empty Heart" was released in 1973 and was soon followed by the album “Home Is Where I Belong” later the that year. The band ceased to exist in 1975 when James Davies formed Alkatraz with Will Youatt.
Tracks
1. Hideaway My Song - 3:11
2. Sunlight Brings Shadows - 4:22
3. Empty Street Empty Heart - 3:44
4. Overcome The Pattern - 8:16
5. Time To Live - 3:30
6. Home Is Where I Belong - 4:58
7. Seasons - Alpha Omega (Michael Youatt, Phil Davies) - 8:23
8. Hiding It All - 4:13
All compositions by Phil Davies except where indicated

Quicksand
*Robert Collins - Keyboards, Vocals
*Jimmy Davies - Guitar, Vocals
*Phil Davies - Bass, Vocals
*Anthony Stone - Drums, Vocals