Wednesday, January 23, 2008

ZEPHYR / ZEPHYR

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1969 on Probe / ABC Records.
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Bill Halverson
Engineered By: Bill Halverson
Recorded At: Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles, California
Album Cover: Alden Spilman
TRACK LISTING:
Sail On / Sun’s A-Risin’ / Raindrops / Boom-Ba-Boom / Somebody Listen / Cross The River / St. James Infirmary / Huna Buna / Hard Chargin’ Woman
THE PLAYERS:
David Givens – Bass, Backing Vocals
Robbie Chamberlin – Drums, Backing Vocals
Tommy Bolin – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Candy Givens – Vocals, Harmonica
John Faris – Keyboards, Flute
WEBSITE(S):
http://www.tbolin.com/history/zephyr.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zephyr_(band)
REVIEW:
By Yours Truly
This is the 1st Zephyr album. There are 8 tunes on this album that will rock your socks off. I can’t imagine how it would be to hear this album for the first time in this day and age but hearing it back in 1969 for the first time as a high school student was an awesome experience. I became an instant fan of the band and Tommy Bolin in particular. To this day I still wonder where he’d have been by now if he hadn’t checked out on us so early in his life.
Rather than review each song let me just say that this album starts out strong and ends stronger. My personal favorite would have to be Cross The River but the cut I recall getting the airplay was Hard Chargin’ Woman. With this one song Candy Givens made a place for herself in rock history. She too is no longer with us and other than the Zephyr albums I’ve never found anything else with her name on it.
One of the strangest things I believe I ever saw was seeing Zephyr on American Bandstand! Yup, not that I watched it all that much but that particular Saturday morning I was sitting around the house and all of a sudden Dick Clark was introducing them. I thought at the time that it was a very odd match as Bandstand was the top 40, teenybopper kinda music show and Zephyr was quite a distance from anything related to top 40.
It would be my opinion that any lover of 70’s Rock n Roll needs to have this album, actually all 3 Zephyr albums, in their music collection.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

Monday, January 21, 2008

ZEPHYR / GOING BACK TO COLORADO

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1971 on Warner Bros. Records.
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate – 320kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Edwin H. Kramer
Engineered By: Edwin H. Kramer
Assistant Engineers: Dave Palmer, Kim King, Vinnie & J.J.
Recorded At: Electric Lady Studios, New York, New York
Album Cover: Ed Thrasher
TRACK LISTING:
Going Back To Colorado / Miss Libertine / Night Fades Softly / The Radio Song / See My People Come Together / Showbizzy / Keep Me / Take My Love / I’ll Be Right Here / At This Very Moment
THE BAND:
David Givens – Bass, Vocal on “Miss Libertine”
Bobby Berge - Drums
Tommy Bolin – Guitars, Vibes
Candy Givens – Vocals, Keyboards, Harmonica
John Faris – Keyboards, Saxophone, Flute, Vocal on “Take My Love”
With
Paul Conley – Synthesizer
Eddy Kramer – Keyboards, Percussion
Paul Fleisher – Saxophone
Buzzy Linhart – Vocal on “The Radio Song”
Background Vocals – Albertine Robinson, Eileen Gilbert, Tasha Thomas, Gerard McMahon
WEBSITE(S):
http://www.tbolin.com/history/zephyr.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zephyr_(band)
REVIEW:
By Yours Truly
Zephyr is a hard band to describe because each of their 3 studio albums is almost entirely different from the previous one. I have to stifle the urge to talk about the band here and just discuss this particular piece of vinyl art. I can’t talk about this band without using superlatives so be warned that this is a biased review.
If Your someone who’s never heard this album before now I suggest you use headphones to shut out the outside world, turn off the lights and crank the volume up a notch past normal because when Candy starts wailing on the harp and singin’ “goin’ back to Colorado” You’re gonna measure how alive you are by how high the goosebumps are on your arms. If you’re not a fan of Cindy’s by the end of the first cut than you’re dangerously close to being soulless. I’m not kiddin’….this album is so far ahead of it’s time that it’s no wonder they didn’t stay together long.
Back in the day when this was new music I used to get so pissed because Janis Joplin was the big deal, getting all the press and Cindy could sing circles around her. Not only could she wail better than Janis, but she had twice the range and control. Janis had one style, Cindy has a different style with each tune.The other part of this band that no other band had to match was Tommy Bolin. One of his showstopper tunes finishes out the first side of this album and the guitar playing on that one cut equals anything else produced during the 70’s. The boy had fingers, imagination and style. I was taking guitar lessons back in those days and I took this album into my guitar teacher and said, “this is how I want to be able to play”. Keeping in mind this cat was an old Jazz guy, the next week he handed me back the record and said, “I can teach you the technique but what he’s playing comes from deep in the soul, I can’t teach that”
This album ends with a cut called, “At This Very Moment”. A beautiful tune with wonderful lyrics that have always kept me from forgetting that there’s a whole world out there that I can’t see from where I’m standing.
Cindy and Tommy have both passed on, way before their time, but while they were here they made some awesome music that needs to be passed on so that they’re never forgotten.

Going Back To Colorado, January 1, 2008
By B. E Jackson (Pennsylvania) - Amazon Review
Zephyr is one heck of a great band! Like many people, I wanted to hear this album because of Tommy Bolin's fantastic guitar playing. He's one of the most underrated rock guitarists of the 70's. I knew the guitar playing would be great, but I had no idea the songwriting would be entirely unique and diverse. Each song on this Zephyr album can either be considered pop rock or jam rock. Seriously, each song is filled with many little tasty instrumental goodies to satisfy almost anyone who appreciates rock music from the 60's and 70's. The lead singer understands how to connect to the listener with emotional vocals too. You have the title song which reminds me of something Rush would do on their second album, "Keep Me" reminds me of the kind of emotional brilliance Carole King is known for, and "Take My Love" is like a blend between Miles Davis, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Jefferson Airplane. That bassline is addicting, and the vocals are fantastic as well. The jazzy solo is another highlight. Absolutely love this track. The second song called "Miss Libertine" reminds me of the Jefferson Airplane yet again. Remember how Jefferson Airplane had the talent to be creative, experimental geniuses who sounded like *no one* else? Well, Zephyr has that same talent. An extraordinary band. The last song on the album has a psychedelic piano melody with some neat drumming included. The rest of the songs are just really high quality rock songs that can be filled with tasty instrumental bits underneath the vocals, and some of the most creative and underrated songwriting abilities I have ever heard. An easy perfect rating for this album. I seriously hope more people check out this incredible album, because right at this very moment, I'm totally shocked it wasn't more popular than it was. Trust me, this is a wonderful album for every single second. Every song has its own sound and style, the songwriting is unbelievably catchy, and the instrumental bits are really satisfying for anyone who likes to jam out. It's perfect!
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

JIMMY HALL / TOUCH YOU

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1980 on Epic records.
FORMAT: Mp3
BIT RATE: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by: Norbert Putnam for Trebon Productions
Recorded At: Quadraphonic Sound Studios, Nashville Tennessee, April to May 1980
Engineered By: Gene Eichelgberger, Jimmy Stroud, Willie Pevear & Barbara Cline
TRACK LISTING:
634-5789 / Private Number / Midnight To Daylight / Eazy Street / Rock & Roll Soldier / Never Again / Bad News / I'm Happy That Love Has Found You / The Same Old Moon / Touch You
THE PLAYERS:
Jimmy Hall – Vocals, Harmonica, Sax & Percussion
Jack Hall – Bass
Bobby Ogdin – Keyboards
Larry Berwald - Guitars
Jon Goin - Guitars
Gunnar Gelotte - Drums, Percussion
Jack Hall, Donna Hall, Anita Ball, Steve Brantley, Gunnar Gelotte & Dave Loggins - Backing Vocals
WEBSITE:
REVIEW:
By Yours Truly
This is Jimmy's first solo effort and it is one kick-ass album. Great tunes, fantastic singing all the way thru. No expense was spared and no corners were cut to make Jimmy's first album a success and it shows. To this day I don't understand how this effort didn't break things wide open for Jimmy. Backed by members of Wet Willie and top notch session musicians every tune on this album rings with energy and enthusiasm. In my mind there's not a bad note on here but my personal favorite tunes include, Eazy Street, Never Again, The Same Old Moon & Midnight to Daylight. Crank this up and if you don't find yourself up and out of your chair, dancing around the room, singing along then a trip to the emergency room to check for a pulse might be in order!Jimmy has a brand new album out too that you need to buy if you like what you hear here. See the website links for info on it.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

Monday, January 14, 2008

JIMMY HALL / CADILLAC TRACKS

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1982 on Epic records.
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Norbert Putnam for Trebon Productions
Recorded At: The Bennett House, Franklin, Tennessee, June-September & November-December 1981
Engineered By: Gene Eichelgberger, Joe Bogan, Dan Hilly & Jon Putnam
TRACK LISTING:
Hold On To My Love / Sleepin’ On The Beach Tonight / It’s Your Move / Carin’ / Fool For Your Love / Cadillac Tracks / Standing In The Fire / I Want To (Do Everything For You) / Love Me Like The Last Time / Make A Miracle
THE PLAYERS:
Jimmy Hall – Vocals, Harmonica, Sax & Percussion
Bob Wray – Bass
Randy McCormick – Keyboards
Larry Berwald - Guitars
Larry Byrom - Guitars
James Stroud - Drums, Percussion
Jimmy Hall, Steve Brantley, Gunnar Gelotte & Thomas Cain - Backing Vocals
With The Muscle Shoals Horns & The Franklin Horns
WEBSITE:
REVIEW:
By Yours Truly,
This is Jimmy's 2nd solo effort and it is one kick-ass album. Great tunes, fantastic singing all the way thru. Backed by a stellar group of musicians every tune on this album rings with energy and enthusiasm. In my mind there's not a bad note on here but my personal favorite tunes include, Hold On To My Love, Cadillac Tracks, Love Me Like The Last Time & It’s Your Move. Crank this up and if you don't find yourself up and out of your chair, dancing around the room, singing along then a trip to the emergency room to check for a pulse might be in order! Jimmy has a brand new album out too that you need to buy if you like what you hear here. Support the man and his music. See the website links for info on it.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

ORVILLE STOEBER / SONGS

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1970 on Uni Records.
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate - 320 Kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by Bobby Scott & Harry Palmer (Tom Morgan, Executive Producer)
Engineered By: Elvin Campbell
Recorded At: MCA Studios, 57th Street, New York, New York, March 1970
Album Cover: Fred Marcellino
TRACK LISTING:
The King, The Queen & The Joker / Open His Head - Where’s Jack Was / Oh, Sweet Music / Lonely Sparrow / Joey’s Party / No More Masterpieces / Like An Ocean / Seventh Avenue / Annabelle Lee / Cincinnati / Morton Street Pier / Takin’ A Holiday
THE PLAYERS:
Orville Stoeber – Lyrics, Music, Vocals, Guitars
Harry Palmer – Guitar
Ray Barrett – Keyboards
George Duvivier - Bass
\WEBSITE(S):
REVIEW:
By Yours Truly
This album is one of the treasures of my record collection. I don't recall when or where I bought it but there was something about it at the time that made me bring it home. It’s been played to death since 1970 which is why I recently got on Ebay and just by chance happened to find someone with a "new" copy for sale at a reasonable price. After a couple weeks to complete the transaction I opened the cellophane wrap and put it on the turntable to make the Mp3 version. I'm pretty sure that this "new" copy isn't entirely new, although I could be wrong, but nevertheless it's in a heckuva lot better shape than my original copy.
Over the years I searched thru record bins in the hopes of finding a second album by Orville but never even found another copy of this one let alone another. Since I got online back in the mid 90's I've done occasional searches for him, never having any luck until just a couple weeks ago when I typed his name in Google and a brand new website popped up! I was elated and spent the next hour or so rummaging thru the whole site. To my surprise and pleasure Orville had seem to come from whereever he'd been hiding the last 35 years or so, back to the world of music. Listed there on his website were two new albums that he'd put out in the last several years. Since this discovery I've been trying to secure copies of both, but not having a charge card or a decent music stores around here is making it difficult. I was so happy to rediscover him that I sent him a short Email explaining my reasons for having to write and to my pleasant surprise he wrote back the next day. As much as I'd like to write again and ask some questions about the songs on "Songs" I've held off, not wanting to be a pest. I'd love to know what he's been doing for all these years past but it's not likely he'd be open to telling his life's story to a Stranger.
At any rate.....I could do a short dissertation on each of the tunes included here, but I don't have that much time and no one would probably read it anyhow so let me just say that you need to give this piece of art a listen. It's not hard to hear the brilliance and the soul of these “simple” acoustic guitar driven songs. Each one is a jewel within itself. Orville’s guitar work and voice are both expertly used tools to make these songs shine. I could ramble on about the songs in this collection, but the best suggestion I could make is to listen to this album with no distractions and see if any of the songs here strike a chord with you. That’s really the most important thing that can happen between the performer and the listener, the connection.
Let me know what you think, good or bad, if you have the time.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

RANDALL BRAMBLETT / THAT OTHER MILE

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1975 on Polydor Records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by Steve Tyrell
Engineered By: Ron Johnsen
Recorded At: Electric Lady Studios, New York City
Cover Photography: Bill Levy
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate - 320 Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
That Other Mile / Crazy World / You Caint / Driftin’ Into A Woman’s Arms / No Stone Unturned / Back To The Beginning Again / I’m Callin’ / Everybody Got It On The Inside / Painting On The Wall
THE PLAYERS:
Randall Bramblett – Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Saxophone (all sax solos)
Keyboards – Chuck Leavell, Paul Hornsby
Guitars – Hugh McCracken, Elliott Randall, Al Gorgoni, Bob Mann, Scott Boyer, Tommy Talton
Steel Guitar – Eric Weissburg
Bass – Will Lee, Andy Muson, David Brown
Drums – Chris Parker, Rick Marotta, Bill Stuart
Steel Drums – Alston Jack
Conga – Jimmy Maeulen
Percussion – Chris Parker, Steve Tyrell, Jimmy Maeulen
Horn Section – Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker, Mike Brecker, Barry Rogers, Lou Marini
Background Vocals – Joyce Bramblett, Mareetha Stewart, Johsie Armstead, Hilda Harris, Barbara Massey Will Lee, Randall Bramblett
Strings arranged and conducted by Pal Buckmaster
WEBSITE:
Randall Bramblett Dot Com
Randall's My Space Page
New West Records Site
REVIEW:
By Joe Viglione
Another excellent album which didn't find an audience, Chuck Leavell of the Allman Brothers Band plays keyboards and writes an effective paragraph on the back cover stating that, in 1974, he worked with Randall Bramblett on two Greg Allman tours, and that it turned out to be "one of the most musically satisfying points in my career." There are some very big names helping out on the excellent nine songs that make up That Other Mile. Beautiful keyboard sounds — the kind that Merl Saunders pours over his discs — permeate the quality songwriting here. The title track and "Driftin' Into a Woman's Arms" become outstanding numbers through the jazz, blues, and pop that color these performances. Paul Hornsby's organ is perfect playing against Leavell's electric piano — and the song "Driftin' Into a Woman's Arms" does drift on and on with backing vocals and slide guitar that remove all hype from Leavell's brash liner notes. Steve Tyrell's production is simply wonderful, as are the strings by Elton John conductor Paul Buckmaster. With contributions from the Brecker Brothers, sax solos by Randall Bramblett, and truly heartfelt vocals, the mystery here is why this artist doesn't have a deeper catalog? That Other Mile is pleasant and cries out for repeated spins.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

RANDALL BRAMBLETT / LIGHT OF THE NIGHT

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1976 on Atco Records.
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate - 320 Kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by Steve Tyrell
Recorded and Remixed At: Sea-Saint recording studio, New Orleans, Louisiana
Engineered By: Ken Laxton
Cover Photography: Leonid lubianitsky
TRACK LISTING:
Will I Ever See The Day / King Grand / This Could Be The Worst / Light Of The Night / Living In A Dream / Carl Of The Jungle / The Joke Of The Coastal Plain / Tears, Tears, Tears
THE PLAYERS:
Randall Bramblett - Vocals, Keyboards, ARP String Ensemble, Saxophones (All Solos by Randall)
Guitars - Bobb Mann, Davis Causey
Keyboards - Chuck Leavell, Allen Toussaint
Bass - Will Lee
Drums - Chris Parker
Percussion - Chris Parker, Steve Tyrell
Horns - Bob Mann, Randall Bramblett
Background Vocals - Joyce Bramblett, Mercedes Davis, Linda Hollingsworth, Julia Humbles, Terrence and Vernon Manuel & Steve Tyrell
WEBSITE(S):
Randall's Home on the Web
Randall's My Space Page
New West Records
REVIEW:
This is Randall's second solo album and if you've heard "That Other Mile" then you already know you want this one. If you haven't heard "That Other Mile" yet then all I can tell you about this album without using any superlatives is that Randall makes some of the best music you're gonna hear on this planet. Whether it's these two solo albums from the 70's, his efforts with Sea Level or his great new album "Rich someday" the thing they all have in common is great playing, great singing, great song writing and a great vibe that will brighten your day no matter where you are. This is solid stuff folks, music made for the love of music. It doesn't get much purer than that.......open your ears and let it in.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.