THE CRYAN SHAMES / A SCRATCH IN THE SKY

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1967 on Columbia records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Jim Golden & Bob Monaco for MG Productions
Engineering: Fred Catero, Glen Kolotkin
Cover Art: Don Hunstein, Sandy Speiser
Bit Rate: 320 Kbps
Format: Mp3
TRACK LISTING:
A Carol For Lorelei
The Sailing Ship
In The Cafe
Mr. Unreliable
The Town I'd Like To GoBack To
Up On The Roof
It Could Be We're In Love
Sunshine Psalm
I Was Lonely When
Cobblestone Road

Dennis Dupree From Danville

THE BAND:
Tom Doody (Toad) - Lead Vocals, Autoharp, Bells
Jim Pilster (J.C. Hooke) - Vocals, Percussion
Lenny Kerlay - Guitars, Bass, Tamboura, Arrangements, Vocals
Jim Fairs - Guitars, Basss, Mandolin, Flute, Bagpipes, Arangements, Vocals
Isaac Guillory - Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Accordion, Cello, Vocals
Dennis Conroy - Drums, Percussion
WEBSITE:

http://cryanshames.com/index2.html

REVIEW:
By Lee J. Davito
This 1967 offering from Chicagos finest band easily outmatches anything up to this point in time...even The Beatles Sgt Pepper..not only in composition, musicianship and recording quality/techniques...but the fact it is timeless....You wont find and drug references here....Just a down to earth, sincere musical effort by 6 extremely talented guys who truly loved what they did.
It is a tragedy that Columbia didn't venture more advertising budget into this band.....They had Americas answer to The Beatles and didn't do anything about it.
Buy this CD...and sit back and remember back to 1967 (if you're old enough to)...and think about everything that had been recorded to that point in time...and see if you dont agree....this was truly an overlooked masterpiece.

===============

By Yours Truly,

I completely agree with Lee's sentiments above and would just like to add that I still enjoy this album to this day. The Vocals, the harmonies, the excellent bass playing, the great tunes, including probably the best version of Up On The Roof ever recorded....this is the complete package and for 1967 it was considerably ahead of it's time. The problem as I recall was that it came out just about the time the whole San Francisco sound came about and all of a sudden top 40 music and pop songs weren't "cool" anymore. The Cryan Shames, thru no fault of their own just couldn't win against the likes of Country Joe & The Fish, Jefferson Airplane and the rest of the radical new bands of the late 60's. Years later when I pulled this album out and played it, realizing that I still loved it, I decided it was a definitive classic of the genre and one that everyone should have the pleasure to listen to at least once. With that said I apologise for the obivious vinyl imperfections in spots, think of it as added ambiance from the era.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

WET WILLIE / WHICH ONE'S WILLIE?

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1979 on Epic records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by: Lennie Petze & Wet Willie
Recorded At: The Record Plant, (N.Y. & L. A.) January - February 1979
Engineered By: David Thoener, assisted by Ron Alverez & Jon Mathias
Cover Boy: Richard Korer
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate - 320 Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
Ramona
Stop And Take A Look Around (At What You've Been Doing)
Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
Weekend
Smoke
The Hard Way
Tired Dreams
This Time
Mr.Streamline
You Don't Know What You Mean To Me
BAND LINEUP:
Jimmy Hall - Vocals, Harmonica and Sax
Jack Hall - Vocal, Bass
Michael Duke - Vocals, Keyboards
Larry Berwald - Guitars
Marshall Smth - Vocals, Guitars

Theophilius K. Lively - Drums, Percussion
WEBSITE:
http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html
REVIEW:
by Bruce Eder
The group's official swan song, Which One's Willie? is a smooth, slick exit, mixing some fine Mike Duke originals with covers of material associated with Wilson Pickett and Eddie Floyd, all presented in an alluring if slightly repetitive manner. There's enough good singing to keep it from being completely ignored at the time, but the dance quotient can't compensate for the relative lack of any real soul numbers.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

QUARTERFLASH / TAKE ANOTHER PICTURE

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1983 on Geffen Records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by John Boylan, Assisted by Ray Leonard
Associate Producer: Marv Ross
Engineered By: Paul Grupp, Edde Delena
Recorded At Sound City, Van Nuys, California
Cover Photography: Bernard Faucon
Design: Tommy Steel / Art Hotel
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320 Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
Take Me To Heart
Take Another Picture
Shane
Eye To Eye
It Don't Move Me
Shakin' The Jinx
Make It Shine
One More Round To Go
Nowhere Left To Hide
It All Becomes Clear
THE BAND:
Rindy Ross - Lead Vocals, Alto & Soprano Saxphones
Jack Charles - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Marv Ross - Guitars, Guitar Synthesizer
Rich Gooch - Bass, Vocals
Rick Digiallonardo - Keyboards, Synthesizers
Brian David Willis - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
WEBSITE:
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterflash">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterflash

http://www.aracnet.com/~mycroft7/qf.htm

REVIEW:

Take This To Heart!!, May 26, 2005 By Brandon Hixson "Music Lover" (Waco, Texas USA)

Amazon Customer Review
Quarterflash's second LP, Take Another Picture did not receive as much recognition as their debut album. Only charting at # 33 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts, the album still sold reasonably well...only missing the gold status by a few thousand. The second album featured the moody, yet seductive rock flow single "Take Me To Heart" which reached a respectful #14 on the pop charts and landed in the top 10 album rock charts. The single managed to land in the year end top 100. The second single from the LP "Take Another Picture" only managed to score #58 on the pop charts. The cut "Make It Shine" was featured in the 1984 Geffen release "Gremlins". As far as the rest of the album is concerned, Take Another Picture continues where the debut left off offering more moody horn breaks and great guitar riffs. Jack Charles and Rick DiGiallonardo left the band after the release of this LP due to disagreements. The albums' singles were an MTV staple for a while and can still be seen on classic VH-1. As far as I am concerned, the album exudes professional musicianship.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

WET WILLIE / MANORISMS

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1977 on Epic records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by: Gary Lyons
Recorded At: The Manor & Chipping Norton Studios, Oxfordshire, England
Engineered By: Mick Gossop
Assistant Engineers: Alan Douglas, Dave Grinstead
Cover Art: Brian Cooke
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320 Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
Rainman
Make You Feel Love Again
So Blue
We Got Lovin'
Don't Turn Me Away
Street Corner Serenade
One Track Mind
How 'Bout You
Doin' All The Right Things (The Wrong Way)
Let It Shine
BAND LINEUP:
Jimmy Hall - Vocals, Harmonica and Sax
Jack Hall - Vocal, Bass
Michael Duke - Vocals, Keyboards
Larry Berwald - Guitars
Marshall Smith - Vocals, Guitars
Theophilius K. Lively - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
WEBSITE:
http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html
REVIEW:
When this disc was released my first thought upon getting my hands on a copy was "what the hell is Wet Willie doing making a record in England"? Back then I didn't get it. Nowadays I still don't get it, but I've grown to accept it and have actually grown to like this release quite a bit. Back in the day though it was too polished and too Un-Wet Willie for me to really take it seriously. It's not Wet Willie's fault I couldn't keep up with the evolution of the band....every band goes thru changes and the music they make evolves, grows, changes, just like the people in the band do. For this record half of the original group had gone their own way, so this record is als the result of two new guitar players and a new drummer. Michael Duke kinda came in halfway thru the movie too so really the only "original" members were the Hall brothers.
While this isn't one of my favorite Wet Willie albums it is a good disc and if you're any kind of a Wet Willie fan at all then you need this to complete the collection anyhow. There's still looks of good Jimmy Hall vocals and harp and that's worth the price of admission by itself, especially these days where there's damn few out there who could hold a candle to Jimmy's talent.
CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

QUARTERFLASH / QUARTERFLASH

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1981 on Geffen Records.

ALBUM INFO:
Produced by John Boylan
Recorded and Mixed At The Record Plant, L.A. CA., Westlake Recording Studios, L.A. & Kaye Smith Studios, Seattle
Engineered by Paul Grupp, Phil Jamtaas, Erik Zobler & Reed Rudy
Cover Artwork by Michael Mitchell, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
Harden My Heart
Find Another Fool
Critical Times
Valerie
Try To Make It True
Right Kind Of Love
Cruisin' With The Deuce
Love Should Be So Kind
Williams Avenue
THE BAND:
Rindy Ross - Vocals, Saxophones
Jack Charles - Vocals, Guitars
Marv Ross - Guitars
Rich Gooch - Bass
Brian David Willis - Drums
Rick DiGiallonardo - Keyboards
WEBSITE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterflash

http://www.aracnet.com/~mycroft7/qf.htm

REVIEW:

Quarterflash's unique sound softens my heart, actually, November 8, 2003 By Daniel J. Hamlow (Chikusei City, Japan) - Amazon Customer Review
Quarterflash is one of those 80's groups that were short-lived and only had a few singles to their name. What's generally overlooked is their sound, a unique brand of 80's new-wave, snarling guitar rock, a great vocalist/sax player, and synths that became more prominent with the last album. From the opening wailing sax and upbeat pace, and the snarling guitars that come late in the song, "Harden My Heart" was Quarterflash's first big hit, and some say only, though given the fact I have all three of their albums, I take issue with that. OK, so it was their only Top Ten hit, but since when do chart positions alone determine greatness? Rindy Ross delivers of those bittersweet lyrics with great aplomb. She reminds me of Cyndi Lauper without the gooiness, more polished, and with a higher range. With its breakneck bass and drums, with jangling electric guitar, slamming riffs, "Find Another Fool" rivals Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker." Yet another song of being let down and disappointed, and Rindy's upper register is pretty to listen to. Bruce Sweetman has a violin solo accompanied by that fierce guitar, adding to the exoticness of Q's sound. "Critical Times" proved the template for future sad introspective Styx-like ballads backed with string synths like "Eye To Eye" and "It All Becomes Clear." Like those two, this is sung by Jack Charles. The sense of insecurity of a fading love is highlighted here. "you lose all track of yourself when you're feeling that way/you can always hide yourself in a corner/worrying about the miserable pain/but everyone seems to swim in it/it makes the world go round." "Valerie" is Cyndi Lauper type new wave with jangling guitar riffs, and no, it's not the Frankie Valli or Steve Winwood song. This could've been a single easy. "Try To Make It True" could be a Journey song if it weren't for Rindy's sax and characteristic guitars. "Love Should Be So Kind" is another slow ballad with quiet keyboards and guitar that demonstrates Rindy Ross's vocal talent. The near eight minute jam "Williams Avenue," where there's a big night life, where "the wine is red and the song is blue," combines 70's disco synths with funky brass section and Rindy's sax. Bruce Sweetman's violins come in during the slow sections of the song. After this, they would do a song for Fast Times At Ridgemont High before coming out with the one of the first albums I bought--Take Another Picture. The irony is that I picked this one last, but it doesn't detract from my appreciation of them. Now, if they'd do like the Go-Go's and Bangles for one last hurrah, because their sound softens my heart.
CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

WET WILLIE / LEFT COAST LIVE

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1977 on Capricorn records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by: Paul Hornsby & Kurt Kinzel
Recorded LIVE At: The Roxy in L.A.
Recorded By: The Record Plant Mobile Unit #1
Remote Crew: David Roeder, Jack Crymes
Engineered By: Kurt Kinzel
Cover Art: Richard Seireeni
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320 Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
No, No, No
Grits Ain't Groceries
Everything that Cha Do (Will Come Back To You)
Teaser
Lucy Was In Trouble
Keep On Smilin'
BAND LINEUP:
Jimmy Hall - Vocals, Harmonica and Sax
Jack Hall - Vocal, Bass
Michael Duke - Vocals, Keyboards
Ricky Hirsch - Guitars
John Anthony - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals
Lewis Ross - Drums, Percussion
WEBSITE:
http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html
REVIEW:
Wet Willie Wails!, July 11, 2003
By Thomas Comiskey (Out in the toolies) - Amazon Customer Review
I saw Wet Willie live about a half dozen times back in the 70s - They are one of the best live acts I have ever seen -- they always used to put on a helluva show. "Left Coast Live" is a classic -- the other live album they did --"Drippin' Wet" (recorded about 1970) is also a classic -- in fact, I like "Drippin'" better than "Left Coast Live" I listen to either one of them and I'm a kid in my 20's again --lots of good memories. "Left Coast Live" is good stuff. Buy it.
================
Hidden Gem, August 21, 2000
By kirk steinle (kansas) - Amazon Customer Review
This Wet Willie recording came along after several excellent studio recordings. While not quite as strong as Dixie Rock or The Wetter the Better, the guys more than proved their ability to wander out of the studio and jam. They were definetly not your average southern rock band. No No No and Teaser which were staples from the Wetter lp still sound fresh and Grits Ain't Groceries was much funkier than other well known white soulsters. Everything That You Do is one song that never got its due although this overblown live version is not nearly as good as the studio version. This would certainly be a good overview for someone just discovering this band. Now if they will just release Mannorisms.
CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

JOE WALSH - THE QUINTESSENTIAL COLLECTION

Digitized from the original vinyl and CD's encompassing Joes work from 1972's "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" to 1992's "Songs For A Dying Planet".

Format: Mp3

Bit Rate: 320kbps

TRACK LISTING, DISC 1:
I can Play That Rock & Roll
Rocky Mountain Way
Things
At The Station
Two Sides To Every Story
Welcome To The Club
Good Man Down
Half The Time
Over & Over / 2nd Hand Store
Rivers (Of The Hidden Funk)
Turn To Stone
Slow Dancing
The Worry Song
You Might Need Somebody
Memory Lane
Inner Tube / Theme From Boat Weirdos
Dear John
TRACK LISTING, DISC 2:
Meadows
Problems
Indian Summer
Down On The Farm
All Of A Sudden
I Know
The Confessor
Time Out
I'm Actin' Different
Falling Down / Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty
Tomorrow
Time
Told You So
In My Car
Look At Us Now
County Fair
Got Any Gum / Up To Me
Song For A Dying Planet
WEBSITES:
http://eaglesband.com/
http://www.joewalsh.com/

REVIEW:

I'm a LARGE Joe Walsh fan. Almost rabid about it and have been since the first time I heard "Take a Look Around" back in '69. There might be a more rabid fan than me out there somewhere if they've got a pair of his underwear framed and hanging on their den wall, or something else equally as silly, but otherwise I'll go toe to toe with anybody about Joe.

This compilation does not span Joes' entire career only the 20 year period from 1972 to 1992. My reason for not including his whole career in this collection is that I feel his work with the James Gang is different enough from what came later to warrant it's own compilation, which I have yet to get around to doing...

You also won't find anything here from the "BARNSTORM" album. The reason for that omission is for me personally that album is one complete piece of work and no one tune can be extracted from the whole work of art. If you start playing it you need to go to the end, nonstop. No bathroom breaks, no trips to the corner store for more beer, no distractions, nothing. So, because I wasn't sure when it came out if it was a Joe Walsh solo album called Barnstorm or Joe's new band called Barnstorm, it stands alone as the transitional period.

This very personal compilation was a labor of love for me. For over two months back in 2001 I worked on assembling the tunes in the order I wanted them on these two CD's. Not only the included tunes were important, but the order in which they were placed on the CD's was also very much a planned effort.

I'm probably slightly biased, but I feel this is by far the best collection of Joe's work available from this period of his career. I have given copies to a number of friends and other folks who professed to be big fans of Joes' and every one of them has come back to tell me that it was an awesome package of music. There is just under 2 hours and 40 minutes worth of music in this package and if you are at all a Joe Walsh admirer I believe you will reach for this compilation anytime you feel like hearing some Joe Walsh.

Tom
CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

WET WILLIE / THE WETTER THE BETTER

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1976 on Capricorn records.
ALBUM INFO:

Produced by: Paul Hornsby
Recorded At: Capricorn Sound Studios, Macon Georgia
Engineered By: Kurt Kinzel, Tony Humphries, Richard Schoff
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate - 320 Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
No, No, No

Teaser

Baby Fat

Ring Me Up

Comic Book Hero

Walking By Myself

Everything That 'Cha Do (Will Come Back To You)

Everybody's Stoned
BAND LINEUP:
Jimmy Hall - Vocals, Harmonica and Sax

Jack Hall - Vocal, Bass

John Anthony - Keyboards, Guitar

Ricky Hirsch - Vocals, Guitar

Lewis Ross - Drums, Percussion

Michael Duke - Vocals, Keyboards
WEBSITE:
http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html

REVIEW:
The wetter the best
By A Customer
Yet another great record from one of the South's most unappreciated and least respected rock bands, Wet Willie. With this, their 5th and final studio album for Capricorn, Jimmy Hall and company further push the envelope in defining Southern rock by incorporating elements of R&B, soul, country and funk into their unique brand of high energy rock and roll. The end result is the best Wet Willie album of them all. From the Uptempo opener "No, No, No," to the funky riffs of "Baby Fat," to the more melancholy approach of "Ring You Up" and "Everybody's Stoned,"
THE WETTER THE BETTER signifies the ever-changing approach this band takes in creating new music. The band even enters new territory with the jazz/pop-influenced "Everything That 'Cha Do (Will Come Back To You")(the album's lone chart single). Long-time fans will also welcome the addition of Michael Duke, whose songwriting contributions and vocal work only make this record even stronger (don't worry, Jimmy Hall is the man!).

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

A Reiteration

It seems recently that my little attempt here at sharing some music from my youth has grown out past the bounds of family and friends to include some of the musicians who's music I have shared here and love dearly.

With that in mind I have to restate my position and the purpose of this blog. First and foremost the reason I do this is to share music that although no longer on the "hit parade" is still viable and very much worthy of a new generation of music listeners time. The idea here isn't to give you an easy way to "steal" music but the opportunity to hear music you more than likely won't be able to find anywhere else. Most of the stuff here is ripped from my vinyl LP's and quite a few of them haven't even had a CD upgrade. That doesn't mean that the music is no longer worth listening to....it simply means that the idiot suits that have run the music industry into the ground saw no reason to make this music available to that new generation of listeners.

I can only speak for myself and possibly other bloggers like myself who share the same intent, but the reason I do this is to get the word out. If I've got a Lp rip here of something available on CD and you dig it.....buy the CD!. Sure you own an Mp3 version for your Ipod now, but if you want to hear the full recording in all it's glory you need to get a better source than an Mp3. If you love music you owe it to yourself to become an audiophile and get the best equipment and recordings that are available. If we don't do that then the current situation will continue to worsen. At the very least cruise the used CD stores and Goodwills across the land to locate source material.

Again, speaking only for myself, but I can tell both the musician who comes here and finds their work available for download and the yahoo who thinks free mp3's are as good as it gets that this blog is a radio station for the new millenium....you aren't going to hear any of this older stuff on the radio and more than likey won't hear any of the newer stuff I write about either. It just ain't gonna happen with the current situation so I'm living out a personal fantasy of being a D.J. and trying to get the word out. I can tell ya that I've bought more CD's and albums in the last 2 years since I discovered blogs then I did the previous 5 years, simply because I've been exposed to more new stuff that I dig.

It's hard to have customers if they don't know you're selling something........

So, in closing I hope you'll consider what I've said and keep the music alive. It's kept me alive for 55 years now so I figure that trying to return the favor is the least I can do.

Rock on folks and keep looking up, you never know what might be coming down. (thanks Jackson)

TC

WET WILLIE / DIXIE ROCK

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1975 on Capricorn records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced by: Tom Dowd
Recorded At: Capricorn Sound Studios, Macon Georgia, November 1974
Engineered By: Ovie Sparks & Tony Humphreys, assisted by Richard Schoff
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate - 320 Kbps
TRACK LISTING:
She's My Lady
Ain't He A Mess
Dixie Rock
Poor Judge Of Character
Mama Didn't Raise No Fools
It's Gonna Stop Raining Soon
Jailhouse Moan
He Set Me Free
Leona
Take It To The Music
BAND LINEUP:
Jimmy Hall - vocals, harmonica, saxophone
Jack Hall - bass
John Anthony - keyboards
Ricky Hirsch - guitar
Lewis Ross - drums and percussion
WEBSITE:
http://www.thecutting-edge.net/wet.html
REVIEW:

The follow-up to Wet Willie's breakthrough benchmark release, Keep On Smilin', didn't match its predecessor in sales, and began a commercial decline from which they never recovered. But although there's nothing as catchy as the previous album's title track, Dixie Rock is a worthy successor and another excellent yet underrated entry in the band's catalog. With their picture dominating the back cover, backing singers the Williettes (Ella Avery and Donna Hall) receive featured treatment, and their contribution adds substantial gospel flavor to the group's approach. Avery's duet with frontman Jimmy Hall on "Mama Don't Raise No Fools" is one of the disc's highlights, and the stripped-down version of Albert Brumly's "He Set Me Free" could have come directly off a traditional spiritual album. But "Leona" (a minor hit single), is pure greasy Southern singalong funk and rock that, along with the title cut, slots into Willie's established sound. The R&B-drenched "It's Gonna Stop Rainin' Soon," featuring sublime slide work from Ricky Hirsch and Jimmy Hall's mournful harp along with the deep Delta blues of "Jailhouse Moan," help make this one of the band's most cohesive works, although it takes a few spins for their charms to be appreciated. Those who enjoy Wet Willie's gritty Southern soul will find lots to like on this low-key, predominantly hitless gem, which, as of 2002, had been taken out of print after being digitally remastered and reissued in 1999.
Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

ORLEANS / WAKING AND DREAMING

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1976 on Asylum Records.

Format: Mp3

Bit Rate - 320 Kbps

ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Charles Plotkin

Not much else in the way of production info listed on the album jacket or liner.

TRACK LISTING:

Reach

What I Need

If I Don't Have You

Waking And Dreaming

Sails

Still The One

The Bum

Golden State

The Path

Spring Fever

THE BAND:
John Hall - Vocals, Guitars, Percussion, Mandolin, Keyboards

Larry Hoppen - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Melodica, Trumpet, Synthesizer Bass

Lance Hoppen - Bass, Vocals

Wells Kelly - Drums, Vocals, Percussion

Jerry Marotta - Drums

WEBSITE(S):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orleans_(band)

http://www.orleansonline.com/home.html

REVIEW:

by Joe Viglione
As with previous Orleans albums, Let There Be Music, from earlier in 1975, and the self-titled 1973 disc on ABC records, the majority of the music on Waking and Dreaming is from the pens of John Hall and Johanna Hall. "Still the One" was the big hit, its inverted Chuck Berry riff embracing a timeless sentiment every lover wants to hear: "We're still having fun.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

WET WILLIE / KEEP ON SMILIN'

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1974 on Capricorn records. (played quite frequently in it's day, hence the Rice Krispies effect in places)

ALBUM INFO:

Produced by: Tom Dowd

Recorded at: Capricorn Studios, Macon, GA.

Bit Rate - 320 Kbps

Format - Mp3

TRACK LISTING:

Country Side Of Life

Keep On Smilin'

Trust In The Lord

Soul Sister
Alabama

Lucy Was In Trouble

Soul Jones

Don't Wait Too Long

Spanish Moss

In Our Hearts

BAND LINEUP:

Jimmy Hall, vocals, harmonica, saxophone

Jack Hall on bass

John Anthony on keyboards

Ricky Hirsch on guitar

Lewis Ross on drums and percussion.

WEBSITE:

http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html

REVIEW:

Bruce Eder

The definitive Wet Willie studio album, bluesier than a lot of their other work, and much of it also somewhat more laidback. Beginning with "Country Side of Life," athe band sounds tight, tuned, and in top form. Their playing is clean and crisp, and the vocals exude a bold confidence. The hit title track is a compelling reggae-country meld that's one of the more interesting and long-wearing country-rock hits of its period. It's surrounded by gospel-flavored material and also one of the neater Stax-influenced tracks ever put down by a white band, "Soul Sister," which is also a great showcase for the Williettes. Other highlights include the acoustic country ballad "Alabama," a major change of pace for this band with some clever lyrical conceits; the ultra-funky "Soul Jones" (which manages to work in a quote from the Allman Brothers), and the soulful rocker "Lucy Was In Trouble," which became a key part of the group's concert sets. The only drawback is that the group didn't quite have enough material to cover a whole album here, and also is a little too loose compared with their live performances, as on Drippin' Wet. The 1998 Capricorn remastering has an especially full sound, improving significantly on the original LP.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

ORLEANS / LET THERE BE MUSIC

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1975 on Asylum Records.

Format: Mp3
Bit Rate - 320 Kbps

ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Charles Plotkin
Engineered By: Fritz Richmond, Bart Chiate & Tom Vicari
Recorded & Mixed At: Elektra Sound Recorders, Los Angeles, California, September-October 1974
Mixed By: Tom Vicari & Bart Chiate
Album Cover: David Alexander

TRACK LISTING:
Fresh Wind
Dance With Me
Time Passes On
Your Life My Friend
Let There Be Music
Business As Usual
Cold Spell
Ending Of A Song
Give One Heart
You've Given Me Something

THE BAND:
John Hall -Vocals, Guitars, Percussion, Mandolin, Keyboards
Larry Hoppen - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Melodica, Trumpet, Synthesizer Bass
Lance Hoppen - Bass, Vocals
Wells Kelly - Drums, Vocals, Percussion

WEBSITE(S):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orleans_(band)
http://www.orleansonline.com/home.html

REVIEW:

A must for any Orleans fan, November 10, 2002 By David W Ellis III (Cincinnati, OH USA)

Great effort by one of the best and most underrated bands of all time. Orleans has always combined pertinent lyrics on a variety of topics, great harmonies and very strong instrumentals - this cd has all of the tracks on the original recordings of their 2nd and 3rd albums: Let There Be Music and Waking & Dreaming - the disc entitled Still the One is fine but leaves off some outstanding cuts including The Path (awesome harmonies),You've Given Me Something (great feel good, lyrics and yet it rocks),Let There Be Music (one of their classics) or Golden State (nice vocal by John Hall)- now if they would only release their original album on cd because it is a 5 star as well.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

WET WILLIE / DRIPPIN' WET

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1973 on Capricorn records.

ALBUM INFO:

Produced by Johnny Sandlin

Recorded LIVE At The Warehouse, New Orleans, Louisiana, December 31st, 1972

Bit Rate - 256 kbps

Format - Mp3

TRACK LISTING:

That's All Right

She Caught The Katy

No Good Woman Blues

Red Hot Chicken

Airport

I'd Rather Be Blind

Macon Hambone Blues

Shout Bamalama

All songs arranged by Wet Willie

BAND LINEUP:

Jimmy Hall - Vocals, Harps, Saxophones, Percussion

Rick Hirsch - Lead Guitar

John Anthony - Keyboards, Percussion, background vocals

Jack Hall - Bass, Background vocals

Lewis Ross - Drums, Percusssion

WEBSITE:

http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html

REVIEW:

By J. Johnson "Allman Brothers obsessive" (Winchester, VA)

This cd is hotter than a nymphomanic in a convent. Taken from a New Years Eve show at one of the legendary dungeons in rock history the Warehouse in New Orleans. Opening for the Allman Brothers, Wet Willie simply tore the roof off the sucker. Opening with That's All Right, the band sets out a marker-We are going to kick your butt and if you don't like it leave. This is not rock and roll for posers or the faint of heart. They do the definitive version of Taj Mahal's She Caught the Katy, and their version of I'd Rather Be Blind Than to See You Go brings gospel fervor to the roadhouse. No Good Woman Blues is the hottest shuffle I've heard to this day. Of course a man's gotta have a little Red Hot Chicken, and when he's finished he will always Shout Bamalama. Musicianship-outstanding. Jack Hall and Lewis Anthony lay down a great groove, Ricky Hirsch plays some tasty guitar and John Anthony puts they keys in exactly the right place. Jimmy Hall-well what can you say-arguably the greatest white soul singer ever-only Eddie Hinton and Felix Cavilere are close The only thing missing from this disc is Grits Ain't Groceries which was a staple of the Wet Willie live show. Every time I listen to this disc I realize how lucky I was to hear this band at their peak-and guys this is it! You gotta have this one!

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

ORLEANS / ORLEANS

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1973 on ABC Records.

Format: Mp3

Bit Rate - 320 Kbps

ALBUM INFO:

Produced By: Barry Becket & Roger Hawkins

Not a whole lot of info listed on this album

TRACK LISTING:

Please Be There

If

Two-Faced World

Turn Out The Light

Tongue-Tied

Half Moon

Mountain Wanderlust

Ticonderoga Moon

Stoned

It All Comes Back To You

THE BAND:

John Hall - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Steel Guitar, Trumpet

Larry Hoppen - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Trumpet, Percussion

Lance Hoppen - Bass, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion

Wells Kelly - Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Bass, Guitars

WEBSITE(S):

http://www.orleansonline.com/home.html

http://www.orleansforever.com/

REVIEW:

Review by Alex Henderson

Orleans were never a favorite of rock critics, who disliked the soft rock/pop/rock outfit for the same reason they disliked Chicago, America, Player, Pablo Cruise, and Firefall: They saw Orleans as unchallenging. That much is true; Orleans were never the most challenging band in the world. But then, they weren't trying to be. Orleans are what they are....good muscians playing great, accessible music.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

WET WLLIE / II

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1972 on Capricorn records.

ALBUM INFO:

Produced by Eddie Offord & Johnny Sandlin

Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Muscle Shoals Alabama & Capricorn Sound Studios, Macon Georgia

Bit Rate - 320 Kbps

Format - Mp3

TRACK LISTING:

Shout Bamalama

Love Made Me

Red Hot Chicken

It Hurts Me Too

Keep A Knockin'

Airport

Grits Ain't Groceries

Shotgun Man

Shaggi's Song

BAND LINEUP:

Jimmy Hall - Vocals, Harmonica, Tenor Sax, Percussion

Ricky Hirsch - Guitar, Background Vocals

Jack Hall - Bass, Background Vocals

John Anthony - Keyboards, Background Vocals

Lewis Ross - Drums, PercussionWick Larsen - Guitars, Moog

WEBSITE:
http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html

REVIEW:

By J. Johnson "Allman Brothers obsessive" (Winchester, VA) (Amazon Review)

I am a huge Wet Willie fan-I'll own that at the beginnning of this review. However the studio was not this bands natural environment, the stage is where this band really shone. However, this set provides the song base for the incendiary shows that were to follow. It established Jimmy Hall as one of the greatest white soul shouters and Wet Willlie as a band to be reconed with. The disc is a mix of covers and originals. IMHO the highlight is the cover of Elmore James It Hurts Me Too. The structure is completely reworked to make it a soul classic, and when Jimmy sings "When things go wrong, Oh SUGAR! It hurts me too" it just doesn't get any better. Also a great version of Grits Ain't Groceries. If you love southern bands and great rockin' blues music you need this one in the collection. The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is something doesn't translate completely from the stage, but it really doesn't matter. Buy it!!

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

THE SOUTHER, HILLMAN, FURAY BAND / TROUBLE IN PARADISE

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1975 on Asylum records.

Format: Mp3

Bit Rate - 192 Kbps

TRACK LISTING:

Trouble In Paradise

Move Me Real Slow

For Someone I Love

Mexico

Love & Satisfy

On The Line

Prisoner In Disguise

Follow Me Through

Somebody Must Be Wrong

Produced by Tom Dowd

THE PLAYERS:

J.D. Souther - Guitars, Vocals

Chris Hillman - Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals

Richie Furay - Guitar, Vocals

Paul Harris - Keyboards

Al Perkins - Steel Guitar, Guitar, Bass, Dobro

Jim Gordon - Drums, Percussion
Joe Lala - Percussion

REVIEW:

The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band was one of those supergroup creations of the 70's. Chris Hillman was an original member of The Byrds, Richie Furay was one of the founders of Poco and J.D. Souther worked with Glen Frey of the Eagles. In 1974 they formed this unique group and recorded two albums. Trouble In Paradise rose to # 39.This one contains a bit of vinyl ambiance (snap, crackle and pop) but is still listenable. It's a short album too, clocking in at just about 33 minutes.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

WET WILLIE / WET WILLIE

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1971 on Capricorn records.

ALBUM INFO:
Produced by Eddie Offord for No Exit Music Inc.
Recorded at Capricorn Sound Studios, Macon Georgia

Bit Rate - 192 Kbps
Format - Mp3

TRACK LISTING:
Have A Good Time
Dirty Leg
Faded Love
Spinning Round
Low Rider
Rock 'n' Roll Band
Pieces
Shame, Shame, Shame
Beggar Song
Fool On You

BAND LINEUP:
Jimmy Hall - Vocals, Harmonica, Tenor Sax, Percussion
Ricky Hirsch - Guitar, Background Vocals
Jack Hall - Bass, Background Vocals
John Anthony - Keyboards, Background Vocals
Lewis Ross - Drums, Percussion

WEBSITE:
http://www.ktb.net/~insync/wet_willie.html
REVIEW:

Keeping in mind that this album came out in 1971 and it was their first effort it's pretty darn good. It's a bit uneven at times with some rough edges but you can hear the potential in the grooves for the music that came along further on down the road. Jimmy Hall has one of the best voices in rock and roll and he's still singing up a storm to this day. He's also a helluva harp and sax player too.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

THE SOUTHER-HILLMAN-FURAY BAND

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1974 on Asylum records.

Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 192 Kbps

ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Richie Polodor
Engineered By: Bill Cooper
Recorded At: American Recorders, Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles
Cover Art By: Jimmy Wachtel, Amada Flick & Lorrie Sullivan

TRACK LISTING:
Fallin' In Love
Heavenly Fire
The Heartbreaker
Believe Me
Border Town
Safe At Home
Pretty Goodbyes
Rise And Fall
The Flight Of The Dove
Deep, Dark and Dreamless

THE PLAYERS:
J.D. Souther - Guitars, Vocals
Chris Hillman - Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Richie Furay - Guitar, Vocals
Paul Harris - Keyboards
Al Perkins - Steel Guitar, Guitar, Bass, Dobro
Jim Gordon - Drums, Percussion

Joe Lala - Percussion

REVIEW:
The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band was one of those supergroup creations of the 70's. Chris Hillman was an original member of The Byrds, Richie Furay was one of the founders of Poco and J.D. Souther worked with Glen Frey of the Eagles. In 1974 they formed this unique group and recorded two albums. The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band went all the way to # 11 on the Billboard charts and features the top 40 hit Fallin' In Love.

CONTACT:

READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom