It is with great sadness...

..that I even have to write this post.


My dad, TC, passed away on 17 April 2015. I will be keeping his blogs up for a little while, but not sure how long I can promise you that his music reviews will be up.


I have received a few emails about song/album requests via his email account, and not sure how to go about sending what was requested. Sorry if you have felt ignored, but I'm not quite sure how he was doing that. :)


God bless all of you that followed Dad's blogs.


Jen

PRETTY THINGS / SAVAGE EYE

 Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1975 on Swan Song Records
FORMAT: Mp3
BIT RATE: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Norman Smith
Engineered By:Keith Harwood
Recorded and Mixed At: Olympic Studios, Barnes, England
Sleeve Design: Hipgnosis 
SONG LISTING: 
Under The Volcano
My Song
Sad Eye
Remember That Boy
It Isn't Rock 'N' Roll
I'm Keeping
It's Been So Long
Drowned Man
Theme For Michelle
THE PLAYERS:
Phil May - Vocals
Skip Alan - Drums
John Povey - Keyboards, Vocals
Peter Tolson: Bass, Guitar
Gordon Edwards - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Jack Green - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
WEBSITE:http://www.theprettythings.com/ 
REVIEW(S):
By Yours Truly
I've always liked this album although I'm not real sure I could tell you why at this point. After playing it today for the first time in a long time I find I still like it even though there's nothing really standoutish on it, it's simply good, British Rock 'n' Roll. My favorite cut is still "Drowned Man" and "Theme for Michelle" at the end of it is almost an outro for "Drowned Man" If someone asked me Which Pretty Things album to buy if they only wanted one, I'd have suggest this one, although there are a couple others before this one that are worth hearing also 
YouTube:
https://youtu.be/wpPwcZWNWc4 

CONTACT:  READ THIS for more information on this album

IAN THOMAS BAND - GOODNIGHT MRS. CALABASH

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1976 on Chrysalis Records
FORMAT: Mp3
BIT RATE: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Ian Thomas
Engineered By:Alan Thorne
Recorded and Mixed At: Thunder Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Illustrations: Bruce Reifel
Photography: Charles Bush
Design: Ramey Communications
Lyrics and Music by:Ian Thomas
SONG LISTING:
Mary Jane
Right Before Your Eyes
Don't Want To Love You
Everyday
Goodnight Mrs. Calabash
Liars
For What You Are
Big Parade
Nightmares And Dreams
See Us When You Can
THE PLAYERS: 
Ian Thomas - Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo
Mike Oberle - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Josh Onderisin - Lead Guitar
Hugh Syme - Keyboards, Vocals
Steve Hogg: Bass, Vocals
WEBSITE: 
http://www.ianthomas.ca/Ian_Thomas/Home.html
REVIEW(S):
By Yours Truly
This is an older album of Ian's (1976) that I'm finally getting around to needledropping (3-2015). This is a good effort with some great tunes on it, but knowing what I know now, this release was just the precursor to what was going to be coming on down the road. There are some good tunes here, Liar is a great work and Right Before Your Eyes and See Us When You Can are also both great tunes. While this is not my go to Ian Thomas album it is nice to finally have it in my Itunes and I've been playing it repeatedly to get back up to speed with what's on it. 
If you are a fan of Ian's later work then I'd suggest grabbing this one too so your collection is not incomplete.
YOUTUBE:
https://youtu.be/LWz-9fTdpGY
CONTACT:  READ THIS for more information on this album
 

LE ROUX / SO FIRED UP

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1983 on RCA Records
FORMAT: Mp3
BIT RATE: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By:Leon Medica
Production Assistant: Marlene Bitters]
Recorded at: Studio in the Country, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Engineered By:Warren Dewey, David Farrell, Gene Foster & Bruce Irvine
Mixed At: Capitol Records, Studio C, Los Angeles, California
Mastered At: Capitol Records , Los Angeles, California
Mastering Engineer: Wally Traugott
All Arrangements By: Le Roux
Photo Illustration & Concept: Paul Maxon
Back Cover & Sleeve Photos: Tom Gibson
Design & Art Direction: Mike Doud 
SONG LISTING:
So Fired Up
Lifeline
Let Me In
Yours Tonight
Line On Love
Carrie's Gone
Wait One Minute
Turning Point
Don't Take It Away
Look Out
THE PLAYERS:
Jim Odom - Guitars, Vocals
Rod Roddy - Keyboards, Vocals
David Peters - Drums, Vocals
Leon Medica - Bass, Vocals
Fergie Frederiksen: Percussion, Vocals
Tony Haselden - Guitar, Vocals
WEBSITE:
http://www.laleroux.com/
REVIEW(S): 
By Tom Sawyer on January 22, 2008 
Format: Audio CD Verified Purchase LeRoux had already established itself as one of the most diverse rock bands in history even before this 1983 release. With smash hits like "New Orleans Ladies" (a ballad from the Louisiana's LeRoux days back in 1978), the timeless rock gem "Addicted", and the Top 20 "Nobody Said It Was Easy" from the year before, the boys were well on their way to becoming one of the elite names in AOR for the eighties. Then came the arrival of Fergie Frederiksen.
Ladies and gentleman, this is not your grandfather's Le Roux. You will find no honky-tonk, ho-down, gumbo or southern boogie-blues here.
What the album does do, however, is rock your f-ing socks off!
Rod Roddy's keyboards complement Frederiksen's voice to perfection, but they don't stick out like a sore thumb either. The trio of guitars from Medica, Odom, and Haseldon over-power the keys for the most part and create a blend of hard rock nearly flawless for an 80's AOR album. Frederiksen is so effortlessly smooth here. He hits high notes most people would only dream about. But he does it with such authority. It's as if God himself specifically designed him to be a singer in the 80's. And when you add a healthy dose of re-verb to the equation, forget about it.
There are moments of dangerous predictability here though. For example, the song "Lifeline" uses the dreaded helicopter/synth effect to open the song. This was a gimmick used way too often in the early 80's (i.e. Aldo Nova's "Fantasy", Billy Squier's "In the Dark", and Def Leppard's "Die Hard the Hunter"). There are also many cases where songs start off as ballads, but predictably turn hard. And the true ballad "Wait One Minute" is pretty nonchalant and mediocre. But all is forgiven when the overall product is this good.
And if you're a true AOR buff, you'll recognize the MTV hit "Carrie's Gone" (the most poppy of all the songs), which Fergie wrote after breaking up with Carol Burnett's daughter, Carrie Hamilton. They also did a music video for "Lifeline", which you can see on Fergie's website: (...), or on You Tube, of course.
It's a shame this line-up of the band didn't stay together to do more albums in the 80's. "F" you, RCA! Oh, well. At least we've got this. 
YOUTUBE: 
https://youtu.be/-3hokNyOD3Y 
CONTACT:  READ THIS for more information on this album

LE ROUX - LAST SAFE PLACE

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1982 on RCA Records
FORMAT: Mp3
BIT RATE: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By:Leon Medica
Executive Producer: Dan Loggins
Production Assistant: Marlene Bitters
Recorded at: Studio in the Country, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Engineered By:Warren Dewey, David Farrell, Terry Christian
Mixed At: Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, California
Mastered At: Capitol Records , Los Angeles, California
Mastering Engineer: Ken Perry
All Arrangements By: Le Roux
Photography: David Kennedy
Design & Art Direction: Ron Kellum 
SONG LISTING:
Addicted
It Doesn't Matter
Nobody Said It Was Easy
The Last Safe Place On Earth
Inspiration
You Know How Those Boys Are
Midnight Summer Dream
Rock 'N' Roll Woman
Long Distance Lover
Make Believe
THE PLAYERS:
Jeff Pollard - Guitars, Vocals
Rod Roddy - Keyboards, Vocals
David Peters - Drums, Vocals
Leon Medica - Bass, Vocals
Bobby Campo: Percussion, Vocals
Tony Haselden - Guitar, Vocals
WEBSITE: 
http://www.laleroux.com/
REVIEW(S): 
By Michael Yates on January 4, 2004Format: Audio CD 
For the unitiated Le Roux has been around for awhile making fine soft rock in a southern style.

Most southerners first heard the band on the cut "New Orleans Ladies" which remains a fabulous tune and a rare opportunity to hear the word "sashay", defined as a quite stylish feminine gait.
The album charted but not by much. Followed by the spaghetti cover lp featuring "Window Eyes" Le Roux continued to toil in anonymity except for those loyal southerners. Next was the "up" lp which is now briefly available as an import. It was nice and featured "Roll Away the Stone" as a single. It sold about like the others.
The band then left Capitol and produced "last safe place" for RCA. To the surprise of all it produced a top 40 single "Nobody Said It Was Easy" sounding a lot like Little River Band. The title cut "Last Safe Place" was released and charted in the 60's which was unfortunate because it's probably the finest rock cut the band produced. Also check out "Make Believe" on this disc; beautiful ballad.
This is an excellent disc, more complete than all predecessors and far better than their last release on RCA. It's also impossible to find so if you can actually order it thru Amazon break out the charge card and pony up the $22.00. It's worth it.
Also recommended, the Bayou Degradable set as partner to this CD. Together they represent a fine ballad band that occasionally rocks. They just never quite got their due. 
YOUTUBE: 
https://youtu.be/1B4-VxX8TqE
CONTACT:  READ THIS for more information on this album

LE ROUX / UP

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1980 on Capitol Records
FORMAT: Mp3
BIT RATE: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By:Jai Winding
Production Coordinator: Michelle Winding
Recorded at: Cherokee Recording Studios & Crystal Sound Studios, Los Angeles, California
Engineered By: Jeremey Smith, George Tutko & Stuart Graham
Mastered By: Wally Traugott at Capitol Records Mastering Facilities
All Arrangements By: Le Roux
Illustration: Ed Scarisbrick
Photography: Raul Vega
Art Direction: Roy Kohara & Henry E. Marquez
SONG LISTING:
Let Me Be Your Fantasy
Get It Right The First Time
Mystery
Roll Away The Stone
It Could Be The Fever
I know Trouble When I See It
Waiting For Your Love
Crying Inside
I Won't Be Staying
THE PLAYERS: 
Jeff Pollard - Guitars, Vocals
Rod Roddy - Keyboards, Vocals
David Peters - Drums
Leon Medica - Bass
Bobby Campo: Percussion, Vocals
Tony Haselden - Guitar
WEBSITE:
http://www.laleroux.com/
REVIEW(S) 
By A Customer on December 11, 2001 
Format: Audio CD 
If you haven't heard Lousiana's Le Roux, you have missed something special. Though there first two albums (Lousiana's Le Roux and Keep the Fire Burning) are probably the best this band has made, this album is no slouch. The band made their mark as a fusion of rock, country, and New Orleans style jazz. However, this album leans to a more mainstream rock sound. It is a pity that Capital records did little to promote this band. Every person I've introduced their music to has instantly fallen in love with it... you will too.

Look for other CDs that are available which include imports of Lousiana's LeRoux (1st album), Last Safe Place, and Bayou Degradable (Greatest Hits). The band has a web site with more info on their music and sample files of their music. 
YOUTUBE: 
http://youtu.be/UpXVS959kGA 
CONTACT: 
READ THIS for more information on this album

LE ROUX / KEEP THE FIRE BURNIN'

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1979 on Capitol Records
FORMAT: Mp3 
BIT RATE: 320 kbps 
ALBUM INFO: 
Produced By:Leon S. Medica
Recorded at: Studio In The Country, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Engineered By: William S. Evans with assistance from Ronny Dobbs, David Farrell, Tim Cuthbertson, David Woolley, Tony George & David Cole
Mastered By: Wally Traugott at Capitol Records Mastering Facilities
Mixed At:Air Studios, London, England & Capitol Records Studio B, Hollywood, California
Strings Conducted and arranged by Gene Page
All Arrangements By: Le Roux
Album Cover By: Dawn Patrol
Photography & Design By: Jimmy Wachtel, assisted by: Michael Curtis with Dick Bernot 
SONG LISTING: 
Keep The Fire Burning
Call Home The Heart
When I Get Home
You Be My Vision
Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (The Sad Song)
Feel It
Thunder 'n' Lightnin'
Window Eyes
Say It (With Your Heart)
Back To The Levee 
THE PLAYERS: 
Jeff Pollard - Guitars, Vocals
Rod Roddy - Keyboards, Vocals
David Peters - Drums, Percussion
Leon S. Medica - Bass
Bobby Campo: Trumpet, Congas
Tony Haselden - Guitar, Vocals, Percussion 
WEBSITE: 
http://www.laleroux.com/ 
REVIEW(S): 
By Yours Truly, 
This is the second album from Le Roux and they continue on with a rockin' up-tempo blend of R'n'R, Blues and a touch of Jazz, Louisiana style. There's nothing earth shaking or ground breaking on this disc, but it is a good listen if you're in the mood for an up-tempo bop around the room. I had forgotten until recently, when I pulled these albums out of the racks, just how good these guys were back in the day and how much I enjoyed their brand of rock 'n' roll. 
YOUTUBE: 
http://youtu.be/cxa2NRrh8D4 
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album

THE BUS BOYS - AMERICAN WORKERS

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1982 on Arista Records 
FORMAT: Mp3 
BIT RATE: 320 kbps 
ALBUM INFO: 
Produced By: Pete Solley
Recorded at: United Western Studios, Hollywood, California
Engineered By:Steve Klein, Dennis Herzendorfer, Dave Ahlert, Patrice Carroll.
Mastered By: Bob Ludwig, Masterdisk, New York
Mixed At:Criteria Studios, Miami Beach, Florida
Package Design: David Grimaldi Butler
Front Cover / Art Direction: Betsy Rodden
Illustration: Jeff Wack
Back Cover / Art Direction: Sam McCay
Photographer: Von Thomas
Inner Sleeve / Art Direction: Larry Brooks
Executive Producer: Clive Davis
All Songs Written By: Brian O'Neal except "I Believe" written by Keven O'Neal and "Heart & Soul" written by N. Chinn & M. Chapman 
SONG LISTING: 
American Workers
New Shoes
Last Forever
Opportunity
Heart & Soul
I Get Lost
Soul Surfing U.S.A.
Yellow Lights
Falling In Love
I Believe 
THE PLAYERS: 
Victor Johnson - Guitars
Brian O'Neal - Keyboards
Steve Felix - Drums
Kevin O'Neal - Bass
Gus Loundermon: Vocals
Michael Jones: Synthesizers 
WEBSITE: 
There is no Band website as I write this 
REVIEW(S): 
By R. Butler on May 16, 2006 
Format: Audio CD
Arista couldn't figure out how to market a black funk-rock band. Most blacks were into r&b funk and disco and hiphop hadn't yet proven that white audiences would respond to aggressive lyrics and music from black artists.

These guys were good and this CD aged well, even though their debut was even better. There are several types of Rock songs on here (only Soul Surfing, a surf-rock jam with social lyrics addressing the band's fish-nor-fowl identity echoes the feel of their first album). They performed New Shoes in the movie 48 Hours, which is how I came to be interested in them.
Heart and Soul was covered the very next year by Huey Lewis and The News was a chart hit (bittersweet for the Bus Boys, no doubt). In fact, Huey Leweis & the News could be seen as a more radio-friendly, white-bread counterpart to The Bus Boys' sociopolitical funk-rock. I think the content of this album probably reflected pressure from Arista to make something more radio-friendly. To no avail; they left Arista after this album.
Anyway, pick it up, you won't regret it. The strongest cuts are New Shoes, Last Forever, Opportunity, Heart and Soul, I Get Lost, Soul Surfing, which make up the middle 6 songs this 10 song set. 
YOUTUBE: 
http://youtu.be/FAYlrzCcA6s 
CONTACT: 
READ THIS for more information on this album