BORN AGAIN-PAGAN-

This outfit from Marin County US, released this album in 1972. Previously they called themselves “Red Mountain” and got on the move down to L.A in the search of fame and fortune do to an encounter with an agent that promised them living quarter´s and a contract. As this , as Always, was put in perspective of a one room apartment for ten people, this was better than nothing. A deal was struck to Pat Boone´s production Company and they gave the band the slot at the graveyard shift in the studio. The story ends with a bunch of demo-songs which the band tried to get the major labels interested in…and no luck.

So what do we have here? This is a diverse record with no direction whats so ever. The songs bend in every direction of the compass but there is a light shining on through the night..Great Blues/Stoner/psych rock elements that got resemblence to Cream, Canned heat and some PG&E. The production is at the lower point but, there are some great guitar work together with cool harddriven vocals in some of the songs. There´s something in here that tickles that nerve of satisfaction….great effort.

Whatabout the drummer, Lloyd Wick?? As this fellow seems to be the one to be left in the shadows, there´s not much to reflect upon his drumming either. Avarage striking abilities with soft approach towards the songs brings the feeling, that there´s the guitarist who calls the shots. The hit ratio and Dynamics are fine but that´s it. The lack of drive brings down the impression and to bad, with a Another approach the whole album would have raised a couple of notches. This is an avarage performance. Period.

The most interesting thing about this album is that there are a few strikes of “killer instinct” with good solid jam-sessions that sparks the band to Life. For the one who never got over the late sixties and are in search of Another “almost there act” this is a find. Great reissues are out there for a hefty pricetag but then again you will be (almost) the only one to own it! For the rest of us it´s just an example of that obscure record that never got anywhere…:-)

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK-WORTH EXPLORING-

BLACKHORSE-BLACKHORSE-

As this 3 piece Texas based outfit selfproduced and pressed this obscure masterpiece, one could only wonder? How does the musicindustry really works? This is one of history´s most underrated albums of all time. The blend of Hard/blues/boogie/Southern rock is just aiming straight for the heart… and man…  doesn´t the Arrows hit bulls Eye!!!

This is a production wetdream with great interaction between the harmony singing down to the guitars and solos. I can´t find much to complain about so, this is a double thumbs up. A very solid and great soundin` album with strong songs. Even the slow cooking intro in ” Cannot find my way home” just fits the bill like icecream on a hot summers day. Splendid songwriting.

Whatabout the drummer, John Teague?? This fellow must have been moulded into the drummers seat with this outfit. There are splendid striking abilities with strong Dynamics and mature interaction together with the bass. The hitratio is impressive with a hard and determind drive. The technical skills are up there with the best from the time period and there´s never a loss for “action” playing. This is a very good drummer and fits this band like a fish to water!! Very Very good!! 🙂

As this album was a selfpressed story, moster to be send to promoters and to sell at gigs,  there are few good original copies left to find at a bargain price. But if you are into American Hard/blues/boogie/Southern rock albums in the style of Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet this is a piledriver for sure. Don´t hesitate to put up top dollars, it will be Worth the pricetag. Otherwise there are reissues for half the price and it sounds as good as the original.The bonus part is that there are more Money over for beer to enjoy this dinosaur record!! Mighty Work!!  🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-8-EXCELLENT-HEAD ON RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES, COLLISION WITH A FREIGHT TRAIN!-

CHAIN-TOWARDS THE BLUES-

This outfit from Australia where to be  recognized as one of the most progressive and famous bluesacts ever to come from the land down under. As this their full length debut released in 1971, the band had already gone through major membership replacements but they nailed it on this Classic recording.

The production is flawless and with the reissues on CD the remasters just put all the songs  in Place. The vocals interact great together with the fine tuned guitar and the steady rhythm section. There are no weak spots in that department. A very solid job!!

Whatabout the drummer, Barry Harvey?? This experienced drummer doesn´t make a fool of himself on this album. The striking abilities and the Dynamics are great. The hitratio and technique are top notch! The great interaction together with bass player Barry Sullivan just fits like a glove. This is an impressive recording with few mistakes and “to much” playing. The solid rhythm on this recording is the Foundation for the Classic reputation it got today. A very impressive job!! 🙂

Original copies are hard to find for a lower pricetag but there are the reissued 30 anniversery edition on CD. This is a must buy for the one´s who´s in for Brittish flavoured blues with a progressive attitude to it. Few records from this time period could reach this fullfillment. This is a true blues gem and let no one tell you otherwise…This is the true Hot, Blue and lonesome affair you been waiting for…Enjoy!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD!!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

HACKENSACK-UP THE HARDWAY-

This outfit which fronted Nicky Moore on lead vocals , guitar and keyboard originates from the UK and this is their debut LP. An erlier release of an EP got the band a spot for larger recordings but they didn´t really nailed it on this on. They are almost there but it got some itching issues along the way.

The production is nice and soft with great interaction with the vocals, guitars and the rhythm section. The songs are mixed with some great uplightning stuff together with more melancolic slowcooking ballads that not really fit into this Picture. The lack of consistancy is apparent and the record company´s(?) tryout to find some sort out path for the band just crash and burn. To bad because the talent is in here….somewhere… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Simon Fox?? This is great drummer who follow´s the line of great Brittish drummers. The striking abilities are great together with a perfect Dynamics and an impressive hit ratio.The drive is also impeccable. The only issue I got with this guy may be the fact he´s in the wrong band. The future for this fellow should have been different. A waste of a great talent in my opinion.

If you have an interest in early Hard/Blues/Southern/ rock Music this is an alternative record in some of the songs. Great vocals from Nicky Moore would end up in bands like Samson and the NWOBHM wave to come. Original copies of this album are hard to find and with that comes a Heavy pricetag that doesn´t match the album. Go for the reissues if you have the interest and save yourself some money for future highlights to come! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

FARM-FARM-

As an alternative to the obscure Hard/Prog/psych overload, this album released in 1971 is a fresh input of American Hard/blues/Psych/country rock music. This outfit by the name of Farm originated from Mount Vernon Illinois. They recorded their sole album in the tiny studio of Golden voice in South Pekin .

The production is very good with great interaction between the guitars and vocals. The harp and background rhythm is also very well balanced. This is a great album!! The Contemporary bands like Canned Heat and Allman Brothers Band could be traced in some songs but the execution is done with such great personal input that they almost overrides the original. This a very good job put into this very rare and obscure record.

Whatabout the drummer, Mike Young?? As this is a through and trough blues inspired album this fellow certainly does the job. The drive is impeccable and the striking abilities are top notch. Several impressive dynamic passages are boldly held back with great perfection and the hit ratio is left second to none. This is a very well skilled drummer! Impressive work!! 🙂

This album must be counted as one of the most obscure and rare of all time. The songs doesn´t persue nothing new in the genre but it is so well crafted that you just wonder what would happened if there was a continuence. The saying “reap what you sow” is very much true in this outfit.. I´m very happy to have this album….. 🙂

Great copies are out there for the one who doesn´t have to look in his wallet every time a purchase is made. Prices are high but you can retrieve good reissues for smaller numbers. If you have a thing for Hard/Blues/psych/country rock from the beginning of the ´70s this is a milestone! I need a Cold beer to chill out with this one… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

FRIJID PINK-FRIJID PINK-

This American outfit released their debut album in 1970 and this is a fiesta in the early ´70s Psych/Hard/Blues rock era. In the transition between the more pop oriented ´60s and the more hard driven ´70s, this album reveals what´s to come.

A timetypical production with a thin soundframe and to much vocal presence will probably find most recognizon for it´s cover of “House of the Rising Sun”. A Major hit for the band back in 1970´s in both America and the UK. Then again all songs stands firm and strong with great personal input and great guitar playing with solid vocal performance. As the band already had a hugh following in the Michigan area the rest of the states where reluctant to embrace this hard working outfit. The rumour has it that Led Zeppelin opened for them in Detroits Grand Ballroom…. Mighty cool!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Richard Stevers??? This is one of the founding members and had a large impact towards the songs output and performance. The drive and striking abilities are all fine but at some Point the hit ratio doesn´t comply with the will to play. It is going to fast at times and a kind of “sloppy” approach is eminent. To bad because the overall impression is just fine. An avarage achievement though…..

This album is for the one who is just thrilled to discover the passage between the ´60s and ´70s. It got lots of good melodies and the band spiced up the performance with fuzzy guitars and strong vocals. Great copies are out there for a minor piece of your Money and by the way, this one Always turns up at vinylfairs so why not just wait and see… you might just get it for a bargain sell!! 🙂

VINYLTRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

TUCKY BUZZARD-WARM SLASH-

This unkown outfit originated from the UK and released this, their second album in 1971. With a fresh input of Hard/Blues/Prog rock with great riffs and strong material, this is truly one of the more mysterious releases from this great year in Music.

The production is timetypical with the soft touch of Bill Wyman as producer and perhaps you do hear some Stones resemblence here and there. There are great interaction between the piano and guitar with the vocals as an icing above Everything. This is a very good album and in my opinion the best by Tucky Buzzard. There would be four more releases Before the band called it a day. The guitarist Terry Taylor would end up working with Wyman on other project´s lateron, such as Rhythm King´s.

Whatabout the drummer or drummers?? This is a shared task between Paul Francis and Chris Johnson. The latter would be credited on this album though he only played on half of the song´s. So what about the performance? This is battle between good and evil because at some songs the playing is top notch with great striking abilities and splendid Dynamics. The drive is there and I pick up a thing or two on this recording. The trouble is I can´t distingquise which is who of the two players. This is in some moments a very good effort on the drums.  A Very Good Job!! 🙂

Early Protometal/Hard rock album of this calibre is hard to find and it would turn out that Tucky Buzzard never released Another album like this one. So, if you´re in for Hard/Blues/prog rock from the early ´70s this gotta be in your Collection. Original copies are out there for a hefty pricetag but all in all the conditions are often very good. There are reissues on CD for a nice price for those who like to include a sixpack of beer with the listening event…. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

PROPELLER-LET US LIVE TOGETHER-

This outfit from Germany is described as an “on-off” Project for guitarist Aichem Rechel together with his playpals from The Rattles and Wonderland band. As so many times Before this sideproject just got the feeling of a straight Hard/Glam/Southern/Boogie rock´n´roll record from 1971. No fuzz or other tricks to achieve Commercial succés, just plain fun driven Music! Fabulous!! 🙂

The production is timetypical with great interaction with the shared vocal task and that pumpin´piano as a carpet for the rhythm section to build their Foundation upon. This is head nodding high class with extra toetapping features! A Very good job!!

Whatabout the drummer, Dicky Tarrach?? This drummer got the resemblence towards many great rock drummer´s from the ´70s. Solid back beating with great striking abilities. The Dynamics together with the hit ratio is up with the standards but with a cautious approach. Perhaps not the first drummer to pick for the all star team but that´s nothing to be ashamed of. I wouldn´t fit there either… 🙂

If you´re in for ´70s Hard/Glam/Southern/boogie style of rock, this album is right up your Alley. Give this record some Heavy rotation on your turntable and you will ask yourself way you didn´t discover this splendid gem erlier. Great original copies are out there but the pricetag could be a bit harsh. Try your luck at a vinyl fair, where this Baby usually  turns up…..Happy hunting!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

TOTTY-TOTTY-

Brothers in rock is no stranger to Music calender fanatics but this outfit from Tulsa, Oklahoma probably is one of the more unkown outfits. This their debut and self-realesed Hard/Prog/Psych rock album, exceeds all expectations and just hits that nerve of great obscure rock´n´roll Music. Straight no chaser in that sense!!

The production is great but with a lack of vocal interaction together with the great guitar and faboulus bassplaying. The selfconstructed songs are strong with a range of both hard driven rock songs together with some strange prog passages that doesn´t really seem to fit. If we take into considoration that this is all self made, I just want to take my hat off in admiration. This is a great album in that sense and I wouldn´t stick my neck out to say that there are few contenders to the album of the year from 1977 in this catogary!! Great Job!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummers??? Yes you read right. There are Three drummers on this album and perhaps there lies the answer. George Cooper, David Blue and Roger Roden share´s the task and at some Point there is a bit to messy to describe the induvidual performance. The striking abilities are fine with all Three and there´s not really a standout performance from no one that wiil haunt you in the future. The hit ratio and Dynamics are all in Place with no personal infliction. The technical skills are avarage that suits the album.

This album is a true gem if you are looking for a an obscure Hard/prog/psych album with a christian influence to it. Nothing that will dominate the lyrics but it´s there. Great copies are out but only reissues due to the original´s are almost impossible to find. The rumours has it that there were only 50 copies made, so there you go.

As the songs tend to bend in every direction you need to spin this baby a couple of times on your turntable. it will grow and suddenly you just sit and toetapping along to songs you never ever thought you would…That´s an achievment by itself…. 🙂 Just wonderful!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

STONEHOUSE-STONEHOUSE CREEK-

This mysterious outfit originated from United Kingdom and a first look and listen fool your senses as an Another dragonfly band. With a cautious approach towards the songs and  heavy spin on the turntable, Another Picture is revealing itself. This is a Hard/Blues/Psych rock record with great songwriting and faboulus drive. This is the only album by this obscure outfit, released in 1971.

The production is timetypical with British Contemporary band´s  but with a much more input towards the piano and the rhythmsection. The vocals are great but with a razor edge of turning to much in some songs. There are no standout tune on this album but there´s no song that falls between the Wheels either. The strongest effort is the even high standard on every tune. This is a good job!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Ian Snow?? This a great display of funky backbeat drumming with a nice striking ability. The nest best thing must be the fantastic drive put into every song. Dynamics and hit ratio doesn´t leave you with a divine experience but then again it is hard to get all at once. I enjoy listen to this drummer but I don´t hear the “extra”.. Overall a very good impression. Great input and playing!! 🙂

This record is truly one in disguise. If you´re in for British Hard/Blues/psych rock with focus on “all instrument input” this one´s got few contenders. The Riffs are great, the songs are strong but it is a bit special. Good or bad is up to everyone to decide.

Great copies are hard to find due to low distribution but there are good reissues on CD that perhaps suits your wallet a bit better. A piece of advice is that you must be patient with this album and then it will reveal its greatness. Cold beer helps to endure the waiting.. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-