Grand Funk Railroad – Closer To Home (1970)

Closer to Home is Grand Funk Railroad’s third studio album and was released on June 15, 1970 by Capitol Records. It was produced by Terry Knight. This album reached RIAA gold record status in 1970, making it the group’s third gold record in one year. The songs “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” and “Aimless Lady” were later covered by South African group Suck. “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” was also covered by the band Monster Magnet on their first full-length album Spine of God (1991), by former Dokken guitarist George Lynch on his 2004 covers album “Furious George”, and by Gov’t Mule on their album The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001). The album’s inside artwork shows a live photo of the band performing at Madison Square Garden in February 1970.

In the 2009 film Law Abiding Citizen, the song “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” is featured in the closing credits. (by wikipedia)

Closer to Home, the trio’s third album, was the record that really broke them through to the commercially successful level of metal masters such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Rather than rushing headlong into their typical hard, heavy, and overamplified approach, Grand Funk Railroad began expanding their production values. Most evident is the inclusion of strings, the acoustic opening on the disc’s leadoff cut, “Sins a Good Man’s Brother,” as well as the comparatively mellow “Mean Mistreater.” But the boys had far from gone soft. The majority of Closer to Home is filled with the same straight-ahead rock & roll that had composed their previous efforts. The driving tempo of Mel Schacher’s viscous lead basslines on “Aimless Lady” and “Nothing Is the Same” adds a depth when contrasted to the soul-stirring and somewhat anthem-like “Get It Together.” The laid-back and slinky “I Don’t Have to Sing the Blues” also continues the trend of over-the-top decibel-shredding; however, instead of the excess force of other bands, such as MC5, Grand Funk Railroad are able to retain the often-elusive melodic element to their heavy compositions. (by Lindsay Planer )

Personnel:
Don Brewer (drums, vocals)
Mark Farner (guitar, keyboards, vocals)
Mel Schacher (bass)

Tracklist:
01. Sin’s A Good Man’s Brother 4.50
02. Aimless Lady 3.28
03. Nothing Is The Same 5.14
04. Mean Mistreater 4.25
05. Get It Together 5.07
06. I Don’t Have To Sing The Blues 4.37
07. Hooked On Love 7.12
08. I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home) 9.54

All songs written by Mark Farner

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Blue Mitchell – The Thing To Do (1964)

The Thing to Do is an album by American trumpeter Blue Mitchell recorded in 1964 and released on the Blue Note label.

This Blue Mitchell date is a classic, particularly the opening “Fungii Mama,” which is really catchy. The trumpeter’s quintet of the period (which includes tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, the young pianist Chick Corea, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Al Foster) also performs two Jimmy Heath tunes and a song apiece by Joe Henderson (“Step Lightly”) and Corea. The record is prime Blue Note hard bop, containing inventive tunes, meaningful solos, and an enthusiastic but tight feel. Highly recommended. (by Scott Yanow)

Recorded in changing times, with the Blue Note catalogue elsewhere reflecting the pull of more adventurous music – Grachan Moncur, Hancock’s Empyrean Island – Blue Mitchell offered a line of continuity for straight ahead bop inherited with the Horace Silver band. Recording prolifically in the early sixties, with bluesy soul jazz offerings, the most interesting contribution is that of the young Chick Corea, given his own title “Chicks Tune”. Polished performances, though with so much talent burgeoning on the jazz scene it must have been difficult to stand out. A good enjoyable outing nonetheless. (by londonjazzcollector.wordpress)

uncaPersonnel:
Junior Cook (saxophone)
Chick Corea (piano)
Al Foster (drums)
Blue Mitchell (trumpet)
Gene Taylor (bass)

Tracklist:
01. Fungii Mama (Mitchell) 7.48
02. Mona’s Mood (Heath) 5.18
03. The Thing To Do (Heath) 7.03
04. Step Lightly (Henderson) 10.25
06. Chick’s Tune (Corea) 9.37

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Steamhammer – Same (Reflection) (1969)

Steamhammer was an English blues rock band from Worthing, England, whose origins were with the blues. The band was founded in 1968 by Martin Quittenton (guitar) and Kieran White (vocals, guitar, harmonica). The first stable line-up consisted of Quittenton, White, Martin Pugh (guitar), Steve Davy (bass), and Michael Rushton (drums).

The first version of Steamhammer acted as backing band for Freddie King on two of his tours of England between 1968–1969. Like many of their peers, the band experimented with instrumental passages, introspective lyrics, and ultrasonic guitar effects, along with folk, jazz and classical influences. After playing in English pubs in the late 1960s, Steamhammer’s self-titled album Steamhammer (aka Reflection) debuted on Columbia Records in 1968, featuring their single, “Junior’s Wailing,” and including covers of “You’ll Never Know” by B. B. King and “Twenty Four Hours” by Eddie Boyd as well as original songs by White, Quittenton, and Pugh. Session musicians Harold McNair (flute) and Pete Sears (piano) also played on the album. While the album was not commercially successful, the band’s sound became popular live, especially in West Germany. In the summer of 1969, Quittenton and Rushton left the band, and Steve Jolliffe (saxophone, flute) and Mick Bradley (drums) joined the band.

The second version of the band recorded the album Mk II, released in 1969. It consisted entirely of original songs, and the musical style had more jazz and progressive rock influences. Jolliffe left the band in 1970. The remaining band members recorded the album Mountains, which was released in 1970. This album included a cover of “Riding on the L & N” by Lionel Hampton and seven original songs.

In 1971, Davy left the band, and Louis Cennamo (bass) (formerly of the original line-up of Renaissance) was recruited as his replacement.[3][4] After a European tour in the summer of 1971, White left the band, and the remaining trio of Pugh, Bradley and Cennamo began recording a new album. This line-up, along with guest vocalist Garth Watt-Roy (of Fuzzy Duck), recorded the album “Speech” – which was released in 1972. It consisted of three long, mostly instrumental songs, in a heavier progressive-rock vein than the basic blues and jazz/folk influences of their previous albums. The genesis of Armageddon began with this final Steamhammer album, with production assistance by ex-Yardbird and Renaissance frontman, Keith Relf (who also contributed background vocals here – along with his sister, Jane Relf).

Bradley died of undiagnosed leukemia on 8 February 1972, aged 25. A memorial concert took place at London’s Marquee Club on 14 March that year, with appearances by fellow bands Atomic Rooster, Beggars Opera, If, and Gringo. Steamhammer carried on for a while with a new drummer, John Lingwood, and lead singer, Ian Ellis (ex-Clouds). The new line-up debuted at London’s Imperial College on 3 May, followed by a European tour in May and UK tour in June with American vocalist/guitarist Bruce Michael Paine replacing Ellis. In June 1973, it was announced that they would now perform as Axis, playing their first gig under that name at the Marquee on 15 June. Quittenton rejoined, but the band split towards the end of 1973.

Steamhammer (aka Reflection) was the debut album issued in 1969 by the British blues-rock band Steamhammer. Steamhammer was chosen as legendary blues guitarist Freddy King’s backing band whenever he toured England. The musicians in the band were Martin Quittenton (guitar), Kieran White (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Martin Pugh (guitar), Steve Davy (bass), and Michael Rushton (drums). The album includes classic blues numbers by B.B. King (“You’ll Never Know”) and Eddie Boyd (“Twenty-four Hours”), as well as compositions by band members White, Quittenton, and Pugh. The session musicians Harold McNair (flute) and Pete Sears (piano) also appear on the album.

Already in 1970 the song “Junior’s Wailing” was recorded by Status Quo on their album Ma Kelly’s Greasy Spoon. (by wikipedia)

Reflection is also-ran late-’60s British blues-rock, with more rock-oriented takes on the kind of approach used by heroes Freddie King and B.B. King. B.B. King’s “You’ll Never Know,” in fact, is covered here, though most of the material was penned by the band. Steamhammer doesn’t put much of an original spin on its sources, or on the British blues-rock form, though this is competent and does generally have a moodier, more downbeat feel than most of the band’s competition in the genre. The expressive qualities of Kieran White’s voice, though, are limited, as though he’s being pinched by something that keeps him from letting go too much. The best moments come when they venture just a little outside of the ordinary U.K. blues-rock model, particularly when Harold McNair adds some jazzy flute; “Down the Highway” sounds a little close to some of early Jethro Tull. Future Jefferson Starship member Pete Sears plays session piano. The 2002 CD reissue on Akarma adds two bonus tracks from 1969 singles, “Windmill” and “Autumn Song,” which are more explicit forays into the more melodic jazz-blues-rock direction mined by the likes of Jethro Tull, Colosseum, and Davy Graham in the late ’60s, again with prominent flute. (by Richie Unterberger)

I add three more songs, recorded live at the BBC Maida Vale Studio 4, London, UK; February 4, 1970 (“Rhythm & Blues” programme). This is a very good radio broadcast (mono). Broadcast on BBC World Service radio and presented by Alexis Korner !

In 1969 the British Blues boom was over, but Steamhammer was one of the last bands of this genre … and they was one of the finest bands of this boom … Listen carefully !

Frontcover of the bootleg with the three BBC tracks

Personnel:
Steve Davy (bass)
Martin Pugh (lead guitar)
Martin Quittenton (guitar)
Michael Rushton (drums)
Kieran White (vocals, harmonica)
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Mick Bradley (drums on 14. – 16.)
Harold McNair (flute)
Pete Sears (piano)

Tracklist:
01. Water (Part One) (Quittenton/Pugh) 0.57
02. Junior’s Wailing (White/Pugh) 3.22
03. Lost You Too (Quittenton/White) 3.32
04. She Is The Fire (Quittenton/White) 3.31
05. You’ll Never Know (King) 3:27
06. Even The Clock (Quittenton/White/Graham) 4.12
07. Down The Highway (Quittenton/White) 4.34
08. On Your Road (White) 2.55
09. Twenty-Four Hours (Boyd) 7.32
10. When All Your Friends Are Gone (Quittenton/White) 3.53
11. Water (Part Two) (Quittenton/Pugh) 1.49
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12. Windmill (Quittenton/White) 4.24
13. Autumn Song (White/Joliffe) 4.05
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live at the BBC (recorded February 4, 1970)
14. Junior’s Wailing (White/Pugh) 2.38
15. On The Tide (unknown) 5.02
16. Another Travelling Tune (White/Pugh) 4.40

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Robin Trower – Bridge Of Sighs (1974)

Bridge of Sighs is the second solo album by the English guitarist and songwriter Robin Trower. Released in 1974, it was his second album after leaving Procol Harum, and was a commercial breakthrough for Trower. Songs such as “Bridge of Sighs”, “Too Rolling Stoned”, “Day of the Eagle” and “Little Bit of Sympathy” became live concert staples.

The album was produced by organist Matthew Fisher, formerly Trower’s bandmate in Procol Harum. Acclaimed Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick was this album’s sound engineer.

In an interview with Guitar World, Trower explained how the album got its title. Robin said that he had had the first line of the song for years and one day saw some sport pages which listed a racehorse called Bridge of Sighs, which he thought would be a great title.

Bridge of Sighs (Chrysalis 1057) reached #7 in the United States during a chart stay of 31 weeks. It was certified Gold on 10 September 1974. Early printings of the original album cover had the front image upside-down and were more greenish in colour.

The title track was covered by Opeth for the special edition of their 2008 album Watershed.

“Day of the Eagle” was covered by Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens on his third solo album Memory Crash. Tesla also covered the song on their 2007 Real to Reel album as did Armored Saint on their Nod to the Old School record. (by wikipedia)

Guitarist Robin Trower’s watershed sophomore solo disc remains his most stunning, representative, and consistent collection of tunes. Mixing obvious Hendrix influences with blues and psychedelia, then adding the immensely soulful vocals of James Dewar, Trower pushed the often limited boundaries of the power trio concept into refreshing new waters. The concept gels best in the first track, “Day of the Eagle,” where the opening riff rockingly morphs into the dreamy washes of gooey guitar chords that characterize the album’s distinctive title track that follows. At his best, Trower’s gauzy sheets of oozing, wistful sound and subtle use of wah-wah combine with Dewar’s whisky-soaked soul-drenched vocals to take a song like the wistful ballad “In This Place” into orbit. “Too Rolling Stoned,” another highlight and one of the most covered tracks from this album, adds throbbing, subtle funk to the mix, changing tempos midway to a slow, forceful amble on top of which Trower lays his quicksilver guitar. One of the few Robin Trower albums without a weak cut, Bridge of Sighs holds up to repeated listenings as a timeless work, as well as the crown jewel in Trower’s extensive yet inconsistent catalog. (by Hal Horowitz )

Personnel:
James Dewar (bass, vocals)
Reg Isidore (drums)
Robin Trower (guitar)

Tracklist:
01. Day Of The Eagle  (Trower) 4.59
02. Bridge Of Sighs (Trower) 5.05
03. In This Place (Trower) 4.28
04. The Fool And Me (Trower/Dewar) 3.57
05. Too Rolling Stoned (Trower) 7.29
06. About To Begin (Trower) 3.43
07. Lady Love (Trower/Dewar) 3.21
08. Little Bit Of Sympathy (Trower) 4.20
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bonus tracks recorded live for KMET radio on 29 May 1974 at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, California:
09. Day Of The Eagle (Trower) 3.48
10. Bridge Of Sighs (Trower) 5.16
11. Too Rolling Stoned (Trower) 6.26
12. Lady Love (Trower/Dewar) 3.12
13. Little Bit Of Sympathy (Trower) 4.49

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Randy Meisner – Same (1982)

Randy Meisner is the third solo studio album (and the second self-titled) by Randy Meisner. It was released in mid 1982, on Epic in the United States, and in the United Kingdom. It is to-date Meisner’s final solo album of original material. The album features a duet with Heart’s lead vocalist, Ann Wilson. (by wikipedia)

Randy Meisner’s second self-titled album, usually referred to as Randy Meisner (1982) to distinguish it from its 1978 predecessor, is a gorgeous country-rock production with a hard electric edge in all the right places and soaring melodies throughout — all worthy of a founding member of Poco and an original member of the Eagles. The guest players include Heart’s Ann Wilson on one duet vocal and Nancy Wilson on backing vocals elsewhere, and the Tower of Power horns. Meisner is in exceptionally good voice throughout, on the slow, ringing electric ballads like “Never Been in Love,” hard rocking tracks such as the breathless and beautiful “Playin’ in the Deep End” (an original that, as an Eagles song, would’ve been a number one single and still should’ve been in this version) and “Doin’ It for Delilah,” and the ethereal “Strangers.” There are pleasing guitar hooks throughout, and the album’s mix of raw power and subtle lyricism has endured very well over the decades. (by Bruce Eder)

Personnel:
Denny Carmassi (drums)
John Corey (guitar, piano, background vocals)
Tom Erak (bass)
Mitchell Froom (synthesizer)
Dixon House (keyboards, background vocals)
Phil Kenzie (saxophone)
Howard Leese (synthesizer, guitar, background vocals)
Randy Meisner (vocals, bass, guitar)
Brian Smith (guitar)
Sterling Smith (keyboards, synthesizer)
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Tower of Power (horn section)
Ann Wilson (vocals on 06.)
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background vocals:
Nancy Wilson – Marcy Levy
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Paul Buckmaster – string conductor

Tracklist:
01. Never Been In Love (Bickhardt) 4.26
02. Darkness Of The Heart (Palmer) 4.18
03. Jealousy (Meisner/House/Leese) 4.55
04. Tonight (Adams/Vallance) 5.11
05. Playin’ In The Deep End (Meisner/House) 4.08
06. Strangers (John/Osborne) 3.54
07. Still Runnin’ (House/Leese) 3.27
08. Nothing Is Said (‘Til the Artist Is Dead) (Meisner/House) 3.57
09. Doin’ It For Delilah (Corey) 3.51

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Jon Hiseman – A Night In The Sun (1982)

One of the UK’s foremost drummers and bandleaders, Jon Hiseman, who founded the innovative and influential jazz-prog band Colosseum in 1968 and played extensively across the jazz, prog-rock and session worlds died from cancer on 12 June, aged 73. Coming from a jazz background, Hiseman first came to attention with the gifted but wayward pianist Mike Taylor on Taylor’s Pendulum album in 1964, now one of the rarest and most valuable of all UK jazz albums. He recorded Neil Ardley’s Western Reunion in 1965 and Trio with Mike Taylor in 1966 before his driving swing and hard-hitting solos caught the eye of the Graham Bond Organisation in 1966, where he replaced Ginger Baker who had departed to form Cream.

While with Bond, Hiseman also played sessions, including with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and formed a robust working relationship with saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith. The pair left to join John Mayall in 1968 at a pivotal time when the big-selling Mayall was refashioning his Bluesbreakers into a more jazz-rock orientated band as the British blues boom looked to expand its musical horizons. The subsequent album, Bare Wires, hit number three on the national album charts, but Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith were already plotting their next move.

They left to form Colosseum, whose debut, For Those Who Are About To Die We Salute You, was released in 1969. Together with follow-up Valentyne Suite, it stands as a cornerstone of the then-burgeoning prog-rock and jazz-rock scenes on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as becoming a much sampled favourite of the acid-jazz generation. Hiseman’s relentless work ethic also found him recording Peter Lemer’s 1968 Local Colour album, which had a 50th anniversary reunion performance at Pizza Express Jazz Club in February 2018, as well as Jack Bruce’s Things We Like and Songs For A Tailor.

Following Colosseum’s break up in 1971, Hiseman formed Tempest with Allan Holdsworth and refigured Colosseum 11 in 1975 for three albums before extensive live and recording work with the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble and with his wife, saxophonist Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia. Both he and Barbara opened a recording studio and produced a number of TV and film soundtracks, while he also produced and engineered albums by Nucleus and Keith Tippett, among others. A biography, Playing In The Band, written by Martyn Hanson was published in 2010 and Hiseman had recently formed a new prog-rock power trio, JCM, with former Colosseum alumni, Clem Clemson and Mark Clarke. The 50th reunion with Peter Lemer in February was a memorable night and saw a sold-out audience of fellow players and long-standing jazz industry names come to pay respect and what ultimately proved to be one of this outstanding drummer’s final performances. (by jazzwisemagazine.com)

And here´s one of his rare solo albums:

Originally released only on vinyl, this album dates from 1981 and has never been previously released on CD. The original analogue tapes, recorded in, and rescued from, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil , were lost until recently. After a 4-hour baking in an oven to remove the accumulated moisture that had been attracted to the oxide binder, Jon Hiseman was able to transfer the tapes into the digital domain in pristine condition while they were, literally, still hot.

He flew out to Rio for 10 days in 1981, taking only a few cymbals and a snare drum, to meet some of Brazil’s finest musicians for the first time and play their music. Since they had recorded mainly at night, while sleeping through the heat of the day, the album title had to be… “A Night in the Sun”! (by Jon Hiseman)

He was one of my most favourite musician in since the Sixties !

Personnel:
Ariovaldo (percussion on 04.)
Victor Biglione (guitar on 01.)
Cidinho (percussion)
Sergio Dias (acoustic guitar)
Leo Gandelman (saxophone on 01. – 03.)
Jon Hiseman (drums)
Jamil Joanes (bass)
Robson Jorge (guitar on 04.)
Marcio Montarroyos (flugelhorn on 02. + 04., trumpet, piano on 03.)
Lincoln Olivetti (keysboards on 01., 03., 04., 06. + 07.)
Marcos Resende (piano on 02., 05. + 06.)
Ricardo Silveira (guitar on 06.)
Sergio de Souza (trombone on 01., 03. + 07)

Tracklist:
01. Tropeiro (Joanes) 6.43
02. The Hearts Of Carnival (Dias) 5.07
03. Sunroof (Montarroyos) 6.51
04. A Night In The Sun (Olivetti) 5.45
05. Eunice (Dias) 3.49
06. Makenna Beach (Montarroyos) 7.11
07. Walking On Air (Thompson) 4.17

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Jon Hiseman (21 June 1944 – 12 June 2018)

REST IN PEACE

(and thanks a lot for all the fun and joy you gave so much people !!!)

J.Geils – Band – Full House Live (2009)

Thanks to hits such as Centrefold and Freeze Frame and music videos and MTV, younger listeners will remember the J Geils Band as a ’80s pop-rock group. But back in the ’70s, they were a tight R&B outfit whom the Allman Brothers Band considered their favourite local band.

In 1972, the J Geils Band released Live Full House, recorded at the Cinderella Ballroom in Detroit on April 21-22, 1972. One fan noted: “When I was growing up the original Full House was a huge album in Detroit. This was when J Geils were a great R&B band before the MTV hits.”

Thirty-seven years later, the J Geils Band have lost none of their power and excitement and here is a recreated 2009 version of Full House from uncirculated soundboards. And a boogie good time to be had by all.

Thanks To Evil Dr. Louie for sharing the tracks.

Recorded live at The Fillmore, Detroit, MI, April 24-25, 2009
Very good soundboard.

Personnel:
John H. Geils (guitar)
Seth Justman (keyboards, vocals)
Danny Klein (bass)
Marty Richards (drums)
Richard “Magic Dick” Salwitz (harmonica)
Peter Wolf (vocals)
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Mitch Chakour (background vocals)

Tracklist:
01. First I Look At The Purse (Rogers/Robinson) 4.18
02. Homework (Perkins/Clark/Rush) 4.24
03. Pack Fair & Square (Price) 2.38
04. Whammer Jammer (Juke Joint Jimmy) (*) 4.22
05. Hard Drivin’ Man (Geils/Wolf) 6.31
06. Serves You Right To Suffer (Hooker) 11.28
07. Cruisin’ For A Love (Juke Joint Jimmy) (*) 3.39
08. Looking For A Love (Alexander/Samuels) 6.28

(*) Pseudonym used by The J. Geils Band for group compositions

 

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