Stephen Michael Schwartz – Same (1974)

Stephen Michael Schwartz, a composer / recording artist who performs live music throughout the world to a wide range of audiences both young and old, joins a unique group of musicians who have made a living with their music for over forty years.

Stephen’s reputation as a superlative singer-songwriter-performer came into focus as one of the three original members of the award-winning children’s musical group, PARACHUTE EXPRESS. The first group ever to be signed to Walt Disney Records Music Box Series, PARACHUTE EXPRESS released six albums and performed on some of the biggest stages while associated with Disney. Their roots came from a long-lasting partnership with San Francisco-based Gymboree Corporation, providing music for their Play & Music Centers throughout the world and where Stephen, to this day, continues to appear with over 100 cities in China under his belt.

To date, Stephen and Parachute Express have sold well over a half million CD’s, securing a rarified position in the world of children’s entertainment. As founding member of the group, Stephen co-wrote and produced twelve award-winning albums, receiving numerous prestigious awards including first place in the International Songwriting Festival, the NAPPA Award, the Parents’ Choice Gold Award, the Indie Award and the Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year Award and performed at The White House over half a dozen times and at The Kennedy Center where he shared the stage with President Clinton. Stephen also was the main composer and sang the title song for the popular PBS animated show, “JAY JAY THE JET PLANE”. He has also created Book and Tape projects for “Hello, Kitty” (Sanrio), produced various Disney products including “Mickey Mouse’s Greatest Hits” and had the honor of being chosen to co-write and produce the highly acclaimed “Tales From The Rails”, for The Smithsonian Institute featuring country music star, Trace Adkins.

As an accomplished live performer, Stephen continues to perform to sold-out venues throughout the world and has shared the stage with such children’s music luminaries as Raffi, Sharon, Lois and Bram, Mister Rogers, Bob McGrath from Sesame Street, and even Kermit the Frog.

Stephen has continued performing and writing his own music with four solo CDs, all of which have garnered multiple awards and much critical acclaim.

“Stephen’s lyrics are Broadway-quality, with sparkling rhymes and clever, evocative wordplay. The melodies are among the best out there, anywhere”.

Other achievements in his illustrious career include a solo recording contract with RCA Records at age 20, starring in two television sit-coms, “Please Stand By” for NBC and “The Music Shoppe” (Cable), and winning six Ovation award nominations (one win) for his musical, “It Came From Beyond!”. Co-written with Norman Thalheimer and Cornell Christianson, “It Came From Beyond” made it’s Off-Broadway debut in 2019.

Whether acting, writing, singing or producing, Stephen has shown his talents to be as varied as his creativity is boundless. His original compositions, filled with both humor and sensitivity along with his unusual talent to engage and put an audience totally at ease, make Stephen Michael Schwartz an unforgettable experience … no matter what your age. (taken from his website)

And here´s his debut album:

The album drew industry attention to Stephen’s talent both as a songwriter and a solid vocal performer. The single, “ROCK ME AWAY”, generated favorable airplay on local FM stations around the country and classified Stephen’s musical genre as “Funk/Soul”.

Given the musical climate at the time and disco’s stronghold on radio play, one song off the album that received the most “buzz” was “GET IT UP FOR LOVE”.

It was just the beginning of a long and fruitful recording career. (Stephen Michael Schwartz)

A real good Pop album with many catchy melodies and “Musical Storm ” comes with a real great bass line ! A typical product of the Seventies.

Check the lineup !

Personnel:
Larry Carlton (guitar)
Wilton Felder (bass)
Ed Greene (drums)
Bobbye Hall (percussion)
Jim Horn (horns)
Jim Keltner (drums)
Michael Omartian (keyboards)
Dean Parks (guitar)
Reinie Press (bass)
Stephen Michael Schwartz (vocals, guitar)
+
Kim Carnes (vocals on: B3)

Tracklist:
01. Easily (Metter) 2.48
02. Rock Me Away (Moore) 3.27
03. Love Me Busybody (Schwartz) 2.32
04. Finest Thoughts (Schwartz) 2.49
05. Long Tail Cat (Dixie Holiday) (Loggins) 3.25
06. Doctor’s Daughter (Schwartz) 2.40
07. You Say It’s Me (I Think Maybe It’s You) (Schwartz) 3.04
08. Get It Up For Love (Doheny) 4.06
09. Musical Storm (Schwartz) 2.28
10. I Believe I’m Gonna See You Again (Schwartz) 3.07
+
11. Now That I´m Without You (Schwartz) 2.40
12. Da Doo Run Run (Barry/Greenwich/Spector.) 2.36

*
**

Acqua Fragile – Mass-Media Stars (1974)

Acqua Fragile was an italian progressive rock band, active from 1971 to 1975. The band was established in the city of Parma. Bernardo Lanzetti, leader and vocalist of the band, is best known for his work with Premiata Forneria Marconi and has played in many other progressive rock acts, including neoprogressive band Mangala Vallis.

The first lineup of the band, named “Gli Immortali” (“The Immortals”) comprised Bernardo Lanzetti (vocals), Gino Campanini (electric guitar), Piero Canavera (drums), Maurizio Mori (keyboards) and Franz Dondi (bass guitar). Of those, Dondi was the most established musician, as he had formerly played in another small band, “I Moschettieri” (“The Musketeers”) which had released a single and opened for Rolling Stones.

At the beginning of the 1970s, Gli Immortali were noticed by members of the PFM (one of most successful italian rock bands of the times), and PFM’s manager Franco Mamone adopted Lanzetti’s group as well, which had by then changed its name to “Acqua Fragile”. With Mamone’s help, Acqua Fragile were hired to open for progressive rock prominent acts such as Soft Machine, Uriah Heep and Gentle Giant.

In 1973 the band released a first, eponymous album for independent record label Numero Uno. This debut work was clearly inspired by British progressive rock bands Genesis and Gentle Giant, and had English lyrics, something quite unusual for Italian bands at the time, even more so since the album was not released outside of Italy. Even Lanzetti’s voice sounded very much like that of Peter Gabriel.

The next album Mass Media Stars (1974) was released in both Italy and the United States, a move that was intended to leverage from PFM’s recent success overseas. At about the same time the new keyboardist Joe Vescovi (formerly with The Trip) moved in. Shortly thereafter Lanzetti, leader and vocalist of the band, left to join PFM for their next album Chocolate Kings. The band replaced Lanzetti with Roby Facini (former member of Top 4 and Dik Dik), but this did not revive the success of Acqua Fragile. The band eventually split in 1975.

After the breakup, Acqua Fragile members pursued independent projects. Lanzetti has had a relatively successful solo career and later joined neoprogressive group Mangala Vallis. Dondi and Canavera played in several groups (including a Beatles tribute band). Dondi has recently[when?] founded a new project, called “Acqua Fragile Project”, as a revival act in honor of Acqua Fragile. (wikipedia)

And here´s their second album:

This is such a catchy and melodic album that is played at a very high level and includes vocals in English from Bernardo Lanzetti. I don’t even detect an accent which might be because at 14 years of age he spent a year living in Texas, then a few years later he would go back for another 6 months. He knows the English language well. I’m surprised he doesn’t have a Southern drawl though (haha). He does kind of warble when he sings which I find amusing. It reminds me of the vocalist on the SPLIT ENZ debut. Mellotron on 4 of the 6 tracks doesn’t hurt.

“Cosmic Mind Affair” sounds good when it kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. The keyboards sound amazing 2 minutes in and check out the vocals that follow. Guitar after 2 1/2 minutes. A calm before 5 minutes then it kicks back in one more time. I must admit I tired of this song very quickly. “Bar Gazing” has acoustic guitar and vocals reminding me of GENESIS. It kicks in after 2 minutes. Some nice intricate electric guitar around 3 minutes. Harmonies follow. I like it !

“Mass-Media Stars” has so much going on here early on. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in and i’m really reminded of YES on this one including the guitar. “Opening Act” opens with vocals only then the music and vocal melodies follow. Harmonies and vocals are next and themes are repeated on this one. “Professor” opens with the guitar and drums standing out. Vocals a minute in and it’s uptempo.Tempo changes will continue to be contrasted. “Coffee Song” ends it in a great way after two so-so tunes. Intricate guitar to start then the vocals take over as the guitar is strummed. Mellotron joins in. The bass and drums become prominant. Beautiful stuff. Love how he warbles here. (by Mellotron Storm)

Personnel:
Gino Campanini (guitar, mandolin, vocals)
Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, guitar, vocals)
Franz Dondi (bass)
Bernardo Lanzetti (vocals, guitar)
Maurizio Mori (keyboards)
+
Claudio Fabi (piano on 04.)

Tracklist:
01. Cosmic Mind Affair 7.17
02. Bar Gazing 5.04
03. Mass-Media Stars 6.49
04. Opening Act 5.33
05. Professor 6.47
06. Coffee Song 5.49

Music: Piero Canavera
Lyrics: Bernardo Lanzetti

*
**

Mountain – Live At The Felt Forum, New York (1974)

Mountain was an American hard rock band that formed on Long Island, New York, in 1969. Originally comprising vocalist and guitarist Leslie West, bassist and vocalist Felix Pappalardi, keyboardist Steve Knight and drummer N. D. Smart (soon replaced by Corky Laing), the band broke up in 1972 and has reunited frequently since 1973. Best known for their cowbell-tinged song “Mississippi Queen”, as well as the heavily sampled song “Long Red” and their performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, Mountain is one of many bands to be commonly credited as having influenced the development of heavy metal music in the 1970s. The group’s musical style primarily consisted of hard rock, blues rock and heavy metal.

he studio work Avalanche (July 1974), for which Laing returned to play drums and David Perry became the new second guitarist (from November 1973 to September 1974), would be Mountain’s final album with Pappalardi as a participant;[7] the group broke up again after playing a final show at Felt Forum in New York City on December 31, 1974. (wikipedia)

And here´s their final concert !

This was most likely Mountain’s very last show with the “original” lineup, recorded on New Year’s Eve 1974 at the NYC Felt Forum within the Madison Square Garden complex.

Though formed in 1969, Mountain first disbanded in February 1972 after a tour of the UK. After West, Bruce & Laing and Leslie West’s Wild West Show in June and July 1973, Felix Pappalardi and Leslie West reunited and hired Bob Mann and Alan Schwartzberg for a Japanese tour in August 1973.

At the beginning, this might have been regarded as a one-off undertaking. However, this tour yielded the Twin Peaks double album that was originally planned as a Japanese-only release but was released worldwide in 1974. Alas, the Japanese shows and this resulting album did not represent Mountain adequately by any means.

After the tour, West insisted that Corky Laing be part of the band if they were to continue. Pappalardi agreed but demanded in return – much to West’s dismay – that the band took on David Perry as an additional guitarist (to avoid the Mountain look and not sound too much like Cream [he had produced three albums for the group]). It seemed the band’s original organ player, Steve Knight, was not considered.

In a nutshell, this four-piece toured from late 1973 to September 1974, and recorded the band’s last album, Avalanche, in January 1974. The few existing recordings from this period showed a revitalized band with some refreshing new and up-to-the-mark material.

After their September 1974 tour, it seemed West finally succeeded in convincing Pappalardi to condense the band to his favourite trio format. Pappalardi obviously gave in and it was left to West to phone Perry to give him the bad news. Perhaps it was already decided at this point that their autumn/winter 1974 tour would be the band’s farewell which may have made it easier for Pappalardi to actually concede.

The band kicked off their last tour on October 3, 1974 with a phenomenal show at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. Fortunately there is a decent audience recording of this in circulation and it’s worth getting hold of. On this tour, Mountain were the main act when they played mid-sized venues and, for larger venues, they were the support act, for instance, they supported new stars the J Geils Band.

One can only hope that West was indeed happy on this tour – at least, this recording demonstrates a still extra-tight band. They even came up with an otherwise not-to-be-found rendition of Ten Years After’s I’m Going Home, perhaps a nod to their colleagues (both bands often appeared in festivals together) who were also, at that time, on the verge of splitting.

The sound quality for this recording is superb, it’s a first generation off-the-master copy, and it’s a complete recording of the show. Close listening reveals that it must be an audience recording but it is indeed so well recorded that one may mistake it for a soundboard tape. The late Rich Demartino, a long-time friend of West – and who was close to the band from the very beginning – was in possession of this show. (Hope he is having a good time up there with Felix!) As he told this reviewer in 1996, he regarded this recording so highly that he had tried to sell it to Sony – which owned Mountain’s Windfall Records catalogue – as an official release. However, that did not materialize.

Enjoy Mountain at their last and “creamy” peak! (Thomas Schmid)

Personnel:
Corky Laing (drums)
Felix Pappalardi (bass, vocals)
Leslie West (guitar, vocals)

Tracklist:
01. Introduction / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Williams) 6.25
02. Theme For An Imaginary Western (Bruce/Brown) 5.27
03. Thumbsucker (Pappalardi/Collins) 5.48
04. You Better Believe It (West/Laing) 10.20
05. Nantucket Sleighride I (Pappalardi/Collins) 16.06
06. Nantucket Sleighride II (Pappalardi/Collins) 4.41
07. Medley: 16.11
07.1. Leslie West’s Solo (West)
07.2. Roll Over Beethoven (Berry)
07.3. Drum Solo (Laing)
07.4. Going Home Jam (Lee)
08. Mississippi Queen (West/Laing/Pappalardi/Rea) 6.37

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**

More from Mountain:

Felix Pappalardi:
December 30, 1939 – April 17, 1983

Leslie West:
October 22, 1945 – December 23, 2020

Steve Ashley – Stroll On (1974)

Steve Frank Ashley (born 9 March 1946) is an English singer-songwriter, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, writer and graphic designer. Ashley is best known as a songwriter and first gained public recognition for his work with his debut solo album, Stroll On (Gull, 1974). Taking his inspiration from English traditional songs, Ashley has developed a songwriting style, which is contemporary in content while reflecting traditional influences in his melodies, poetry and vocal delivery.

Stroll On is the debut album by British singer-songwriter Steve Ashley. It was released in April 1974 in LP format on Gull Records and was critically acclaimed in the UK, being awarded “Contemporary Folk album of the Year” in the leading monthly folk magazine, Folk Review.[5] It has been described as “a masterful, beautifully textured and gentle epic” and “a masterpiece of its kind – a beautiful, rich and deeply atmospheric collection of very English songs, like a musical impression of Dickens, Victorian Christmas cards and Thomas Hardy’s Wessex with a running concept concerning seasonal change”.[6] According to the music collectors’ magazine Goldmine, it is “one of the key albums in the entire history of English Folk Rock”.

An extended version with three additional tracks, Stroll On Revisited, was released in 1999 as a CD on Market Square Records.

In 1971 Austin John Marshall arranged a production and publishing deal for Steve Ashley with Harbrook Music which gave Ashley free access to recording time at London’s Olympic Studios to record his first album. At this time Marshall also played the early demo tapes to music critic Karl Dallas, who interviewed Ashley for Melody Maker.

Acting as producer for Harbrook Productions, Marshall hired Robert Kirby to create string arrangements for many of Ashley’s songs. He also hired a number of musicians to back Ashley, including members of Fairport Convention and Pentangle, plus a section of the London Symphony Orchestra, directed by Kirby. By the late summer of 1971 the first version of Ashley’s debut album was completed and offered to a number of major and independent labels.

 

By the spring of 1972 however, the album was still unplaced with a label, and then Ashley was invited by Ashley Hutchings to join the first touring ensemble of The Albion Country Band. This line-up included ex-Fairport members Hutchings, Simon Nicol and Dave Mattacks, plus American fiddler Sue Draheim and ex-Young Tradition singer, Royston Wood. Sharing the lead vocal role with Wood, Ashley performed a few of his own songs plus a number of folk songs, including a 17-verse ballad, “Lord Bateman”. The Albion Country Band was signed to Island Records but the band broke up before recording, after just nine months together.

In November 1972, Ashley signed a solo recording deal with Gull Records and, with a few track changes, his long-delayed first album was finally released in April 1974, entitled Stroll On.

The original track listing was changed prior to release when the deal with Gull was signed and “Silly Summer Games” was re-recorded, while “Love in a Funny Way” was removed along with “Spirit of Christmas” to make way for “Lord Bateman” (with the Albion Country Band).

After its UK release in April 1974 the album was also licensed for release in the Netherlands and Belgium through Dureco; in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland through the German record label Teldec; and in Australia and New Zealand through Astor Records. In 1975 the album was licensed for manufacture and distribution in the United States and Canada through Motown.

“Old Rock ‘n’ Roll”, with “Fire and Wine” on the B side, was issued in 1974 as a single in the UK and in New Zealand.

Stroll On was met with widespread critical acclaim in the UK. In The Daily Telegraph, Maurice Rosenbaum declared: “Ashley’s own songs are the product of an extraordinary gift for creating material of true folk quality” and, in Melody Maker, Karl Dallas hailed it as “the finest album since folk became contemporary”. At the end of 1974 it was awarded “Contemporary Folk album of the Year” in the leading monthly folk magazine, Folk Review.

Music journalist Colin Harper described it as “a masterful, beautifully textured and gentle epic” and “a masterpiece of its kind – a beautiful, rich and deeply atmospheric collection of very English songs, like a musical impression of Dickens, Victorian Christmas cards and Thomas Hardy’s Wessex with a running concept concerning seasonal change”.

The June 1999 issue of Mojo magazine featured the original Stroll On in its regular full-page series “Buried Treasure”.

Lee Blackstone, writing in RootsWorld, said: “Stroll On: Revisited is a classic album in every sense. The musical guests run the gamut of the English folk-rock scene, but, mind you, this isn’t a case of spoiled broth. Rather, Stroll On manages to be a well-orchestrated calendar album, with the play of seasons the overarching theme… Incredibly, the entire album has worn remarkably well and it bears the stamp of timelessness that the best British folk-rock can conjure… As a debut album, Stroll On is remarkably mature, and Ashley’s magical achievement can now be savored again.”

Keith Hadad, reviewing the album on Record Crates United, said: “[T]he range of influences on Stroll On is daringly unique. British and American folk and rock traditions have been seamlessly blended in with elements of Irish and classical music as well… Ashley’s starkly echoing vocals [on “Springsong”] sometimes harken back to Celtic choral singing while Kirby’s string arrangement is reminiscent of the Pastoral composers, like Ralph Vaughan Williams. Meanwhile the only percussion present in the song is a tabla being played in the traditional Hindustani style… [it] works beautifully here, making this an absolute highlight of the record.”

Alan Rose, for The Living Tradition magazine, said: “‘Stroll On’ was released in 1974 amid critical acclaim, which all these years later seems eminently justified. The very first track led to his alternative title of ‘The Fire and Wine Guy’, and after twenty-five years its lush harmonies, electric arrangement and sound philosophy ensure that its magic is undiminished… Ashley’s songs are packed with life-affirming, earth-touching sentiments, deceptively simple at first hearing but unfolding at each repeat to display deeper meanings with staggeringly intelligent and original use of language.” (wikipedia)

Personnel:
Steve Ashley (vocals, guitar, harmonica, whistle)
Richard Byers (guitar, mandolin, background vocals)
B. J. Cole (pedal steel guitar)
Claire Dawson (background vocals)
Brian Diprose (bass)
Barry Dransfield (fiddle)
Thom Friedlein (bass)
Chris Karan (tablas)
Dave Mattacks (drums)
Redd McReady (harpsichord)
Lea Nicholson (concertina)
Dave Pegg (bass, mandolin)
Daryl Runswick (bass)
Danny Thompson (bass)
+
Albion Country Band Mk1 1972:
(Ashley Hutchings, Royston Wood, Steve Ashley, Simon Nicol, Sue Draheim and Dave Mattacks) on 10.)

Tracklist:
01. Fire And Wine (Ashley) 4.36
02. Finite Time (Ashley/Menday) 2.54
03. Silly Summer Games (Ashley) 4.51
04. Springsong (Ashley) 3.30
05. Monkey Puzzle Tree (Ashley) 2.58
06. Farewell Green Leaves (Ashley) 4.28
07. Morris Minor (Ashley) 1.35
08. Candlemas Carol (Ashley) 3.03
09. John Donne Song (Donne/Ashley) 5.24
10. Lord Bateman (Child 53; Roud 40) (Traditional) 8.45
11. Follow On (Ashley) 3.31

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**

Steve Ashley is a unique performer whose voice can convey great power and great tenderness. He has performed since the 1960s, when he was popular in the folk clubs of West London, and his style might be described as folk-influenced social commentary. He is one of the great treasures of English music. (ukfestivalguides.com)

Still alive & well: Steve Ashley and his website from 2020:

Eddie Harris – Is It In (1974)

Eddie Harris (October 20, 1934 – November 5, 1996) was an American jazz musician, best known for playing tenor saxophone and for introducing the electrically amplified saxophone. He was also fluent on the electric piano and organ. His best-known compositions are “Freedom Jazz Dance”, recorded and popularized by Miles Davis in 1966, and “Listen Here.”

Is It In is an album by American jazz saxophonist Eddie Harris recorded in 1973 and released on the Atlantic label. It reached number 100 on the Billboard 200 chart. (wikipedia)

Eddie Harris makes a radical turn toward electronic R&B on this popping, enterprising LP of grooves, humorous one-off vignettes, and other eclectic pursuits. Driven by a standard drum kit and tacky-sounding electric bongos, some of Harris’ most irresistible grooves (“Funkaroma,” “Look Ahere”) can be found here. The title track, a Ronald Muldrow/Harris collaboration, is an ingenious self-contained little piece, a chugging machine-driven rhythm, a catchy guitar riff, and a great brief repeated chorus. Harris resurfaces as a competent piano player (with overdubbed electric sax) on the down-home “House Party Blues” and as usual, he plugs another electronic innovation into his sax on “Space Commercial,” an eerie pitch-tracking device designed by Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog synthesizer. (by Richard S. Ginell)

This is a high quality eclectic jazz set unmistakably from the mid Nineteen Seventies. The grooves are downhome and pure, Is it in and Funkorama are all time party funk classics. Lonely Lonely Nights is a superb slow jam. Great record. (by Gern Stroman)

Personnel:
Eddie Harris (saxophone, varitone, piano, vocals)
Billy James (drums, percussion)
Ronald Muldrow (guitar, guitorgan)
Rufus Reid (bass)

Tracklist:
01. Funkaroma (E.Harris/James/Muldrow/Reid) 4.57
02. Happy Gemini (S.Harris) 3.00
03. Is It In (Muldrow) 3.35
04. It’s War (E.Harris/James/Muldrow) 6.212
05. Space Commercial (Harris/James/Muldrow) 5.31
06. Look A Here (S.Harris) 3.49
07. These Lonely Nights (S.Harris) 5.47
08. House Party Blues (Harris/Muldrow/Reid/James) 8.04
09. Tranquility & Antagonistic (S.Harris) 4.16

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Eddie Harris (October 20, 1934 – November 5, 1996)

Joe Walsh – So What (1974)

Joseph Fidler Walsh (born November 20, 1947)[2] is an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In a career spanning more than 50 years, he has been a member of five successful rock bands: James Gang, Barnstorm, Eagles, the Party Boys, and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. Walsh was also part of the New Zealand band Herbs. In the 1990s, he was a member of the short-lived supergroup The Best.

Walsh has also experienced success both as a solo artist and as a prolific session musician, being featured on a wide array of other artists’ recordings. In 2011, Rolling Stone placed him at the No. 54 spot on its list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.

In the mid-1960s, after attending Kent State University, Walsh played with several local Ohio-based bands before reaching a national audience as a member of the James Gang, whose hit song “Funk #49” highlighted his skill as both a guitarist and singer. Roger Abramson, a concert producer and artist manager, signed the James Gang to a management agreement with BPI in Cleveland. After leaving the James Gang in 1972, he formed Barnstorm with Joe Vitale, a college friend from Ohio, and Kenny Passarelli, a bassist from Colorado, where Walsh had moved after leaving Ohio. While the band stayed together for three albums over three years, its works were marketed as Walsh solo projects. The last Barnstorm album, 1974’s So What contained significant guest contributions from several members of the Eagles, a group that had recently hired Walsh’s producer, Bill Szymczyk.

At Szymczyk’s suggestion, Walsh joined the Eagles in 1975 as the band’s guitarist and keyboardist following the departure of their founding member Bernie Leadon, with Hotel California being his first album with the band. In 1998 a reader’s poll conducted by Guitarist magazine selected the guitar solos on the track “Hotel California” by Walsh and Don Felder[5] as the best guitar solos of all time. Guitar World magazine listed it at eighth of the Top 100 Guitar Solos.

Besides his work with his several bands, he has released twelve solo studio albums, six compilation albums and two live albums. His solo hits include “Rocky Mountain Way”, “Life’s Been Good”, “All Night Long”, “A Life of Illusion” and “Ordinary Average Guy”.

As a member of the Eagles, Walsh was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. The Eagles are considered to be one of the most influential bands of the 1970s, and they remain one of the best-selling American bands in the history of popular music. His creative contribution to music has received praise from many of the best rock guitarists, including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who said, “He has a tremendous feel for the instrument. I’ve loved his style since the early James Gang.” Eric Clapton said that “He’s one of the best guitarists to surface in some time. I don’t listen to many records, but I listen to his.”[8] The Who’s guitarist, Pete Townshend, said “Joe Walsh is a fluid and intelligent player. There’re not many like that around.”

So What is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Walsh. It was released in late 1974 on ABC-Dunhill Records.

It contains hard rock songs such as “Welcome To The Club” and a remake of the Barnstorm track, “Turn To Stone”. It also contains more introspective material such as “Help Me Through the Night” and “Song For Emma”.

On a few tracks, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Randy Meisner of Eagles contributed backing vocals. Over a year and a half later, Walsh would be drafted into Eagles to replace founding member Bernie Leadon, playing on their best-selling studio album Hotel California.

Two months before the release of the album, Walsh was asked about the album, and he said “I know this album’s going to be an important one for me, but it’s not easy to just crank them out anymore, I’ve got, what, six or seven albums out. I don’t want the next album to sound like a bunch of outtakes from Smoker. I want it to be the difference between Revolver and Sgt. Pepper. I’ve held back [the album’s release] until that development was there, even though the record company’s been screaming for it. I want it to be a big, big step… in thoughts, vocals, playing and maturity.”

Don Henley wrote the lyrics for “Falling Down” with Henley providing backing vocals on “Falling Down” and “Time Out”. The album features three of the four members of Eagles; Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner providing backing vocals for “Turn to Stone” and “Help Me Through The Night”. This would be the first time that the band members would appear on an album with the future Eagle.

“Song for Emma” was written as a memorial for Walsh’s almost-three-year-old daughter who had been killed in a car crash on April 1, 1974, four weeks shy of her third birthday. The accident was caused by a drunk driver who hit the Porsche driven by his girlfriend with Emma in the car. Later, Stevie Nicks wrote “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You” for Walsh after visiting Emma’s grave with him.

Producer Bill Szymczyk had the following written on the run out groove of the vinyl “THAT’S NO BANANY, THATS MY NOZE” on the first pressings of the vinyl. (by wikipedia)

Joe Walsh’s catalog by this point was two albums strong and of a consistently high quality. Despite a change of lineup for So What — a wide range of musicians is used, including the Eagles’ Don Henley — the sound is very similar to previous releases. A number of classic Walsh tracks are featured, including a more polished version of “Turn to Stone,” originally featured on his debut album, Barnstorm, in a somewhat more riotous style. “Help Me Thru the Night,” Walsh’s mellowest song to date, is helped along by some fine lead and backing vocals from the band. So What sees Walsh in top form as a guitarist. Most of the nine tracks feature solos of unquestionable quality in his usual rock style. The classic rock genre that the man so well defined with his earlier albums is present here throughout, and it is pulled off with the usual unparalleled Joe Walsh ability. (by Ben Davies)

Personnel:
Dan Fogelberg – guitar, vocals
Guille Garcia (percussion)
Bryan Garofalo (bass, background vocals)
Ron Grinel (drums)
Russ Kunkel (drums)
Kenny Passarelli (bass, vocals)
J.D. Souther (guitar, background vocals)
Leonard Southwick (harmonica)
Tom Stephenson (keyboards)
John Stronach (vocals)
Joe Vitale (flute, drums, keyboards)
Joe Walsh  (guitar, vocals, synthesizer, bass, piano, mellotron)
+
background vocals:
Jody Boyer – Glenn Frey – Don Henley – Randy Meisner

Tracklist:
01. Welcome To The Club (Walsh) 5.15
02. Falling Down (Walsh/Henley) 5.00
03. Pavanne For The Sleeping Beauty (Ravel) 2.03
04. Time Out (Walsh/Trebandt) 4.25
05. All Night Laundry Mat Blues (Walsh) 1.04
06. Turn To Stone (Walsh/Trebandt) 3.51
07. Help Me Through The Night (Walsh) 3.43
08. County Fair (Walsh) 6.48
09. Song For Emma (Walsh) 4.28

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Growl – Same (1974)

Growl: Formed 1969, United States, Disbanded 1974. Produced by Robert Duffey on Frank Zappa and Herb Cohen’s label, a cross between rock and hard rock. Dennis Rodriguez, Harry Brender, Gene Lucero and Danny McBride were previously in Utopia (not the Todd Rundgren group)….~
Growl is an underestimated blues-inspired hard rock outfit from Los Angeles (?), which recorded its first album as Utopia* (Utopia) in 1969 (released on Kent in 1970; re-issued on vinyl and CD by Akarma). Original line-up of Utopia was: Harry Brander A.Brandis on guitar & vocals, Frank Krajnbrink on guitar, Gene Lucero on bass, Danny McBride on drums and Dennis Rodriguez – lead vocals and harmonica. Rodriguez also wrote most of Utopia’s original compositions. By 1974 Frank Krajbrink was replaced by Mark Small (guitars) and Richard Manuputi took over the vocals.

The band went to Paramount Studios to record new songs, so for the new album released in 1974 (on Discreet Records) they used 5 songs from “Utopia” and 5 new numbers, among them high-octane version of Paul Butterfield’s “Shake Your Money Maker”, classic “Hound Dog” and quite uninspiring version “I Just Want To Make Love To You” of Willie Dixon (many critics/reviewers mention live version by Foghat, which means that they don’t know the smashing performance by Mungo Jerry).The rest of the songs were written by Dennis Rodriguez (except Working Man credited to Richard Manuputi).
Although Growl doesn’t sound as innovative and original as the headliners of that kind of hard rock (ZZ Top or BTO), it’s a solid and tight band, very macho, which should have been great on stage. Maybe not a must, but I like it. This re-issue on Lion Records (Germany) is quite affordable. (johnkatsmc5.blogspot.com

*This Utopia was not related/connected in any way to Todd Rundgren; the debut album was recorded in 1969, and not 1967…by. Golovanov Alexey…amazon….~

Personnel:
Harry “A.Brandis” Brender (guitar, background vocals)
Geno Lucero (bass)
Richard Manuputi (vocals)
Danny McBride (drums)
Dennis Rodriguez (guitar, vocals)
Mick Small (guitar)

Alternate frontcover:

Tracklist:
01. Shake Your Money Maker (James) 3.19
02. Young & Crazy (Rodriguez) 2.13
03. I Wonder (Rodriguez) 3.27
04. Working Man (Manuputi) 4.32
05. Sadie (Rodriguez) 3.26
06. Hound Dog (Stoller/Leiber) 3.06
07. Take My Life (Rodriguez) 2.56
08. Things Ain’t Better (Rodriguez) 3.15
09. Who’s This Man (Rodriguez) 3.20
10. I Just Want To Make Love To You (Dixon) 3.02

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Modern Jazz Quartet – Blues On Bach (1974)

Blues on Bach is an album by American jazz group the Modern Jazz Quartet recorded in 1973 and released on the Atlantic label. The album includes five John Lewis arrangements of pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, interspersed with four original blues pieces “on” [the name] “Bach” — in keys (and with titles) that spell out in order the name B-A-C-H.

The five pieces arranged from Bach originals are: “Regret?” from “The Old Year Has Now Passed Away”; “Rise Up in the Morning” from “Sleepers Wake”; “Precious Joy” from “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”; “Don’t Stop This Train” from a selection in “Klavierbüchlein für Wilhelm Friedemann Bach”; and “Tears from the Children” from the Prelude 8 in E-flat minor from Book I of the “The Well-Tempered Clavier”).

For the four blues pieces, the “spelling” of the titles follows the system Bach and his German contemporaries used, in which the letter B indicates B-flat, and the letter H is B-natural. So, the four blues pieces that spell the name B-A-C-H are in the keys of B-flat (major), A (minor), C (minor) and B (major). (by wikipedia)

This album has an interesting concept, alternating four original blues with five adaptations of melodies from classical works by Bach. The Modern Jazz Quartet had long been quite adept in both areas, and despite a certain lack of variety on this set (alternating back and forth between the two styles somewhat predictably), the music is largely enjoyable. Vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis (doubling here on harpsichord), bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Connie Kay were still all very much in their musical prime during the 21st year of the MJQ’s existence. (by Scott Yanow)

Do not neglect hearing this recording especially “Blues in H” as one of the better performances by this group. Creativity in composition by John Lewis is what makes the recording so good for me. Compare this with their recording in Sweden in 1960’s for a live performance. You had to see and hear this group rather than merely listen to it. I was privileged to have had that chance in 1990. “Blues on Bach” will change your mind about the relevance of this group’s contribution to jazz – it was much more lasting than many others say. Interplay with the double bass and piano with Mr. Milt Jackson was worth the time. Read the obituary for Mr. Jackson in the New York Times. This group made an introduction to world music if you want to say something profound about it. (by Freddie Frumko)

Personnel:
Percy Heath (bass)
Milt Jackson (vibraphone)
Connie Kay (drums)
John Lewis (piano, harpsichord)

Alternate frontcovers:

Tracklist:
01. Regret? (Lewis) 2.07
02. Blues In B Flat (Lewis) 4.58
03. Rise Up In The Morning (Lewis) 3.25
04. Blues In A Minor (Lewis) 7.54
05. Precious Joy (Lewis) 3.15
06. Blues In C Minor (Jackson) 8.00
07. Don’t Stop This Train (Lewis) 1.48
08. Blues in H (B) (Jackson) 5.47
09. Tears From The Children (Lewis) 4.25

Music inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach

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More from the Modern Jazz Quartet:

Wishbone Ash – Wishbone Four (1974)

Wishbone Four is the fourth studio album by British rock band Wishbone Ash, released in 1973. It was a departure from their previous album, Argus, in that it lacked that recording’s overall cohesion and atmosphere and the loose conceptual framework of a stately, pastoral and warring medieval England. Containing only hints of the extended twin-lead guitar harmonies, Wishbone Four’s stylistic variety found its footing in acoustic folk elements in half of the eight-song set (“Ballad of the Beacon”, “Everybody Needs a Friend”, “Sorrel” and “Sing Out the Song”), two aggressive and melodic starters on each side of the vinyl release (Side 1: So Many Things to Say” and Side 2: “Doctor”), and the band’s first use of horns on the semi-autobiographical “rave-up” touring song “No Easy Road”.

Although the sombre, sensitive and rather more fragile acoustic songs contained the wistful intro elements that featured on the previous album, the lead guitars lacked the slow climb of the band’s trademark duelling crescendos and energetic fretwork expected from the band at the time, tending to a more subtle and subdued interplay on the longer tracks. Wishbone Four was popular among fans upon its release as it implied musical growth and a willingness to experiment in the band’s divergence of a successful formula (similar at the time to the effect of Led Zeppelin III’s contrast to that band’s previous efforts).

Wishbone Four was also the first release not produced by Derek Lawrence but by the band themselves. There’s the Rub, the band’s next and fifth studio album’ was the first album to feature guitarist-vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band’s creative direction for the next 11 years, as founding member Ted Turner left the band after the subsequent Wishbone Four tour. (by wikipedia)

The progressive aspirations were put aside for Wishbone Four, the group’s most solid-rocking album, though the folk-based element is still there, more solid than ever. “Ballad of the Beacon” is a genuinely beautiful song, and might have come from any number of electric folk-rock bands — the fact that it came from Wishbone Ash indicates just how serious they were in wanting to explore some of these sounds. Their most mature and successful album. (by Bruce Eder)

This album contains one of the best Wishbone Ash songs, Rock & Roll Widow. But before you get to this last song, you get such gems as Ballad Of The Beacon, So Many Things To Say, and No Easy Road. After Argus, this is the Wishbone Ash album to own. (Bryan Adkins)

Personnel:
Andy Powell (guitar, vocals)
Martin Turner (bass, vocals)
Ted Turner (guitar, lap-steel-guitar, vocals)
Steve Upton (drums, percussion)
+
Graham Maitland – piano on 03.)
George Nash (keyboards on 04.)
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horn section on 03.:
Phil Kenzie – Dave Coxhill – Bud Parks

Tracklist:
01. So Many Things To Say 5.06
02. Ballad Of The Beacon 5.05
03. No Easy Road 3.49
04. Everybody Needs A Friend 8.25
05. Doctor 5.54
06. Sorrel 5.04
07. Sing Out The Song 4.25
08. Rock ‘N Roll Widow 5.53

Music by Wishbone Ash;
Lyrics by Martin Turner, except “Rock ‘n Roll Widow” by Steve Upton

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More Wishbone Ash:

Black Sabbath – California Jam 1974 – The Complete Master (2020)

The massive Cal Jam took place in Ontario, California in the Spring of 1974, the event was done in part with ABC television who would broadcast parts of the festival. The bill of Deep Purple, ELP, Sabbath, as well as Black Oak Arkansas and the Eagles drew a staggering 250,000 music fans to the day long event. While the Deep Purple set has been released on both audio and video, precious little of the Sabbath set has made its way to fans on video, but thankfully the soundboard audio of the band’s entire performance has been circulating for some time. There have been several previous releases of this recording, Metal Mess (Oh Boy 1-9016), Bagdad (German Records GR-032), Live USA (Imtrate IMT 900-098), Iron Man Vol 2 (Bananna BAN 053-B), Canadian Nightmare (Aulica A 120), Canabis Confusion (Chase The Dragon CTD 005), and most recently on the third disc of 1974 (No Label). The soundboard audio source is excellent, instruments and vocals are cleanly heard with perfect balance, by far the best sounding document of the tour. It is however, a bare bones kind of recording that robs it of that concert ambiance, the band is in excellent form and rise to the occasion and gives the largest crowd they had played to at this point something to remember.

I pulled out my copy of the No Label release 1974, disc 3 which features this recording for comparison. This new Zodiac title sounds a notch louder but much clearer than the no label. The No Label has a layer of noise that is not found on the Zodiac which is certainly from a better generation recording and thus is a nice upgrade. There are a few other items of interest, this version includes a snippet of the introduction, a stage introduction of “Black Sabbath” whereas the No Label begins with the opening riff of Tomorrows Dream. There is a tape stretch three minutes into Sweet Leaf that is not found on the No Label as well.

Tomorrows Dream is the opening number, its short and sweet it sets the stage for the lumbering “Sweet Leaf” but for me things heat up as the band go into “Killing Yourself To Live”. The new song is played perfectly, it also includes some kind of swirling noise effect that is interesting to say the least. Ozzy demands “Smoke it” then as if doing it himself “Get High” that is followed by some stoned laughter. “War Pigs” does not have the storm sounds and the siren typically found at the beginning of the song, most probably due to it being a festival set. You can clearly here Bill Ward’s count in to “Snowblind”, Tony plays a beautiful yet mournful solo that is perfect for the bleakness of the song.

Ozzy introduces a new song and says he can’t say too much as they are “on the telly”, the band then play another long “Sabbara Cadabra” complete with all the jams and solos, but this time due to time constraints “Black Sabbath” is not included. There are no keys on the song, unlike the Scandinavium Occultism (Tarantura TCDBS-8) release, with no crowd noise it does sound a bit thin in places. The jam is the same as the Providence one, they play the “Supernaut” jam and the funky jam is great due to Geezer being clear in the mix, we can fully enjoy his contribution. Iron Man is played in full within the Sabbra Cadabra jam, Ozzy’s voice sounds particularly interesting during the “I Am Iron Man” intro and while the music does not sound affected, his vocals for the beginning of the song sound as if he has some kind of warped vocal effect as the music lumbers across the stage, yes it is very heavy.

Again Iommi rips out a great solo just prior to the “Sabbra Cadabra” reprise, Ozzy gives him a solo introduction as the band breaks into the latter. During this part of the song the bass is even more bass heavy, thankfully it clears in time for “Paranoid”. Ozzy thanks the large audience for the “great time” and they play the set finishing “Paranoid”. The band finish with a high energy and simply rousing version of “Children Of The Grave”, one can feel the energy bristling from the notes, if you have ever seen the video you know how the energy was translating to the audience. This set really showcases how great a live band Sabbath was in their prime.

As a bonus Zodiac has included a 1:22 interview with Ozzy pre and post show, he seems legitimately moved by the experience of playing to the massive crowd. He also speaks of how well organized the event is. I have seen these interviews before, most notably on the old History Of Black Sabbath VHS tape. A nice addition to this set.

The packaging is typical for Zodiac, full color inserts wonderfully showcasing the band onstage at the California Jam, the front cover is similar to the No Label 1974, an overhead shot of the band looking dwarfed by the massive crowd. Of course a picture CD and numbered sticker are included. A very nice release by Zodiac of Black Sabbath’s classic Cal Jam 1974 performance in front of a quarter million fans. (collectorsmusicreviews.com)

Recorded live at the “California Jam I”, Ontario Motor Speedway, CA, USA 6th April 1974

Personnel:
Geezer Butler (bass)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Ozzy Osbourne (vocals)
Bill Ward (drums)

Tracklist:
01. Tomorrow’s Dream 3.23
02. Sweet Leaf 6.08
03. Killing Yourself To Live 6.14
04. War Pigs 8.14
05. Snowblind 5.38
06. Sabbra Cadabra 5.09
07. Jam / Guitar Solo #1 (Iommi) 6.49
08. Sometimes I’m Happy 2.55
09. Drum Solo (Ward) 2.44
10. Supernaut 2.04
11. Iron Man 5.48
12. Guitar Solo / Jam #2 (Iommi) 6.54
13. Sabbra Cadabra (Reprise) 2.11
14. Paranoid 4.34
15. Embryo / Children Of The Grave 5.00
16. Interview 1.23

Music written by Geezer Butler – Tony Iommi – Ozzy Osbourne – Bill Ward

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More from Black Sabbath: